Glamping and camping options near Yarmouth, Maine include several locations within 30-45 minutes of town, positioned between the coastline and inland forests. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures of 70-80°F and cool nights around 55-60°F. Mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive in coastal areas during summer months, with many campers reporting the need for specialized repellents beyond standard formulations.
What to do
Kayaking at tidal marshes: Scarborough Marsh near Wild Duck Adult Campground provides excellent paddling opportunities with minimal crowds. "There are a few very short walking paths in the campground, but it is 1.3 miles of the Eastern Trail, a multi use gravel path which is a better place to walk, bike, or run. It is within a mile of the Audubon center office, where you can either put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one," notes a camper at Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Explore working farms: Several campgrounds combine camping with agricultural experiences. At Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground, visitors can participate in farm activities. One camper shares, "We stayed here this summer and was one of our favorites ever! This campground is located on an organic dairy farm. There is a farm cafe on site with local food. We loved that!"
Beach hopping: The region features multiple beach options with varying amenities. "This campground is awesome. We got moved last minute down to the RV Oceanview section which was a great surprise... There's a small beach within about a 1 minute walk, and when the tide goes out you can walk for forever. Lots of people come here to clam," explains a visitor to Sagadahoc Bay Campground.
What campers like
Tide exploration: The dramatic tides create unique outdoor opportunities. At Sagadahoc Bay Campground, "When the tide goes out you have the entire inlet to walk around in and explore. At night the stars were absolutely amazing!" according to one reviewer.
Adult-only camping options: For those seeking quiet, child-free environments, specialized campgrounds offer peace. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing. It has both tent and rv sites, some with full hookup and some with power and water only," writes a camper about Wild Duck Adult Campground.
Lobster delivered to campsites: Fresh seafood delivered directly to your site is a regional specialty. A Meadowbrook Camping visitor reports, "Great place! Lobsters for sale straight out of the tank cooked and delivered to your site every day. Don't forget to add corn and potatoes. Fire pits are stone and awesome."
Winter glamping experiences: Year-round options exist for those interested in glamping near Yarmouth, Maine during colder months. At Maine Forest Yurts, "It was extremely cold during our stay and I was surprised how well the wood stove worked to keep us toasty though we had to get up through the night to keep adding wood."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes present a significant challenge at many coastal sites. At Hermit Island Campground, "One warning! Be prepared to deal with mosquitos! Many people use screen tents... This place isn't for everyone, but if you're happy roughing it, you'll never want to go home!"
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds use outdated reservation methods requiring advance planning. "This campground does not have an online reservation system. You have to mail in your request or call. When calling during the 'winter' months (anytime from September through Mid-June), staff can only be reached from 9:00-2:00," explains one Hermit Island Campground visitor.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor or non-existent cellular coverage. A camper at Hermit Island notes, "Absolutely NO CELL SERVICE. Sounds like a good thing, right? Nope. Not for us because in case of emergency, couldn't call anyone for help. Had to drive about a mile out to get reception."
Grocery access: Most campgrounds are 15-30 minutes from full grocery stores. "We then left to get groceries. Closest grocery store was shaw's, about 25-30 minutes away. However, we needed more - bug spray, thermocells, et al - so we went Brunswick to get everything, 30-35 minutes away," reports a Hermit Island visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Beach-adjacent sites: Choose campgrounds with easy beach access for family-friendly activities. At Sebago Lake State Park Campground, "The selling point of this campground is the lake for sure. Sebago Lake is beautiful... Beach areas were very nice for relaxing."
Consider noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds vary in noise policies and enforcement. At Bayley's Camping Resort, one camper noted, "People drive way too fast up and down the camp roads with zero enforcement (even though speed limit signs say strictly enforced) with the amount of kids on bike and such I find this to be very important rule to enforce."
Farm-based activities: Agricultural campgrounds offer educational opportunities. "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," shares a Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Campground visitor.
Halloween camping events: Seasonal themed weekends provide family entertainment. A visitor to Freeport / Durham KOA notes, "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! (This part is NOT for the little kids)."
Tips from RVers
Electrical capacity awareness: Some older campgrounds have limited electrical service. "We paid for a 30 amp service, but had low voltage the entirety of our stay... They had several campsites on the same breaker, something we have never seen at any campground in our 3 years of travel," reports an RVer at Meadowbrook Camping.
Site leveling challenges: Many coastal campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "Our site was unlevel and we were always on a bit of an incline. Our coach is pretty sensitive when it comes to leveling so this may not be a problem with other units or towables," notes an RVer visiting Sagadahoc Bay Campground.
RV-friendly bathhouse options: Bathhouse quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Freeport / Durham KOA, "We have stayed here a few times and are always impressed how well-cared for the grounds are and how and clean the common areas, bathrooms, and pool are. The grass is always cut, weeds trimmed, fire pits cleaned and there is no trash lying on the ground."
