Maine's midcoast region near West Gardiner features a mix of freshwater lakes and tidal rivers within a 20-mile radius. Glamping accommodations typically operate from May through October, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 75°F during the main camping season. Most glamping sites require advance booking, particularly for stays between July and Labor Day.
What to do
Explore farm-based activities: At Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, visitors can experience glamping alongside a working organic farm. "We stayed at a working organic farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!" shared one visitor. The property offers educational farm experiences where "you can freely roam the farm... or rent a kayak/canoe and explore Casco Bay."
Experience water recreation: The tidal waters at Meadowbrook Camping provide unique paddling opportunities. "We hiked along the small lake there. Cooked up a storm and just enjoyed ourselves in nature," noted a reviewer. At Duck Puddle Campground, glampers enjoy "great water access. The sites are large... It is the only place we have stayed at more than once."
Visit coastal towns: Most glamping sites are strategically located near Maine's iconic coastal communities. "The Augusta/Gardiner KOA is on my good side. There are lots of site choices, cabins, yurts, and tent sites to choose from. The location is good as it is about 10-15 minutes far from the town of Freeport (home to L.L. Bean and tons of outlet stores), the pretty coastal town of South Freeport."
What campers like
Seasonal programming: Freeport/Durham KOA offers themed weekends that glampers especially enjoy. "The Halloween celebration is really well done- campers decorate their sites, there is an in-costume parade, and the central, bigger rigs are set up for trick or treating. The haunted house is scary enough that I waited by the exit!" A different camper mentioned, "Kid and pet friendly. Lots of activities for kids including a flashlight candy hunt, water slide, and s'more roast."
Fishing opportunities: Sagadahoc Bay Campground provides unique marine activities not available at inland glamping sites. "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore," reported one visitor. Another noted the "clamming and floating in with the tide. Fresh lobsters cooked and delivered to our campsite."
Canvas and yurt accommodations: While many glamping options feature cabins, Shore Hills Campground stands out for its variety of accommodation types. The campground "has a wide variety of sites that can accommodate everything from the biggest size RV to tents," with "some sites tucked in the woods that are super wide with huge patios and lots of privacy between you and your neighbor."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites have specific booking procedures. "The campground fills up for this event so make reservations early," advised one Freeport/Durham KOA guest.
Bathroom facilities: Expect varying levels of bathroom amenities at glamping sites. Some offer more basic facilities: "Bathrooms are dated but clean. Coin pay for hot water in the showers," noted a Shore Hills camper. Others are more recently updated: "The bathrooms and showers were spic and span clean."
Weather considerations: Chewonki Campground visitors recommend preparing for coastal Maine's weather patterns. "It is coastal Maine and there are mean mosquitoes. My all natural bug spray which is usually strong enough for NY bugs is not effective there," warned one camper. Another mentioned "Clean bathroom, although chilly in the 3rd week in May."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Augusta/Gardiner KOA caters specifically to families with children. A reviewer noted, "There's a bunch to do during prime season, particularly for the kiddies- pool, mini-golf, bounce house, playground and space to runaround."
Educational opportunities: Families often cite learning experiences as highlights. "My kids enjoyed visiting with the farm animals and walking along the rocky shore each day. Plenty to do between biking, kayaking, farm experience and visiting downtown Freeport close by," shared one Wolfe's Neck visitor.
Space considerations: Duck Puddle Campground offers sites that accommodate multiple families. "Amazing campground. Has a lot of stuff for kids including playground, pool, water slides, canoeing, kayaking, mini golf and disc golf. Great sites and plenty of them. Definitely a place to stay for a few days," noted one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Glamping in larger RVs requires careful site selection. At Sagadahoc Bay Campground, "The RV spots are in a very open field, but they are directly on the water," with one visitor noting the tradeoff that "sites were not very private, but the views and scenery are spectacular."
Hookup information: For those glamping with electrical needs, campgrounds offer varying services. "We paid for a 30 amp service, but had low voltage the entirety of our stay," cautioned one Meadowbrook camper. Consider using surge protectors for electrical equipment as some sites have reported issues.
Seasonal considerations: Shore Hills campers recommend considering weather when booking glamping sites with RV amenities. "We visited on Indigenous Peoples weekend. The leaves were at their peak and the nights were crisp. We enjoyed our time very much."
