Maine is one of the most rewarding RV destinations in the Northeast — rocky coastline, island-dotted bays, and Acadia National Park make it a bucket-list trip for East Coast RVers. The average rental runs about $160/night, with travel trailers starting around $110/night and Class C motorhomes typically running $200/night.
Portland offers plenty of travel trailers for rental, most available for just $109 to $179 per night. And, though travel trailers are the most popular rental in the Portland area, some Class A and Class C motor homes are available, too, averaging about $200 per night.
Lewiston offers many RVs for rental, too, with travel trailers the most popular option in the area. Travel trailer rentals in this city start in at a low $80 a night. Almost all are able to sleep between four and 10 people. A few Class A, B, and C motorhomes/campervans are available in Lewiston, too, with an average cost of $250 a night.
In Bangor, travel trailers and folding trailers/pop-up campers are equally popular, averaging $80 to $150 per night. A couple of fifth wheels are available in the area, and nearly all RVs and campers offered in Bangor are rated at four or five stars.
Acadia and coastal campgrounds enforce strict length limits. Many campgrounds in and around Acadia National Park cap sites at 35 feet. Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds have strict limits — confirm your total unit length before booking and check site-specific maximums on Recreation.gov.
A mid-size Class C is the right call for coastal Maine. Coastal Route 1, the peninsula roads to Bar Harbor, and the access roads into most island campgrounds are paved but narrow with tight shoulders. A 40-foot Class A works on the main routes but significantly limits your flexibility on secondary roads.
Reserve Acadia as early as possible — six months is not too early. Blackwoods Campground opens reservations 6 months in advance and fills within hours for July and August. If Acadia is the reason for your trip, reserving the campsite should happen before you book the RV.
Black fly season (mid-May through June) is brutal. Maine's black fly season peaks in late May and early June. A well-screened unit with mesh on all vents is a genuine quality-of-life factor for spring travel. July onward is fine.
Maine rewards planning. Most of the best campgrounds are reservable well in advance, and a few logistics are unique to the state.
Acadia requires a vehicle reservation for peak season. On top of your campsite reservation, the park requires a vehicle reservation to enter the park during peak hours (late May through Columbus Day). Book both at Recreation.gov — do not assume one covers the other.
The Carriage Roads in Acadia are open to non-motorized use only. You're on foot or bike on those roads. Plan your Acadia driving itinerary around the motor roads — the Park Loop Road is the main vehicle route.
Maine state park campgrounds book through ReserveAmerica. Baxter State Park uses its own separate reservation system and is one of the most competitive in the state. The Katahdin area fills fast for summer.
Baxter State Park has strict vehicle size and weight restrictions. Vehicles over 9 feet tall or 22 feet long (including tow) are not permitted on the Tote Road. Baxter requires a specific class of vehicle — confirm before planning a Katahdin stop.
Fuel and services thin out significantly north of Bangor. If your itinerary includes the North Maine Woods or Aroostook County, plan fuel stops carefully. Services are sparse and distances are long.
Some of the best Maine campgrounds that offer RV sites include:
The Bar Harbor Campground: Open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, the Bar Harbor Campground offers sites close to both the small town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Some unique amenities of this campground include a heated pool and bus shuttle access.
Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront Camping: A waterfront campground that spans over 600 acres, Wolfe's Neck Oceanfront includes access to RV campsites on rustic farmland. The campground also rents out bikes, canoes, and kayaks for daily use.
Bailey's Camping Resort: With multiple pools and hot tubs, an on-site cafe, and an arcade, Bailey's Camping Resort is more than just a campground. Live bands also come to play at the location frequently, and beaches can be accessed along the coastline nearby.
RVs often need to be dumped multiple times during a camping trip, and it helps to know where the most popular dump stations are in the state:
Augusta Water and Sanitary District: With no fees to dump, any RV can pull up to the Augusta Water and Sanitary District right off U.S. Highway 202 and clean out its tanks.
Pushaw Lake Campground: Right next to Pushaw Lake, RVs can use the Pushaw Lake Campground for dump station access. Registered guests at the grounds do not have to pay a fee to dump, but non-registered guests may have to.
Canaan KOA Campground: Nearby State Route 23 and U.S. Highway 2 is the Canaan KOA Campground, which allows access to dump stations for registered and non-registered guests. Non-registered guests, however, do have to pay a fee for using the station.
Acadia National Park is the only national park located in Maine, situated right on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean and housing hundreds of plant and animal species. Ranger-led programs are offered year-round at the park, as are horseback riding and carriage tours, giving educational opportunities to all ages, all the time. Recreational activities like rock climbing, hiking, and biking are favorites at Acadia as a complete 158 miles of foot trails are available to explore.
Lily Bay State Park: Open from spring to autumn, Lily Bay sits nestled on the edge of Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in all of the New England area. The 900+ acre parkland offers on-site camping to all types of RVs with access to water sports right on the lake's edge, from fishing and boating to water skiing and canoeing.
Sebago Lake State Park: Mostly forested, Sebago Lake State Park sits on the shores of Sebago, the deepest lake in Maine, and includes some beaches and bog areas. A lengthy river also runs through the park, called the Songo River, and the whole area encompasses a vast 1,300 acres.
On average expect to pay $170 per night in Maine.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Maine?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Maine from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Maine?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Maine?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Maine.