In western and northern Maine, more vacationers sleep in lean-tos than in five-star hotels. That's not to say there aren't plenty of places where families will feel right at home. But you will need to adjust your expectations if you're accustomed to luxury lodgings and first-class amenities. Lodging properties described as “rustic” in other parts of New England may actually be “charming,” but in Maine's interior regions, you can pretty much take “rustic” at face value.

In many parts of northern Maine, the critters outnumber the people, so it's not surprising that lodging choices are more limited here than in other regions of the state. Some accommodations are downright primitive, designed primarily for those who have come to fish, hunt, raft, snowmobile, and engage in other outdoor activities that aren't necessarily compatible with frilly bed canopies and antique appointments. That said, while you won't find huge luxury hotels, you will find comfortable lodgings that provide a cozy nest to tuck into at the end of an active day.

Family Campgrounds, Resorts, and Lodges

As you consider lodging properties, some of your best bets will be those that cater specifically to families. In the western part of the state, Point Sebago Resort (261 Point Sebago Road, Casco, 207-655 3821 or 800-530-1555, www.pointsebago.com) is a 775-acre family playground with an extensive menu of organized and supervised activities for toddlers to teens, and adults, too. Facilities include an eighteen-hole championship golf course, a driving range, a marina, tennis courts, and a beach. Camp in your RV or travel trailer, or stay in one of the resort's rental cottages, park homes, or vacation homes.

If your family seeks seclusion, Attean Lake Lodge (Attean Road, Jackman, 207-668-3792, www.atteanlodge.com) is situated on a wild island within the lake. All meals are included. Family reunions are welcomed.

For all of the amenities of a four-season resort, the 200-acre, 140-room Bethel Inn Resort (On the Common, Bethel, 207-824-2175 or 800-654-0125, www.bethelinn.com) offers an 18-hole golf course, cross-country and snowshoeing trails, tennis courts, a heated year-round outdoor pool, and both fine and casual family dining.

Moosehead Lake is surrounded by diverse accommodations choices. The Birches Resort (1 Birches Drive, Rockwood, 207-534 7305 or 800-825-9453, www.birches.com) is situated within an 11,000 acre wilderness preserve on the lake's shores. It is the home base for Wilderness Expeditions, a rafting and paddling outfitter, and also offers a variety of other adventures including ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, moose cruises, and mountain biking. Choose from cabins, lodge rooms, cabin tents, and even yurts — updated versions of the primitive, circular shelters that originated in Siberia.

Budget-Friendly Hotels, Motels, and Inns

If you're looking for simple, value-priced lodging and don't mind the inconvenience of having to bring your own towels and soap, consider the three inns and cottages at the 800-acre Poland Spring Resort (543 Maine Street, Poland Spring, 207-998-4351, www.polandspringinns.com). Rates at this old-fashioned country inn are surprisingly affordable even before you factor in that all-you-can-eat, buffet-style meals are included.

Western Maine's resort ski areas are terrific places for families, even after the snow melts. To inquire about hotel and condominium lodging options, call Bethel's Sunday River at 800-543-2754 or Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley at 800-THE-LOAF.

Up north, Gateway Inn (Route 157, Medway, 207-746-3193, www.medwaygateway.com) is a good landing spot for snowmobilers, as it's located near Maine's network of snowmobiling trails. It also welcomes pets and features an indoor pool, exercise room, and some rooms with Mount Katahdin views. Katahdin Inn (740 Central Street, Millinocket, 207-723-4555 or 877-902-4555, www.katahdininn.com) is convenient to northern Maine's prime outdoor sporting activities and features eighty-two rooms including some with Jacuzzis, an indoor pool and hot tub, a children's pool, exercise room, free continental breakfast, and a massage therapist on-site.

In Aroostook County, Caribou Inn and Convention Center (19 Main Street, Caribou, 207-498-3733 or 800-235-0466 www.caribouinn.com) has seventy-three rooms and three suites and modern hotel amenities including a heated indoor pool and restaurant. Northern Lights Motel (72 Houlton Road, Presque Isle, 207-764-4441, www.northernlightsmotel.com) provides family-friendly accommodations and special touches such as in-room refrigerators and free wireless Internet access.