Pets, firewood & more.
Camping Tips
Are you a first time camper unsure of just where and how to begin? Whatever your interests or level of experience, our website and camping guide are designed to be a jumping off point for years of enjoyable camping excursions in Maine. We recommend contacting the individual campgrounds for details on their amenities, services and activities.
Pet friendly camping tips
We understand and appreciate that pets are often an important part of camping families, these camping tips will help you avoid some of the pitfalls, and help you and your pet enjoy your camping vacation. Please call ahead to be sure the campground you choose has a pet policy that works for you. Many campgrounds in Maine allow pets. Management has to be sensitive to non-pet owners comfort levels when formulating their properties rules. Here are some examples of rules you might expect:
- Keep pets on a short leash at all times.
- Carry proof of vaccinations.
- If you leave take your pet with you.
- Pick up after your pet and properly dispose of all pet waste in trash receptacles.
- If your pet misbehaves, it is your fault and you may be asked to leave.
- For health and safety reasons pets are not allowed in pool and playground areas.
Your cooperation and understanding will help. Thank you!
firewood
These firewood camping tips are important to protect you, Maine wildlife, and indigenous plant species. Insects and diseases can be in, on or under the bark of firewood, or even deep within the wood itself. You often cannot see it there. Hauling insect-infested firewood from home dramatically speeds up the spread of invasive insects that harm our forests. An invasive insect population might spread a few miles on its own in a single year; moving infested wood can spread the same pests hundreds of miles in a single day. Protect our forests by leaving your firewood at home and buying it where you burn it. Maine law prohibits out of state firewood.
Hunting & FIshing
Visitors have traditionally enjoyed the wealth of hunting and fishing opportunities found in Maine. Licenses can be obtained at Maine’s Statewide Information Centers and at campground stores in locations where fishing and hunting are primary activities. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife can provide answers to your questions and will provide pamphlets containing official rules and regulations as well as license fees.
Maine Signs
Maine’s “Billboard Law” is intended to preserve the state’s scenic resources, but it also affects the directional information available to travelers. You’ll probably need to look harder to find your way. To avoid confusion, we suggest these following camping tips:
- Get directions before you leave. Brochures usually include directions, and campground owners will be happy to tell you how to reach them.
- Be sure to carry a recent map.
- Use available tourism and local area information centers.
- Signs can only indicate changes in direction. Make next available turn in direction sign arrow is pointing.
- Number indicates distance from sign to destination after turn is complete.
- Sizes and layouts of signs are standardized; reflectorized signs will be blue with white lettering and standard symbols.
Camping Reservations
Peak weeks in the summer are from the close of school (mid to late June) until Labor Day (early September). During this time most campgrounds encourage reservations and some have minimum requirements for holiday weekends and heavily booked vacation weeks. Although you may find a campsite available if you travel without reservations, we urge you to call ahead if you have certain dates and accommodations in mind. Be sure you understand reservation and refund policies for the campground. These are necessary so the campground can plan appropriately and facilitate other requests. We hope your visit will be pleasurable and that you will return again soon.
Read the Maine Camping Guide
The Maine Camping Guide is printed annually and is also available online for your convenience! Flip through the pages to find out more information about the +180 Maine Campgrounds nestled in beautiful landscapes across eight regions of the state, full of activities, nature, and more.