The region surrounding Sumner, Maine sits within the western Maine foothills at elevations between 500-1,000 feet. Located roughly 20 miles east of the White Mountains, the area experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cooler evenings dropping to the 50s. Camping season typically runs from May through October, with some campgrounds closing earlier after Labor Day depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Nature trails and hiking: Stony Brook Recreation and Campground provides access to nearby Grafton Notch State Park. "Very nice has a pool close to grafton state park," notes one visitor about Stony Brook Recreation and Campground.
Water recreation on rivers: Androscoggin River activities are popular for campers staying at Bethel Outdoor Adventure. "We chose to stay at this campground because it was close to downtown Bethel, had river access, and had a full hook-up site for our 45' RV," explains one visitor. "The best aspect of this campground is the access to the Androscoggin River. The park rents kayaks, canoes, and tubes and has a shuttle service that will take you up river for so you can float back to the campground."
Fishing opportunities: Martin Stream Campground offers streamside sites perfect for anglers. "We tented in a great little spot right along the stream," shares one camper at Martin Stream Campground. The campground features a scenic nature trail along the water.
Gem mining activities: Several campgrounds offer mining experiences. At Bethel Outdoor Adventure, "they also have a sluice on the property, 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."
What campers like
Lake access for boating: Augusta West Kampground features waterfront sites with docking facilities. "Loved our site right on the water and access to the docks for fishing & kayaking! Kids caught many sunfish & had loads of fun," reports one camper at Augusta West Kampground. "Loved waking up to the sounds of the loons & even spotted a bald eagle!"
Clean, modern facilities: Campers consistently praise well-maintained bathrooms and amenities. "Very clean, well maintained, and family friendly!! This place is amazing!! Nice tent sites. RV sites. There are electric and water hook ups. Nice pool and clean bathrooms with showers!!" writes a visitor at Stony Brook Recreation.
Organized activities: Many campgrounds host scheduled events for guests. "This is a wonderful campground. The sites are large and well kept. The grounds are in great condition," shares a visitor about Martin Stream Campground.
Private wooded sites: Papoose Pond offers secluded camping spots. "The campsite was large and private with good distance between the next sites. We were on the pool/rec hall side and it definitely seemed less condensed over there than the pond side," notes one camper at Papoose Pond Family Campground and Cabins.
What you should know
Seasonal operating schedules: Most RV camping near Sumner operates between May and October. Augusta West Kampground runs from "May 15 to September 30," while Martin Stream is open "May-October." Bethel Outdoor Adventure has a longer season from "May 1 to November 1."
Site configurations vary: Some campgrounds have more privacy than others. At Bethel Outdoor Adventure, one camper notes: "The sites are pretty close together and ours was a buddy site which meant our patio faced our neighbor's patio. Since the sites were so close, we were practically sitting next to them."
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "The campground is located off Route 2 which is fairly convenient but the road noise was pretty loud as this is a heavily trafficed road," mentions a camper about Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.
Dump station policies: Restrictions may apply for RV services. One visitor to Martin Stream Campground reports: "There are no sewer hookups (which is fine) but you are only allowed ONE use at dump station upon leaving the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated family amenities: Jellystone Park Androscoggin Lake offers comprehensive activities. "Beaver Brook in Monmouth Maine is a must stay if you have kids from babies to teens. Our family has been going annually for the last five years," explains a camper at Jellystone Park™ Androscoggin Lake. "Kids loved the big red and blue slides at the pool, restaurant, ice cream and store all in the same area."
Consider campground layout: Some sections provide better family experiences. At Papoose Pond, "We stay in an HHK which is a site that has its own electric stove, kitchen sink, covered picnic table, and small bathroom in the back! It's definitely more lux than a standard site, but it makes camping with kids insanely easy."
Check bathroom proximity: Evaluate facilities when booking. "My one con is the location of public restrooms. There aren't many, hence why we stay on a site with our own, and some are extremely far away from campsites that don't allow campers," cautions a visitor to Papoose Pond.
Evaluate organized activities: Look for scheduled programming. "Nightly events for adults kids and family. Kayak/canoe rentals an amazing beach. Guided hikes," highlights a camper describing Papoose Pond's offerings.
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. At Stony Brook, "Sites are a little close to each other, but they're very long," notes one RVer. This can be important when positioning larger motorhomes.
Sewer connection placement: Consider tank emptying logistics. A visitor to Bethel Outdoor Adventure mentions: "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."
Site privacy considerations: Some areas offer more separation than others. "We were in the 'new sites' adjacent to the entrance road; it was a long nice site with gravel but was not private. Most sites are packed in; close to others with not a lot of privacy," reports a visitor to Augusta West Kampground.
Overhead clearance issues: Watch for low-hanging vegetation. At Bethel Outdoor Adventure, campers found it "difficult to get into because of the tight roads and dangling tree limbs."