Camp Steps from Maine’s Most Famous Beach
Wild Acres RV Resort and Campground puts you within walking distance of Old Orchard Beach, one of the most iconic beach towns on the New England coast. The campground sits just off the main drag, close enough that you can walk to the pier, the amusement rides, the arcade, and seven miles of sandy beach without ever starting your car. For families who want a camping base camp with full beach-town access, this is the most convenient option in the area.
Old Orchard Beach has been drawing visitors since the 1800s, and the carnival atmosphere of the pier district is part of its charm. The amusement park rides, cotton candy stands, and neon signs give OOB an energy that sets it apart from the quieter beach towns further up the coast. Wild Acres plugs you directly into that energy while still giving you a campsite to retreat to at the end of the day.
The campground itself is well-established, with about 200 sites on a wooded property that provides a buffer from the road noise and bustle of the beach strip. It is not wilderness camping by any stretch, but that is not the point. The point is being within a five-minute walk of the beach and having a heated pool to come back to when you are done with the sand.
The Campground
Wild Acres has roughly 200 sites organized into several sections. Full-hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp electric, water, and sewer make up a significant portion. Tent sites with electric hookups are set in the more wooded areas of the property. Rental units and park model homes are available for those who want more comfort.
The campground is flat and relatively compact. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and most are shaded by mature trees that keep the midsummer heat manageable. The heated pool is centrally located and serves as the main gathering spot for families between beach trips. A playground, game room, and basketball court give kids additional options.
Bathhouses are clean and have hot showers. The camp store carries firewood, ice, snacks, and basic camping supplies. A laundry facility is on-site. WiFi is available and works reasonably well given the campground’s proximity to town infrastructure.
If you want a quieter site, request one in the back loops away from the road and the pool area. The front sites are more convenient for walking to the beach but get more foot traffic and ambient noise from the street.
Things to Do
The beach is why you are here. Seven miles of wide, sandy beach stretch from Pine Point in the north to the Camp Ellis jetty in the south. The sand is fine and flat, the water is shallow for a long way out, and the waves are gentle enough for children. On hot summer days, the beach fills with families, sunbathers, and boogie boarders.
The Old Orchard Beach pier extends 500 feet into the ocean and anchors the amusement district. Rides, games, food vendors, and arcades cluster around the pier and along the beachfront strip. Palace Playland, the only beachfront amusement park remaining in New England, has a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and enough rides to keep kids entertained for hours.
Beyond the beach, the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is a short drive north and offers guided kayak tours through Maine’s largest salt marsh. Ferry Beach State Park, just south in Saco, has a quieter beach and nature trails through a rare tupelo forest. Portland is 20 minutes north and offers an entirely different pace with world-class restaurants, craft breweries, and harbor cruises.
Old Orchard Beach is extremely crowded on summer weekends, especially Fourth of July week. Beach parking lots fill early and charge by the hour. The advantage of camping at Wild Acres is that you can walk to the beach and skip the parking hassle entirely. Arrive at the beach before 10 AM on weekends for the best spot.
When to Go
Spring
Opens mid-May. Beach is quiet and water is cold, but the campground is uncrowded and rates are lower.
Summer
Full beach town atmosphere, warmest water, all attractions open. Reserve well in advance for July and August.
Fall
Open through Columbus Day. September has warm days and thinner beach crowds. Most pier attractions close after Labor Day.
Winter
Campground closes after Columbus Day.
Getting There
From Portland, take I-95 south (Maine Turnpike) to Exit 36 for Saco. Follow Route 1 south, then turn left onto East Grand Avenue toward Old Orchard Beach. Wild Acres is on the right before you reach the pier district. The drive is about 20 minutes from downtown Portland.
From Bangor, take I-95 south to the Saco exit and follow the same directions. The drive is about two and a half hours.
Walk to the pier for fried dough and Pier Fries, then walk south along the beach to the quieter stretch past the Grand Avenue hotels. Most of the crowd stays near the pier, so half a mile south you will have significantly more space. The beach gets better the further from the pier you go.
Camping Packing List
- Tent with rain fly
- Sleeping bag or blankets (summer nights are mild)
- Camp stove and fuel
- Cooler (or just walk to the restaurants)
- Beach chairs and umbrella
- Sunscreen and hats
- Swimsuits and towels
- Walking shoes for exploring the pier
- Cash for amusements and pier food
- Bug spray for evening mosquitoes
FAQ
How close is Wild Acres to the beach?
The campground is about a five-minute walk from the beach and the pier area. You do not need to drive.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome at the campground. Dogs are not allowed on Old Orchard Beach from mid-June through Labor Day. Check local ordinances for current rules.
Is the pool heated?
Yes, Wild Acres has a heated swimming pool on-site. It is a good alternative when the ocean is too cold or too crowded.
Is there a grocery store nearby?
Yes, there are convenience stores within walking distance and full grocery stores in Saco, about 10 minutes by car.
Can I walk to the amusement park?
Yes. Palace Playland and the pier are within walking distance of the campground. This is one of the main advantages of staying at Wild Acres.
