RV campgrounds near Stow, Maine offer visitors convenient access to the White Mountain National Forest with elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet. The region experiences seasonal temperature swings from summer highs near 80°F to winter lows often below freezing. Most campgrounds remain open from late April through mid-October, closing before the first significant snowfall.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: From Naples Campground, visitors can access nearby trails with varying difficulty levels. "We stayed an extra night. Can't say enough good things," notes one reviewer who appreciated the campground's proximity to outdoor activities.
Paddle the Androscoggin River: The river provides excellent kayaking opportunities with shuttle services available. One camper at Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground shared, "We rented a canoe and had a great time paddling back to the campsite. There was a very cool suspension bridge to take you to on a walk to a private island."
Winter recreation: For cold-season visitors, Cannon Mountain RV Park offers ski access. "Perfect for ski bums. Access to xcs, downhill, and snow machine trails," reports one camper who visited during winter months when many other campgrounds are closed.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Campers appreciate larger sites with natural screening. At Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort, visitors enjoy "large campsites and well maintained" grounds with "spacious wooded sites overlooking the water."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. One camper at Naples Campground noted, "Grounds are well maintained and its location is close to the action if you want to rent boat/jet ski. Kids loved the water slides, crafts and pool."
Waterfront access: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. At Riverside Camping & RV Resort, a visitor found "beautiful nature trails behind the campground. I found one that lead to a beach by the river, perfect for reading and relaxing."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most RV parks require advance bookings during peak season. Weekends from July through October fill quickly, especially at popular spots like Naples Campground where one reviewer mentioned, "We stayed at the Naples, ME KOA in July and just booked it again for this August."
Site configurations: Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds. At Cannon Mountain RV Park, "The sites are narrow, a little bigger than a parking space, especially because of the trees in between the sites... Site seven looks to be the best because no trees on one side lets you have some room."
Quiet hours enforcement: Several campgrounds strictly enforce noise restrictions. One camper noted, "The security people have been extremely aggressive to us. The campground has a rule that fires have to be out at 11:30."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Choose campgrounds with swimming options. At Naples Campground, families appreciate that "Kids loved the water slides, crafts and pool. We'll go back for sure!"
Organized activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled events. A visitor to Riverbrook RV & Camping Resort noted their "outstanding experience" because "the owners are super friendly and accommodating; the park is clean, comfortable, and convenient to adventures."
Gem mining: Children enjoy educational activities. Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground offers a sluice where "for a fee, you can get a bucket of mined material and get to sort through it looking for minerals and gems. Whatever you find, you keep."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Evaluate campground layouts before arrival. A visitor to Bethel Outdoor Adventure noted, "Not all sites are level and we found it difficult to get into because of the tight roads and dangling tree limbs."
Hookup positions: Check hookup configurations. One RVer at Bethel Outdoor Adventure mentioned, "Our sewer was uphill at our site which is a big pet peeve of ours and super annoying when it comes to empty the tanks."
Off-season operations: Late season campers should verify available amenities. At Cannon Mountain RV Park, "The rates drop after Columbus Day and the water is turned off," which impacts what services RVers can access.