Desert camping in Maine with wildlife watching

With rocky shores, sandy beaches, and forested mountains, Vacationland is made for campers.

United States
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Maine

Popular camping styles for Maine

Top desert campgrounds in maine with wildlife watching

Decker's Happy Hollow

My husband, Bob, and I purchased the old farm in 1996. We had plans, life got in the way...now, we want to share the beauty of this peaceful haven with others, so that they too, can come, be refreshed away from the commercialism and hubbub of life.Our property is on a dead end road, and we are near the end of it. Our neighbor to the left is a small sugar shack and during the sugaring season, the smell of a wood-fire and sap boiling off fill the air. Our nearest neighbor to the right, can barely be seen when the trees are in leaf, and our neighbors across the road are set back away from the road, a retired couple...friendly but hardly ever seen.While we are in this quiet little hollow surrounded by hill covered trees, we are just five miles from the local department stores, town, and access to the Routes 2 & 4 highway. In Maine, the saying is: 'You can't get there from here'. Well, you can, but looking around you, you won't want to. It is a retreat from the cares and troubles that perplex, a haven where the stream winds through and rests your soul.On our 10+/- acres, we could put many camp sites, but in order to give you the quiet and peace we enjoy, we are only putting in 5 sites so you can spread out, enjoy, relax and unwind.We hope you enjoy our little place. We hope you find rest to your heart here. Blessings to you and thank you for booking our Decker's Happy Hollow for your vacation. Learn more about this land:Rustic open field backed with hillside 'sugar bush'. Maple sap house to the left (in view but not too close to camping) Stream behind the sites, with slope down to it.

Desert camping in Maine with wildlife watching guide

Overview

There's much more to Maine than lighthouses, lobster shacks, and sandy beaches. The northernmost state in New England packs in surprising variety, from the rocky islands and seaside resorts of the Atlantic shore to the forests and mountains of the Appalachian Mountains. Campers can take their pick of 32 state parks and one epic national park, filled with lakes, woodlands, and beaches to hike, bike, climb, and kayak. "Vacationland" pulls in the summer crowds, especially along the coast, but our pick is fall, when the northern highlands are ablaze with foliage.

Where to go

Aroostook & the Highlands

Maine’s mountainous north is the stuff that hiker’s bucket lists are made of. The sprawling wilderness of Baxter State Park is the starting point of the epic Appalachian Trail and home to Maine’s highest peak—the 5,267-foot Mount Katahdin. Miles of hiking trails run through the highlands, along with some of the state’s best snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails. To get on the water, head to Moosehead Lake, or try paddling and backcountry tent camping along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

Maine Lakes & Mountains

The hills and valleys of western Maine are peppered with high peaks and hundreds of glacial lakes, affording plenty of opportunities for a back-to-nature camping experience. Drive the High Peaks Scenic Byway for some of the most spectacular views, enjoy family camping at Sebago Lake State Park, or check into an RV park near Bethel, Naples, or Lewiston. In winter, rent a cozy ski chalet and hit the ski resorts of Sugar Loaf, Shawnee Peak, and Sunday River.

Southern Maine Coast

When summer temperatures soar, some of the most popular Maine campgrounds and beaches are found along the southwest shore. Head to the beach towns of Kennebunkport, Freeport, and Portland for old-fashioned seaside fun; go boating or kayaking around Casco Bay; then snag an RV site or cabin rental at the oceanfront campground in Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.

Downeast & Acadia

Maine’s only national park, Acadia National Park, is the headline act of DownEast, the state’s rugged and rocky southeastern coast. Opt to stay on the mainland at Bar Harbor and head over to admire the park’s historic lighthouses and ocean views, or choose from multiple camping areas on the islands. Further north, the 15 coastal parklands of Cobscook Shores have picnic tables, boat launches, and backcountry camping sites.