mecoa maine camping & outdoor recreation guide 2011

So where do you like to go camping in Maine?If you’re like Rick Abare, the executive director

of the Maine Campground Owners Association,you probably head inland to a lake to put yourcanoe in. That makes sense; Abare lives on thecoast. But if you live inland, an oceanfront camp-ground might be just the thing.

Or maybe you’re the hiking type, and want to beclose to Baxter State Park to spend a day onKatahdin, or in Washington County for breathtak-ing views on the Bold Coast, or in the Weld regionso you can summit as many western-Maine peaksas possible.

Or perhaps you get away from it all by gettingnear it all, where you can park your RV and headto amusement parks, shopping malls, and golfcourses.

Luckily for you, no matter what you like to do —you’re in Maine! You can find it all here.

CCaammppiinngg wwiitthh MMEECCOOAAWith 200 campgrounds across the state as mem-

bers of MECOA, representing over 17,000 sites fortents and RVs, you’re sure to find something to fitwhat you’d like to do. And so far, the camping sea-son is shaping up to be a good one.

“We’re looking forward to an excellent year,”Abare said. “Obviously, if we have the kind ofweather we had last year, people will come out andcamp.”

With Maine’s varied geography of coastline andmountains, lakes and ponds, rivers and ocean, hillsand dales, there’s a camping opportunity, and atype of camping, for everyone.

“[That’s] part of what makes Maine so uniqueand special,” Abare said. “There’s a reason why peo-ple stay in Maine or come back to Maine, or whypeople [from away] come to Maine.”

And we like to camp — apparently morethan perhaps we realize. Abare said that,

according to recent research, Maine isunique. Per capita, Maine has one of

highest percentages of campers in thenation. “Folks who live in Maine

appreciate the outdoorsand use the outdoors

and camp … morethan almost any otherstate in the country,”Abare said.

GGaass PPrriicceess aanndd LLooddggiinngg TTaaxxBut gas prices are rising… so you can’t really

afford to take the family away for a camping vaca-tion, right? Wrong.

Of course, Maine is “Vacationland,” and visitorsfrom all over descend upon our state in the sum-mer months. But, perhaps surprisingly, the major-ity of people who camp here are Mainers. And with200 MECOA member campgrounds, Mainers arealways a short drive to probably many local camp-grounds. With gas prices on the rise, Maine fami-lies are probably going to be interested in keepingthe driving to within the state for family vacationsinstead of heading off on cross-country tours orbuying plane tickets for everyone.

Maine also enjoys substantial Canadian traffic.They’re already over five bucks a gallon up there, sothey’re even more likely to head to Maine en masse.So far, the numbers are trending that way; Abaresays that MECOA member campgrounds arereporting early reservations of 8 to 12 percentabove last year.

Even the RV industry is emerging from the badeconomy and doing well amidst rising gas prices.

“The number of used units that were availablehas dwindled as they’ve been sold off, and the newRV pricing is actually quite good,” Abare said. “Thefinancing possibilities are back — that was a prob-lem for the RV industry for a couple of years. Butpeople being able to get financing for an RV is okaynow.”

On the radar for several years was the concernthat the Maine lodging tax would increase, alsoaffecting campgrounds. Luckily, the lodging-taxincrease passed last year left campgrounds alone(and then was repealed anyway). The question stillremains as to whether campgrounds should haveto charge a lodging tax at all; after all, you bringyour tent or camper with you, which constitutesyour lodging, so why pay a tax to use your ownequipment? That debate will likely continue in thefuture, but for now, in light of the concern of itgoing up, MECOA is pleased that the lodging tax isstaying right where it is.

CCaammppggrroouunnddss aanndd SSttaattee PPaarrkkssAn exciting partnership is sure to make Maine

camping even more exciting this year.June is the nationwide Great Outdoors Month,

and MECOA has partnered with the MaineDepartment of Conservation’s Bureau of Parksand Lands to offer campers in Maine a greatbonus.

First, many MECOA member campgrounds areparticipating in a coupon program from June 1through June 25, offering discount camping forGreat Outdoors Month. Check the MECOA Website at www.campmaine.com to keep updated onwhich campgrounds are offering coupons.

Second, many MECOA member campgroundswill offer free day-use passes to nearby state parks.They’re good for your entire carload of campers,and enable you to leave the campground for theday and enjoy a free trip to a local state park or his-toric site.

“It’s a very nice public/private partnership,”Abare said. “It’s part of our take it outside, get out-doors, get off the couch, Go Camping Americacampaign, in conjunction with the Great OutdoorsMonth. We’re very pleased to be participating inthat.”

IItt’’ss AAllll AAbboouutt FFaammiillyySo there are many factors for going camping: gas

prices, the economy, convenience, and so on. Butthere’s always one constant factor that seems totrump everything: family.

“I think more and more people are recognizingthat they want to spend time with their families,”Abare said. “They want to be outdoors in ahealthy environment, they want to take their ownbed with them, and so they’re very happy to gocamping, to be able to provide a campfire to sitaround and tell stories and laugh with their fam-ilies and friends. That’s what camping is all about— that quality time you just can’t get anywhereelse.”

Order a free copy of MECOA’s camping guide, down-load it, or view it interactively at:

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If you’re interested in a rental cabin, cottage, or RVat a campground, visit MECOA’s sister site:

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And visit these sites:

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2 | MECOA | Friday | May 20, 2011

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Imagine preparing for a weekof camping and paddling in thewilderness, a hiking trip sum-miting multiple mountains, or aweekend fishing trip on aremote pond or stream inacces-sible by road. It could be a lot ofwork before you even begin theadventure, but not if you use theservices of a Registered MaineGuide.

Hiring a Registered MaineGuide is a great way to get expertadvice and leadership fromsomeone who truly knows theMaine outdoors, even for thosewho have lived in Maine formany years. The state’s woodsand waterways are best exploredand appreciated whenapproached with knowledge,research, and safety. All Regis-tered Maine Guides are trainedin wilderness survival skills andhave completed at least one firstaid course.

