Terms & Conditions - Balsam Cove Campground Guest Policies
Definitions: “Campground” means Balsam Cove Campground, its owners, managers, employees, and agents. “Camper” means the person who made the reservation and all registered occupants of the campsite or cabin. “Visitor” means any person entering to visit a Camper. “Party” means the Camper, all registered occupants, children, pets, and Visitors associated with the reservation.
By making a reservation, entering the property, checking in, or using Campground facilities, Camper agrees to comply with these Terms & Conditions, posted signs, written policies, and staff directives. Camper is responsible for the conduct, safety, fees, damages, and rule compliance of all occupants, children, pets, and Visitors associated with Camper’s reservation. Violation of these Terms may result in removal from the Campground without refund.
Do not approach the gate without a gate fob. Arrivals and Visitors must not block gate.
Arrivals and Visitors: All Arrivals must park in Registration Parking. Visitors must know the Camper’s site number, register at the office before entering the Campground, and pay the visitor fee plus applicable tax. Day Visitors must leave by 9:30 p.m. Overnight Visitors must be registered and paid before staying overnight. Overnight visitors must leave by 5 pm the following day or by check out time, whichever comes first. Visitor fees are posted online and at the office and may vary by date, event, holiday, or occupancy period. Campers may not share gate fobs, admit unregistered Visitors, or transport unregistered Visitors into the Campground. Violation may result in removal of the Visitor and/or Camper without refund. Visitor fees are non-refundable.
Gate Fobs: Campsites and cabin rentals are issued one or two gate fobs for Campground access, as determined by Management. Gate fobs must be returned at check-out. Lost, misplaced, damaged, or unreturned gate fobs will result in a $25 charge per fob.
Check-In and Check-Out Times: Campsite check-in begins at 1:00 p.m. Campsite check-out is by 11:30 a.m. Cabin check-in begins at 2:00 p.m. Cabin check-out is by 11:00 a.m. Late check-out must be approved in advance and may result in additional fees, up to the cost of another night’s stay.
Vehicle Operation: The speed limit throughout the Campground is 4 mph, walking speed. All drivers must obey posted signs and staff instructions. Failure to slow down when directed, unsafe driving, repeated speeding, or arguing with staff about a safety directive may result in loss of driving privileges, removal from the Campground, or ejection without refund.
Other motorized vehicles and golf carts are NOT allowed except when used by a disability placard holder. Golf carts can be used ONLY when placard holder is aboard and must be covered by liability insurance. Drivers must follow all vehicle rules such as 4 mph speed limit, parking rules, etc. Operators must be of age and possess a current driver’s license.
Parking: Vehicles parked at a campsite must fit completely within the site and must not block the road, neighboring sites, or common areas. Parking is not permitted in other campsites, even temporarily. Parking is not permitted by the boat ramp, on the waterfront, or in any area not designated for parking. Extra vehicles must be parked in the main parking lot or another area approved by Management.
Occupancy: Each RV campsite reservation includes up to two named registered adults and up to four children age 16 and under, with a maximum occupancy of six people. Cabin reservations include two adults and two children, with a maximum occupancy of four people. Additional adults over age 16 must be registered and paid for all applicable nights. Tent sites are limited to two adults and six total people with a limit of two adults. Registered adults may not be substituted without office approval.
Campsite Guidelines: All RVs, tents, awnings, screen rooms, vehicles, equipment, and personal belongings must remain within the assigned campsite boundaries and may not block roads, neighboring sites, or common areas.
Greywater, sewage, or wastewater may not be discharged onto the ground. Clotheslines must be at least 6 feet above the ground and must not create a hazard. Do not drive nails, screws, or other hardware into trees. Do not cut, damage, deface, or disturb trees, plants or natural features. Do not harass wildlife or other living creatures.
Fires: Fires are permitted only in fire rings provided at the campsite or in authorized substitutes. Fires must be kept to a safe and manageable size and may not be left unattended. Fires must be fully extinguished before leaving the campsite or going to sleep. Only local firewood may be used, as required by Maine law. Firewood available for sale at the camp store. Wood, brush, roots, limbs, or other natural materials, whether living or dead, may not be cut, gathered, removed, or burned from Campground property. Violation may result in a $50 fine.
