28 Best oceanfront campings in Maine (2023)
Are you wondering what the best oceanfront campings in Maine are?
Whether you want to stay directly beside the ocean or have easy access, there are a bunch of campgrounds you can choose from to have an amazing stay.
I love camping and have been going on camping trips since I was young. I’ve camped in tents, I own a trailer camper and I’ve also rented out some campervans and RVs to go on specific road trips.
If you’re looking for a special place to stay, an oceanfront camping in Maine is worth trying out. You’ll have plenty of beautiful coastal towns to visit and plenty of beach time ahead of you.
There are so many oceanfront campings in Maine that it can be hard to choose one. I’ve compiled the best ones out there so it makes your choosing process much easier!
The 28 best oceanfront campings in Maine
Maine has many cute coastal towns worth visiting. It’s a great opportunity to stop by and explore those stunning towns and stay overnight while enjoying the proximity to the water.
Not only is Maine worth a road trip for the stunning beaches, cliffs and lighthouses, but there are plenty of outdoor activities to do.
You can go hiking, biking, kayaking, and paddle boarding to only name a few. Camping is a great way to have a small home away from home and enjoy everything there is to do in the area.
Best oceanfront campings in Maine
1 – Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Camping
At Wolfe’s Neck oceanfront camping, you’re sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience. This award-winning campsite offers spectacular views of farmlands and the ocean with its 2,4km (4 miles) of oceanfront.
They have tent sites, cabins and fully serviced sites. On-site, there is the Farm Cafe, bike and kayak rentals, farm-based activities, hiking trails, and barnyard and garden demonstrations.
Only 8km (5 miles) from downtown Freeport, it’s a great campground to have a mix of forests, farms, sea, and city life. You’re only minutes away from everything.
If you’re looking for an off-season campground, you’re in luck. This campsite has limited campsites available from November to April. You do not need a reservation. It is a first-come first-serve concept.
2 – Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground
The Cape Neddick Oceanside campground is conveniently located between York and Ogunquit. It’s a great place to stay when exploring the southern part of Maine. The campground has a quaint location at Cape Neddick Harbor.
If you decide to stay at this campsite, you absolutely have to try out Lobster Pound Harborfront restaurant right across the street.
To make a reservation, you will have to call them. You cannot do it on their website. They have sites for tents and tent campers only.
3 – Oceanfront Camping at Reach Knolls
The Reach Knolls campground is located on the shores of Eggemoggin Reach. This rustic campground offers tent and RV sites with electrical only. There is a dumping station and water available on the campground.
WIFI is available at the office and you can enjoy hot showers at the camping’s bathrooms. You can also bring your furry friends as long as you have their shots proof with you.
You’ll have to email them all the information for your stay in order to make a reservation. This means, your dates, tent or RV, RV lengths, and whatever information might be necessary for the reservation.
4 – Libby’s Oceanside Camp
This campsite has one of the best spots! While camping, you’ll enjoy breathtaking ocean views, fresh salty air, and a lovely sea breeze.
This oceanside camp has 45 oceanfront sites with full hookup and cable TV, 18 pull-through sites also fully serviced with cable TV, and 12 van pop-up sites with full hookup. Van sites do not have cable TV.
Libby’s oceanside camp is adjacent to Long Sand beach. It is close to shopping and restaurants at York Harbor. You are 5 minutes away from Short Sand Beach too.
If you’re into surfing, there are a couple of great spots nearby.
5 – Gray Homestead Oceanfront Campground
At Gray Homestead Oceanfront campground, you’ll be located on Southport Island directly on the ocean. This is a kayaker’s paradise!
This campground is the only one in the Boothbay Harbor region. It is minutes away from Boothbay Harbor.
They offer 40 RV sites fully serviced and rustic oceanfront cottages. You’ll also have access to a private beach while you stay there.
Unfortunately, there are no tent sites at this camping.