Guides know the best bait andlocation for catching fish wher-ever you want to cast a line.They can lead you to the bestand safest hiking routes, themost dependable huntinggrounds, or a quiet spot for aprivate viewing of moose orbald eagles. Guides fully outfiteach outing they lead, acting ascampsite builder, cook, and gearmanager, leaving you to simplyenjoy the sights and experiencesof your trip.

Some Maine Guides offertrips catered especially forwomen who are looking for anoutdoor adventure on theirown, or as part of a group of

like-minded women. ManyMaine Guides also specialize inleading nature-based trips witha focus on wildlife watching,panning for gold in a river,nature photography, identifyingwild flowers or edible plants,learning primitive or low-impact camping skills, or how tofollow the Leave No Tracemethod.

Guides are ambassadors to thewilderness and can introducepeople to areas they might notdiscover on their own. A guide-book can tell you a lot about aplace before you go, but it is nosubstitute for traveling withsomeone who has firsthandknowledge of the region. Guidesare part tour guide, part teacherand part historian, able to shareinteresting facts and storiesabout the places you willexplore.

Hiring a Maine Guide doesn’tmean that you lose control overwhat you want to do on yourtrip. The Guide works for you,taking you where you want to goand making sure your experi-ence is personal and special. Allit takes is a little research to finda guide who meets your outdooradventure needs.

The Maine Wilderness GuidesOrganization (www.MWGO.org)and the Maine Professional GuidesAssociation (www.MaineGuides.org) specialize in helping peoplefind licensed guides who arededicated to promoting a quali-ty, ethical and safe outdoorexperience.

Consider the benefits of a

Registered Maine Guide whenplanning your next adventure.Go to www.VisitMaine.com tolearn more about outdoor recre-ation opportunities throughoutthe state.

MECOA | Friday | May 20, 2011 | 3

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY JESSE SCHWARCZ

Randy McEwen (left), a Registered Maine Guide and owner of Central Maine Navigation, teaches aclass on GPS, map, and compass use at United Technologies Center in Bangor in March 2011.McEwen also teaches a course there for the Registered Maine Guide certification. According to

listings on www.MaineGuides.org, there are currently approximately 839 Registered Maine Guides,with 772 of them residing in Maine. That means plenty of opportunities to have a Registered

Maine Guide take you into the great Maine wilderness.

This Maine Campground Owners Association specialsupplement was produced and published by the

EEddiittoorr//LLaayyoouutt::David M. Fitzpatrick

WWrriitteerrss:: David M. Fitzpatrick, Sheila Grant.Some material submitted by others.

CCoovveerr DDeessiiggnn:: Faith BurgosSSaalleess:: Jeff Orcutt, Amy Hayden

To participate in next year’s MECOA supplement, contactJeff Orcutt at (207) 990-8036 or

[email protected], or Amy Hayden at(207) 990-8241 or [email protected]

To reach a local, regional, or statewide audience with yourorganization’s message, consider running your own Special

Section. For information, contact Mike Kearney at(207) 990-8212 or [email protected]

By David M. FitzpatrickBANGOR DAILY NEWS

On the beautiful Atlantic coast in YorkCounty, you’ll find Old Orchard Beach, aworld-famous stopover particularly popu-lar with New Englanders and Canadians.And in the heart of it all are the twin camp-grounds of Powder Horn and Hid’n Pines,highly regarded in the industry and by itscountless thousands of guests over theyears.

Powder Horn was born in 1971 whenDavid Ahearn, a merchant marine, waslooking for something to do when he wasn’tout to sea. He and his wife, Glenna, had beenmarried less than a year, and the campingindustry was virtually nonexistent at thatpoint. Glenna’s parents were convincedDavid was going to put their daughter in thepoorhouse.

“I guess he had a vision on one hand, andhad a real stroke of good luck on the otherhand,” said Jason Ahearn, one of David and

Glenna’s two sons who run the camp-grounds today.

It helped that David had launched hiscampground at Old Orchard Beach, whose

history dates back 400 years, and has been akey summer destination since the early1800s. The campground’s land was original-ly farms and orchards in the 19th century,

later a golf course, and then an amusementpark.

Despite Glenna’s parents’ concerns, theventure was a success. Powder Horn grewand expanded many times over the years,including purchasing neighboring Hid’nPines Family Campground eight years ago.Today, with about 800 campsites, the twocampgrounds are extremely popular.They’re a quick stroll from Old OrchardBeach (or a quick trolley ride if you’d rather)and a quick drive to an 18-hole golf course,horseback riding, amusement parks, waterslides, whale watching, deep-sea fishing, andmuch more.

The twin campgrounds are known fortheir quality. For 2011, Trailer Life magazinenamed Powder Horn and Hid’n Pines two ofits top 300 RV parks in North America, andRV ratings group Woodall’s awarded Pow-der Horn top five-star ratings.

None of this is by accident but by 41 yearsof hard work. Brothers Ryan and Jason, whogrew up in the family business and now run

See PH/HP, Page 15



Wassamki Springs Campground

56 Saco Street • Scarborough, ME 04074

(207) 839-4276 • www.wassamkisprings.com

Free Scheduled Activities on Weekends for All AgesFree WiFi • 50 Amp • Big Rigs Welcome • Store • Snack Bar

Near Ocean Beaches, Shopping and Attractions

Family Owned and Operated Since 1970

Closest Campground to Portland

30 Acre Private Lake One Mile Sandy Beach

30 Acre Private Lake One Mile Sandy Beach

Enjoy LiveEntertainment

By Sheila GrantBANGOR DAILY NEWS

Family is at the center of every-thing at Wassamki Springs Camp-ground. The property is run byRichard Hillock, his father, JohnHillock, and their family.

“My great-great-grandparentspurchased the land in 1917,” saidRichard Hillock. “It was all farm-land.” In the 1960s Hillock’sgrandfather, Bill Hillock, sold fill,put in a 30-acre pond and began arecreation area. The campgroundgrew from there. WassamkiSprings has some basic tent sites aswell as RV sites with water/electrichookups, full hook-ups, and somewith telephone hookups available.Pull-thru sites are also available for

big rigs. The campground haslakeside, sunny and shaded sites tochoose from, all with fireplacesand picnic tables. WassamkiSprings also has free Wi-Fi, mod-ern restrooms, free hot showers,laundry facilities, a campgroundstore and a snack bar.

