Campgrounds near Yarmouth, Maine typically operate from May through mid-October, coinciding with the region's best weather. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F with cooler evenings around 55-60°F. Most campgrounds in this coastal region sit within 20 miles of Yarmouth, offering visitors easy access to both Portland attractions and southern Maine beaches.
What to do
Botanical Gardens exploration: Just 45 minutes from Yarmouth, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer unique attractions. "Don't miss the Guardians of the Seeds (trolls) at the Botanical Gardens! Truly a one of a kind campground with amazing restaurant and brewery on site," notes a camper at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Paddle the marshes: Scarborough Marsh provides kayaking opportunities close to camping areas. "Since it is by the marsh there were a lot of mosquitoes (August). The shower and bathroom area is rather small but very clean," reports one visitor to Wild Duck Adult Campground. Another reviewer adds: "This campground is about a mile from the Eastern Trail through the Scarborough Marsh."
Beach access via trolley: Multiple campgrounds offer convenient beach transportation. "Great location trolley will pick you up from the campground and take you to Old Orchard Beach. Very friendly staff. Kid activities were done regularly," writes a visitor at Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach. Another camper confirms, "In the summer there is a shuttle that takes you to the beach which is convenient."
What campers like
Outdoor movie nights: Evening entertainment ranks high with campers. "Kids had a blast with Friday and Saturday movie nights," notes a reviewer at Shamrock Campground. Similarly, at Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, guests enjoy "outdoor movies were fun."
Heated pools: Many campgrounds maintain pools with extended seasons. "The pool is heated and has an amazing water slide and themed. We had a blast and plan on visiting again next year!!" shares a guest at Cole's Mine RV Resort and Campground. Another visitor confirms: "Super fun pool and a small campground so not many people crowding the pool."
On-site dining options: Specialty food service receives frequent mention in reviews. "The Merry Moose cafe was definitely a nice touch," notes one reviewer. Another camping foodie at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort shares: "I admit the pancakes were delicious and loved eating them campfire side."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campground layout and privacy differ considerably between parks. "The tent sites are pretty close to each other but we had no issues with noise," reports a camper. At Wild Acres Sun RV Resort, one visitor warns: "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, resulting in very little privacy."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities close between mid-October and early May. "We loved going in the fall to enjoy the leaves and sit in the hot tubs. The location is close to OOB and easy to get around," says a visitor. Shoulder season camping offers quieter experiences but with limitations.
Noise considerations: Rail lines run near several campgrounds. "The dump station is ill-placed and would have been very hard for us to access," notes one RVer at another park. "And the campground map is missing the train tracks that are between the campground and the ocean. The trains all blow there horn and you will hear it if your at one of the site 'by the ocean'."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with multiple play areas. "2 amazing playgrounds, clean facilities and one amazing pool. We are local to the area and are thrilled to have met the owners and Cole himself!" shares a visitor at Cole's Mine RV Resort and Campground. The site offers specialized recreation for different age groups.
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds run structured programs. "They have great activities every week during summer for kids and adults and special times they have for teens to be themselves without smaller kids or adults," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Moody Beach. Another visitor adds: "We took our family of 5, and my mom for a weekend getaway! It was perfect. So much to do."
Beach timing with tides: Plan beach visits strategically with young children. "If you have little ones, time your beach trips with low tide. The waves crash pretty hard at high tide," advises one experienced family camper.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Some parks have challenging entrances. "We were in site 13; it was level and easy enough to back into but just a tad challenging when it was time to leave (we were ok with our 18-foot van, but a larger rig would definitely have trouble)," notes a visitor at Boothbay Craft Brewery & RV Resort.
Site selection importance: Request specific site numbers when booking. "Most of the grounds were dense- comprised primarily of RVs and various cabins. My sister and I lucked out with our cabin and the cul-de-sac it was in. It overlooked the woods and was a bit more secluded than many of the other sites," recommends one camper.
Utility details: Research specific hookup configurations before arrival. "50, 30, and 20 Amp, water and sewer. We had a pull through site which worked really well for newbies like my wife and I," shares an RV camper.