The best camping near Portland, Maine.

On Maine's southern coast, this small city has a maritime history going back centuries. Downtown Portland sits across the street from its working waterfront, where lobster boats bring in their hauls. Out on Casco Bay, lighthouses still keep watch over the craggy coastline. To camp close to the city, head south to Saco Bay. Here, seaside towns like Old Orchard Beach are full of private campgrounds, many of them family-run. There's tent and RV camping minutes from the beach, as well as cabins and bungalows. Many of these resorts are geared toward family vacations with swimming pools and mini golf. Campers looking for more nature can drive north of the Portland area to Winslow Memorial Park in Freeport. Nestled amid pine trees on a small peninsula, the grassy campground has hiking trails and picnic tables. The peninsula juts into the Casco Bay, with its tiny islands and rocky inlets. The waters are great for kayaking, and there's a boat launch in the park for easy access. Several of these small islands are open for primitive camping. Lanes Island is a stone's throw from Winslow Park, with tent site reservations available through the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. The same is true for East Goslings and Whaleboat Island. The uninhabited Jewell Island is open to campers with a membership from the Maine Island Trail Association. About an hour west is Sebago Lake. Here you'll find lakeside bungalows, RV parks, and shaded tent sites. Sebago Lake State Park also has a large campground with a swimming beach.