“We’re six miles west of Port-land so we’re close to everything,”said Richard Hillock. “Peoplecome to stay. People come to parkand visit Portland and OldOrchard. It’s a quiet park, and peo-ple just camp and make friends,and visit with old friends. We liketo make it a friendly place foreveryone.”

The campground, located at 56Saco Street in Scarborough, isremoved enough from the city tooffer a quiet, family-centered

camping experience, but also cen-tral enough to serve as base campfor outings to Portland or OldOrchard Beach. The Scarboroughoutlet of Cabela’s is nearby, and

the Maine Turnpike is only threemiles away. Just a short drive away,guests can also explore Sebago,Maine’s second-largest lake, or the

Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.Of course, guests may never

want to leave the campground,which has two playgrounds, a soft-ball field, two basketball courts,two volleyball courts and horse-shoe pits. Wassamki Springs Pondoffers catch-and-release fishing forlargemouth and smallmouth bassand stocked trout. There’s alsoswimming and boating on the lake— rental boats are available.

There’s a game room and anarcade. The banquet hall attachedto the recreation hall providesspace for large groups, makingWassamki Springs a favorite spotfor company picnics, weddingsand family reunions.

The campground also offers afull season of family fun activities.Weekend offerings include free

hayrides, family bonfires, moviesand more.

“We’ve been doing family-ori-ented, scheduled activities forabout 20 years now,” Hillock said.“We try to offer something foreverybody.”

Weekend evenings also includeoccasional Karaoke and regularSaturday-night performances bylive bands. Children’s activitiesinclude pie or ice cream eatingcontests, spooky story sessions,bingo, arts and crafts, treasurehunts, tug of war, egg relay races,sack races, nature walks, limbo andmore. Many summer weekendshave special themes, like the Hal-loween Weekend in July.

For more information aboutWassamki Springs Campground,visit www.WassamkiSprings.com.


MMoouunntt DDeesseerrtt NNaarrrroowwss,, NNaarrrroowwss TToooo,,aanndd PPaatttteenn PPoonndd

Still undecided on those weekend plans,or feeling like the economy may cancel yourfamily vacation? Don’t worry — Bar HarborCamping Resorts is just a phone call away.At Mount Desert Narrows you can seekadventure in Acadia National Park; at Nar-rows Too, enjoy the sea breeze from yourwaterfront site; or, at Patten Pond, enjoy allthe freshwater sports a 740-acre lake canoffer. One thing is for sure: No matter whichlocation you choose, there is a lot to do.

All are within reasonable driving distanceto Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Ifyou enjoy the comfort of your own RV, tent-ing under the stars, or just renting one ofour cozy cabins or cottages, we are the placefor you. Each resort offers a variety ofhookups that include water, sewer, electricand cable. Wifi access is also available.

Mt. Desert Narrows is located in Bar Har-

bor just six miles before the entrance to Aca-dia Park. It offers a full range of camping,from waterfront tent sites to a full-hookupRV pull-thru. Our full playground, heatedpool, video arcade, and weekly events makeit ideal for families.

Narrows Too is located in Trenton andhas three lobster pounds within walking dis-tance. It was completely renovated in 2007and every site offers a full hookup. Ideal forthe larger RVs, it offers a breathtakingpanoramic view of Mt. Desert Island andCadillac Mountain.

Patten Pond is located in Ellsworth andoffers the largest variety of camping andfun. Some of the activities enjoyed bypatrons include swimming, fishing, boating,or just relaxing on our private beach. Thisself-contained hideaway has always been asecret until now.

For seasonal employees, commuters, orsnowbirds just vacationing up north this

summer, we have sites available for theentire season. Prices will vary by locationand sites are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

So whether you come for a few days or aweek, you may want to stay for the entireseason. For more information, please visitwww.BarHarborCampingResorts.com, andwhile you’re there, check out the “Specials”page to find one that suits you. Every monthwe offer different deals so there’s alwayssomething fresh and new for the weekend orseasonal camper, or somewhere in between.

Drive safe and have an enjoyable 2011camping season. We’ll be looking for you bythe campfire.

PPiinneehhiirrsstt RRVV RReessoorrttIf you plan to be at the southern end

of the state, then park your RV at thePinehirst RV resort. Located in a beau-tiful wooded area just two miles from

the sandy Old Orchard Beach on theAtlantic Ocean. You can relax and enjoyswimming pools, hot tubs, a gym, a catch-and-release pond, shuttle service to thebeach, and activities for children and adults.

“Or take the time to explore the area byvisiting the many different lighthouses,historic Portland, and other near-by attractions and activities,”suggested Andi Sartori, Pine-hirst’s community manager.“You will see why manyfamilies make PinehirstRV Resort theirsummer homeyear afteryear.”

Enjoy the splendor of Maine this summer... Camp at Old Orchard Beach or Bar Harbor!

�OLD ORCHARD BEACH

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207-288-8106 | barharborcampingresorts.com BAR HARBOR TRENTON ELLSWORTH

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By Sheila GrantBANGOR DAILY NEWS

Bayley’s Camping Resort in Scarbor-ough is offering several discounts and spe-cials this year to help campers find vaca-tions full of value.

“We’re offering off-season discounts ofanywhere from 30 to 40 percent a night

from now to late June,” said Gaelan Bayley,operations manager, who runs the resortwith his father, Tom Bayley, general manag-er. Discounts can apply to trailers and parkcabins and can save guests up to 50 percentoff the in-season rate on rental units.

“We’ll have two great specials again thissummer that include free passes to localwater and amusement parks,” Bayley said.Family Fun Week specials will be offeredfor the first two weeks of July and includecombo passes to Funtown/SplashtownU.S.A., unlimited mini-golf and paddle-boat use at the campground, and one freekayak pass per person. Bayley’s CampingResort is located next to the Little Riverestuary, and the campground has a privatelaunch for easy paddler access.

