A Private Lake Minutes From Portland
Wassamki Springs is a family-owned campground in Scarborough built around a private, spring-fed lake of about 30 acres with a one-mile sandy beach along its shore. The Hillock family established it in 1968 and still runs it, and the headline feature is simple: a clean, warm swimming lake all to the campground’s guests, close enough to Portland that you can spend the morning at camp and the afternoon in the Old Port. For a southern-Maine base that mixes lake swimming with easy access to the coast and city, it is hard to beat the location.
The lake makes this a genuine swimming-and-boating campground rather than just a place to park overnight. The sandy beach is the social center in summer, with scheduled activities and live entertainment, and the spring-fed water stays clear. It is a polished, family-oriented operation, popular with both RV travelers passing through and seasonal campers who set up for the whole summer.
Sites & Amenities
The campground offers a full spread of site types: full-hookup RV sites, electric-and-water sites, tent sites, and a large block of seasonal sites for long-term campers, plus cabin-style rentals. Amenities include the sandy lake beach and swimming, boating with on-site rentals, a small store, bathhouses, and picnic areas. Rates vary by site type and season, so book direct with the campground.
Because the lake is private to guests, the swimming and paddling are reliably uncrowded compared with the public beaches a few miles away. Dogs are welcome; check the campground’s current pet policy for any breed or area restrictions when you reserve.
This is the closest campground to Portland, which is its biggest selling point and its biggest catch: summer weekends book up well in advance. If you want a non-seasonal site in July or August, reserve early. Midweek stays are far easier to land and give you the lake with fewer people.
Getting There
Wassamki Springs is at 56 Saco Street in Scarborough, just off the main routes through town and only minutes from Casco Bay, the Old Port, and the southern beaches. From Portland it is about a 20-minute drive; from Interstate 95 it is a short hop into Scarborough. Cell service is good throughout greater Portland, and the campground sits close to shopping, restaurants, and ocean beaches.
When to Visit
Spring
Opens May 1. Cooler and quieter early on, with the lake still warming up for swimming.
Summer
Peak season. Warm lake swimming, the full beach scene, activities, and rentals. Book ahead for weekends.
Fall
Crisp days and thinner crowds through the October 15 close. Swimming tapers off but the location stays handy for foliage and coast trips.
Winter
Closed. The campground operates May 1 through October 15 only.
Summer is the obvious season for a lake campground, but early fall offers the same easy access to Portland and the coast with far fewer people.
Packing List
Wassamki Springs Lake Trip
- Swimsuits and beach towels
- Cooler for the beach and campsite
- Bug spray for evenings near the water
- Sun protection for the open beach
- Camp or RV gear suited to your site type
- Water shoes for the lake bottom
- Bikes or gear for day trips into Portland
FAQ
Does Wassamki Springs have a swimming lake?
Yes. The campground is built around a private, spring-fed lake of about 30 acres with a one-mile sandy beach for guests.
What site types are available?
Full-hookup RV sites, electric-and-water sites, tent sites, a large block of seasonal sites, and cabin-style rentals.
How close is it to Portland?
About 20 minutes. It is often called the closest campground to Portland, with quick access to the Old Port and the southern beaches.
When is it open?
May 1 through October 15. Summer weekends fill early, so reserve well ahead.
What does it cost?
Rates vary by site type and season. Book direct with the campground for current pricing and availability.
For ocean swimming nearby, head to Scarborough Beach or Higgins Beach, or paddle the tidal creeks of Scarborough Marsh.
