Maine's southern coast offers numerous camping and RV sites near West Kennebunk, Maine, with proximity to both the sandy beaches and inland attractions. The area experiences typical New England weather patterns with humid summers averaging 80°F and cool springs and falls. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from April through October with limited winter accommodations.
What to do
Beach access options: Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach provides convenient beach transportation. "This campground is four miles from Old Orchard Beach which is a throw-back from your childhood when carnival rides and funnel cakes made you so happy. The town smells like fried food and pizza and shopping consists of t-shirts and beach chairs," notes Nancy W.
Wildlife viewing: Explore nearby marshlands for bird watching opportunities. Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers water access for nature observation. "A great place to explore is Rachael Carson National Wildlife Refuge. There is a small welcome center and trails that wind through the marsh with some beautiful views (and dog-friendly)," suggests one camper.
Paddling excursions: Multiple campgrounds provide access to waterways. "If you like to paddle, head to the Saco River Marsh. Here you can put in your own boats or rent some and paddle through beautiful marsh – just watch the tides," advises a reviewer at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Multi-use trail access: Wild Duck Adult Campground sits near recreational paths. "My wife and I enjoy riding our bikes on rail trails. This quiet campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh," notes Kevin W.
What campers like
Adult-only accommodations: Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park offers peace and quiet for those seeking an adults-only environment. "We stayed here in our popup for two nights in June 2018. The campground was veeerrryyy quiet, we almost felt bad making noise as we set up upon arrival," mentions Megan W.
Heated amenities: Several campgrounds maintain heated pools extending the swimming season. Cole's Mine RV Resort features themed water attractions. "This place is well payed out and very well taken care of. The pool is heated and has an amazing water slide and themed," states Andrew G.
Entertainment options: Some parks offer scheduled entertainment during peak season. "The stand up comedy was awesome. For the most part, the comedians kept it fairly clean & our 9 yr old did not get any of the jokes that were a little sassy," reports Sara D. about her stay at Tuxbury Pond RV Campground.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds provide organized events for guests. "Kid activities were done regularly. Pizza and breakfast is very good if you don't want to cook. Outdoor movies were fun," writes Jill P. about Shamrock Campground.
What you should know
Train noise: Some oceanside campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. "The campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow their horn and you will hear it if you're at one of the sites 'by the ocean,'" warns Bryan about Wild Acres Sun RV Resort.
Insect considerations: Marshland proximity means mosquito preparation is essential. "The only negative of this place was the mosquitoes. They were TERRIBLE. In the time it took after we parked the camper, to when I could dig the bug spray out of our truck I was covered in bites," cautions a Wild Duck camper.
Campsite spacing variations: Site proximity differs significantly between campgrounds and within sections. "The 30 amp sites are very close together. The campground layout is quite unusual, with campers parked lengthwise along the road. This means that you share the space where you sit outside with the camper behind you," notes Arno W. about Thousand Trails Moody Beach.
Beach transport options: Several campgrounds offer dedicated beach transportation services. "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach," mentions a Shamrock Campground guest.
Tips for camping with families
Theme parks nearby: Family-friendly attractions complement beach activities. "If you have kids and like water parks, Funtown Splashtown USA is a popular place especially on warm days and just down the street," notes a camper from Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach.
Playground facilities: Sea-Vu West Premier RV Resort offers dedicated play areas. "If you have children, there's a nice play area with really nice playground equipment," mentions Susan J., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Movie nights: Some campgrounds offer family film screenings. "We really enjoyed our stay here. The staff was friendly, the bathrooms and grounds were very clean, activities were fun, the playground/pool was nice... Kids had a blast with Friday and Saturday movie nights," comments Leona about Shamrock Campground.
Activity programming: Cole's Mine RV Resort provides dedicated children's facilities. "This place is perfect for small families or parents of younger kids. 2 amazing playgrounds, clean facilities and one amazing pool," reports Laura C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Request specific sites when making reservations at RV parks near West Kennebunk. "We tent camped at Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. The staff was very friendly and when I called to book the site, they assisted in helping us pick out the nicest campsite," shares Ben P.
Site dimensions: Thousand Trails Moody Beach accommodates large rigs with adequate spacing. "We stayed for 3 nights in late July. The wooded sites are pull through and back in, depending on the row. There are cabins and rentals as well," reports Heather C.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds feature improved roadways. "Roads are paved so kids can ride their bikes with ease. Place is very clean and close to the beach," notes Nick about Sea-Vu West Premier RV Resort.
Wi-Fi limitations: Internet access varies significantly between parks. "Wifi not good. Even when they let us upgrade to the premium," mentions an RVer at Wild Acres.