The Mid-Summer Splash, a special avail-able from August 14 to 24, includesAquaboggan passes, Splashtown passes,and unlimited resort paddleboat and mini-golf passes. And from August 21 to Septem-ber 1, the resort is offering a Back to SchoolSpecial on camp sites, rental trailers, and

park cabins, with discounts of 30 to 50 per-cent off, depending on length of stay.

Bayley’s added the 12 new park cabinsin 2010. Cabins have screened porches, airconditioning, fireplaces, full bathroomswith showers, fully-equipped kitchens,flat-screen televisions, master bedroomswith queen-sized beds, bunk rooms andoutdoor fire rings and picnic tables. Twoof the cabins are pet-friendly; four deluxecabins overlook the pond and come withbarbecue grills. A one-week stay in adeluxe cabin also includes one kayak passand one Aquaboggan pass per person, plusunlimited mini-golf and paddleboat use.

Bayley’s also runs two free trolleys. Stopsinclude Funtown/ Splashtown andAquaboggan on Route 1, as well as at near-by Pine Point and Old Orchard beaches.

Bayley’s has accommodations for everycamper, from basic tent sites to the newBig Rig Section installed in 2009 on sitesof no less than 2,500 square feet. Sites aretiered to provide great views, accommo-date pull-through parking, and have full

50-amp hookups.Last spring, the resort entrance was also

upgraded. There are now six lanes forincoming traffic and three for outgoingtraffic, and the entire front section hasbeen repaved.

The 200-acre resort has two play-grounds, three fishing ponds, kayaking,three heated pools and four hot tubs. Anew complex with four additional hottubs, laundry facilities and a snack bar isplanned for the near future.

Bayley’s also has a game room andarcade, and a counselor-directed activitiesprogram with a Woodall’s 5-Star rating.Spring and fall specials start at $25 pernight, with frequent theme weekends.Father’s Day weekend features anextremely popular car show.

Bayley’s has a full entertainment sched-ule, with some new acts lined up for 2011.Offerings include live music, karaoke,movies, juggling, mimes, visual comedi-ans, magic and illusion, and popular chil-dren’s singer Rick Charette.

Box BGR-11, 52 Ross RoadScarborough, ME 04074

Geographical Location: 275 Pine Point Road

www.bayleys-camping.comww

740 SitesDedicated to

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8 | MECOA | Friday | May 20, 2011 MECOA | Friday | May 20, 2011 | 8

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* = Seasonal RV sites only, call for more information

Daily • Weekly • Seasonal

Stetson Shores Campground • 296-2041Rt. 143 • P.O. Box 86B • Stetson, Maine 04488

may be reached easily from the Etna Exit #167 on I-95 (6 miles north on Rt. 143)or from Route 2 and 100 (4 miles north on Rt. 143)www.StetsonShores.com email:[email protected]

On The Shore of 3-mile PleasantLake in Quiet Surroundings

Boat Ramp & Docks • Canoes • KayakRentals • Paddleboats • Swimming •

Fishing • Camp Store • Rec. Hall • Laundry• Electric & Water Hookups

CAMPGROUND & RV PARK

Located in the heart of the beautiful Boothbay Region with

the facilities & amenities to assure your camping pleasure.

“No Rig Too Big”

Only 3 1/2 miles to Boothbay Harbor

Photos by Robert Mitchell, Southport, ME

(207) 633-4782 • www.shorehills.com

Shuttle Service to Boothbay HarborStore • Gift Shop • Laundry • Rec. HallNear Hiking Trails • Fishing • Cable TV

150 Open, Wooded & Riverside CampsitesFull Hook-ups • 30 & 50 amp Elec. • 15 Pull-Thrus

553 Wiscasset Road • Rte. 27, Boothbay, ME 04537 Reservations Suggested • Your Hosts Neal & Jean Reny


By David M. FitzpatrickBANGOR DAILY NEWS

Last year, in celebration of the 75thanniversary of the Maine State Parks system,the Bureau of Parks and Lands released theMaine State Parks Passport. The digest-sizedbooklet features a page for each of the 48state parks and historic sites in Maine. Thegoal: get Mainers interested in what theirstate has to offer, and make visiting thosesites fun for the family.

What you do is take your Passport to apark, use the park’s lock combination fromthe book, and use the rubber stamp withinto stamp the park’s page. For every eightsites you visit, you earn a prize — up to andincluding free camping for visiting 40 and aseason pass for visiting all 48.

The BPL printed 75,000 of them andhoped for the best — and the programexploded. This year the BPL has ordered anadditional 50,000 Passports to keep up withthe demand.

“We wanted Mainers to discover or redis-cover their state parks and historic sites,”said BPL Assistant Regional Manager GaryBest. “We’re all guilty of this — we’ll travelhalfway across the country to see somethingmarvelous, but we live in Maine. We’re sur-rounded by it. It’s the lakes, it’s the rivers, it’sthe coast, it’s the forts — it’s all right here.”

Development and ideas are always on themove with the BPL. In 2009, AndroscogginRiverlands State Park was created near thesecond largest urban area in Maine, Lewis-ton-Auburn. Half of Maine’s residents arewithin a one-hour drive of Riverlands.

“That’s the case with a lot of these parks:they’re all over the state, they’re very afford-able and accessible to people,” Best said. Andto get people excited about them, “We’redeveloping more programs, initiatives andreasons to visit Maine state parks,” he said.“Iam confident that once you visit a state park,you’ll keep coming back for more. There is alot to see and do; and visiting a park is justplain fun.”

There’s always something new and excit-

ing going on, and theBPL is always activelypursuing new ideas forvarious parks. Oneexample is the newJunior Ranger pro-gram at Sebago LakeState Park, startingJuly 2011, kids getthe Junior RangerActivity Book andmust completesome of the activ-ities within. Thenthey either go on one RangerProgram or volunteer at the park. JuniorRangers are rewarded with patches and acertificate.

This summer, the BPL is using privatedonations and federal grants to build anature center at Ferry Beach State Park nearSaco, in close reach of many area schoolsand a great resource for visitors and tourists.The center will open next year.