Trash and Recycling: Trash and recycling dumpsters are located in the parking lot. Trash must be kept inside your camper, vehicle, or a secure trash container until properly disposed of, so it does not attract wildlife. Do not place large items, mattresses, furniture, appliances, electronics, hazardous materials, or non-household trash in or beside the dumpsters. Do not leave trash, cans, bottles, food waste, or other debris in fire pits. Violation may result in a $25 fine.
Pets must be registered at the office and have a current rabies certificate. Owners must have an onsite cell phone number on file, pay the applicable pet fee for each dog, and clean up after pets immediately. Failure to clean up after a pet may result in a $50 fine. Pets may swim only at the boat ramp and are not allowed in the designated swim area. Dogs must be kept on a physical leash and under physical control at all times except while in dog park or swimming at boat ramp under handler’s close control. Children may walk dogs only if they are able to control the dog and clean up after it. Dogs may not be left unattended at tent sites or RV sites at any time, and may not be left in RVs for more than a short period for brief errands. Barking, aggressive behavior, repeated loose-dog incidents, or failure to control a pet may result in removal of the pet or ejection of the Camper without refund.
Children: Parents, guardians, and supervising adults are responsible for the safety, conduct, and supervision of all children in their care at all times. There are no lifeguards on duty. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult when swimming, boating, or using the docks. Children must wear life jackets on all boats arriving at, departing from, or operating from the Campground.
Bike Helmets: Maine law requires children under age 15 to wear helmets while riding bicycles. After 10:00 p.m., minors must be on their own campsite or accompanied by an adult.
Please provide extra supervision for any child who needs additional assistance, support, or guidance.
Swimming, Fishing & Boat Use: There is no lifeguard on duty. Swimming is permitted during daylight hours only and is at your own risk. Children must be supervised at all times. Boating, water skiing, and motorized activity are not permitted in or near the designated swim area. Fishing requires a valid license and is allowed only from Docks B and C. Fishing is not permitted in the swim area. Please keep fishing lines, hooks, and equipment away from swimmers, pets, boats, and walkways. Motorized boats may not be beached, stored, moored, or tied along the shoreline except in assigned slips or other areas specifically approved by Management.
Video Surveillance: Video surveillance may be used in public and common areas of the Campground for safety, security, and operational purposes. Cameras are not intended to monitor the inside of RVs, tents, cabins, bathhouses, restrooms, or other private areas. Campers and Visitors should understand that outdoor areas visible from roads, common areas, or other campsites may be observed by staff, other campers, or security cameras. Entering the campground constitutes permission for management to photograph events you may be present at and post the resulting photos on the Campground website or use for any lawful purpose without compensation.
Noise Guidelines: Personal music, radios, televisions, instruments, generators, and other noise must be kept at a level that does not disturb others at all times. During quiet time, noise must not be plainly audible beyond the campsite. Balsam Cove is a family campground, not a party campground. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Sunday–Thursday and 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Friday–Saturday. During the extended hour 10 pm to 11 pm, on Fri and Sat, ONLY quiet music is allowed. Campground sponsored music will end before 10 pm at which time local noise ordinances come into effect.
Smoking is not permitted in cabins, office, arcade, on the docks, or at the Pavilion. Marijuana use in any form is not allowed.
Weapons and Fireworks: firecrackers, consumer fireworks, sky lanterns, firearms, BB guns, pellet guns, bows, slingshots, and other weapons or projectile devices are not permitted anywhere on Campground property unless expressly authorized by Management.
Internet: Wi-fi is free but internet service is not guaranteed. Rural internet service is limited.
Electric Use / No EV Charging: Site fees include ordinary camping electric use from one approved outlet: one 30-amp or 50-amp outlet for RV sites, or one 20-amp outlet for tent sites, as applicable. Campers may not use additional outlets, splitters, adapters to draw extra service, electric heaters at tent sites, or EV charging equipment without prior permission and payment of any required fee. Unauthorized use may result in additional electric charges, loss of electric privileges, or removal from the Campground.
