Let’s talk about why camping in Scarborough, Maine will be one of your favorite trips this year!
This point will include the three Scarborough, Maine campgrounds as well as things to do, where to eat, and a review of Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park.
I recently went on a recent girl’s weekend in Scarborough, ME with my mom and had a blast! We had a wonderful time staying at Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park and exploring this area of Maine.
Overall Review of Scarborough, Maine
I love Scarborough because it’s not as crowded as the most southern parts of Maine’s coastline like Ogunquit and Old Orchard. Yet Scarborough is also conveniently located less than 20 minutes from downtown Portland, ME.
In addition to a relaxing girl’s trip, Scarborough is also a great destination for a family getaway as there is plenty to do for the whole family. There are a ton of fun things to do while you’re visiting Scarborough to make a great RVing weekend.
The biggest reason to choose Scarborough is for the access to the multiple beaches in the area.
Is Scarborough Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! While Scarborough gets overshadowed by nearby cities, it offers tons of activities for visitors and local Mainers alike.
I definitely recommend visiting the local beaches and small businesses for a day or even longer!
RV Campgrounds in Scarborough, Maine
There are three campgrounds located in Scarborough, Maine and all close to Portland, Maine.
Each campground offers something different for each type of camper.
Bayley’s Camping Resort – best for families
Wild Duck Adult RV Park & Campground – best for adult-only
Wassamki Springs Campground – best for a quiet Maine vacation overall
Overview of Wassamki Springs Campground
Wassamki Springs Campground is a great option for those wanting a quiet vacation with a few more amenities than Wild Duck Adult RV Park and Campground.
Unlike Wild Duck, Wassamki offers a beach and private lake and claims to be the closest campground to Portland, Maine.
Rates for peak season (early June – Labor Day) $83-$92/night for hookups.
You can get a bargain if you’re willing to camp in the off-season of late May or Sept-Oct.
Overview of Bayley’s Camping Resort
Bayley’s Camping Resort is a great option for families with kids.
They have a pool, playground, and tons of on-site activities and programs.
There is also a shuttle to Pine Point Beach and nearby town Old Orchard Beach.
Bayley’s Camping Resort ranges from $45-$137/night and is open late April to mid-October.
Overview of Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park
Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park is the perfect destination for those looking for a peaceful stay along Maine’s southern coast.
Often, it felt more like a state park than a campground in the middle of a busy summer destination.
If you have a kayak or canoe, you can launch your boat right next to the office into the Scarborough Marsh. Just remember to bring bug spray!
The campground is open from May 1st to Oct. 16th.
Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park ranges from $60-$80/night and is open early May to mid-October.
Things to know before staying at Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park
The Wild Duck Adult Campground and RV Park is located in the Maine Audubon Scarborough Marsh, meaning while it’s surrounded by lush greenery, it can have a salty scent at times. If you’ve never explored a marsh, you may be taken aback at first.
The campground is extremely quiet so there’s no onsite activities and where it’s a 21+ RV park, you won’t have to worry about noisy kids running around.
How Many Days Do You Need in Scarborough, Maine?
Even with only a weekend, you’ll have a great time in Scarborough. But, of course if you have more time, you’ll be able to explore the surrounding areas a bit more including the nearby cities, a few state parks, and more beaches.
Ideally, give yourself 3-4 nights in Scarborough.
What to do in Scarborough vs. Portland, Maine
Picking a campground in Scarborough is a great option if you’re hoping to also visit Portland, Maine during your visit. Since there are no campgrounds in the city of Portland itself, Scarborough is one of the closest options.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the features of each city.
Scarborough Is Best For…
- Better for those wanting quiet and relaxing evenings
- Best for those trying to avoid crowds and traffic
- Best for beach days
- Best home base for RVers and campers
Portland Is Best For…
- Better for those staying in a hotel or Airbnb
- Best for those wanting to explore nightlife entertainment
- Best for foodies – TONS of restaurants
- Best for shopping – check out the Old Port and Commercial Street
- Great to visit all year – the winter gets cold though so bundle up!
- Best for exploring museums, art galleries, and history
The Best Time to Visit Maine
May through October is considered the best weather season in Maine. June through August is our peak season with the highest prices and most crowds.
