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Balsam Cove Campground
Overview
Balsam Cove Campground offers a classic Maine woods experience along the shores of Toddy Pond. Known for its tranquil atmosphere and tall pines, this park provides a scenic base for exploring the Midcoast and Downeast regions. It balances a remote, natural feel with the convenience of being within a reasonable driving distance of Maine’s most famous coastal landmarks and rocky shorelines.
Location & Surroundings
Located in the town of Orland, the park is nestled within a heavily forested landscape that provides plenty of shade and a sense of privacy. The property features extensive frontage on an eight-mile-long lake, offering a peaceful alternative to the crowded coastal corridor. Guests can enjoy the sight of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge nearby or explore the winding country roads that define this quiet corner of Hancock County.
Amenities & Park Features
The park is well-equipped for modern RVers, offering sites with full hookups including both 30 and 50-amp service. The facilities are designed to help guests enjoy the Maine outdoors comfortably. Notable features include:
- A private sandy beach and boat launch for easy lake access.
- A clean bathhouse and a convenient on-site laundry room.
- A camp store stocked with firewood, ice, and camping essentials.
Families often gather at the playground or the recreation hall for community activities during the peak summer season.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
While the campground feels secluded, it is a strategic hub for sightseeing. A 45-minute drive leads to the iconic Acadia National Park and the vibrant streets of Bar Harbor. Closer to home, visitors can visit the historic Fort Knox or take in the views from the Penobscot Narrows Observatory. For a local taste of Maine, the nearby town of Bucksport offers charming shops and waterfront dining along the Penobscot River.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for travelers seeking a traditional lakeside retreat rather than a high-traffic resort. It appeals to families who enjoy water sports and couples looking for a quiet home base while exploring the coast. Because it offers a mix of wooded and waterfront RV sites, it is a perfect fit for those who prioritize natural scenery and a slower pace of life during their Maine vacation.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Lee Darling
Clean, quiet, peaceful, friendly... I stayed during week in off season in one of their cabins which was very spacious and comfortable. The bathhouse next door was well lit, very clean, multiple toilets and 4 showers with lots of hot water. The campground is near hiking trails, Bucksport, Fort Knox, lots of restaurants and entertainment.
Tami Call
Everyone was very kind, employees and other campers. The live band was great as were the campsites. We enjoyed the proximity to some good hiking and visiting Castine and Blue Hill. I love having full hookups at a campground, and everything went smoothly.
Pam W
My husband and myself arrived on 8/5/25 on a warm, sunny day. This campground is large, and has a lot of site options including tent sites. We were assigned site #66 after having chosen #78, we did not pay the lock fee. However, the site we were given was very nice. The pull through sites immediately to the right after the office are generously sized! Full hookups, water, sewer and electric. There is no cable TV. They are correct in notifying the customer that their wifi service is not strong. We have a booster so were able to pull it in stronger when it was "needed". We got about 6 or 7 good over-the-air TV channels via our 5th wheel antenna. Neither us, nor the two other couples that journeyed with us to Balsam Cove, had very good cell phone reception either. Keep that in mind. I guess if one needed better wifi, I believe the signal is strong enough at the pavilion. We never felt the need to spend time there for wifi. Having the lake was an awesome amenity! We took full advantage of it. We never used the campground bathroom facilities as we have all that in our campers. We did have a look at them. They were clean enough, just a little dated. We would definitely go there again. So the 4 stars is simply for the lack of a decent campground wifi signal for this day and age. Otherwise, this is a very good campground!
Andrea Moroney
We go there with a bunch of our family and we love it.The vibe is friendly and cozy. It is kid friendly they feel independent there just riding there bikes around and making up games. We definitely think peoples should go if they want a fun family trip.
Robin English
Not everyone’s cup of tea. Very much focused on being a family campground but with nighttime activities and very dog friendly. Everyone we met was very nice and the dog park was a huge bonus, with every dog owner and non dog owners being respectful within the dog park and outside the park. We also relaxed some about our dog being barky protective as others had some the same way and everyone just shrugged it off. There were no issues with dogs barking constantly or in the middle of the night. Shower rooms are a bit of a shock. Not fully enclosed and not heated. Very clean though. My only real gripe is that the campground promotes music and other activities that go right up until quiet time at 10:00 p.m. While we respect quiet times, we are also early risers and would appreciate not being subjected to campground music blaring right up until 10p.m. It was good music though! Just can’t imagine how families with children deal with this and it was really difficult for us and our dog who usually are in bed by nine. I would suggest that the campground limit their own noise to 9pm to get wound up campers quieted down by 10:00. We won’t be back, but only because it’s not what we want for a camping experience.