6 – Pemaquid Point Campground
The Pemaquid Point Campground offers 50 RV and tent sites. Located in New Harbor, there is plenty to do around. You can visit Monhegan Island, Fort William Henry and much more!
They have a campground store, a playground, hot showers at the bathroom facilities, and a dumping station if your site does not have one.
A great advantage is that every site has water and electricity. Some have sewer too depending on your needs.
7 – Hermit Island Campground
The Hermit Island Campground has 271 sites spread out across the southern side of the island. You can camp with your tent, pop-up trailer or your truck camper. Unfortunately, this campground does not accept RVs or hard-topped campers.
You can call to make a reservation during their off-season. It is between May 27th and June 17th. You can head over during those times without a reservation too. The campground is completely closed from mid-October to mid-May.
On-site, there are ping-pong tables, a sand volleyball court, a snack bar overlooking Head Beach, and a gift shop. You can also rent canoes and rowboats.
Enjoy lunch and dinner at the campground’s snack bar and taste delicious flavoured ice cream while you’re there.
In the area, there are hiking trails, and of course, multiple water sports to do.
From the campsite, you can access multiple beaches in the area. Dune and West Dune beaches, Sunset Lagoon, Spring Beach, and Sailboat Beach are only a couple of beaches nearby.
8 – Bar Harbor Campground
The Bar Harbor campground is the closest campground to the city itself. It is also near Acadia National Park.
They can accommodate tents and RVs alike. Enjoy a beautiful ocean view directly from the campgrounds.
They do not accept reservations. It’s on a first-come first-served basis. Once you get to Bar Harbor Campground, you’ll drive through the campsite and choose your spot. Once that’s all set, you just have to let the office know which site you’ve chosen.
A cool feature of this campground is that they offer a free area shuttle. This way, you don’t have to take your car to go out or prepare your RV every single time you head out!
9 – Head Beach Campground
The Head Beach Campground is a seasonal campers only. If you’re looking for somewhere to park your camper for the summer, this is a great place to enjoy a private sandy beach directly on-site.
Every site has water and electricity. There is a central dumping station you can use anytime. Their sites can have campers and motorhomes up to 42 feet in length.
If you’re looking for a campsite with a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities, this is it! There is hiking and biking nearby. If you’re into fishing, you can do so directly on the campsite beach.
10 – Dixon’s Campground
The Dixon’s campground is located in the heart of the southern seacoast. Only 3km (2 miles) from the Ogunquit center and 4.8km (3 miles) from York Beach, you’ll have plenty to do around.
The campsite can accommodate tents and RVs or you can even rent a yurt. All sites have water and electricity and the dumping stations are on the camping grounds.
Among the amenities on-site, there is a heated pool, a small playground, and the campground office store.
11 – Wells Beach Resort Campground
The Wells Beach Campground accommodates RVs and tents. You can rent sites with full hookups if you would like.
On the grounds, you’ll have access to a pool, a minigolf course, a playground, and the beach.
You can easily get into town to find great restaurants. You can even find some deep-sea fishing excursions while you’re there!
12 – Sea swell Campground
When you’re looking to book at Sea Swell campground, you’ll have the choice between 2 campgrounds. Camden Hills campground and Megunticook campground. Both are really good.
They accept tents and RVs with full hookups available. They also have some seasonal sites if that’s something you’re looking for.
You’ll have a pool, sports courts, a fitness room, and a laundry facility on site.
If you want to stay connected, WIFI is available throughout the camping grounds.
13 – Saco / Old Orchard Beach KOA
If you’re looking for a campsite near Old Orchard Beach, you can’t go wrong with a KOA. The Saco campground is near Funtown Splash and the famous Old Orchard Pier.
They can accommodate tents and RVs with full hookup sites. They also have vacation rentals if you don’t have any camping equipment.
They offer WIFI to all the guests on-site. There is plenty to do on the campsite that you might not be able to try everything out on top of spending time at OOB (Old Orchard Beach). There is a Splash Pad, a hot tub, Horseshoe games, a volleyball court, a basketball court, a dog park, and a heated swimming pool.
