Take Camping To A Whole New Level On These 10 Gorgeous Maine Islands
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Michelle
Author
Camping in Maine during the summer is a wonderful perk of being in the best state in the USA! And, if the weather ever gets its act together (ahem – we’re ready to put our sweaters away, mother nature!) it’ll be time to pack that tent and sleeping bag for summer trips outdoors. But, this year, rather than staying close to home you might want to consider something new. Here are a few islands in Maine that you might not know you can camp on! Are you ready for some Maine island camping?
Whaleboat Island, Harpswell, ME 04079, USA
Whaleboat is located between Chebeague Island and the southern end of Harpswell Neck. With 122 acres, it is the largest wild island in Casco Bay. Camping is allowed only in designated spots and for a maximum of two nights at a time. While there aren't any real trails, the walk around the island at low tide is pretty gorgeous. Getting here requires launching a boat from the nearest public boat ramp, the Mere Point launch in Brunswick. If you plan on parking here overnight you'll need to get a parking permit.
Enjoy a flyover of Whaleboat Island in Casco Bay, Maine in this video showing off one of the best places for island camping in Maine:
Enjoy a flyover of Whaleboat Island in Casco Bay, Maine in this video showing off one of the best places for island camping in Maine:
Jewell Island, Portland, ME 04019, USA
The island is only accessible by boat and there are no scheduled ferry services. So, find yourself a craft or a seafaring friend and get ready to experience one of the loveliest outer islands off the coast of Portland. There are so many accessible paths here, we can't list them all but trust us when we tell you that the 221 acres of island habitat will not disappoint. Those looking for more adventure can pack camping gear and make a weekend of it in the campgrounds on the island. History buffs will enjoy the relics left from WWI and WWII. Oh, and some say Jewell Island is haunted!
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Merchant Row, Isle Au Haut, ME 04645, USA
Merchant Row actually refers to the body of water between Stonington and Isle Au Haut. While there are a number of preserves located within this network of islands, you'll want to head to either Saddleback Island (the largest) where there is one campsite, or Nathan and Little Nathan Islands for camping. Nathan and Little Nathan are joined during low tide. You can access Nathan Island from the launch at Isle Au Haut. From there you'll want to end up on the east end where there's an area for just a few small tents.
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Hermit Island, Phippsburg, ME 04562, USA
If you're looking for the perfect coastal camping spot, Hermit Island Campground might be it. While not an island exactly (it's actually connected to Phippsburg via a small road,) it does feel like you're a bit off the beaten path. Ocean-view spaces cost about $77 for the weekend, but you can grab yourself a "value" space for about $52. The good news is that these spots during the off-season are $57 and $47 respectively.
Bass Harbor, Tremont, ME 04653, USA
This huge island is one of the largest undeveloped islands on the eastern seaboard! The entire island is made up of the Ed Woodsum Preserve and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust has created and maintained about 10 miles of actual hiking trails that allow for exploration. But, be careful here - the rocky coast can be dangerous and you might not have reliable cell service. Camping is allowed only in designated spots for a maximum of two nights at a time. For all the information you'll need on campsites, rules, and parking permits visit the Maine Coast Heritage Trust website.
Watch this flyover video of beautiful Marshall Island in Bass Harbor, ME. Primitive camping on this island is a very unique experience. One you will remember forever:
Watch this flyover video of beautiful Marshall Island in Bass Harbor, ME. Primitive camping on this island is a very unique experience. One you will remember forever:
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Deer Isle, ME, USA
Deer Isle may be best known for Stonington. Accessible via car bridge, it's not a hard place to visit and its mid-coast location means it's not too far off the beaten path for those in Portland or Downeast. Those looking for less expensive options can camp in one section of the island. If you're a literature lover, you'll enjoy knowing that Steinbeck once spent two nights in Deer Isle! We're not sure if he camped or not, but we like to imagine he did!
