Many Maine visitors have described it as unbridled natural beauty. There’s no place like it, from the top of Mt. Katahdin to the coast’s rocky shores. While there’s much to see and do in the Dirigo state, today, we’re focusing on oceanfront campgrounds in Maine.
Come on along!
Planning a Trip to Maine’s Oceanfront Campgrounds
If you’re planning a summer camping trip to Maine, you’d better start planning early. Summer and fall are the high seasons there. The weather is fantastic, the beaches are bustling, the fishing is phenomenal, and cars line Route 1 for the views!
Still, you’ll want to plan a few things, including where you want to camp. Think about the amenities you seek, what food and supplies you’ll need to bring along, and who you want to share it with.
But don’t stress too much! Once you arrive, Maine’s easy-going vibe will help you relax.
Tips for Camping on Maine’s Beautiful Coast
In addition to booking your Maine oceanfront campgrounds early, we’ve got a few more tips that might be helpful to you.
First, bring your camera. The scenery calls to the photographer in each of us. There are iconic lighthouses, rocky cliffs covered in seaweed, starfish, seafoam, and wildlife around every bend. Just point and shoot for a stunning postcard.
Bring solid shoes; you don’t climb the rocky shores of Maine in flip-flops. Wherever you go, there will be trails to hike, rocks to climb, and even incredible jetties where you’ll want to walk. Bring water shoes to explore tidal pools too!
Additionally, bring some mosquito repellant. Depending on the time of year, the mosquitos can be thick, especially in the evening.
If you can carry kayaks, do it. Everywhere you go in Maine, there’s a place to drop your kayak into the water, even at the oceanfront campgrounds. The same goes for bikes.
Camping with kids? Bring fishing poles! Under 16, they’ll fish for free and likely catch plenty.
Here’s an essential tip: Please drive cautiously. There are many winding roads, blind drives, and pedestrians. Besides, there’s no reason to be in a hurry when you’re in Maine’s gorgeous scenery.
Pro Tip: Add these 10 Best Maine Lighthouses to See On Your Coastal Roadtrip to your itinerary.
Are the Beaches in Maine Swimmable?
Yes, Maine has very swimmable beaches! While not all of Maine’s beaches are the same, there are many that are calm and quiet, in protected areas, and have soft sand bottoms. However, you’ll have to endure chilly temperatures or bring a wetsuit, as these waters top out in the high 60s in the summertime.
The 10 Best Oceanfront Campgrounds in Maine
This is by no means an exhaustive list of oceanfront campgrounds in Maine, but it’s an excellent start. If none of these suits your fancy, there are many other local options to enjoy.
1. Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground
Address: 63 Shore Dr, Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Website: http://www.harbourview.com/
Amenities: Be advised this campground is for tents and tent trailers only. RV sites are long-term. Cape Neddick offers bathrooms, showers, a tiny store, and a restaurant across the street. Fire rings and picnic tables are also available at each site.
Pet-Friendly: No.
Why You’ll Love It: This is a small but lovely campground situated between a river and the ocean. It’s between York Beach and Ogunquit Beach. The campground is small, and the sites are close and not amenable to those desiring total privacy. But the ocean views are gorgeous and worth the trip! Keep your eyes on the tide. Nubble Light is just around the loop in the road!
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10
2. Reach Knolls Oceanfront Campground in Maine
Address: 670 Reach Rd, Brooklin, ME 04616
Website: http://reachknolls.com/
Amenities: Reach Knolls has electrical 20-30 amp sites available for tenting and/or RVing. Fresh water fill stations and a dump station are available for guests, and there is electricity at the sites. There’s also WiFi at the office. RVs are limited to 38′ in length. These more simple amenities encourage guests to enjoy the natural beauty around them and keep the rates down.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, pets are allowed with vaccination records. Doggy bags are available round the park to help owners with their duty of picking up after their pets.
