A Parent's Guide to Camp Visiting Day in the Belgrade Lakes

Making the Most of Your Camp Weekend in Central Maine

If your child is spending the summer at one of the Belgrade Lakes region's renowned overnight camps, you already know the drill: you'll be making at least one trip to central Maine for drop-off, visiting day, or pickup, and possibly all three! We would know, we grew up attending one of those renowned camps.

What you might not know is how to plan around it. The Belgrade Lakes area is beautiful but rural, and options can fill up quickly during peak camp weekends. Here's everything you need to know to make your camp weekend comfortable, enjoyable, and maybe even a mini-vacation of your own.

Where Is the Belgrade Lakes Region?

The Belgrade Lakes are a chain of seven freshwater lakes in central Maine, roughly an hour north of Portland and about twenty minutes northwest of the state capital, Augusta. The region is home to a remarkable cluster of overnight summer camps - Camp Laurel, Camp Modin, Camp Vega, Camp Runoia, Pine Island Camp, Camp Matoaka, Camp Manitou, and several others - that have drawn families from across the Northeast for generations.

If you're flying in, the closest airports are Augusta State Airport (about 30 minutes from most camps), Bangor International Airport (about an hour), and Portland International Jetport (about 90 minutes). Most families drive, typically from the Boston or New York metro areas. It's roughly three hours from Boston and six from New York City. We used to fly to the Portland jetport and then rent a car.

When to Book Lodging (and Why It Matters)

This is the single most important tip: book your lodging early. Camp visiting days bring hundreds of families into an area that doesn't have a large hotel inventory. Waterville and Augusta have some chain hotels, but they fill up fast on camp weekends, and the experience can feel disconnected from the area you're actually visiting.

The Skowhegan is located about 20 to 35 minutes from most Belgrade Lakes camps — a short, scenic drive through central Maine countryside. As a boutique hotel with kitchenettes in every room, it's particularly well suited for traveling families. You can settle in, prepare snacks for the road, and have a real place to decompress after an emotional visiting day.

What to Do Before and After Your Camp Visit

Most visiting days start mid-morning and wrap up by late afternoon. That leaves time for exploring — and central Maine has more to offer than you might expect. The Kennebec River runs right through downtown Skowhegan and offers beautiful walking trails along the gorge. The Biergarten, the farm-to-table restaurant inside the Spinning Mill (the same building as The Skowhegan), serves locally sourced food with an outdoor patio overlooking the river - it's a wonderful spot for dinner after a long day.

If you have extra time, Lake George Regional Park is just a few minutes away and offers swimming, hiking, and picnic areas. The Margaret Chase Smith Library is a short walk from the hotel and tells the story of Maine's first female U.S. senator. And if your family enjoys local food culture, Skowhegan is home to Maine Grains, a heritage grain mill that's become a destination in its own right.

For families extending their stay, there's even more to discover in the Kennebec Valley: whitewater rafting at The Forks (about an hour north), Moxie Falls (Maine's tallest waterfall), or a day trip to the coast.

Tips from Families Who've Done This Before

Pack layers — Maine mornings can be cool even in July. Bring a cooler for snacks and drinks, since you may be at camp for several hours. If you're planning to take your camper off-site for a meal, call ahead to restaurants, as they can get busy during camp weekends. And don't forget tissues — visiting day tends to be emotional in the best possible way.

Where to Stay

The Skowhegan offers 20 oversized rooms in a beautifully restored 1922 textile mill on the Kennebec River. Every room includes a kitchenette, and many have river views. There's an on-site restaurant, fitness center, co-working space, and lounge. It's a genuinely comfortable, character-rich place to stay — and a welcome change from the highway hotel experience.

We offer preferred rates for camp families. Contact us at bookings@theskowhegan.com or visit theskowhegan.com to book directly.