Camping in Maine

Maine’s camping opportunities range from developed state park campgrounds with hot showers to remote backcountry sites where you won’t see another soul for days. With over 17 million acres of forestland and countless lakes, rivers, and coastline, the Pine Tree State offers camping experiences for every skill level and preference.

Types of Camping

Car Camping

Car camping at established campgrounds is the most accessible option. You drive right to your site, unload your gear, and set up camp. Most campgrounds have picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby bathrooms. State parks offer some of the best maintained sites, while private campgrounds often have more amenities like pools, playgrounds, and camp stores.

Sites typically accommodate tents or small campers. Many campgrounds have both wooded sites for privacy and open sites with better views. Expect to pay $20-45 per night depending on location and amenities.

Backcountry Camping

For solitude and wilderness experience, backcountry camping requires hiking or paddling to remote sites. You carry everything on your back or in your canoe. Baxter State Park’s backcountry sites are legendary, requiring advance reservations and following strict Leave No Trace principles.

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway offers 92 miles of designated campsites accessible only by canoe. The Appalachian Trail traverses Maine for 281 miles with shelters and tent platforms along the route.

Backcountry camping demands more skill and preparation. You need to know navigation, water treatment, food storage, and wilderness first aid. The rewards are unmatched: pristine lakes, wildlife encounters, and starry skies without light pollution.

RV Camping

Maine welcomes RVs at many campgrounds with electric hookups, water, and dump stations. Coastal campgrounds fill up fast in summer with families bringing motorhomes and travel trailers. Many private campgrounds cater specifically to RVs with pull-through sites and full hookups.

State parks accommodate RVs but have size restrictions. Check maximum lengths before booking. Some remote campgrounds have no hookups, perfect for self-contained rigs seeking beautiful locations over amenities.

Top Campgrounds

Baxter State Park

The crown jewel. Baxter offers 10 campgrounds with varying levels of development. Some have running water, others are primitive. Sites book up months in advance through the park’s rolling reservation system.

Roaring Brook and South Branch Pond are popular base camps for hiking. Kidney Pond and Daicey Pond offer cabin rentals. The park enforces strict rules: no pets, no radios, quiet hours observed. This isn’t glamping, it’s wilderness camping done right.

Reserve exactly four months in advance online or by phone. Peak summer weekends and fall foliage dates fill within minutes.

Acadia National Park

Blackwoods and Seawall are the two campgrounds within Acadia. Blackwoods sits inland near Otter Cliff, while Seawall perches on the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island.

Both offer wooded sites, flush toilets, and easy access to hiking trails and carriage roads. Blackwoods takes reservations through recreation.gov starting six months out. Seawall operates first-come, first-served for some sites and reservations for others.

The campgrounds close in winter. Neither has hookups or showers, but nearby private campgrounds fill that gap if needed.

Camden Hills State Park

Oceanside camping with mountain hiking. The 112-site campground sits between Route 1 and the mountains, offering proximity to Camden Harbor while maintaining a natural setting.

Hot showers, a camp store, and easy access to Mount Battie’s auto road make this popular with families. Sites are relatively close together but well-maintained. Ocean views from certain sites justify the premium price.

Reserve through maine.gov/camping starting six months ahead for summer dates.

Sebago Lake State Park

Maine’s second-largest lake hosts one of the busiest state park campgrounds. The 250-site facility offers sandy beaches, boat launches, and family-friendly atmosphere just 30 minutes from Portland.

Sites are fairly open with less privacy than mountain campgrounds, but the lake access compensates. Expect noise and activity during summer weekends. Midweek visits are more peaceful.

Book early for waterfront sites. Regular sites are easier to snag last-minute.

Rangeley Lake State Park

Western Maine camping with stunning mountain views. The 50-site campground sits right on Rangeley Lake with boat access and swimming beach.

This area stays cooler in summer and attracts fewer crowds than coastal campgrounds. Excellent fishing, hiking, and fall foliage. Sites are well-spaced with good privacy.

The surrounding region offers dozens of smaller campgrounds and remote options for exploring the Rangeley Lakes.

Reservations and Walk-Up Sites

State park reservations open six months in advance through maine.gov/camping. Weekend spots for July and August book quickly. Weekdays and shoulder seasons offer more flexibility.

Recreation.gov handles Acadia reservations. The system goes live six months out at 10 AM Eastern. Popular sites require quick action.

Walk-up sites exist at some campgrounds, usually first-come, first-served starting at noon when departing campers leave. Arrive early and be flexible. Midweek in June or September offers the best odds.

