Oceanfront Camping on Georgetown Island
Sagadahoc Bay Campground sits on the western shore of Georgetown Island, overlooking the tidal waters of Sagadahoc Bay. It has been called the “crown jewel of the Maine coast” for camping, and after spending a night watching the sun set over the water from your site, you will understand why people say that.
The campground has about 75 sites spread across a wooded hillside that slopes down to the bay. The mix includes tent sites, full-hookup RV sites, and rental cabins. Some sites sit right at the water’s edge, others on a bluff about 30 feet above the shoreline with views across the bay.
Reid State Park, one of the only sandy beach state parks in midcoast Maine, is a 15-minute drive south on the same island. That combination of oceanfront camping and real beach access is hard to find anywhere on the Maine coast.
Site Types and Layout
The campground breaks down into several areas with different price points and characters.
Oceanfront sites are the premium spots, positioned right at the water. You fall asleep hearing waves on rocks. These book first and cost the most.
Ocean-view sites sit higher on the bluff. You still see the water but have some trees between you and the shore. Good compromise between views and privacy.
Wooded interior sites are the most affordable and the most private. Dense tree cover, no water views, but quiet and sheltered from wind.
Full-hookup RV sites include eight big-rig friendly spots about 75 feet from the water with 30/50 amp electric, water, and sewer. If you are driving something over 35 feet, these are designed for you.
Cabins range from basic shelters to more equipped units. Rates run up to $170 per night for the larger cabins during peak season.
Oceanfront sites for July and August weekends often book months in advance. If you want waterside, start checking availability in March. Midweek stays are much easier to get, even in peak summer.
Reid State Park: Your Day-Use Beach
Reid State Park is the main reason many people choose this campground. It is one of the few state parks in midcoast Maine with actual sandy beaches, and it is only 15 minutes down Route 127.
Mile Beach is the long stretch of sand facing the open Atlantic. Good for walking, decent for swimming if you can handle cold water. Lifeguards are on duty in summer.
Half Mile Beach is more protected and warmer. The water is still Maine-cold, but the sandbar creates a shallow area that warms up faster. Better for kids.
Griffin Head is a rocky headland between the two beaches with tide pools and good birding. At low tide, the pools are full of sea stars, crabs, and urchins.
The Lagoon behind Half Mile Beach is a warm, calm, shallow area that is the best spot for small children. The water actually gets comfortable here on hot days.
Reid State Park closes its gates when the parking lot fills, which happens by 10 AM on hot summer weekends. Get there early or go on a weekday. The park is day-use only with no overnight camping.
What Else is Nearby
Georgetown Island is not just Reid State Park. The whole area is worth exploring.
Five Islands Lobster Co. in the village of Five Islands is one of the best lobster pounds on the coast. Eat at the picnic tables overlooking the harbor. The lobster rolls are straightforward and excellent. Cash or card, no reservations, expect a line in July.
Bath is 20 minutes north and has the Maine Maritime Museum, which covers the state’s shipbuilding history. The downtown has restaurants, shops, and a grocery store for restocking.
Popham Beach State Park is about 25 minutes away. Another sandy beach, less crowded than Reid, and at low tide you can walk out to Fox Island.
Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary on the way to Reid has easy walking trails through spruce forest along the water. Quiet and good for birding.
The real sunset show at Sagadahoc Bay Campground happens from the oceanfront sites looking west across the bay. The water reflects the colors and on clear evenings the sky goes orange to purple for a solid 30 minutes. Bring a camp chair down to the shore around 7:30 PM in July.
Rates and Policies
Rates range from $26 per night for basic tent sites to $170 per night for the largest cabins in peak season. The base rate includes four people and two pets per site. Additional guests are extra.
Pets are welcome and included in the base rate (two per site). Keep them leashed and clean up after them.
Cancellation policy: Cancel 45 or more days before arrival for a full refund. Inside that window, refunds are partial or unavailable depending on how close to the date you cancel. Read the fine print before booking peak-season dates.
Check-in is mid-afternoon, check-out is late morning. Quiet hours are enforced and the campground takes them seriously.
When to Go
Spring
Campground closed. Opens Memorial Day weekend.
Summer
Warm days, Reid State Park in full swing. Book well ahead for July and August.
Fall
Open through Columbus Day. Cooler, fewer crowds, stunning light on the water.
Winter
Campground closed.
Late June through August is peak season with the warmest water temperatures (still cold by most standards) and the longest days. September is quieter with fewer people at Reid State Park and beautiful light for photography. The campground closes after Columbus Day weekend.
Camping Packing List
Sagadahoc Bay Packing List
- Tent with strong rain fly (coastal winds)
- Sleeping bag (45F rated, nights cool near the ocean)
- Extra tent stakes (ground can be rocky near shore)
- Camp stove and fuel
- Cooler with ice
- Sunscreen and hat
- Binoculars (birding and seal watching)
- Kayak or paddleboard (bay access from campground)
- Beach towels and swimsuits
- Bug spray (mosquitoes in wooded sites)
- Camp chairs
- Cash for Five Islands Lobster Co.
Getting There
Sagadahoc Bay Campground is on Georgetown Island, about an hour north of Portland and two hours south of Bangor. From I-295, take the Bath exit and pick up US Route 1 into downtown Bath. From the junction of Route 1 and Route 127 in Woolwich (just east of Bath on the other side of the Kennebec River), head south on Route 127 for roughly 9 miles onto Georgetown Island.
Turn right (southwest) onto Bay Point Road and follow it about 2 miles, then turn left onto Sagadahoc Bay Road for the final half-mile to the campground office. The mailing address is 9 Molly Point Lane, Georgetown. Route 127 is paved the whole way, but the road narrows as you move down the island, so take your time with a larger rig.
The campground is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Reid State Park is about 15 minutes further south on the same island. Bath, 20 minutes north, is your last stop for full groceries, gas, and supplies before heading out the peninsula.
FAQ
Is there beach access at the campground?
The campground has shoreline access to Sagadahoc Bay with rocky coast, tidal flats, and kayak launching. For sandy beaches, Reid State Park is 15 minutes south by car. The campground does not have a sand beach on site.
Can I launch a kayak from the campground?
Yes. You can launch a kayak or canoe from the campground's shore into Sagadahoc Bay. The bay is tidal, so check the tide chart before heading out. Motorboat launching is not available at the campground.
Are pets allowed?
Yes. Two pets per site are included in the base rate at no extra charge. Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after them. Reid State Park also allows leashed dogs, though not on the beach between April and September.
How far is the campground from Portland?
About one hour. Take I-295 north to Route 1 in Bath, then Route 127 south through Georgetown to the campground. The drive from Bangor is roughly two hours.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel 45 or more days before your arrival date for a full refund. Cancellations inside 45 days may receive a partial refund or none, depending on the timing. Contact the campground directly for specifics on your booking.