Several years ago, the BPL constructedplaygrounds at various parks, and they weresuch a hit that they’re building five moreslated to open by the Fourth of July this year.The playgrounds will be at Cobscook Bay,Lily Bay, Mount Blue, and two playgroundsat Sebago Lake.

Park activity extends beyond the summermonths. Last winter, in partnership with theKittery Trading Post and Sebago LakeRotary, the BPL held a cold-weather event atRange Ponds. Kittery Trading Post donated500 ice-fishing traps for the first 500 kidsregistering, and BPL showed them how toice fish to get them started in the fishing tra-dition. To ensure the kids had positive expe-riences, the Department of Inland Fisheriesand Wildlife introduced 500 16-inch brooktrout at the fishing spot the day before.“Needless to say, the kids were pretty suc-cessful that day,” Best said, indicating the

event would return nextwinter.

This year, with a partialgrant from the Maine Out-door Heritage Fund andpartners such as L.L. Bean,Wicked Joe Coffee, WinterKids, and Maine WinterSports, the BPL will purchasean enclosed trailer and stockit with cross-country skiingand snowshoeing equipment.The trailer will travel the state,stopping at many of the statepark winter recreation areas andgiving people expert fitting and

instruction. People will have the chance totry those winter sports without having topurchase expensive equipment.

The past few years, the BPL has run theFirst-Time Campers Program. Thanks topartners like L.L. Bean, Kittery Trading Post,Poland Spring, Hannaford, Wicked Joe Cof-fee, Oakhurst Dairy and Coleman, the BPLhas found Maine families who have neverbeen camping — and take them camping.Last year, 1,300 families applied, and 40 wererandomly drawn. The BPL sets them up forthe weekend, and they have a great time.

“Once we get them there, they have funand they keep coming back,” Best said. “Andthat’s the whole point.”

The BPL has a small staff, considering theproperties managed and the effortsstatewide. Best has the opportunity to speakand meet with park managers from otherstates, and he says Maine is the envy of manyof them.

“They’re all jealous of us,” he said. “Someof these places, they have more infrastruc-ture, they might have fancier buildings —but what we have is really what parks are allabout: the mountains and the lakes and therivers and the coast. We’re blessed with thebeauty of the natural resources.”


Acres of WildlifeSee ad on p. 14

“A Camper’s Paradise inSouthern Maine” amidst 300 pri-vately owned acres and surround-ed by 4,000 acres of state-ownedpine. An informal family destina-tion campground with daily activ-ities for the whole family, such as agreat beach, swimming, fishing,hiking, ice-cream sundaes, home-made food, theme weeks andweekends, mini-golf, and more.Campground Inn on the water-front features eight guest rooms,covered porches, community BBQgrills, and more. Moose Lodge isgreat for couples to get away, fea-turing a comfortable living areawith 45-foot fireplace, spaciouskitchen, queen-sized beds withlinens, semi-private bathrooms(shared between two rooms), andbreakfast voucher for each night’sstay; super-deluxe Maple Roomoffers large living space and a pri-vate bath. Other rentals includepark cottages, luxury RV rentalsites, the Chickadee House (roomyenough for two families), and thetwo-bedroom Deer Cottage.

~~~~~Airline Lodge& Snack Bar

See ad on p. 13Nestled in the heart of

Downeast Maine, 40 miles east ofBangor, near the intersection ofRoute 9 and Route 193. This full-service, four-season facility fea-tures a restaurant, motel, camp-ground, convenience store, 24-

hour rest area, and gas and oil foryour automobile, RV, snowmobile,or ATV. Whitewater canoe tripsdown Narraguagus or MachiasRivers in spring. In summer, closeto blueberry fields and dozens oflakes and streams. Enjoy sightsee-ing, fishing, canoeing, ATV rides,or a visit to Acadia National Park.In fall, enjoy hiking, hunting, orenjoying the fantastic fall foliage.In winter, enjoy the many miles ofgroomed ITS snowmobile trailsjust a step from the Airline’s backdoor. The owners are there to helpyou experience Maine’s great out-doors: “Give us a call and let’s goon an adventure together!”

~~~~~Balsam Cove

See ad on p. 9Located on 10-mile-long

Toddy Pond, where there’s plentyof fishing, swimming, waterski-ing, tubing, loon watching, sunbathing, as well as boating,canoeing, and kayaking (rentalsavailable). Features playgrounds,volleyball, basketball, horseshoepits, arcade games, “Book Nook”(take a book, leave a book).Friday night movies in the pavil-ion, Saturday morning children’sarts and crafts (nominal fee),Saturday Candy Bingo, SaturdayBingo (nominal fee), Friday- andSaturday-evening hayrides,Christmas in July. Nearby attrac-tions include Acadia NationalPark, Bar Harbor, Bucksport GolfClub, and historic Fort Knox.There’s shopping in Ellsworth,Bangor, and Blue Hill, as well asantique shops, sightseeing cruis-

MECOA has about 200 member camp-grounds, covering everything from tentsites to full-hookup RV sites and every-thing in between. Amenities range fromnothing more than the wilderness out-

side your tent to golf, amusement parks,whale watching, shopping, and much

more. There’s a MECOA member camp-ground for everyone’s wants and needs!

The following campgrounds are partici-pating advertisers in this supplement.Please check out their advertisements.

For a complete list of all MECOA camp-grounds, turn to the center of this sup-plement or visit www.CampMaine.com.

And don’t forget to read stories aboutthese campgrounds:

Bar Harbor Camping Resorts - p. 6Bayley’s Camping Resort - p. 7

Powder Horn and Hid’n Pines - p. 4Wassamki Springs - p. 5

Continued on next page

es, hiking, and much more.Wooded and waterfront sites withno kookups, water and electricity,or full hookups. Log cabins, on-site rental trailers, seasonaloptions. Full hookups available.Daily and seasonal dock rates,on-site winter storage, and off-site summer storage.

~~~~~BalsamWoods

See ad on p. 8New owners Matt and Jaime

Snyder have announced thatBalsam Woods will be open for the2009 season from May 21 throughOctober 12. The Snyders take pridein keeping their campground

clean, safe, and family-oriented.Campground offers free wifi, freehot showers, a fully stocked store,snack bar, game room, 25 x 50 in-ground swimming pool, play-ground, walking and biking trails,direct ATV trail access, kayakrentals, and more. New for the2009 season: Saturday-nightmovies, adding additional men’sand women’s showers, new season-al sites. Planning Christmas in Julyand Halloween in lateSeptember/early October. Sunday-morning pancake breaskfasts, ice-cream socials throughout season.Weekend hayrides.

~~~~~The Evergreens

See ad on p. 15Peaceful, uncrowded resort

offers casual atmosphere in a sce-nic blend of birch, pine, and oaktrees along the beautifulKennebec River. Enjoy swimming,fishing, sun bathing, canoeing,camping or cottage living.Restaurant, lounge, pool, music.Cottages/cabins with twin bedsand extra rollaway beds, bathswith hot showers, private, beauti-ful views. Spacious campsites forany RV, privacy for tenters. Waterand electric hookups availablewith separate dumping station.Modern restrooms, hot showers;each site has fireplace and picnictable. Ice, firewood, supplies at thelodge. Tube rentals, fishing sup-plies, meal and lodging packagesfor whitewater rafting groups,hunters, snowmobilers. Also hasinformation on the best raftingcompanies in the area.

~~~~~Freeport/Durham

KOASee ad on p. 9

Just six miles from beautifulFreeport. Excellent savings onearly spring and late fall camp-ing; specials on monthly or sea-sonal stays. On 50 acres with spa-cious sites: completely woodedfor back-to-nature feel, tree-lined and nestled in the woods,or wide-open pull-throughs.One- or two-bedroom cabinswith fridges, microwaves,heaters. RV rentals with fullkitchen and bath. Playground,horseshoe pits, basketball, beachvolleyball, baseball field, gameroom, pool, waterslides, naturetrails, and pony and horse rides.Groups can use rec hall withkitchen and/or pavilion. Plannedactivities, pancake breakfasts, icecream socials every weekend.“Theme Weekends” likeChristmas in July, HauntedWeekend in August, andHawaiian Luau in September.

Loads more facilities, amenities,activities, events. Local areaattractions and festivals. Over101 things to do within a 50-mileradius of Freeport, including thefamous LL Bean, open 24-hoursa day, seven days a week.

~~~~~Gray Homestead

Oceanfront CampingSee ad on p. 13

The only oceanfront camp-ground in the Boothbay HarborRegion, Gray’s her been “green”for eight years. Does plastic andgrass recycling; shower metersconserves water. No pesticides, butthe salt air keeps the mosquitoes

away. A small, family, eco-friendlycampground. The peace andserenity of Southport Island, andits proximity to the myriad year-round attractions and activities ofthe Boothbay Harbor Region,make Gray Homestead “the ulti-mate family vacation destination.”Scenic and relaxing family-runoceanfront Maine camping andlodging. Seasonal campsites, 40RV and tenting sites, oceanfrontcottages and condos, privatebeach, kayakers’ paradise.Spectacular ocean views. Lobstersto cook at sites, or cooked for you.Entire heritage- and culture-richMidcoast Maine area within anhour’s drive.

~~~~~Homestead by the

River FamilyCampground

See ad on p. 12Small, family-friendly camp-

ground nestled along the SacoRiver just out of Saco. Spacioussites, clean restrooms, showers,coin laundry. Camp store with

Continued from previous page




basic camping supplies, firewood(delivered to your site), ice cream,candy, ice, small line of personalcare and grocery items includingfarm-fresh eggs. No alcohol or cig-arettes. Area farm stands withwide variety of produce, corn,farm-fresh eggs, milk.Gonneville’s Ice Cream is justthree minutes away. Extensive playarea for kids, safe space for bikeriding, half-court basketball, out-door table tennis, horseshoe pits,swimming/picnic area, fishing,canoe/kayak rentals, river tubing.Quick drive to beaches, amuse-ment parks, deep-sea fishing,ocean excursions, shopping, din-ing, more.

~~~~~KatahdinShadowsSee ad on p. 14

Offering four-season campingexperiences. NearMillinocket andBaxter State Park, luring hikers,fishermen, and winter sportsenthusiasts every year.Accommodates smallest tents to

biggest RVs. Trained staff candirect campers to best moose-viewing areas. Pool, a play-ground, rabbits for the kids topet, bingo, and arts and crafts.Game room, arcade, lounge, and30-by-60-foot enclosed functionhall with kitchen and bathroom”.Beanbag madness” activity tohelp Shriner’s Children’sHospital; part of 2007 proceedsraised $5,800. Heated cabins for4-10 people, some with fullyequipped kitchenettes.Bathrooms near cabins. Picnictables and outdoor fireplaces.Seasonal winter rentals availablefor snowmobilers; cabins onnightly basis in winter.

~~~~~MeadowbrookCamping Area

See ad on p. 12This is a second-generation,

family-owned and -operatedcampground with 100+ sites on60 acres. It’s located inPhippsburg, a small-town penin-sula, just outside of Bath and 10minutes from the popular

Popham Beach State Park. Alsonear Reid State Park, BoothbayHarbor, Maine MaritimeMuseum, Owls Head Museum, LLBean, and more. Sightseeing rivertours and boating nearby. At thecampground, there are fullhookups, cabin and cottagerentals, heated pool, horseshoes,arcade, snack bar, nature trail,beaver pond, playground, free hotshowers, laundry, general store,and rec hall. Enjoy weekendkaraoke, family movie nights,massage therapy, and more.

