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Some camping areas have most of the comforts of home. Others can be quite primitive. But they all get you out of your routine.

By CAREY KISH, Special to the Maine Sunday Telegram May 24, 2009

According to the Maine Office of Tourism, Maine has a total land area of 33,215 square miles, nearly as big as the other five New England states combined. Little wonder then that within Maine's expansive boundaries are 6,000 lakes and ponds, 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, 17 million acres of forest, more than 5,000 miles of coastline and 2,000 offshore islands.

Given the abundance of natural assets, Maine truly is an outdoor recreation paradise. So if you're looking for a place to go tent camping for a weekend or a week or more, you've got plenty of choices, from the southern beaches to the rocky shores of the Down East coast to the inland hills and western mountains to the deep forests of the North Woods.

Wherever you go, you're sure to find a suitable tent camping site to relax, grill and enjoy time around the campfire. Campsite offerings are fairly standard, with picnic table, fire ring and designated tenting spot, while the amenities, facilities and activities offered will vary by location.

PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS

"Maine's 275 private campgrounds are oriented to family activities," said Rick Abare, executive director of the Maine Campground Owners Association. "Private parks generally have more facilities where families can spend time doing things together."

Many campgrounds have playgrounds and planned activities for kids. The swimming pool and rec room with games, pool tables and pingpong are activities for the entire family. Evening entertainment is common. Other private campgrounds offer a more "wilderness" type experience with fewer formal facilities but lots of physical activities, like canoeing, hiking and fishing.

Tent camping is the fastest growing segment of the camping market, Abare said. Many families are getting "back to basics" and enjoying the simplicity and the low cost. Sites range from $15 to $50 per night, with an average of $20 to $25. There are usually hot showers, flush toilets and often a small store for essentials.

MECOA publishes the "Maine Camping Guide," a statewide directory of private campgrounds. For each Maine region the guide offers a map and a list of campgrounds and the amenities and activities offered.

It's worth noting that 80 percent of private campgrounds now have Internet access and Wi-Fi. The guide is available free in paper copy or interactive digital format by calling 782-5874 or at www.campmaine.com.

STATE PARKS AND LANDS

"It's important to provide places for kids and families to get outdoors for a time," said Will Harris, director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands at the Maine Department of Conservation. "The state has a remarkable set of natural resources, and we're intent on making them as good as possible for our residents and visitors."

Twelve state parks offer tent camping over a broad geographic range. Where you decide to go depends on what you're looking for and whether you want to be near fresh water or salt water. Most parks have hot water, showers and restrooms. Evening ranger programs are common.

There are the big campgrounds like Sebago Lake, Camden Hills and Mount Blue that offer 100 or more campsites and a variety of amenities. If you like a lot of people around and lots going on, then these make good choices. The smaller, more laid-back parks like Cobscook Bay, Peaks-Kenny, Bradbury Mountain and Aroostook see less use, and the campsites tend to be spaced for increased privacy.

Recreational activities vary from park to park, but they can include picnicking, boating, fishing, canoeing, swimming, hiking, sea kayaking and nature watching. Mountain biking, horseback riding and ATV riding are some of the other possible outdoor pursuits available.

State parks are "one of the best deals around" according to Harris. Tent sites range from $11 to $15 per night; for nonresidents it's $19 to...