Camden Hills State Park Campground provides 5,700 acres of woodland camping just three miles from downtown Camden. The park features over 100 sites with a mix of full and partial hookups, spread across forested and open areas. Sites are gravel and level, accommodating various camping styles from tents to RVs. The campground's location on Maine's midcoast offers a convenient base for exploring multiple coastal towns while maintaining a serene forest setting with temperatures rarely exceeding 80 degrees in peak summer.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Camden Hills State Park Campground offers miles of hiking trails directly from your campsite. One camper notes, "One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep." The park includes trails of varying difficulty, with some leading to Mount Battie's 800-foot summit for panoramic ocean views.
Kayak in nearby waters: Megunticook by the Sea Campground provides excellent access to Penobscot Bay for paddling. A camper reports, "The location of this campground is outstanding. Conveniently situated between Camden and Rockport off of Route One, the views of the Penobscot Bay are drop dead gorgeous... The kayaking, biking and hiking in the area is superb."
Visit local towns: Most campgrounds in the Union area are within 15-20 minutes of charming coastal towns. As one visitor to Camden Hills explains, "The campgrounds website has a very helpful map showing which sites are reservable and what they offer... What we really liked was the convenient location to downtown Camden and other cute towns."
What campers like
Cedar showers: Megunticook by the Sea Campground offers a unique shower experience. Multiple reviews highlight this feature with comments like, "We love the showers!!" and "The cedar showers are awesome!" One reviewer elaborates: "The bathrooms are clean and the cedar showers are awesome! We've been excited to come back here since we left."
Waterfront views: Many campsites at Duck Puddle Campground offer direct lake access. A camper explains, "The waterfront sites (61-66) offer direct access to the lake and have trees between the site for a more private feel. Some have a private dock for fishing or sitting, others have a small beach area."
Quiet atmosphere: Continuous Harmony Farm provides a more secluded camping option with just four tent sites. One visitor describes the experience: "The space is gorgeous, right next to a pond... We were joined by two other groups who camped close by, so not great for a private experience like we expected but it was still a lovely time nonetheless."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season (July-August), campgrounds fill quickly. For Camden Hills State Park Campground, a visitor advises, "Reservations can be made on-line but only about half of the sites are reservable leaving the other half for walk-ups. I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up."
Additional fees: Some campgrounds charge extra fees beyond the base rate. One camper at Megunticook Campground notes, "I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me: $30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want... $4 weather guarantee... $7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi... $10 to use the dump station."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds are situated near roads with traffic noise. A camper at Megunticook Campground observes, "The sites here are nicely wooded and have a decent amount of separation between most of them BUT the campground is located too close to the road and, with the exception of sites 84-87 and cabins 8-10, you will hear road noise in your site."
Tips for camping with families
Seasonal activities: Sennebec Lake Campground offers organized activities for children during summer weekends. A family notes, "Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there."
Beach access for children: Duck Puddle Campground includes a swimming area suitable for families. A repeat visitor mentions, "Great beach for swimming, playground for playing. We have already booked our next trip in a few weeks!"
Cost-effective options: For budget-conscious families, state parks offer more affordable rates compared to private campgrounds. Camden Hills State Park charges around $27 per night for sites with hookups, substantially less than nearby private facilities that can exceed $50 for basic tent sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV campers at Camden Hills State Park, site selection requires planning. A reviewer advises, "Although the park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig."
Leveling considerations: Lobster Buoy Campsites requires careful attention to site selection. One RVer notes, "Not all sites in the campground are level and the roads were in pretty bad shape so plan on going slow through the potholes."
Waterfront RV options: Some campgrounds offer premium waterfront locations for RVs. A visitor to Sennebec Lake Campground reports, "We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property and the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed."