The best time of year to visit Maine is pretty much any time of year, but the weather can be unpredictable. If you’re planning your trip and want specific dates, here are some tips for when to go and what to expect during each month:
The best camping spots in Maine, per month:
- May: Acadia National Park
- June: Camden Hills State Park
- July: Baxter State Park
May
- Acadia National Park
- Baxter State Park
- Camden Hills State Park
- Sebago Lake State Park
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is the crown jewel of Maine’s coastline. This national park has something for everyone, from those who want to rent a cabin or stay in a yurt, to those who prefer sleeping under the stars.
Acadia offers over 100 miles of hiking trails that meander through forests and across rocky beaches. You can also go biking on the park’s bike paths or enjoy swimming and fishing in one of its many ponds and lakes.
If you want to stay overnight (or longer), there are several options available: you can bring your own tent, rent a cabin from one of several nearby towns or take advantage of one of their yurts!
Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park is the largest state park in Maine and has over 100 miles of hiking trails.
Located in the Katahdin region of Maine, Baxter is best known for being home to Mount Katahdin, the tallest mountain on the east coast with an elevation of 5,267 feet.
The park’s entrance fee is $10 per car and you can purchase a daily or weekly pass online or at ranger stations throughout the park. If you plan on camping overnight in Baxter State Park, you must purchase an additional permit for $20 per night (up to 6 people). To do so, visit www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/camping-permits/.
Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills State Park is located in Camden, Maine. The campground is open year-round and has cabin rentals available as well. Campsites cost $20 per night and cabins cost $70 per night. Cabins have electricity and heat, so you don’t have to worry about freezing during the winter months!
Sebago Lake State Park
Sebago Lake State Park is a popular camping spot in Maine, USA. This beautiful park has a lot of things to do and see. You can go boating, fishing or swimming here!
If you like hiking and exploring nature this place is perfect for you! There are many trails that are easy to walk on so don’t worry if you’re not an experienced hiker yet!
There is also an indoor pool where you can take a swim after hiking through the forest trails (or even before).
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Located in Jefferson, Maine, Bradbury Mountain State Park is known for its hiking trails and scenic vistas. The park has more than 8 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to difficult.
The park also has an equestrian trail along with a “hiking only” trail along the top of Bradbury Mountain. There is also a day-use area with picnic tables and restrooms available.
If you want to go camping at this beautiful state park you will need to reserve a campsite as there are no first come first serve sites available here. Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance through Reserve America or by calling 866-456-2757 (TTY: 711).
June
June is the month when most of us are back from our winter vacations and ready for some summer fun. Maine offers plenty of great options for camping, hiking and exploring outdoors. Here are some of our favorite campgrounds in Maine to get you started:
- Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor (on Mount Desert Island) is probably the most popular camping spot in June because it has everything a camper could want: clean beaches, pristine forests and trails that lead to breathtaking views. It’s also close enough to Bar Harbor so that you can go in town for dinner without having to travel too far away from your campsite.
- Baxter State Park – Katahdin region (in central Maine near Millinocket). This park has over 200 miles of hiking trails that require a reservation six months ahead of time so plan ahead if you want to stay here! You’ll need reservations no matter what month you go as they only allow 100 people per night at each campsite which makes them extremely hard-to-acquire permits during peak season months like July or August.
July
July is the busiest month of the year in Maine, so it’s a good time to go to see what all the fuss is about. If you’re looking for some new adventures, there’s no better place than Maine. The weather is perfect for camping, hiking and paddling. And if you’re not into any of that stuff? Well, there are still plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself: swimming, boating and eating some delicious lobster rolls!
Acadia National Park, and everywhere else. Seriously, every campground is packed during this month. If you’re willing to get out at the crack of dawn and drive for hours, you can probably find a spot that hasn’t been claimed yet — but you’ll be better off reserving your campsite early.
- Keep an eye out for the campground’s website or Facebook page. Many state parks and national recreation areas have an online reservation system that allows you to reserve a campsite up to six months in advance.
- Ask around if anyone can give you advice on where they camped. If someone has been there before, chances are they know where the best spots are located!
- Look for other campgrounds in the area and do some research about them as well. You might be able to find a place with fewer people but just as much hiking excitement!
August
- August is one of the busiest months of the year in Acadia. If you want to camp out, get your reservations early. There are plenty of campsites available throughout Acadia National Park and surrounding areas.
- If you’re willing to get up early, there are plenty of spots that can be found on a first-come-first-serve basis (which means someone else has already paid for it). Most sites are located along the shores or seacoasts so be sure to bring your bathing suit if you plan on spending time in the water!
- The most popular campsites will likely be Blackwoods Campground at Bar Harbor and Seawall Campground at Southwest Harbor because they’re closest to downtown activities as well as being right on the oceanfront!
Find a campground soon!
There’s nothing like spending a night in the great outdoors. With so much to see and do, it can be hard to decide where to start. We suggest you choose one of these amazing campgrounds:
- Baxter State Park (also known as Katahdin)
- Caratunk Falls Campground in Crawford Notch State Park
- Pemaquid Beach State Park, Port Clyde
- Roach Pond Appalachian Trail Shelter in Grafton Notch State Park
Conclusion
It’s not too late to plan your trip to Maine! There are so many great spots to explore and sights to see. We hope this post has helped you narrow down where you want to go, when it’s best to go there and what type of camping experience you’re looking for. Happy exploring!