~~~~~Moody BeachCampground/Outdoor World

See ad on p. 14With 144 full hookups and 53

park models for rent, OutdoorWorld is the RV stop to find inWells. See the sights of the Mainecoast from this beautifully woodedproperty located just minutes fromOgunquit Beach. You’ll enjoywhale watching and deep-sea fish-ing in the Atlantic, shopping, hik-ing, great seafood restaurants, anda variety of local attractions.Beautiful picturesque views. Walkalong the beach, smell the freshsalt air and relax in the easy charmof coastal living. Amenities includea ball field, clubhouse, countrystore, horseshoe pits, laundry facil-ities, playground, rec center, shuf-fleboard, sport courts, swimmingpool, video games, and volleyballcourt.

~~~~~Pumpkin Patch

RV ResortSee ad on p. 12

Resort-style campground withmost of clientele 55 and older.Sites are big-rig friendly and staffis very friendly. Calling itself “Thefriendliest RV resort in theNortheast,” campground is in its10th year. Features 75 spacioussites, mostly pull-through, toaccommodate the largest ofcampers. Some back-in sites usu-ally reserved for those who parktheir campers for the season. Staffcan direct visitors to points ofinterest and special events inMaine and are happy to act astravel agents as part of the friend-ly service. Staff appreciates beingnotified of special events so they

can share that information withtheir customers.

~~~~~Salmon Falls River

Camping ResortSee ad on p. 15

Great RV accommodations insouthern Maine, with sites forbig

rigs and motor homes, includingslide-outs, as well as smallcampers. Salmon Falls is a pet-friendly camping resort with afenced dog park for “your caninekid’s pleasure.” Many sites areoversized, 30/50 amp, with fullhookups. Cable TV is available atselect sites. Indoor heated




Olympic-sized pool, 17,000-square-foot activity center, fit-ness room, free hot showers, pri-vate pond, river access, wi-fi,general store with some gro-ceries and RV supplies, bingohall, ping pong, volleyball, fish-ing, badminton, basketball,horseshoes, playground, naturewalks, and more.

~~~~~Seaview

CampgroundSee ad on p. 14

Step back in time at the old sea-port of Eastport, Maine. Be thefirst to see the sun rise over theAtlantic Ocean. View whales andeagles right from your front win-dow or chair. Explore five light-houses in Washington County,including the famous East QuoddyHead Lighthouse. Go on whale-watching and sightseeing tours,take a trip to Canada, go kayaking,hike the beautiful Bold Coast, andenjoy some of the most incredibleunderwater diving on the easternshores. Guided tour on the MooseIsland Trolley to St. Andrew’s orCampobello Island. Tour theRoosevelt summer home. The OldSow restaurant on site. Fourth-generation family serving seafood,bison, ribeye, chicken pot pie. Lotsmore.

~~~~~

Shore HillsCampground

See ad on p. 8Store and gift shop for gro-

ceries, supplies, wood, ice, sou-venirs, and area information.Lobster and clam kettles provided.Waterfront, open, and woodedsites. Full hookups with 30/50amps, any size RVs. Cable TV,paved roads, picnic tables, fire-places, hot showers, laundry, pub-lic phones, propane, dumping sta-tion. Small cabin rental available(sleeps two in twin beds; fullyequipped with towels, sheets,kitchen items; kitchen/living areawith TV, full bath, separate bed-room). Furnished house for renton property (three bedrooms, twobaths; weekly, monthly, or for theseason). Memorial Day weekendsquare dancing, and countrydancing to Bobby Reed andWildhorse on June 6, 2009.Swimming, hiking, fishing, boat-ing, playground, horseshoes, andfree use of canoes.

~~~~~Stetson Shores

See ad on p. 8Located in quiet surroundings

in the heartland of Maine, withclean air, blue skies, and a greatview. It’s a place, they say, whereyou can “unwind and relax likenever before.” Fishing in lake andstream. Boat launch and ramp;

rentals of kayaks, paddle boats,and canoes; a swimming area; arec center with game room;horseshoes and badminton; vol-leyball and basketball; a play-ground; and much more. Features32 wooded acres; choose fromshady or sunny, wooded or open,secluded or lakefront. Each sitehas fireplace, picnic table, arte-sian-well water, and electrichookup. Clean, modern flush toi-lets, lavatories, and free hot show-ers. On-premises coin-op laun-dry, sanitary dump station, andhoney wagon service. Wood, ice,

ice cream, limited groceries andcamping supplies, T-shirts, andkids’ tuff are available from thecamp store. Special holidayevents, many area attractions.

~~~~~Woodland Acres

See ad on p. 3Located on the beautiful, cool,

crystal-clear Saco River and itssandy beaches, Woodland AcresCampground offers camping in awooded setting in the foothills ofthe White Mountains. Enjoy

swimming, canoeing, and troutand bass fishing on the Saco River.Relax and enjoy the privacy of itswooded, spacious campsites, river-front sites, group tenting area,pull-through sites, water/electricsites, and more. Some sites havewooden dining canopies. Visitnearby attractions, or enjoy a vari-ety of canoe trips offered at thecampground. Woodland Acres is agreat fall-foliage spot. Well-stocked store, non-resident fishinglicenses, firewood, ice, propane,free hot showers, modern rest-rooms, and more.

266 Post Road | Wells, Maine

CAMPING SEASON KICK-OFF

Moody Beach Campground*Must mention promo code, expires May 31, 2011. Special rates do not include taxes and fees. Not to be combined with any other discounts or offers. May not be used during any other months. Some site restrictions apply. PROMO CODE: MB-BDN511

$15 $10PER NIGHT PER NIGHT

Reserve any day in May...RV SITE TENT SITE

$6995 $39953 NIGHTS 3 NIGHTS

RV SITE TENT SITEMemorial Day Weekend

Call and reserve today! 207-646-4586



the campgrounds, are quick tonote that success could never comewithout their dedicated staff,which nears 120 people in July andAugust.

“We owe a huge thanks to ourstaff,” said Ryan. “They share ourvision, enthusiasm and excite-ment.”

Ryan said that whenever gueststell him the campground is thecleanest they’ve ever stayed at, hegets chills knowing that his staffmade that happen. “It’s like a sales-man making a huge sale, or a foot-ball player scoring that winningtouchdown,” he said. “We reallylove delivering a first-rate prod-uct… We’re lucky to have the staffthat we do.”

