Camping may not be the first thing that pops into your head when considering a vacation in Camden, Maine; more than likely, visions of gourmet cuisine, craft cocktails, boutique shopping, and upscale lodging will fill your mind.
And you certainly wouldn’t be wrong with any of those thoughts…but if you’re interested in keeping some of your hard-earned cash in your wallet, give camping some serious consideration.
There are a variety of campgrounds all within a half-hour drive from downtown Camden (travel times are included within each listing below), and if luxury amenities aren’t at the top of your necessities list, camping could be the perfect foil to the high prices of a Camden vacation.
Map of Camden Campgrounds
Here is a map of the campgrounds near Camden, Maine.
Camden Hills State Park
In terms of proximity to Camden, you can’t get much closer than Camden Hills State Park.
If that is your top priority, then you’ve found your campground. But, like most state park camping facilities, amenities here are basic-basic. Yes, there are bathhouses with hot showers and toilets…but that’s about it.
Folks that frequent this park swear by the fantastic hikes up Mount Battie, though, along with the breathtaking views of Camden Harbor and birdwatching opportunities once you reach the top.
So, if any of those things appeal to you—you’re welcome. Note that there is a fee at the gate, and all Camden State Park rules apply to the campground.
Location: 280 Belfast Rd, Camden, ME 04843
Website: Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills Community Campground
Featuring more than 60 open and wooded RV and tent sites, Camden Hills Community Campground is another great nearby camping option—and big rigs are welcome here.
There is an inground swimming pool for your enjoyment at this pet-friendly spot, a playground for the little ones, and a well-stocked camp store is onsite as well.
All campsites come with a picnic table and campfire ring, and there are laundry facilities, for a fee.
Location: 30 Applewood Rd, Rockport, ME 04856 (8 minutes)
Website: Camden Hills Community Campground
Megunticook Campground by the Sea
Owned by the same friendly folks that run Camden Hills Community Campground, pet-friendly Megunticook Campground by the Sea is aptly named.
Take in the sweeping views of Penobscot Bay right from the campground’s own little slice of Maine’s rocky coast, take a refreshing dip in the inground pool, or meet some new friends over at the horseshoe pit or volleyball court.
Lobster bakes, WiFi, and laundry facilities are available for a fee, and there is also a playground.
Note that, while Megunticook cannot accommodate big rigs, their sister property, Camden Hills Community Campground, does—and they are just 7 minutes away.
Location: 620 Commercial St, Rockport, ME 04856 (8 minutes)
Website: Megunticook Campground by the Sea
Mic Mac Cove Family Campground
Located on 600-acre Crawford Pond, the Mic Mac Cove Family Campground offers many waterfront and water view sites for RVs, campers, and tents; there are also sweet little cabins available for rent here, with varying levels of features and accommodation limits.
Amenities are plentiful at this pet-friendly campground, like a sauna, a pool table, arcade games, a general store, an ice cream stand, a pizza shop, a playground, a horseshoe pit, and a dock for fishing.
Boats, canoes, and kayaks are available to rent, as are boat slips.
Location: 210 Mic Mac Ln, Union, ME 04862 (19 minutes)
Website: Mic Mac Cove Family Campground
Northport Campground
This affordable, pet-friendly favorite has a wide variety of sites for all tastes—wooded, open, central to all the activity, or secluded…the choice is yours.
There are picnic tables and fire pits at every site, and most have electric and water hookups. Some pull-through sites are available, as well, and there is one tiny cottage rental on offer—so if you want it, be sure to book early.
Northport Campground also has an inground swimming pool, free hot showers, a frog pond, coin-operated laundry facilities, a playground, a volleyball court, and a horseshoe pitch.
And if you forgot anything, don’t worry—because they have a camp store, too.
Location: 14 Chelsea, Northport, ME 04849 (19 minutes)
Website: Northport Campground
Lobster Buoy Campsites
With 400’ of Maine coastline on the property, the Lobster Buoy Campsites have no need for extra amenities like pools, hot tubs, or recreation halls.
Family-owned since 1969, this old-style campground is proud of its uncommercialized, non-resort atmosphere—and their fourth-generation return campers seem to agree.
The owners have kept Lobster Buoy “updated but unchanged;” expect basic amenities like hot showers, a small store, clean bathrooms, and proximity to the shore, as all sites are within 150 yards of the waterfront.
Location: 280 Waterman Beach Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858 (29 minutes)
Website: Lobster Buoy Campsites
Sennebec Lake Campground
This gem of a spot is pet-friendly and offers campers 40 acres of wooded, lakefront beauty for RVs, campers, and tents.
Rent a canoe, kayak, or SUP if you don’t own one and explore all that the lake has to offer; there are also plenty of land activities on offer, like basketball, volleyball, a playground, tetherball, and horseshoes.
Almost every weekend during the summer brings a themed celebration, like Happy Birthday USA, Christmas Weekend in July, and Halloween in August.
There are organized activities and crafts for kids and weekly bingo games for the adults.
Location: 100 Lodge Ln, Appleton, ME 04862 (25 minutes)
Website: Sennebec Lake Campground
Moorings Campground
If you own an RV, this is the spot for you. Most of the sites here offer spectacular ocean views, and all feature electric, water, and sewer hookups, a campfire ring, free WiFi, cable tv, and a picnic table.
You can get a hot cup of coffee every morning at the office, and laundry facilities (fee-based) are available. There’s also a kayak launch, cornhole, and a playground.
Location: 191 Searsport Ave, Belfast, ME 04915 (29 minutes)
Website: Moorings Campground
Searsport Shores Ocean Campground
This pet-friendly campground is where the Makers Guild of Maine is headquartered, and campers benefit greatly from that arrangement. Peruse the handiwork of the artist-in-residence…purchase a handcrafted woolen item made from the resident sheep…view the honeybee hives…sample homegrown goodness in the organic garden kitchen…or partake of a real Maine Lobster bake.
Whether you’ve got a 2-person pup tent, a big rig, or anything in between, Searsport can accommodate you and your people; they also have two rental trailers and several cabins available (note that pets are not allowed in the trailers).
Location: 216 W Main St, Searsport, ME 04974 (32 minutes)
Website: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground
Medomak Family Camp
If you prefer rustic cabins to RVs or tents, then Medomak Family Camp is an option you should consider.
Environmentally conscious and pet-friendly, the owners of Medomak have jumped through many hoops to lower their carbon footprint and decrease any negative impact on nature’s resources, using solar hot water, sustainable forestry methods, outdoor LED fixtures to preserve Dark Sky initiatives, and farm-to-table produce and dairy products that come straight from their own farm.
Offering a private cove on the lake for swimming, sailing, and kayaking, Medomak also has a long list of non-water recreation available—archery, basketball, tennis, shuffleboard, ping pong, foosball, theater arts, dances, yoga, and much, much more is on offer here…truly something for all ages.
Oh, and three family-style, made-from-scratch meals per day are included with your stay.
Location: 178 Liberty Rd, Washington, ME 04574 (31 minutes)
Website: Medomak Family Camp
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