Camper is responsible for damage, excessive cleaning, missing items, unpaid fees, fines, pet damage, gate fob replacement, and any costs caused by Camper, Camper’s party, pets, or Visitors. Camper authorizes Campground to charge the card on file for such amounts after notice of the charge.
Refunds, Cancellations & Early Departure: Camping is an outdoor experience. No refunds or credits are issued for weather, natural conditions, insects, illness, RV or vehicle problems, late arrival, early departure, shortened stays, no-shows, or removal from the Campground for rule violations. For reservations of 14 days or fewer: cancellations 3 days or less before arrival day receive no refund; cancellations 4–10 days before arrival day are charged one night’s stay; cancellations 11–90 days before arrival are charged 10% of the first 7 nights or may receive full credit toward a future stay; cancellations more than 90 days before arrival are charged a $10 cancellation fee. Reservations longer than 14 days require office review.
Locked Site Reservations: A locked site reservation means the Camper has paid an additional fee to request a specific campsite. While Balsam Cove makes every effort to honor locked site reservations, Management may move a locked reservation when necessary for campground operations, maintenance, safety, reservation management, or other campground needs. If a locked reservation is moved, the Camper will be assigned a comparable or upgraded site whenever reasonably possible, and the site-lock fee will be refunded. If the Camper does not wish to accept the reassigned site, the Camper may cancel the affected reservation without a cancellation fee.
Waterfront Road Closure: Waterview Sites 14 through 19 and Rustic Cabin 17A are located along the waterfront and near the bonfire area, which is a busy gathering area of the Campground. For safety during Saturday night bonfire festivities, Waterfront Road is closed to vehicle traffic during the following times: Until mid-August: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mid-August through Labor Day: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. No vehicles may enter or leave from those sites during the road closure. Please plan accordingly. If you expect to return to the Campground during the closure, park in the main parking lot. If you need to leave during the closure, please move your vehicle to the parking lot before the road closes.
Insurance and Liability: Camper is responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance for Camper’s RV, vehicle, equipment, personal property, guests, pets, and belongings. Camper is also responsible for securing Camper’s own unit and personal property. Balsam Cove Campground, its owners, employees, and agents are not responsible for loss, theft, damage, injury, or expense caused by events or conditions including, but not limited to, weather, storms, falling trees or limbs, natural conditions, power surges, low voltage, interruption or variation of electrical service or other utilities, theft, vandalism, fire, wildlife, pests, or the actions or carelessness of other campers, visitors, or third parties. Campers are encouraged to use surge protectors and other appropriate safety devices to protect their equipment and personal property.
By entering the Campground, Camper voluntarily assumes the ordinary and inherent risks of camping, swimming, boating, fishing, biking, walking on uneven ground, using docks, encountering wildlife, and participating in outdoor recreational activities. Natural and campground conditions may include, but are not limited to, uneven or unpaved terrain, roots, rocks, gravel, sand, docks, waterfront surfaces, weather, insects, wildlife, trees, falling limbs, natural bodies of water, and changing ground or water conditions. To the extent permitted by Maine law, including any applicable protections under 14 M.R.S. §159-A, Campground does not assume responsibility for injuries, losses, or damages arising from the inherent risks of recreational activities or natural outdoor conditions.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, and except for claims that may not lawfully be limited, Campground’s total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to Camper’s reservation, site assignment, fees paid, utilities, amenities, or use of Campground property shall not exceed the amount actually paid by Camper for the reservation at issue
Nothing in this Agreement creates a higher duty of care than required under Maine law.
Management may require any Camper, Visitor, or member of a party to leave the Campground when Management determines, in its sole discretion, that the person has violated these Terms, failed to follow staff directives, created a safety concern, disturbed others, damaged property, failed to pay required fees, engaged in illegal conduct, or otherwise interfered with the safe and orderly operation of the Campground. Ejected Campers and Visitors are not entitled to refunds. Law enforcement may be contacted if a person refuses to leave.
Management may interpret, apply, modify, or waive rules at its discretion when necessary for safety, operations, or individual circumstances.
Seasonal campers are subject to added regulations detailed in Special Seasonal Terms.