Desert of Maine — Attraction in Freeport

Would not recommend the general admission. Not much value for the cost ($102 for 3 adults and 3 kids) and some of the features only run minimal hours (train) or have to ask front desk if they have decided to do that given day (sand art) which today they were not doing. Only reason I am giving it a 2 and not a 1 is that my kiddo liked bringing home a few of the gems found and the kids enjoyed the playground (though we could have done a free neighborhood playground and spent about $5 on a bag of same type of gems and buried in the sand for them to find, which is what I would recommend others do instead of coming here for the general admission).

We didn't do the mini golf but it looked fun and more worth the $12 per person it cost.

More detailed review below.

Upon arrival at 215pm, asked the staff how often the train runs it's circuit because we were waiting for the rest of our group to arrive (train was at that moment sitting outside the welcome center). Was told it stops at 3 pm even though place closes at 6pm so if we didn't get on it now, we'd probably have to try to catch it at one of the train stops. Train leaves and the rest of our group gets there at 230. We walk to desert train stop where two young ladies said they were told to go to the stop if they wanted to ride the train. A moment later we saw the train go back to the Welcome Center. We were debating whether to wait and then it came around to the stop.

I don't know if it normally goes so fast or if the driver was in a hurry to do the last loop, but felt like we were barreling through the woods. Almost right away I was smacked very hard by a tree branch and thankfully my 5 year old who was sitting with other family two rows back ducked because she said it only touched her hair. If it had hit her as hard as it did me, I would have been talking to management immediately demanding a refund because we would not have stayed. If the train always goes that fast they need to do a better job at trimming branches on the road for it. Left a bruise on my neck.

Was told at desk the train usually does a couple of loops around the grounds before returning to Welcome Center but it stopped at Welcome Center after one loop, driver got out and didn't say anything but apparently was done for the day. So, we walked back out across the desert to the gem village because that's what kids were most looking forward to. They were excited to get to keep some of their findings but it was definitely not as nice as I expected. After we went to the fossil area, but kids lost interest quickly so then we went to the large slide on the hill which they enjoyed. Then spent about an hour on the playground by welcome center. We planned to do the scavenger hunt but could see the spots during the high speed train and they were so spread out that it would have taken over an hour just to walk to the different locations with what didn't seem like anything that interesting in between. Plus we tried a couple and the crayon provided is not the right writing tool for the task which is to collect rubbings on a sheet which collectively SHOULD create a picture. I also saw a kid turning in a completed sheet and it just looked like a big green blob. I used a pencil that was left on the ground by one of the markers and it did a better job but my five year old couldn't quite get the pressure right to get a good image by herself.

The $19 price should include the golf or tickets to the "desert" should be $10 tops. Do not plan to...

We came for the camping and stayed for the mini golf. This is by far one of the best areas around to camp with a bit of luxury if you can afford it. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The cabins and large tents are nicer than hotel rooms but still give you a feel that you’re connected to nature.

We couldn’t afford a cabin but they look super cool. I think we still made out better with a tent, it’s just as luxurious plus it feels more like camping and the top of the tent is clear so you have an awesome view of the sky at night. Airflow is good, plus there is an oscillating fan. If you can’t take the summer heat the cabins win with built-in air-conditioners (I believe I read that, don’t quote me).

You have wi-fi, electricity, mini-fridge, lighting, and personal bathrooms in the cabins, the tents have access to one of the cleanest, nicest campgrounds bathrooms + showers I’ve ever seen. Firepits (with built-in grill) and nice adirondack chairs come with every campground. There are some free activities in the public space like a big connect-4 game, ring/hoop toss and horse shoes.

All the other campers we met were friendly and laid back. Quiet hours are strictly enforced (from what I can tell but we didn’t have to test that). It was super quiet at 10pm-8am. Even with a fairly full house the camp sites are spread out enough so you can see your neighbors but don’t feel like you’re crowded. There isn’t allot else to do on the campgrounds but tons of great hiking spots 5 min away by car; like wolfs neck trails.

Cons: The cleaning fee is $50 which is understandable, and they were done in time to let us check-in early at 1pm. The room looked beautiful, only very minor nit-picking the keurig coffee machine tank was a little dirty and the tea pot had some water left in it and needed a cleaning. I texted the staff and they immediately brought a new coffee machine just to minimize the inconvenience and fix the issue. I only mention it because for the premium price of these cabins plus the room cleaning fee , I would expect the made would have been thorough. Again this is minor and the staff more than made up for it.

The mini golf is cool and priced fairly reasonably; plus if you’re camping you can get 15% off. With that said, for the price of camping I think mini golf should be thrown in or at least 50% off.

Notes: we brought some sparklers for the kids to use, the staff said they are not allowed. Bummer, seems a bit strict but I get it. In the campgrounds there is a kiosk open 24/7 you can buy firewood, drinks and some snacks with cash, credit card or touch-pay. Really a...

Had a nice experience. Stayed the night in an Escape A frame with a toliet (site 16). It was super cute. The bathroom was bigger than expected so that was really nice. It rained the first day, so that was a bummer... but we had no where to sit outside in the rain and be dry.... like the yurts across the way, they had a covered porch and two chairs. Our porch was not covered, if it was our time would've been WAY better... Since it was raining we wanted to just relax in the Escape A frame. Unfortunately there was only 1 chair inside so someone has to sit on the bed...? We went to the little store that was cute and bought a deck of cards for $16, so that was a little wild... but it kept us busy.... Luckily I brought a folding table with us for cooking outside. So we brought that in to play cards.... Might be a good idea , a little folding table to keep to the side. Or we would have had to play cards on the bed...

The bed was a little hard, and seemed like a full and not a queen... but maybe because some of the bed was kind of pushed into the side boards of the wall. But the down comforter made it really cozy.

The hand soap smelled sooooo good. I thought the big store at the top would have some forsale definitely would have bought some.

It made you feel like you were in the woods, it was beautiful. Definitely need some more tress up behind the cabins, it was quite weird looking out my cabin and seeing people's shades not all the way down with their bed in the window doing stuff.

The email updates was a really nice touch. To let you know what was going on. I will say a little weird for the goodbye one in the morning asking for you to clean a bit.... Then be like, hey rate us after....

I spent $498 for 1 night ..... I'm not going to clean and take the trash out and such....

Spent almost $100 extra for a toliet, which was fine.... But to spend that much more with no where to sit or no dry area outside.... Wasn't impressed spending that much money.... I wished I had gotten one of the tents and had more dry seating.

Spent more money and had fun at mini golf, and walking around the desert. All in all... A beautiful place, just will pick more wisely for what I want to stay in. We will be...