Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground

- 547-553 Hallowell Rd, Pownal, ME 04069

Introduction / Overview: Your Central Maine Outdoor Hub

Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground, located in Pownal, Maine, offers local residents a quintessential Maine outdoor experience with an added layer of convenience and comfort. As one of the state’s five original state parks, Bradbury Mountain holds a special place in Maine’s recreational history, offering over 800 acres of beautiful forested land sculpted by ancient glaciers. The campground is designed for both the casual camper and the dedicated outdoor enthusiast, providing a peaceful, rustic atmosphere while ensuring access to notably clean and well-maintained modern amenities.

Campers frequently praise the facility’s commitment to cleanliness, especially highlighting the spotless condition of the bathrooms and the welcoming feature of free, hot showers—a rare and appreciated find in many state parks. This is not just a place to sleep; it is a full-service base camp that allows Mainers to easily launch into a wide variety of activities, from a gentle hike to the panoramic summit of Bradbury Mountain to advanced mountain biking on dedicated single-track trails. It’s an ideal spot for a weekend getaway that feels remote yet remains close to the cultural and commercial centers of Southern Maine.

Location and Accessibility: Convenient Access to Coastal & Inland Attractions

The Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground is strategically positioned at 547-553 Hallowell Rd in Pownal, ME 04069, USA. Its location, situated right off Route 9, makes it highly accessible for Maine residents traveling from the Greater Portland area, Lewiston-Auburn, or the Midcoast region.

This central positioning is a major advantage for locals. The park is only about a 30-minute drive from the vibrant city of Portland, providing easy day-trip access to the city’s renowned restaurants, breweries, and cultural attractions, including the famous Portland Head Light. Furthermore, the world-class shopping and dining of Freeport, home to the flagship L.L.Bean store, is just minutes away. This combination of remote-feeling woodland camping and proximity to major attractions is hard to beat for a local Maine vacation. While its proximity to the main road, Route 9, is noted by some reviewers for occasional traffic noise, the convenience and accessibility it provides for quick weekend trips or day explorations across Southern Maine far outweigh this minor drawback for many. The campground’s entrance is well-marked and easy to navigate for tents, trailers, and RVs up to 35 feet long.

Services Offered

Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground prioritizes comfort and convenience, offering several services that enhance the traditional state park camping experience.

• Campsite Variety: There are approximately 35 campsites available, varying in size to accommodate pop-up tents, trailers, and RVs up to 35 feet. Sites are classified by size (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large) and include some walk-in tent sites and ADA-accessible options.
• Site Amenities: Each individual campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a fire ring, and a cooking grate, allowing for classic campfire cooking and dining.
• Modern Sanitary Facilities: Campers benefit from flush toilets, as well as exceptionally clean and modern bathhouses with free, hot showers—a detail frequently celebrated by guests.
• Community Kitchen: A unique and highly valued amenity is the covered communal outdoor kitchen/dishwashing station. This area includes a sink with hot water for dish cleanup, a microwave for warming food, a free library, and is sometimes stocked with community-shared cooking utensils and minor necessities.
• Water Access: Drinking water spigots are conveniently located throughout the campground area.
• Camp Host and Firewood: A friendly and informative camp host is on-site to assist with needs and sells firewood for purchase. The park adheres to the ‘Buy It Where You Burn It’ principle to protect Maine's forests.
• Group Camping: Two large group campsites are available, which are tent-only and can accommodate up to 50 campers each, making it perfect for youth groups or large family gatherings.

Features / Highlights

The true highlights of Bradbury Mountain State Park lie in its natural environment and the vast recreational network it supports, which is directly accessible from the campground.

• Extensive Shared-Use Trail System: The park features over 21 miles of interconnected trails. Bradbury Mountain is the only state park in Southern Maine to offer shared-use trails, welcoming hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians (and snowmobilers/cross-country skiers in winter).
• Iconic Summit View: The park’s namesake, Bradbury Mountain, though only 485 feet high, offers a magnificent, high-reward-to-effort ratio hike to its summit, providing panoramic views that stretch all the way to Casco Bay and the Portland skyline on a clear day.
• Mountain Biking Destination: The park is a premier mountain biking destination, featuring over 14 miles of dedicated single-track trails and wide double-track trails for all skill levels, primarily located on the east side of Route 9.
• Year-Round Activities: Beyond warm-weather activities, the park remains open year-round, offering snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter months, with snowshoe rentals often available.
• Hawk Watch Location: From mid-March through mid-May, the park is a popular spot for the annual Spring Hawkwatch, where visitors can observe the migration of various raptor species, including hawks and eagles.
• Historic and Natural Features: The trails feature interesting historical points, such as an old feldspar quarry and an 1800s 'Cattle Pound,' as well as diverse ecosystems including hardwood forests and wetlands.

Contact Information

For reservations, seasonal information, and inquiries about trail conditions or group camping, please use the following contact details for Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground.

Address: 547-553 Hallowell Rd, Pownal, ME 04069, USA

Primary Phone: (207) 688-4712

Mobile Phone: +1 207-688-4712

It is always recommended to call ahead, especially for campsite availability, as the campground is popular, particularly on summer and fall weekends.

Conclusion: Why This Place Is Suitable for Locals

For Maine residents, Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground serves as an invaluable, accessible resource for enjoying the outdoors without having to travel far. Its location—just a short drive from Portland, Freeport, and Lewiston-Auburn—makes it a perfect, low-effort destination for a quick retreat into nature. The park’s extensive, shared-use trail system is a boon for local mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians, offering over 20 miles of diverse terrain that keeps the local outdoor community active year-round.

Moreover, the high standard of the facilities, especially the immaculately clean bathrooms and the welcoming community kitchen, elevates the camping experience beyond what is typically expected from a public park, allowing local families to relax in comfort. This focus on providing high-quality, accessible, and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities right in the heart of Southern Maine makes Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground a highly suitable and deeply cherished local treasure. It’s Maine's own backyard adventure, ready for you to explore.

Bradbury Mountain State Park Campground

547-553 Hallowell Rd, Pownal, ME 04069, USA