Saco / Old Orchard Beach KOA

The Great Outdoors

It probably goes without saying that when you camp in an RV near Saco, you’ll spend a fair amount of time lounging on the beach or swimming in the ocean. Old Orchard Beach is one of the best in New England, with seven miles of soft sand to spread out on. If the ocean’s not your cup of tea, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the water at the local amusement park. The old-school water and amusement park is just off the beach and has dozens of thrilling rides for young and old. If you enjoy Coney Island in New York and that classic boardwalk culture, you’re going to love it here.There are also several outfitters in Saco that can set you up with a kayak or canoe. The Saco River is an easy one to float, and many visitors choose to do it in an inner tube. But if you’ve got a paddle, there are more opportunities for exploration, and you can cover a lot more water in a day. If you’re taking to the ocean though, a sea kayak is an absolute necessity. With a suitable one, you can surf the waves just off the coast and travel around the many islands of Downeast Maine.Farther back from the beach and just outside of Saco, there’s excellent hiking to be had on the Cascade Falls Trail. The loop trail is only half a mile long and suitable for all fitness levels, ending in a pleasant 20-foot-tall waterfall. It’s a very popular picnic spot during the summer months, just be sure to bring some bug spray as the mosquitoes can be rather aggressive there.

Exploring the City

Saco and its surrounding communities are fantastic places for motorhome camping, with most of the towns being only a few minutes' drive apart. If you need to fuel up or your empty your tanks, there are numerous service stations along Route 1 and Interstate 95, which connect all of these little towns along the coast.For some great souvenirs, check out the Saco River Market on Saturday mornings; vendors sell all manner of tasty treats, beautiful crafts, and high-quality artwork. If you haven’t had breakfast, you’re sure to find something to munch on while you browse. Just down the street from it is the Saco Museum, an interesting small-town museum filled with memorabilia from Maine’s Colonial era up through the present. The exhibits give context to an area that might be written off as nothing more than a vacation destination, and they’re always changing to reflect what’s going on in the community.For city amenities, head to Portland, which is only about half an hour's drive away from Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA. It’s Maine’s largest city and has some of the best shopping and gourmet restaurants in northern New England. It’s also become an unofficial mecca for craft beer lovers, with over a dozen breweries in the city limits – not bad for a town its size. For great deals though, head south of Saco to the town of Kittery on the New Hampshire border. Known for its outlet malls, Kittery is very popular with Bostonians looking to score discounts on clothing and home furnishings.