The best campgrounds near Houlton, Maine with swimming

Houlton isn’t just a waypoint—it’s a swimmer’s spot, with over 80 campsites that put water front and center. You’ll find sites along lakeshores and rivers, perfect for quick dips or lazy afternoons. The average night runs $40, but you can snag a spot for as little as $12. Top picks include Sunnyside Family Farm Camping (31 reviews), Lake George Getaway (27 reviews), and Nature At It's Best (13 reviews). You’ll get the basics—flush toilets, hot showers, and a fire ring for s’mores after your swim. Hike the local trails, spot deer at dusk, or cast a line before breakfast. In Houlton, every campsite with swimming has something different to offer, but the water is always close.

98% (97)

Top-rated campgrounds

Houlton isn’t just a waypoint—it’s a swimmer’s spot, with over 80 campsites that put water front and center. You’ll find sites along lakeshores and rivers, perfect for quick dips or lazy afternoons. The average night runs $40, but you can snag a spot for as little as $12. Top picks include Sunnyside Family Farm Camping (31 reviews), Lake George Getaway (27 reviews), and Nature At It's Best (13 reviews). You’ll get the basics—flush toilets, hot showers, and a fire ring for s’mores after your swim. Hike the local trails, spot deer at dusk, or cast a line before breakfast. In Houlton, every campsite with swimming has something different to offer, but the water is always close.

98% (97)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Gardiner Farms RV Site

90%

(5)

37mi from Houlton · 2 sites · RVs · Stacyville, ME

Gardiner Farms RV site is located on the Grindstone Rd/Rt 11 in Stacyville, Maine. The campsite is situated on a 200 acre lot with lots of room to hike about or walk your pets. The adjacent field is a working potato farm while the north end of the lot is older fields and woodlands. The Grindstone Rd is an approved ATV access route. We have places for 2 campers on this site. The main site includes 20/30/50 amp electric, water, sewer, and trash removal-no extra charges for anything. There is also a campfire pit on the premises. This year, we are making available for rent a Buddy site in case you are traveling with a friend with their own RV. This will be right in the driveway at the main site. This site will offer 15 amp electric and water if you have a wye valve. No worries, if you rent the main site, you will be the only one that can rent the Buddy site. Sorry, no WIFI, but you should be able to get a cell phone signal at the campsite. Millinocket is about 30 miles away and Houlton is about 45 miles. Katahdin Woods & Waters Monument https://www.nps.gov/kaww/index.htm is about 20 minutes away depending upon which parcel you want to access. The Penobscot Trail system (bicycles) https://penobscotrivertrails.org/ is 10 minutes away. In Patten, you will find the Lumberman's Museum https://lumbermensmuseum.org/ and several restaurants and takeouts. Excellent canoeing/kayaking, hunting and fishing on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Old Home Days in Sherman is Labor Day Weekend. This campsite is open from May 15th to October 15th.

2. Sunnyside Family Farm Camping

100%

(60)

8.2mi from Houlton · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · Linneus, ME

We are NOT a campground. We are opening our home and farm for travelling visitors to have a safe place to rest at a reasonable price. Those that wish to have an extended stay here are welcome, but please do not expect the amenities of a campground. We are a humble, small, family-operated, diversified farm spanning 180 acres. Alongside raising thirteen children, we take pride in cultivating u-pick blueberries, raspberries, apples, and pumpkins, as well as raising meat poultry and laying hens. Our farm also boasts a variety of livestock, including cows for dairy products and beef, egg-layers, and sheep. Notably, our children are actively involved in caring for and utilizing riding and driving horses. Located not too far from the North Woods, the Allagash, Mt. Kathadin, and numerous lakes, we are surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Please note: No generators except for medical purposes, upon pre-approval. No unattended outdoor lights. We enjoy our quiet and dark skies without pollution. Garbage is carry in, carry out unless paid for under extras. Thank you.

3. Twin Brook Farm

100%

(6)

30mi from Houlton · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Mt Chase, ME

Welcome to our Twin Brook Farm Homestead !! We are situated in the Shadows of Mt. Katahdin, in Northern Penobscot County in the Town Of Mount Chase. The property consists of 160 acres, comprised mostly of woods and smaller fields. Feel free to explore our property during your stay We are just minutes from Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument. Located directly on an ATV access route. Your host is a retired Maine Forest Ranger and a current Maine Registered Guide. I can offer advice for local recreational opportunities or be hired for a variety of specific activities of your choosing. Great fishing, hiking, canoeing, biking and other recreational opportunities lie at our doorstep. We also have kayaks available to rent for use in the area. We offer fantastic views right from our property. Come visit, relax, explore the farm and surrounding Northern Maine Area. Our Sunrise and Sunsets are second to none !!!