The campground also has the Merry Moose snack bar. During peak season, there is also a beach trolley available.
14 – Old Orchard Beach Campground
The Old Orchard Beach Campground is located 1.6km (1 mile)away from the beach. It is a great campsite if you’re not going to spend much time there.
They have cabin rentals and deluxe RV sites. It’s more like an RV park. The campsite is amazing but doesn’t have much to do on-site.
It’s a great campground to book if you’re only planning on sleeping in your RV while enjoying the OOB pier, shopping, arcades, and the beach.
15 – Lobster Buoy Campsites
The Lobster Buoy campsites offer 20 sites with electricity. They also have some sites with water. It is important for them to use only what you need to avoid any waste. There is a dumping station to empty out before leaving but there is no sewage on any of their sites.
If you don’t have a camper or a tent, you can rent out their rental units or seasonal campers as well.
What is really nice about this campsite is that every campsite is no further than 0,1km (0,06 mi) from the ocean!
There is also a small convenience store on site where you can find the essentials. It’s open in July and August only.
Around the area, you’ll have museums, fairs, festivals, antique shops, lighthouses and so much more to explore!
Keep in mind that to make reservations, you’ll have to email them in the off-season and call when the offices are open for the summer. They only accept, cash, traveler’s checks and checks so make sure you have either on hand when showing up at your campsite.
16 – Quietside Campground
Immerse yourself into nature at the Quietside campground near Acadia, Maine. At quietside, they focus on solitude on your campsites and enjoying Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park and the authentic fishing villages around.
Quietside has 37 campsites. There are 7 camping cabins with electricity, 2 rustic cabins without electricity, a 2 story camping cabin, 3 hobbit huts, modest water/electric sites, and tent sites with a platform. Note that there is no dumping station on site. Sites can accommodate small pop-up tents and small RVs.
On-site, there are also two fully heated bathhouses with of course, toilets, sinks and showers.
They do not take any online reservations. You will have to call starting on February 1st in order to get your campsite booked. Be quick as they tend, to book quite quickly!
A cool feature of Quietside is that they encourage, what they call, a green atmosphere. This means, that you can enjoy looking at the stars because people try to use bright lights as little as possible on site. And, listen and observe wildlife all around you.
17 – Seawall Campground
Seawall Campground is located near Southwest Harbor. At this campsite, you can only make a reservation 2 months in advance. There is no first-come first-serve here.
All sites don’t have electricity. You can choose from standard sites, tent-only sites, walk-to sites, RV, and group tent-only areas.
They are open from May to October. Check out their website to verify the exact dates as it changes every year.
On top of your camping fees, you’ll also have a park entry fee to consider as well. You can either purchase the annual Acadia National Park Pass or pay the entry fee.
Seawall Campground was not designed to accommodate big RV and trailer. Sites can welcome RVs up to 35 feet however it can be difficult to maneuver the campground streets with it.
Also, carry some coins with you when you want to shower. Shower facilities have a fee to use them.
18 – Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA
Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is the only campground located on the West side of Mount Desert Island. Here you can enjoy beautiful sunsets across the horizon from your campsite directly.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy beach camping. At the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, Maine, you’ll enjoy the proximity to Acadia National Park, great restaurants and local shops.
They have pull-through and back-up RV sites, deluxe cabins, camping cabins, and tent sites.
You can make your reservation online which is quite convenient!
This oceanfront camping in Maine offers a variety of different activities for all the family throughout the summer.
19 – Searsport Shores Ocean Campground
At this campsite, they offer old-fashioned RV, cabin and tent camping. You can easily access Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and Stonington from the Seasport Shores Ocean Campground.
This campsite can accommodate very large RVs. Electricity is available on most sites. There isn’t any sewer system to utilize however, they have a Honey Wagon seven days a week. It is a free service and you are allowed one pump-out every week you stay.