June tends to be a big buggier than the rest of the summer so just be aware of that.
I tend to love visiting Maine beaches all year round so unless there’s a winter blizzard, there’s no bad time to visit Scarbrough in my opinion.
But if you’re looking for great Maine weather plus less crowds I’d recommend visiting in May or September.
Getting Around Scarborough, Maine
You’ll definitely want a car while staying in Scarborough, especially if you’d like to explore the nearby towns and attractions. Scarborough doesn’t have a walkable downtown, so you’ll need a car to visit the shops and restaurants.
Of course, if you’re RVing, you’ll have your vehicle and you shouldn’t have any trouble driving in Scarborough. Route 1 can get pretty busy in the height of summer, but other than that traffic is reasonable.
If you’re flying into Scarborough, ME, you’ll want to fly into the Portland International Jetport. The airport is only 13 minutes away from Scarborough.
Things to do in Scarborough
You’ll find there are so many fun things to do while spending the weekend RVing in Scarborough.
One of my favorite things to do while visiting is going to the beach!
There are also a ton of day trips you can take from Scarborough/Portland that will keep you entertained for days!
Beaches Near Scarborough
There are multiple beaches to choose from in this area. I tend to love Pine Point Beach and Scarborough Beach because they have less activities and offer more space than Old Orchard Beach.
- Pine Point Beach – my personal favorite because parking is super easy and even if it’s busy, there’s plenty of room to spread out.
- Old Orchard Beach – Best for those looking for a high energy beach experience. Close to restaurants and tends to attract a younger crowd.
- Higgins Beach – Smallest of the beaches. Still a great choice.
Pine Point Beach
As the day goes on the prices for parking go up. At 9am we paid $30 for a full day which is reasonable for this area of Maine.
I also loved that it had onsite flushable toilets and an outdoor shower to rinse off the sand. Plus, it had a snack shack to get pizza, fries, burgers, etc.
Pine Point Beach runs 4 miles along Saco Bay and connects to Old Orchard Beach.
We saw tons of folks wind surfing as well so if that’s your thing, this might be a nice beach to try your luck!
State Parks + Outdoor Activities near Scarborough
- Ferry Beach State Park
- Scarborough Beach State Park
- Two Lights State Park
- Crescent Beach State Park
- Kettle Cove State Park
- Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
Places to Eat in Scarborough
- Ken’s Place
- Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant
- Clambake Seafood Restaurant
- The Bait Shed
- Pine Point Grill
- The Dairy Corner
Pine Point Grill
I really enjoyed our dinner at Pine Point Grill. I recommend making a reservation as this spot fills up quickly. We were lucky enough to sit out on the outdoor patio, fit with decorative lights and a barrier in case it gets buggy or the weather turns.
They have delicious cocktails and Italian dishes – highly recommended!
Clambake Seafood Restaurant
Admittedly, my mom liked this restaurant a bit more than I did. This well-oiled machine is a staple in the community, and you can feel how organized their set up is. Structured like a fast-food joint, you order at one end of the restaurant and pick up your food at the other when they call your number.
If you are looking for a classic New England fisherman’s platter, this is your place. Featuring fried clams, shrimp, scallops, haddock, and fries, this is a fried seafood lover’s dream.
Since our trip, we heard Ken’s Seafood is a bit better, but when we arrived, they sadly had credit card machine problems and were only taking cash.
Shopping and Activities in Scarborough
- Scarborough Farmer’s Market – Sundays 9a-1p June to October, Scarborough Town Hall Parking Lot
- Fun and Sun Rentals – Rent kayaks, bikes, paddle boards, beach chairs, umbrellas 207.730.1926
- On the Vine Marketplace – 591 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 10a-6pm
Final Thoughts on RVing in Scarborough Maine
Whether you’re camping in Scarborough, Maine for a beach weekend or a family vacation, you’ll truly enjoy your time and want to come back.
I hope this post on how to spend a weekend RVing in Scarborough Maine gave you even more ideas on what to do in the area, where to stay, and which beaches to explore in Scarborough, ME.
Happy Traveling!
