Old Orchard Beach is a top camping destination, offering a mix of RV parks and cozy cabins near scenic beaches with plenty of family-friendly attractions. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing stay in a wooded retreat or an action-packed vacation near amusement parks and shopping centers, this guide covers everything you need to know. Learn about campsite options, travel tips, and must-have gear to ensure a comfortable and convenient outdoor experience. Let’s get ready for some fun in the sun.
Getting to Old Orchard Beach
You have multiple travel options, including by car, bus, or plane. Driving is relatively easy; it’s only 5 ½ hours from Montreal or around 10 hours from Toronto. When you reach the border, take the I89 southeast through Vermont and New Hampshire until you reach Highway 202. From there, just follow Highway 202 east all the way into town. There are also many direct buses from Montreal and Toronto if you don’t mind your journey taking a little longer.
For those flying in, Portland International Jetport (PWM) is the closest airport, just 15.6km (9.7 miles) from your destination. The flight from Toronto takes about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Old Orchard Beach Campsite Options
Lazy Acres
Lazy Acres is the newest section of the campsite, completed in 2023. Catering to RVs, this site offers 30 or 50-amp electricity, water, sewer, cable TV, and Wi-Fi at each site. There are 20 pull-through sites and 29 back-in sites available. This section also has a pool, hot tub, bathhouse, and guest laundry facilities available.
Even if your RV has a fridge, you will want to bring along the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator. It’s the size of a normal cooler but offers a separate fridge and freezer section to keep food cold and at food-safe temperatures. It even has a built-in icemaker for ice-cold drinks anytime, anywhere. It also lasts up to 40 hours wirelessly on a charge and can be recharged using AC wall plugs, DC car plugs, a portable power station, or portable solar panels.
The Grove
The Grove also caters to RVs with 60 RV sites with full hookups, including 30 and 50-amp electrical, water, sewer, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. The sites are more open in this section, and guests can enjoy being near the pool, laundry facilities, trolley stop, and the on-site camp store. The Grove offers seasonal and overnight sites, providing options for those staying for a day or two.
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series Solar Generators are the perfect option for providing eco-friendly power. You can use them to recharge your electronic devices and play music while lounging on the beaches, then recharge them using EcoFlow Portable Solar Panels using clean, free energy from the sun.
Tall Pines
Tall Pines is a seasonal section open six months of the year made for guests with Park Model Homes. Guests staying here have exclusive use of their own shared large pool and communal gathering area.
The EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC is an excellent addition to your camping gear. It lasts up to 8 hours wirelessly on a charge and can be used indoors or outdoors. It will help you beat the summer heat no matter where you are, and it doubles as a heater, so you can stay warm any time of year.
Bear Brook
Bear Brook is located right in the middle of the campground and offers 36 seasonal RV sites available from May 1 through October 27. They offer full hookups, including 30 and 50-amp electricity, water, sewer, Wi-Fi, a picnic table and an outdoor fire ring.
Black Forest
The Black Forest is the campground’s most wooded section, with trees that provide ample summer shade and gorgeous fall colours, and they are all just a short walk to the pool and trolley stop. This section offers 29 pull-through RV sites, 57 back-in sites, and 10 furnished cabins for those without equipment. The RV sites have electricity, sewer, water, Wi-Fi, a fire ring and a picnic table. The rustic but classy cabins come in different sizes with different amenities to suit families of various sizes. While furnished, they do not provide linens, pillows, or towels, so you must bring your own.
Bring one of the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series Portable Power Stations for portable power on the go. Compact and lightweight, they can easily fit inside your backpack but are powerful enough to charge your electronic devices, run lights, and some will even run small appliances. This makes them essential for any camping style, even cowboy camping without a tent. Be prepared for camping in the rain any time of year; your EcoFlow RIVER 3 is built to withstand the elements.
Old Orchard Beach Local Attractions
Beaches
Old Orchard’s 7 miles of beachfront is an incredibly popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Ferry Beach is another popular but lesser-known area. Other water attractions include Fortune’s Rocks, Bayview, and the Biddeford Pool.
Amusement Parks
The very popular Palace Playground is New England’s only beachfront amusement park, offering plenty of fun rides, booths, arcades, and games for the whole family. Alternatively, two water parks, Funtown Splashtown USA and Aquaboggan, are nearby for waterslide fun.
The Pier
The Pier is a popular destination with plenty of quality seasonal restaurants and bars for adults. They have the Top of The Pier nightclub, the Patio Pub seafood restaurant and bar, the Bull and Brew wing house with inside and outside dining, the Tequila Frog Mexican and BBQ fusion restaurant, the Sunset Deck bar and grill with indoor and outdoor seating, Hurricanes Raw Bar for fresh sushi and raw local oysters, and Hooligan’s Steak and Ale, an Irish pub with a New England Twist.
Outdoor Recreation
If outdoor rec is more your thing, there are plenty of hiking and walking opportunities on the Eastern Trail. You can rent a kayak or go on a kayaking tour with one of several local kayak rental shops. There is also some golfing fun at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, and for family golfing with the kids, try the Raptor Falls Mini Golf and Ice Cream.
Shopping
There is also plenty of nearby shopping in the area, including a local Walmart, Market Basket, and Hannafords for groceries and other necessities. For clothes and other supplies, there is also a Target store, the Kittery Outlets, and The Maine Mall, with plenty of stores and restaurants to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s a very popular location for swimming and sunbathing on the sandy beaches. You can also play beach volleyball, go bodysurfing, kayaking, jetskiing, or just enjoy a nice beachside stroll down the 7 miles of beachfront.
Yes, it can get very busy during the summer, from June through August. If you want to avoid the crowds, try going in the shoulder season in May or September when all the seasonal amenities are still open, but the crowds will be much less.
Final Thoughts
Old Orchard Beach’s mix of stunning coastal scenery, exciting family-friendly and adult-oriented attractions, outdoor recreation, and various camping options will suit every traveller. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or staying for the season, being prepared with the right gear can make all the difference. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series Solar Generators are perfect for portable power no matter where you are, and the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator is essential for keeping your food cool and making ice-cold drinks. Plan ahead, explore the local hotspots, and most importantly, relax and have fun at this iconic New England beach destination.