To make your reservation, you’ll need cash or checks. If they are open for the season, you’ll be able to use a credit card.
If you don’t own an RV or trailer, you can rent one. They also have camping cabins available to book.
If you wish to go out on the water but don’t have any equipment, you can rent kayaks directly at the campground.
20 – Sagadahoc Bay Campground
The Sagadahoc Bay Campground is located at the southern tip of Georgetown Island. They can accommodate everything from RVs, tents, travel trailers, and seasonal sites, and even have cottages to rent.
You can book directly online. They also offer kayak rentals for you to enjoy.
Best oceanfront tent campings in Maine
21 – Duck Harbor Campground
Among the best oceanfront campings in Maine, you’ll find Duck Harbor Campground. Located near Isle au Haut, you’re in for a treat! It’s a beautiful, rugged island off the coast of Stonington.
You can reserve your campsite starting from April 1st. It is inaccessible by car. They offer overnight shelters without any electricity whatsoever. They have only 5 campsites available. You can use your own tent, however, it must fit within the shelter.
They have 3 composting toilets on site and a water pump as well about 0,4km (0,3 miles). There is a boat service to get there. You cannot make a reservation for the boat service so make sure to get there early.
It is an excellent island to do some great hiking around Maine. Probably one of the best tent camping in Maine.
Best oceanfront RV campgrounds in Maine
22 – Moorings Campground
Moorings Oceanfront Campground has two locations for your convenience. The RV park is located in Belfast and the campground is located in Searsport only a couple of kilometres away.
At this campground, they have an amazing site overlooking the coast. With the campgrounds locations, you’ll find great outdoor and indoor activities only minutes away.
The RV resort offers full hook-ups, which means you can access cable, electricity, water, and sewer. They have 8 premium oceanfront sites, 5 large premium pull-through oceanview sites near the ocean, 26 standard oceanview sites, 5 large oceanview sites located on the top of the hill and seasonal sites too.
To book your amazing site, you can either fill out the online reservation form, email them or call directly.
23 – Moody Beach RV Campground
Moody Beach Campground is located near Ogunquit. They have a pool and hot tub on site. You can also stay connected as they offer WIFI on the campground in public areas.
There is also an arcade/game room, a convenience store and BBQ grills available for everyone to use.
The campsite is located only 16km (10 miles) from the coast. It is easily accessible to enjoy a day at the beach or just explore the cute little coastal towns nearby.
24 – Wild Duck Adult Campground & RV Park
While searching for the best oceanfront campings in Maine, you might want to stop and look at the Wild Duck campground. Chosen as the Campers Choice by Roverpass, ranked number one on Trip Advisor and also chosen as a traveler’s choice for being the best of the best, you’re probably going to find what you’re looking for here.
What is special about this campground is that it is adults only (21+). They offer full hook-up sites as well as pull-through sites. If you don’t have a camper, they also have some sites for tents and vans.
You can stay connected as well as they offer WIFI. You can book online too.
Best primitive oceanfront campings in Maine
25 – Primitive Camping on Marshall Island
Marshall Island is a great place to experience remote campsites on an undeveloped island. You’ll have rugged trails and picturesque sand beaches all to yourself!
There are three campsites on the island you can enjoy and stay up to two nights there. In order to get there, you will have to kayak or boat. It is recommended to hire a guide to get there if you are not very experienced. They will provide you the transportation to get there.
All three campsites are first-come first serve. You must camp in designated areas only and cannot put your tent on the beach.
Best campgrounds in Maine
26 – Blackwoods Campground
For oceanfront campings in Maine, Blackwoods Campground is a great place to try it out. Located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, you’re only 8km (6 miles) from Bar Harbor.
You can book two months in advance. Off-season camping is not allowed at this campground. You might find yourself before a closed gate if you try it out.
