Bradbury Mountain State Park campground was a great location to spend a couple of days in Maine. We randomly selected this location from the dozen Maine state parks and we could not have been happier. The park covers 730 acres and if you hike to the summit of the mountain it offers an amazing panoramic view.
Stepping back in time, we have been traveling continuously for two and a half years. Nine of those months we spent in Europe. As house sitters, we have been fortunate to stay in some amazing places.
Last year when we returned to California from Europe, we loaded up the car and started our epic crisscross road trip adventure exploring the USA. We started in San Francisco, driving to the Rocky Mountains onto Atlanta, up the east coast for seven months in Asheville, then on to DC, New York City and a log cabin in Vermont.
We had several house sits lined up but had a two-night gap and thought why not go camping! Except, we didn’t have anything with us; to even think about going camping made no sense. But we decided we really wanted to. To find the things we needed, to do this crazy camping thing, we headed out to Wal-Mart, Lowes and a couple of other places. Who would have ever guessed we would buy our camping chairs at Lowes?
New Tent Pops Up
We did a lot of research on tents, as that seemed to be the biggest item we would need to buy. We ended up buying an Ozark Trail 8-person instant hexagon cabin tent. Okay, you think 8 was a bit over the top, but by the time you put in the air mattresses and our STUFF, it felt just right. It also has a high roof, no bumping heads.
The very best part of this new tent is how incredibly fast and easy it is to put up. Which when you are over a certain age (smile) that was important to us. It literally took us three minutes to set it up, then a few more minutes to pound the stakes in. What took us the most time was attaching the rain fly. LOL. When it was time to pack up it was just as easy! We did happen to buy a mallet that had a hook on the handle that made pulling up the stakes quick. And everything fit back into the bag!
One little share – at the campsite next to us, was a family of six that pulled in as it was starting to get dark (of course). It took them well over half an hour to put up their small tent. It had the kind of poles that you have to hook together and thread through the loops… As we were enjoying our campfire, I kept thinking I should get up and offer to help. They had a baby and they were working as a family, so I thought it would be a good family experience for them. As I was enjoying watching the flames from our fire, I realized how happy I was that we got the tent that we did.
Bradbury Mountain Campground
The campgrounds were clean and the scenery was beautiful. The campground had a place where you can buy firewood. It was only $5 for a bundle of wood, which was plenty to have a campfire for two nights, a great buy. By the entryway was a dishwashing area. And I discovered there was an electrical outlet there, so if you are ever looking for any teenagers that is where you will find them.
Surprisingly, they also have one of those “sharing libraries.” Borrow a book/leave a book. We have found them in so many places from very urban to very remote. I love them.
Picnicking Area and Mountain Summit
Across the street from the campgrounds is a day use picnicking area. (Entrance fee included if you are camping.) There is a large play area with modern equipment for kids and lots of trails to hike or mountain bike. From the parking lot to the summit of Bradbury Mountain is only 0.2 miles. Most of it is a steep climb, but the views are well worth it. I would love to see how this area looks in the fall. How amazing the colors must be.
Freeport – more than just another small New England town
The other surprising thing about this area is that you feel very remote, but you are only 10 to 15 minutes away from the town of Freeport, Maine. It is a bustling community and the home of LL Bean’s HQ and flagship store, which is huge. It is open 24/7, 365 days a year! You will discover there are dozens of other stores too so you could easily spend all day wondering. You may need to schedule two or three days just to go shopping, once you have done enough hiking – smile.
Next Leg of Road Trip – More Camping
We are now in Boston as I write this. In two weeks, we will be going to New York City for a month. After all that, we will start our big trek back across the USA. I mention this because we are going to camp at Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone, on our way to staying a month in the Puget Sound area in the state of Washington.
It was a great feeling to be out there camping in the woods, smelling the trees, and managing our campfire. It was our first campout in a very long time. We loved it.
Bradbury Mountain State Park
528 Hallowell Rd,
Pownal, ME 04069
Website – here
Park Website for State of Maine – here
Pets are allowed at all campgrounds in Maine except Sebago Lake State Park campground