Private campgrounds often have availability when state parks are full. They cost more but offer amenities like WiFi, laundry, and organized activities.

What to Bring

A good tent is essential. Three-season tents work for spring through fall. Four-season models handle late fall cold and early spring snow.

Sleeping bags rated for 20-30 degrees work for summer. Go lower for spring and fall when nighttime temperatures can dip into the 30s or 40s. A sleeping pad provides insulation and comfort.

Bring layers for changeable weather. Warm clothes for evening, rain gear always, sun protection. Even August can see 50-degree nights at elevation.

Cooking gear depends on location. Many campgrounds allow fires but also require a camping stove for efficiency. Bring dishwashing supplies, coolers with ice, food storage containers.

Water is available at developed campgrounds. Backcountry camping requires filtering or treating water from streams and lakes. Never drink untreated water.

Headlamps or flashlights, first aid kit, maps, bug spray, sunscreen, and any personal medications round out the essentials.

Bear Safety

Black bears live throughout Maine. They’re generally shy but attracted to food smells. Proper food storage is critical.

At developed campgrounds, use the bear boxes if provided. Otherwise, store food in your vehicle’s trunk or locked camper. Never leave coolers outside overnight.

Backcountry camping requires hanging food at least 12 feet high and 6 feet from tree trunks. Bear canisters work in areas without suitable trees. Some lean-tos have cables for hanging food bags.

Keep a clean camp. Don’t cook near your tent. Pack out all garbage. Even toothpaste and deodorant attract bears, so store them with food.

If you encounter a bear, make noise, appear large, and back away slowly. Never run. Carry bear spray in remote areas, though attacks are extremely rare.

Leave No Trace Principles

Maine’s wilderness depends on responsible use. Follow Leave No Trace ethics:

Pack out everything you pack in. All trash, even biodegradable items like orange peels.

Bury human waste 6-8 inches deep, 200 feet from water. Pack out toilet paper or burn it completely in established fire rings.

Use existing campsites and fire rings. Don’t create new ones. Keep fires small and fully extinguish them.

Respect wildlife. Watch from distance, never feed animals, and store food properly.

Be considerate of other campers. Keep noise down, especially after dark. Share trails and water sources.

Seasonal Information

Blackfly Season

Late May through mid-June brings blackflies. These tiny biters swarm around your head, getting in ears, eyes, and nose. They’re worst in woods and near water.

Bug nets, long sleeves, and DEET help but don’t eliminate the problem. Early morning and evening are worst. Windy days provide relief.

July mosquitoes replace blackflies as the primary annoyance. By August, bugs diminish considerably.

Fall Camping

September and October offer excellent camping. Bugs disappear, temperatures moderate, and foliage peaks. Nights get cold, requiring warmer sleeping bags.

State parks start closing facilities after Columbus Day. Some remain open for primitive camping. Check schedules before planning late fall trips.

Winter Camping

A few hardy campers stay out year-round. Winter camping requires specialized gear: four-season tents, zero-degree bags, insulated pads. Snow camping skills include building snow walls and staying dry.

Baxter allows winter camping at certain sites. Most state parks close entirely. Private campgrounds serving snowmobilers stay open in some regions.

Dispersed Camping in North Maine Woods

The North Maine Woods offers 3.5 million acres of commercial forestland open to camping. Purchase a day use or camping permit at checkpoints.

Primitive sites exist along logging roads, but you can also camp anywhere following guidelines. This is true remote camping: no facilities, no cell service, abundant wildlife.

Gates close in spring during mud season, typically late April to early June. Fall hunting season means wearing blaze orange if you’re out walking.

This region isn’t for beginners. Bring paper maps, know how to navigate logging roads, carry extra supplies. The solitude and wildness reward the effort.

Getting Started

New to camping? Start at a developed state park campground near home. Make a summer weekend trip with easy hiking and swimming nearby. Learn to set up your tent, cook on a camp stove, and manage food storage.

Graduate to busier seasons or more remote locations as you gain confidence. Try backcountry camping with experienced friends before going solo.

Maine’s camping season runs May through October at most places, with peak summer offering the easiest weather for beginners. Shoulder seasons provide better solitude once you know what you’re doing.

The camping community is generally friendly and helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask neighboring campers for advice or assistance. Most are happy to share knowledge.

With proper preparation and respect for the environment, camping in Maine offers some of the finest outdoor experiences in the Northeast. Start planning your trip now - the woods are waiting.