Homestead By The River Family Campground, Saco

Homestead by the River stresses that they are a family campground. I was camping the week that CarolineO was camping at Homestead and had heard about the loud young adults and the fire that was too big. Hello, did they not realize that it was a high fire alert due to no rain? My husband and I sat by our fire until 1 every night and he would have a few drinks and nothing was ever said. I have been to many campground where it is loud all night with people drinking, laughing, yelling and yes fighting and swearing. You will not find that here. One of my daughters hates camping and she loved it and wanted stay another night and asked to come back next year. We were thrilled. She learned to ride her bike at this campground. Everyone obeys the 5 mph speed limit but I did see one person who drove above the speed limit and noticably a bit reckless and she was under 25 and with another young girl. This team of husband, wife and father run a tight ship which for the camper who wants to get away and have peace and quiet this place is a 10. The sites are spacious, clean (no cigarette butts, and yes my husband is a smoker) and you won't find dog waste everywhere or trash. People respect the natural surroundings. The farm is wonderful for the kids and the employees could not be any more helpful and accomodating. My family will be going back next year.

While the campsites are located on a nice stretch of the Saco River, the service is just plain rude. We were reprimanded first for reserving a site for four adults instead of four children "because we were all under 21" (despite us being over 18), then were told to keep the fire down (a legitimate concern, but nothing to be plain rude over). Then, a parent parked in the visitor parking lot to drop off some clothing at around midnight, which turned into a FIASCO. The campground has a house on it, where the owners live, and we were met by a flashlight in our faces and a stern "what's going on here?" After being escorted back to my campsite, I realized I had forgotten to go to the bathroom, and was stopped both on the way to and on the way back from the restroom by the same gentleman that had escorted me back the first time, as well as a new fellow. The next morning, we were "called to report" to the check-in office, where we were told that we were the reason why they never let "children" (we are legal adults) camp, despite the fact that they did, and proceeded to tell us that "our youth ruins the experience for the next generation's youth." While we respect the fact that it is a "family" campground and that quiet hours and general respect for other campers is expected and enforced, we felt discriminated against due to our age from the moment we checked in. Although the amenities are well kept and the barn area is quaint, we also noticed the lack of activity and general friendliness you usually see at campgrounds. Not one person walked by our site from 6 pm to 6 am. When we walked down to the river, not one canoe or kayak. I'm from Wells, which is about two towns over from Saco, and will now think twice about how I treat tourists or customers in the hopes of never resembling the folks who own the Homestead. If you like peace and quiet at a cost, go here. If you're looking for a private getaway, whether with friends or family, expect to feel penned in.