Why You’ll Love It: Located on the shores of Eggemoggin Reach, the scenery here is breathtaking. This oceanfront campground in Maine is simple and rustic, with sunsets that will knock your socks off. This simple slice of ocean paradise is reasonably priced for a getaway.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.5/10
3. Libby’s Oceanside Camp
Address: 725 York St, York, ME 03909
Website: https://libbysoceancamping.com/
Amenities: This oceanside RV park is directly on the ocean along Maine’s southeast coast. It is located right next to the 1 1/2-mile Long Sands Beach. All sites have water, electricity, and sewer hookups. Cable TV is available, and there’s free Wi-Fi. The modern restrooms have hot showers, and campground facilities are handicap accessible.
Libby’s is open from Mid-May to Mid-October and starts taking reservations on April 1st of every year.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, but they must be leashed at all times.
Why You’ll Love It: This campground in Maine is right on the ocean’s edge, so all sites are oceanfront or oceanview. During your stay, you’ll appreciate the gorgeous views, a lovely little town nearby, Nubble Light, and plenty of shopping opportunities in the area.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.5/10
4. Searsport Shores Ocean Campground
Address: 216 W Main St, Searsport, ME 04974
Website: https://www.maineoceancamping.com/
Amenities: This campground accommodates all RVs (some sites with water and electrical hookups) and has a separate tenting area available. It’s also wheelchair accessible with firepits and picnic tables. In addition to the 125 campsites, you’ll also find sprawling gardens, honeybees, goats, and walking trails.
One of their best amenities is having 1/4 mile of private beachfront. The ocean is a short stroll from every campsite!
Pet-Friendly: They welcome any well-behaved pets, and offer a dog park on-site for your canine friends to romp off-leash.
Why You’ll Love It: This campground is 40 gorgeous oceanfront acres, around the corner from Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Camden, and the Islesboro Ferry. We recommend sitting on the Searsport Shores boardwalk to watch the sunrise over the bay.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.5/10
Source: maineoceancamping.com
5. Gray Homestead Ocean Campground
Address: 21 Homestead Rd, Southport, ME 04576
Website: http://www.graysoceancamping.com/
Amenities: This location features 40 full-hookup RV campsites, 20 and 30 amp electric services, a modern bathhouse, games, potluck dinners, hot showers, stone fire rings, tables at each site, laundry, firewood, ice, and horseshoes. There’s also a small beach that supports swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, if they’re leashed. No aggressive breeds are allowed.
Why You’ll Love It: RVers will love this cozy campground. Whether you want a secluded spot in the woods or a site right on the water, Gray Homestead has choices for you. Not to mention, the town of Southport is gorgeous. And if you love fishing, don’t miss your chance to fish for mackerel off the local bridge.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10
6. Pemaquid Point Oceanfront Campground in Maine
Address: 2872 Bristol Rd, New Harbor, ME 04554
Website: http://www.pemaquidpointcampground.com/
Amenities: You’ll find 50 RV and tent sites with 20, 30, and 50-amp service. Plus, you’ll have access to a campground store, a dump station, a playground, hot showers, horseshoe pits, water, and sewer. This campground is open from Mid-May to Mid-October, and hosts a wide variety of musical performances and activities for their campers.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, if they’re always on a leash.
Why You’ll Love It: There are many points of interest and activities nearby, including the beautiful Pemaquid Lighthouse, Pemaquid Beach, Monhegan Island, and Rachel Carson Salt Pond. You can get all the food and supplies you need from several restaurants and two nearby stores.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10
7. Hermit Island Campground
Address: 6 Hermit Island Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562
Website: http://www.hermitisland.com/
Amenities: Enjoy 271 rustic sites for tents and pop-up trailers, each with fire pits and picnic tables spread across the southern end of the island. They don’t allow RVs or hard-top campers. Visitors will enjoy the pool table, video games, two outdoor ping pong tables, and a sand volleyball court. Bathrooms with free hot showers are available, and there’s a snack bar with picnic tables inside and outside overlooking Head Beach.