The two campgrounds comple-ment each other well. Hid’n PinesFamily Campground is ideal for amore laid-back experience, butstill has full hookups, sites withwater and electricity, and tentsites, as well as plenty of ameni-ties, such as a heated pool, a play-ground, and the Snack Shack.Some sites offer cable TV, and

WiFi is accessible in most areas.That’s an impressive lineup for acampground with site packagesstarting at less than $200 per week.Fifteen new sites in a recentexpansion will be open by mid-July, with another 40 ready to gonext year. The expansion will befinished with modern restroomand laundry facilities.

Powder Horn Family CampingResort, with even more ameni-ties, is ideal for family fun.Sprawling across 80 acres of openmeadows and groves of pine andoak, it features a fully stockedgrocery store, a three-pool com-plex, three playgrounds, twoJacuzzis, an 18-hole mini-golfcourse, and an extensive activityprogram. Ready for this year is

the new heated, in-ground swim-ming pool — reportedly thelargest of its kind in southernMaine. Along with the pool com-plex, Powder Horn added 24state-of-the-art RV sites.

“Powder Horn being considereda camping resort, this new camp-ing area embodies that 100 per-cent,” Jason said. “We’re veryproud of it.”

Today, Ryan and Jason run thecampgrounds, with Ryan han-dling operations and Jasonadministrative and office man-agement. “It’s worked out well inthat we both handle differentareas of the business, so our col-laboration kind of complementsone another,” Ryan said. “A lot oftimes, when he brings an issue to

me, it’s something that’s fresh andnew and something I hadn’t con-sidered, and vice versa. We canbounce ideas off each other andget a different perspective and itworks out well.”

With 41 years of all-it-the-family experience and dedication

to back that collaboration up, it’sno wonder why the campgroundsare so successful.

For more information, visitPowder Horn online atwww.MaineCampgrounds.comand Hid’n Pines online atwww.HidnPines.com.

PH/HPContinued from Page 4

By GoRVing.com

It’s a buyer’s market and a great time toinvest in an RV for years of vacation savings.Now is the time to see your RV dealer!

Consumer financing is readily availablefor qualified borrowers looking to purchasea vehicle to fit their needs at a price to fittheir budget. Most dealers offer in-housefinancing through one or more nationallenders or with local banks, finance compa-nies and credit unions. Their in-depthknowledge will make the process go thatmuch smoother.

Depending on the type and price of the

model, RV loans typically vary in lengthfrom five to 20 years with a down pay-ment of 10 percent. On average, RVloans were paid off in three to fouryears, according to the 2009 Surveyof Lenders’ Experiences, an annualnationwide survey conducted byRVIA of financial institutions con-cerning their RV-lender portfolios.

YYoouu MMaayy QQuuaalliiffyy ffoorr TTaaxx DDeedduuccttiioonnFor the vast majority of RV buyers,

the interest on an RV loan is deductibleas second home mortgage interest. To quali-fy, owners must not already have a secondhome mortgage. Also, the RV must be usedas security for the loan and provide basic liv-ing accommodations such as sleeping area,bathroom, and cooking facilities. Virtuallyall RV types — motor homes, travel trailers,truck campers and even most folding camp-ing trailers — are equipped with theseaccommodations and eligible for the taxsavings benefits.

AA GGrreeaatt IInnvveessttmmeenntt iinn FFaammiillyy FFuunnStudies show that even factoring in the

cost of RVownership and fuel,

families can save 27 to 61percent on vacation costs by trav-

eling by RV. By investing in an RV today,your family can enjoy many years of qualityvacation time together all while savingmoney generally spent airfare, hotels andrestaurant meals. And the on-the-roadadventures create priceless memories thatwill last a lifetime.

The bottom line is that if you are thinkingof buying an RV, you should check financingoptions to maximize your purchase enjoy-ment. You’ll be on the road enjoying yournew RV before you know it!

Time for an RV?Check out these RV dealers in yourarea. They’ve supported this MECOAsupplement, so please check outtheir advertisements here to learnmore about the kind of RV solutionthat works for you.

Good Times UnlimitedFarmingtonSee page 3

Harvey TrailerBangor

See page 5

Lee Family Trailer SalesWindhamSee page 6

McKay’s RVBrewer

See page 10

Seacoast RVSaco

See page 7

Whited RVAuburn

See page 11


� � � � � � � �

��Your backyard is vacationland

© 2011 Maine Office of Tourism2011 Maine Office of Tourism2011 Maine Office of Tourism

There’s More to Mainein the Outdoors

• More than 5,000 miles of trails • More than 5,000 miles of trails • 32,000 miles of rivers and streams• 32,000 miles of rivers and streams• 6,000 lakes and ponds• 6,000 lakes and ponds

Register and buy licenses in advance of your Register and buy licenses in advance of your Register and buy licenses in advance of your trip so you can spend more time enjoying Maine’s great outdoors.Maine’s great outdoors.Maine’s great outdoors.

yMaMaMaMainininine’e sss

VisitMaine.com

www.me� shwildlife.comwww.me� shwildlife.comwww.me� shwildlife.comwww.me� shwildlife.com

Baxter State Park, with magni�cent Mt. Katahdin, is one of Maine’s many spectacular locations for outdoor enthusiasts. More atBaxter State Park, with magni�cent Mt. Katahdin, is one of Maine’s many spectacular locations for outdoor enthusiasts. More atBaxter State Park, with magni�cent Mt. Katahdin, is one of Maine’s many spectacular locations for outdoor enthusiasts. More atBaxter State Park, with magni�cent Mt. Katahdin, is one of Maine’s many spectacular locations for outdoor enthusiasts. More at VisitMaine.com/NaturalResources.VisitMaine.com/NaturalResources.

In Maine, recreational opportunities abound in all four seasons. In Maine, recreational opportunities abound in all four seasons. In Maine, recreational opportunities abound in all four seasons. In Maine, recreational opportunities abound in all four seasons. Plan your adventure at Plan your adventure at VisitMaine.com/NaturalResources.VisitMaine.com/NaturalResources.

mecoa maine camping & outdoor recreation guide 2011

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