All sites are within a 10-minute walk from the ocean. Their campsites can accommodate small and large tents and RVs as well. There aren’t any sites with electricity. All reservations can be made online.
27 – Schoodic Woods Campground
If you’re looking for a great oceanfront camping in Maine with wilderness surrounding you, you’ll want to try this one out.
It is located 5km (3 miles) from Winter Harbor. Schoodic Woods is the only campground on the mainland of the Acadia National Park. If you wish to drive to Bar Harbor, keep in mind that it will take approximately one hour to get there.
You can make your reservations online two months in advance.
If you are looking for this kind of experience and you have an RV, the Schoodic Woods campground has more RV sites than Blackwood.
28 – Cobscook Bay State Park
To stay at the Conscook Bay State Park, you will have to call to make your reservations. For 2023, from September 11th, it becomes a first-come first-serve for the off-season. You can camp until mid-October.
You’ll also need your park pass in order to access the State Park.
Tips for camping on Maine’s beautiful coast
Camping is a really enjoyable activity you can do without a huge budget in mind. Kids love spending time outdoors, going on different activities and having marshmallows around the fire pit.
However, to enjoy your experience, whether it is your first ever camping trip or even your 10th, having good practices is key to enjoying the trip without feeling overwhelmed. Because yes, packing the camping gear plus all your clothes can rapidly become a huge undertaking.
You can easily keep everything under control by being organized. First of all, make yourself a list before starting to pack so you don’t forget anything. Everything will be easier to organize. When I pack for a camping trip, I take out my list and scratch everything off as soon as I have it. I tend to gather everything in one place and then organize it into different piles. For example, bathroom stuff, sleeping stuff, and so on.
While planning your itinerary, make sure you keep some time to relax and some time for activities. With all the beautiful coastal scenery of Maine, you can forget to relax throughout your visits. Keep some time to enjoy a nice fire at your campground. Kids will love it!
When planning for your meals, you can do some meal prep but if you cross borders, this might not work out that well because you can’t bring a lot of different foods through. So instead, before heading to the grocery store, you can always make a meal menu and make a list. This way, you won’t forget anything and you won’t buy food for a month either!
Unfortunately, rainy days do happen in Maine, so pack a couple of board games. Rainy days can become enjoyable by spending some quality time together playing some games everyone loves.
Lastly, make sure to bring some bug spray! Yes, Maine has bugs and if you’re like me, you might get bitten more than you would like. Protect yourself with a good bug spray so you can stop itching!
Is it legal to camp anywhere in Maine
Unfortunately, it is not legal to camp anywhere in Maine. You can only camp in campgrounds, State Parks and National Forests. In any other places, you cannot sleep in your RV, or trailer or even put up your tent.
You can always ask private owners for their permission to stay a night on their land but otherwise, you will have to stick to designated camping areas.
You can have a heavy fine for camping somewhere you are not allowed. Don’t even try it out in rest areas.
A couple of summers ago, we were coming back from a trip in OOB and it was very late at night. We stopped at so many rest areas in the hopes of finding one that didn’t have the ‘’no camping’’ sign to sleep a couple of hours before getting back on the road but to no avail.
I have a great guide on where to find free campings in the United States. You can always use that to find something free around Maine State.
I hope that I was able to help you pinpoint some awesome oceanfront campings in Maine you’ll want to stay at on your next vacation in the State.
Camping is a great way to spend plenty of time outdoors, experience wildlife, beautiful beaches, a relaxing moment by the fire, and even have some great quality family time in a different environment.
My favourite ones are definitely the OOB KOA and the Blackwoods Campground. Both are very different but have so many different activities you can do!
I believe you won’t be disappointed with any of these campsites! They all have something different to offer but they all have an amazing coastal experience waiting for you!
If you’re looking to build a cool itinerary for your Maine road trip, you’re in luck because I have it already planned out for you!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love and use!
If you’re looking for some more inspiration for your next road trip whether in Canada or abroad, here are a couple of ideas for you!
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