Pet-Friendly: No pets allowed.
Why You’ll Love It: This is a quiet, rustic campground in a stunning, natural environment. It’s also a great place for kayaking (you must bring your own kayak), and the campground offers canoe rentals as well. To access this rustic oceanfront campground in Maine, campers drive across a sand causeway to Hermit Island.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10
Source: hermitisland.com
8. Bar Harbor Campground
Address: 409 ME-3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: http://www.thebarharborcampground.com/
Amenities: Park and enjoy 30 and 50 amp service, a heated pool, paved roads, hot showers, complimentary area shuttle service, a WiFi zone, basketball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, pets must be on a leash at all times and never left unattended.
Why You’ll Love It: This campground can accommodate campers with the smallest tent or the largest RV. It’s close to the spectacular Acadia National Park and beautiful Bar Harbor, where there’s so much to see and do. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a map, and you can drive through the park to choose the site that best suits your needs and desires. Plus, there’s a free shuttle service to anywhere in the area!
Morton Road Trip Rating: 10/10!
9. Littlefield Beaches Campground
Address: 13 Littlefield Ln, Greenwood, ME 04255
Website: http://littlefieldbeaches.com/
Amenities: While staying at Littlefield Beaches Campground, you can spend your time at the local mini-golf course, enjoying weekend activities, relaxing in the rec hall, or playing corn-hole or horseshoes.
Take your kids to the in-campground playgrounds or go paddle-boarding, paddle-boating, canoeing, or kayaking with a rental shop nearby. And, of course, your camping trip won’t be complete without taking a swim at the campground’s private beach. Other amenities including a propane fill station, a dump station, water, restrooms, shower, laundry room, and WiFi.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, pets are allowed if they’re leashed and attended at all times.
Why You’ll Love It: Littlefield Beaches sits on three interconnected lakes. Avid anglers can enjoy excellent bass, trout, and salmon fishing. And the campground is just minutes from Sunday River Mountain Bike Park.
Plus, if you don’t have an RV, you can rent a camper, pop-up, cabin, or weekly cottage for your stay. A nearby casino, historical museums, arts & craft shops, antiques, river excursions, quarries for rockhounding, gold-panning, hiking trails, golf, and fine dining dot the camping area as well.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10
Source: littlefieldbeaches.com
10. Head Beach Campground
Address: 545 Small Point Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562
Website: http://www.headbeach.com/
Amenities: This is a seasonal campground featuring 50 large sites, half of which are surrounded by trees and the remaining half are in an open field. All sites are within walking distance of the beach. Each site has water and electrical hook-ups with the option of private cable and phone installation and weekly lawn care.
There’s a central dumping station with unlimited access for guests. Showers and restrooms are free. Most sites can accommodate 42ft or larger trailers, and motor homes are welcome. Please note that you must rent a site for the entire summer.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, it’s limited to two dogs per site, and they must be well-behaved.
Why You’ll Love It: This campground is at the tip of the Phippsburg Peninsula. The property is 300+ acres and includes a private sandy beach called Head Beach. It also features a beautiful tidal bay, perfect for clamming, with access for your kayaks.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10
Which of Maine’s Oceanfront Campgrounds Is Most Appealing to You?
There are so many gorgeous places to camp in Maine, and these are just the top oceanfront campgrounds in the area. (Plus one pretty triple lakeside spot because we couldn’t help ourselves!)
Maine is an incredible state and a perfect place to vacation if you have an eye on the simple life and all of its gifts. In Maine, you can find a life where nature guides the stretch of your day instead of the clock.
If you’re looking for a slightly warmer camping experience, drive south and check out the 10 Most Beautiful Oceanfront Campgrounds in South Carolina.
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Sue
Saturday 21st of August 2021
Lillefield Beach is not Oceanfront