Stave Island, Gouldsboro, ME 04607, USA
Located about a quarter of a mile from Gouldsboro in Frechman's Bay, Stave Island is home to the Stave Island Preserve. The preserve occupies about 121 acres of the southern tip of the island. Visiting is beautiful and the views include Mount Desert Island and the higher peaks of Acadia. There aren't any real trails here, but there are a few footpaths that will allow you to explore. Camping is limited to designated spots for a maximum of two nights at a time.
The Goslings, Harpswell, ME 04079, USA
If not for the generous support of the public, these beautiful islands might not be around for us to enjoy. In 2014, they were offered to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust at a discounted price by the previous owners who hoped to see the area permanently conserved. Today, they're a lovely place to explore and enjoy the salty Maine air. The small network of islands includes 4-acre West Goslings, 8.6-acre East Gosling, and a tiny one-acre Irony Island. Camping is available at the north end of West Gosling, where there is room for just a few lucky tents. There's a smaller campsite at the southern end of East Gosling, but you'll need to be one of about two tents that can fit! Lastly, at the northern end of East Gosling, there's a larger area for groups that must be reserved in advance. For all the information you'll need on campsites, rules, and parking permits visit the Maine Heritage Trust website.
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Calderwood Island, North Haven, ME 04853, USA
Located in East Penobscot Bay, Calderwood Island features rocky coast, sandy beaches, cliffs, and even a forested portion covered in spruce. Camping is allowed in designated sites at the east and west ends of the island. Maintained trails can be used to hike between the two campsites. To get here, you'll want to land at the beach on the north side of the island.
Tinker Island, Tremont, ME 04616, USA
Located in Blue Hill Bay, the 230-acre McKenney Preserve makes up about half of Tinker Island. A visit here means beautiful views along the beach, along with lots of places to picnic and stroll along the shore. Camping is allowed at two designated campsites. One is located near a sandy area on the west side where swimming is great! The other can be found on the north end of the island.
Take a virtual tour of the charming town of Blue Hill Maine and the beautiful bay. Keep an eye out for Tinker Island located in Blue Hill Bay:
Take a virtual tour of the charming town of Blue Hill Maine and the beautiful bay. Keep an eye out for Tinker Island located in Blue Hill Bay:
As with any camping you do, be sure to respect all the rules that are in place when partaking in Maine island camping. Most areas do not allow any open fires without a permit and even then, you’ll need to follow certain rules for where they’re located. Many thanks to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust website from which we were able to pull some information. You can search their preserves by location or activity type if you visit them on Facebook.
Speaking of summertime fun in unexpected places, did you see our article about Maine’s natural waterslide at Step Falls?
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More to Explore
More places to camp in Maine
What are the best camping spots in Maine?
Whether you are looking for island camping in Maine or a more traditional campground, Maine offers some of the best camping on the east coast. Here are some of the best camping spots in Maine for your next weekend getaway:
- Sebago Lake State Park, Casco, ME: The largest state park in southern Maine, you'll be treated to clean campsites with fire pits for an evening of toasting marshmallows under the stars. With 200 sites both reservable and non-reservable, you are sure to find a spot you like.
- Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal, ME: This smaller campground has 35 sites nestled in the quiet forests of Bradbury Mountain State Park. The campground can accommodate tent campers and RV campers alike. With plenty of hiking trails and gorgeous views, this campground is just the Maine camping experience you are looking for.
- Natanis Point Campground, Coburn Gore, ME: Up near the Canadian border, this campground is located on the beautiful Chain of Ponds. As you can imagine, kayaking, fishing, and canoeing are spectacular in this area. Many of the camping sites are located right at the water's edge. The campsite managers even offer ATVs for use on the local off-road trails.
- Baxter State Park, Millinocket, ME: If you are looking for a true backcountry camping experience, head to this gorgeous state park where there are two backcountry camping spots. One of these destinations is Chimney Rock on the way to Katahdin. Take a three-mile trail from the Roaring Brook campsite to find lean-tos and a ten-person bunkhouse. The other site is Russell Pond. Take the seven-mile hike from Roaring Brook to get there. You'll find three tent sites, five lean-tos, and an eight-person bunkhouse.