Visiting Maine is a great way to get out of the city and away from home. There is plenty to do and see in this northeast state, and we are going to focus on providing helpful tips and attractions for those of you visiting Maine this coming camping season.
When to Visit Maine
As you might imagine, most people visit Maine during the summer months. To be more specific, June through August is an incredibly popular time to visit Maine. The actual best time of year, however, can be debated.
Scenery in Bar Harbor. Photo: Benjamin Rascoe.
If you are looking to avoid the majority of the crowds, it is recommended to visit Maine in the early spring or late fall. Late August through mid-September is a great time in Maine because you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors and you will not have to fight large crowds to find places to camp.
Maine National Park Service Attractions
Acadia National Park is the only true national park in Maine. There are, however, four other natural attractions managed by the National Park Service here. Those destinations include Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine Acadian Culture Center, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.
Set up for relaxation in Acadia National Park. Photo: Mick Haupt
To be honest, though, Acadia is the gem of the state. Indeed, it is an incredibly beautiful destination along the highest rocky headlands on the United States’ eastern shoreline. Also, Acadia is one of the 10 most-visited national parks in the country and boasts more than 158 miles of hiking trails.
Hiking is the most popular activity in the park, but there are also plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. There are even some primitive campsites available off the mainland coast that can only be accessed by watercraft.
A boat sails out of Kennebunkport. Photo: Peregrine Photography
Best Maine Small Towns
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maine’s total population is just over 1.3 million, but even the state’s largest city of Portland has a population of fewer than 70,000 people. By definition, the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) defines a small town as having a population of less than 25,000 full-time residents.
Using that metric, here are the top ten small towns to visit in Maine and their populations:
- Bar Harbor (~5,470)
- Camden (~4,817)
- Ogunquit (~1,030)
- York (~13,070)
- Old Orchard Beach (~8,862)
- Rockland (~7,178)
- Augusta (~18,605)
- Brunswick (~20,517)
- Kennebunkport (~3,596)
- Auburn (~23,187)
Old Orchard Beach Pier. Photo: Michael Denning/Unsplash
Tips for Visiting Maine
No matter where you are heading on your trip to Maine, there are some general things to know about visiting this beautiful state.
Grab A Road Atlas
Cellular service and GPS signal can be spotty up this far north. And if you are sticking to the coast or staying in southern Maine, you might get away with using your phone for driving directions only. However, you will need a quality road atlas if you want to head into central or northern Maine.
The Area Code is 207
Yes, for the entire state. As a Californian, I am used to a state where the area code changes every couple hundred miles. Maine has the same area code for the entire state. This makes memorizing numbers for calling ahead to check campground availability much easier.
Driving along coastal Maine. Photo: Jack Cohen
Be Prepared for Extra Driving
There is basically just one major interstate in Maine (I-95) and several medium-sized offshoots. For getting anywhere else, you will be using city and county-maintained roads. So, don’t be surprised if someone tells you, “Oh, you can’t get there from here.”
That may not necessarily be true, but it may take a lot longer and be a lot harder to navigate up here than you think. Just be prepared for this and utilize that road atlas or download offline Google Maps to help you navigate effectively.
Don’t Expect Billboards Advertising Services and/or Attractions
There are actually no billboards anywhere in the state of Maine since they passed a billboard ban back in 1978. For nature lovers, this is great because Maine is also 90% trees and you won’t have to worry about billboards and tall high-rises ruining your views of nature.
That said, billboards often signal us to the presence of a restaurant or natural attraction that we wouldn’t otherwise notice. So you will need to do a little more advanced research to make sure you aren’t missing anything during your visit to Maine.
Best Good Sam Parks in Maine
To make it easier to plan on visiting Maine this season, check out some of the top-rated Good Sam RV Parks in Maine:
Park Models in Old Orchard Beach Campground.
Old Orchard Beach Campground
The stunning Old Orchard Beach Campground is just a mile from the beach in Old Orchard Beach. The park is great for Class A and Class B RVers because it is close to a trolley service that will take you into town to visit the amusement park, shops, restaurants, and other local attractions.
The campground offers a total of 156 full-service sites with 30 and 50 amp electrical service. Also, within 10 miles of the park, you will find plenty of opportunities for kayaking, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, boating, and other outdoor recreation.
Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort.
Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort
Located in Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort is a great jumping-off destination for a visit to Acadia National Park. The park is right on the shores of Thomas Bay and features grassy campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 48 feet in length.
Pets are welcome at this campground and they have a total of 62 full-service sites with either 30-amp or 50-amp service. This can be a great park for longer summer stays because it offers WiFi for overnight stays and it also includes a heated pool, game room, boat rentals, and other awesome amenities.
Lake Pemaquid Campground
Lake Pemaquid Campground
Lake Pemaquid Campground is located in Damariscotta in mid-Coast Maine. The seven-mile-long Lake Pemaquid is a major attraction here. It is a great park for fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and other watersports.
There is a marina associated with the RV park and they offer motorized and paddleboat rentals. In addition, the camping area itself is massive and has a total of 167 full-service sites with 30 and 50-amp service. This beautiful park is also within 10 miles of plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Going the Maine Way
We hope you have gained some insights to help you plan your next visit to Maine. If you have ever visited any of these Maine attractions, we would love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Also, feel free to ask any questions you have about these Maine tips and attractions!