Camden Hills State Park sits three miles from downtown Camden, offering direct access to 5,700 acres of hiking trails through Maine's coastal forests. The surrounding Penobscot Bay area maintains cooler temperatures than inland regions, with summer highs typically reaching 70-80°F and evening temperatures dropping to 50-60°F. Water access points vary between rocky coastline and freshwater lakes, with multiple options for paddlers within a 10-mile radius of West Rockport.
What to do
Explore Mount Megunticook trails: At Camden Hills State Park Campground, hiking paths lead directly from campsites to stunning viewpoints. "The park has around 100 sites that are categorized by size, and allows rvs and tents. There are no tent specific sites, and a tent camper could choose a large rv site. The top portion of the park, where all the campsites are, has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes," notes Heather C.
Kayak in protected waters: The coastal waterways near West Rockport provide excellent paddling opportunities for all skill levels. At Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, you can launch directly into protected bays. "The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," shares one camper. Another visitor adds, "We could launch our kayaks directly from the site."
Fishing from private docks: Some lakefront sites at Duck Puddle Campground include private docks for fishing. "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," explains K R.
What campers like
Spacious woodland sites: Unlike the glamping experiences described previously, traditional camping options offer more wooded privacy. "The sites are large and well spaced apart. They have a variety of trails, and the town of Camden is charming," notes Missy R. about her stay at Camden Hills State Park Campground.
Beach access for swimming: Freshwater swimming options complement the coastal experiences. "We love the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach," shares Pam A. about her experience at Sennebec Lake Campground.
Oceanfront camping with sunsets: Rocky beach access points provide unique coastal experiences. "Beautiful, quiet location with views of the deer isle bridge and access to walking the beach. Owners are so nice and friendly and accommodating," explains Jillian B. about Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, adding that "sites are mostly private and have space."
What you should know
Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds have specific shower arrangements different from glamping sites. "The CG showers are located at the office with two enclosed outdoor showers and one indoor shower. Hubby used the outdoor shower and thought it was great," explains Deborah W. about her stay at Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls.
Seasonal water issues: Water availability can vary by season. "I'm here in 2025 and they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable," notes Missy R. about her fall stay at Camden Hills State Park Campground. Plan to bring drinking water or confirm availability before arrival.
Variable site spacing: While glamping sites often have consistent spacing, traditional campgrounds vary more widely. "There are 196 tent, cottage, KOA Airstream, and personal RV sites, some of which are on the water. My challenge with the KOA is the sites were so close together and it was very crowded," reports Heather C.
Tips for camping with families
Free kid activities: Many campgrounds offer family programming. "There is a small arcade, store, and 24/7 laundry. 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," explains Pam A. about her experience at Sennebec Lake Campground.
Playground options: Traditional playgrounds supplement glamping amenities. "There are kids amenities and activities, there's a shop inside of the campground with a little of everything you might need," notes Julian M. about Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA.
Beach areas for children: Sandy beaches provide alternatives to the rocky coastline. "The lake is great for swimming and paddling," mentions K R. Another camper notes, "Nice place to hike and get away from it all. Bring your own water though."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some areas have naturally sloped terrain. "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," notes Jason G. about Sennebec Lake Campground, which can accommodate larger rigs despite its rural setting.
Limited big rig access: Many campgrounds in the region have size restrictions. "Very rustic, noisy. After spending 3 nights at this campground - I'll never go back again," warns one RV camper about a less pleasant experience, highlighting the importance of researching size limitations beforehand.
Full hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary by site. "We could have chosen lakefront but they were just water and electric and since we were staying 4 days we chose the full hookup in a nicely wooded site," explains Carol C. about her stay at Duck Puddle Campground.
