Weld, Maine sits at 665 feet elevation amid the western Maine mountains, where summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F. The area forms part of the Rangeley Lakes Region watershed, with Webb Lake serving as the central water feature for many local camping activities. Camping opportunities near Weld include both established campgrounds and forest service sites, many offering seasonal operation from May through October.
What to do
Gold panning adventures: At Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins, campers can rent equipment on-site for prospecting. "Rent a pan or sluice from the coos canyon rock and gem shop a 3 min walk from the office and pan for gold in the river right from the campground," reports David B.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds maintain their own courses. "Very nice campground with a good camp store and disc golf course," notes J.B. about Beaver Brook Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water activities dominate the region's recreation options. "We used the campgrounds shuttle livery service to take our kayak and paddleboard up river for a leisurely float down the river so we could enjoy the scenery, have a picnic, and fish," shares Nancy W. about Bethel Outdoor Adventure's river access.
Hiking trails: The region offers trails for various skill levels. "Take a walk over to Milan Hill SP and climb the fire tower," suggests Jean C. about excursions from nearby camping areas. "Close to Tumbledown Mountain hiking, Mt Blue and Webb Lake," adds Camie S.
What campers like
River access: Waterfront sites remain highly sought-after. "Our site was right next to the river and was fantastic. Ellis pond and Webb lake were close and great to take to canoe out," explains Matthew H. about his stay at Coos Canyon Campground and Cabins.
Site privacy levels: Campgrounds offer varying degrees of seclusion. "Sites are wide and long enough," reports Pat C. about Bethel Outdoor Adventure, while others noted that "Sites are a little close to each other, but they're very long" at Stony Brook Recreation.
Natural swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature water access. "The canyon itself had tons to explore including rock climbing, cliff jumping, swimming, fishing, a cute little sandy beach for the littles to play on, and so much more," shares Ashley V. about Coos Canyon.
Proximity to ATV trails: For off-road enthusiasts, several campgrounds provide direct trail access. "Great place to stay with ATV trails access right from your campsite," states Andrew G. about Stony Brook Recreation and Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operation specifics: Most campgrounds close earlier than indicated in some listings. "We stayed late July for 3 nights during the week," notes a camper about timing their visit.
Limited cell coverage: Communication can be unreliable. "No cell reception and wifi only available at the camp store," reports Camie S. about her stay at Coos Canyon.
Reservation requirements: Especially for waterfront sites, advance booking is essential. "This campground was small and quiet with majority of sites for tents only. The river was super calm so we were able to take our paddle board out and explore the waters," explains Katy Z. about Mollidgewock State Park Campground.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds sit near highways. "The main bummer was the proximity to a road -- the road noise was pretty significant. I would definitely recommend a campsite further in," advises Ellie L. about selecting quieter sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "Very nice has a pool close to Grafton state park," notes Frank R. about the amenities at Stony Brook Recreation and Campground.
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule family-friendly events. "For parents; live entertainment with local bands on Saturday nights, an adult only swim nightly. (Playground is close enough to the pool to actually enjoy this while listening to my kids play), candy bar bingo (where you can play bingo WITH your kids and was quite fun)," describes Angela M. about her experience at Jellystone Park™ Androscoggin Lake.
Water-based activities: Swimming and beach access rank high for families. "It has a pool and min golf," adds another visitor about recreation options at some parks.
Scavenger hunts: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment. "Small cute campground, what camping should be. Nice trail to the river next to our site. Dog friendly. Fun little scavenger hunt for kids of all ages," reports Camie S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For larger RVs, careful planning prevents issues. "Not all sites are level and we found it difficult to get into because of the tight roads and dangling tree limbs," warns Nancy W. about Bethel Outdoor Adventure.
Elevation challenges: Mountain roads require proper vehicle preparation. "We stayed in the 'new sites' adjacent to the entrance road; it was a long nice site with gravel but was not private," notes Quinn G. about Martin Stream Campground.
Dump station policies: Check restrictions before arrival. "There are no sewer hookups but you are only allowed ONE use at dump station upon leaving the campground," cautions Rod L. about a campground policy.
Power requirements: Confirm electrical service meets your needs. "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," shares a reviewer about rv sites near Weld, Maine.