4. Historic Qualey Homestead & Forest

34mi from Houlton · 1 site · Tent · Stacyville, ME

Walking rights to 5 million acres! 10 mountain view! Butterfly Paradise! Exactly between Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument. A connoisseur's delight. Gift items including mystic and celestial paintings, soon to be available from the owners on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/PleiadiaJewels and RedBubble at www.redbubble/com/shop/PleiadiaJewels Enough room for 12 camp sites. Please bring a Chemical Toilet or visit the CircleK gas station and deli and travel goods shop, which is full service, 3 minutes from the house and camping area. Parking is on the lane next to the small graveyard. BUTTERFLY PARADISE HOMESTEAD Originally built in 1904 as the Qualey Homestead, w/an addition in 1949. It has a great view of Katahdin from Kitchen & Living Room, partial view from the Den, which has a view of Mount Chase & Sugar Loaf. There is a 180 deg. view of the mountain range from the apple orchard behind the house + the star watch point by the 100 year old graveyard. There is a 12 herb medicinal garden, a 12+ wildflowers garden, + berries. The garden has amazing star watching and viewpoints with large granite stones and bistro tables for seating. Plenty of space for gazebos, pool, tiny houses, raised garden beds, etc. Lots of white quartz, red & black agate, slate. Lots of lichen, moss, pine cones, mushrooms. Lots of wildlife: eagles, hawks, turkey flock, deer herd, squirrels, chipmunks, and countless species of bird. Two 100+ year old and several other mature heirloom apple trees. There is a nearby creek leading to the 10,000 Acre Bog which is full of peat + pitcher plants. The house is fed by a well and there is not one but two seasonal springs in the garden, one supports a raspberry bog, and the other a very nice pond which a variety of toads and frogs and salamanders enjoy. The home is 5 min. from the grocery, town office, post office, transfer station, & church in Sherman; 10 min. from the local junior high & high school; 25 min. from hardware, nursery, supermarket, & churches in Patten. Just 30 min. from Millinocket, 45 min. from Lincoln, & 1 hr. from Bangor. Express bus service to the airport from Circle K by the Katahdin Motor Lodge 2 min. from the house. There are nearby farms that sell produce and quilts.

5. Riverbend Cabin and Sauna

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(2)

12mi from Houlton · 1 site · Lodging · Monticello, ME

David purchased the property from his parents and built the log cabin, sauna and privy with good friends who also constructed the Rope Bridge. Linda came along in 2000 and moved in with her dog. David was just finishing up a bedroom addition to the cabin, just in time! We got married on the property in 2002. Our family gathers together a lot throughout the summers and we have a ski commute to our vehicles during the winter. We love to share our cabin with those of like mind. It's truly a sweet spot!Learn more about this land:Our cabin in the woods offers you a sweet getaway. Think of it as Luxury Camping. No running water but fresh water is provided. Privy on premises. Gas stove. Wood stove. No refrigeration (coolers & ice works!). Grill. Fire pit. Basic kitchen items. Wood-fired sauna. Totally off grid. Located on the river.The cabin is suited for short term stays, though someone with a good comfort level of being in nature and off grid could enjoy a longer stay. Life slows down in our neck of the woods.

Public campgrounds near Houlton

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Aroostook Campground

35mi from Houlton · 31 sites · Tents, RVs · in Aroostook State Park

Scraggly Lake Campground

44mi from Houlton · 16 sites · Tents, RVs · in Scraggly Lake Public Reserved Land

Stories from the community

Spacious sites with spectacular views of surrounding mountains.

J

Jon

October 2025

25 ft Class A

With pets

4 nights at Twin Brook Farm

Easy to find! Lots of choices as to where you can park. If you stay up high the mountain views are spectacular or chose a spot near the picnic table and have total privacy. Trails are numerous. Really enjoyed chatting with Chris and swapping stories.

B

Brendan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sunnyside Family Farm Camping

Private site, could just see the raspberry bushes ahead. Nice site for a fire, bring a good size grate if you don’t have a grill. They left wood, there was plenty of kindling nearby in the woods as well. The farm was beautiful, very nice folk. Would stay again!

S

Sonja

August 2025

31 ft Class C

3 nights at Gardiner Farms RV Site

This spot is perfect for peace and quiet! We enjoyed the fresh air and tranquility and Mike is a fantastic host. He made sure we had all the info we needed and was accessible if we had any questions. We will definitely stay again whenever we are in the area in the future!

L

Linda

July 2025

29 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gardiner Farms RV Site

Mikes land was awesome! Nice big yard, fire pit, reasonably priced firewood, plenty of space. Although somewhat close to the road, it was quiet. The little garage on the property had some roof for storage that we were able to use for our motorcycles! It was awesome! We weren’t expecting that perk. Easy to pull in and out (essentially a pull through site). Lots of walking to do around the potato fields. Will absolutely be back!

Allie

June 2025

38 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gardiner Farms RV Site

We had an amazing stay here. The farm is beautiful, the owners were incredibly welcoming and gave us amazing tips about the area. It's a very easy site to set up in, we pulled right up with no hassle. Our rig is 38ft and it fit great. We would love to stay here again!