Camping in coastal Maine this summer
- Thread starter DougG
- Start date
There are lots of options. Some of my favorite places are:
Recompence Camping - Freeport, ME. http://www.recompencecampground.com/camping.html Somewhat of a ghay site, but if you can get a site along the water (which there are lots of) it's quite nice. It's only about 5 min or so from downtown Freeport.
Of course you'd have to camp at Acadia. I've camped there 5+ times and there is always a new place to check out. I usually camp at Blackwell, but the other option is Seawall. Both are very nice. If you want more primitive camping check out Duck Harbor. Only 5 sites available there. There is a great little store front in Bar Harbor that can supply you with all kinds of maps and info on the park. On main street on the left heading towards the water.
There are plenty of other private campgrounds around Acadia, but the National Park is still the best that I've seen.
Deer Island has some good places too http://www.oldquarry.com/, though I like Acadia more since you have a great selection of nice little towns, close access to Bar Harbor if you dig that and some good little beaches. Not to mention MILES of hiking trails and old carriage trails and "money shots" along the coastal drive.
If sea kayaking is your thing then Deer Isle is a good choice. Check the link above for more information.
Recompence Camping - Freeport, ME. http://www.recompencecampground.com/camping.html Somewhat of a ghay site, but if you can get a site along the water (which there are lots of) it's quite nice. It's only about 5 min or so from downtown Freeport.
Of course you'd have to camp at Acadia. I've camped there 5+ times and there is always a new place to check out. I usually camp at Blackwell, but the other option is Seawall. Both are very nice. If you want more primitive camping check out Duck Harbor. Only 5 sites available there. There is a great little store front in Bar Harbor that can supply you with all kinds of maps and info on the park. On main street on the left heading towards the water.
There are plenty of other private campgrounds around Acadia, but the National Park is still the best that I've seen.
Deer Island has some good places too http://www.oldquarry.com/, though I like Acadia more since you have a great selection of nice little towns, close access to Bar Harbor if you dig that and some good little beaches. Not to mention MILES of hiking trails and old carriage trails and "money shots" along the coastal drive.
If sea kayaking is your thing then Deer Isle is a good choice. Check the link above for more information.
Vinalhaven Island, where Jeff Aronson lives, is a must see. You can only get there by Ferry; it's about a 45-minute ride from what I recall. There is only one hotel on the Island, Tidewater Hotel, and no camping that I know of. The Hotel is also the beer store and a catering service. Different way of life on the Island for sure, and I mean that in a good way. Worth a two night stop.
The Old Quarry on Deer Isle is pretty neat. We hit it a week before the "season" started and were just about the only people on the property. We rented a canoe and cruised over to Isle au Haut one day. Isle au Haut is about a 1-hour paddle trip, and once there you have camping, hiking, fresh water pond/lake for swimming, etc... The little store on-site can supply you with fresh lobster if you give them enough notice (cooked or live), or you can go diving for your own (not really legal in Maine). It's a neat spot away from other tourist in mini-vans.
The Old Quarry on Deer Isle is pretty neat. We hit it a week before the "season" started and were just about the only people on the property. We rented a canoe and cruised over to Isle au Haut one day. Isle au Haut is about a 1-hour paddle trip, and once there you have camping, hiking, fresh water pond/lake for swimming, etc... The little store on-site can supply you with fresh lobster if you give them enough notice (cooked or live), or you can go diving for your own (not really legal in Maine). It's a neat spot away from other tourist in mini-vans.
I would park the Rover in Port Clyde and catch the boat to Monhegan Island. It's about 12? miles off the coast. There is a small, what they call a hotel, or you can camp. Several hiking trails all over the island. I think there are about 200 year round people who live there. It's an artist's island but everywhere you go there is a *money shot*. This is a place the family will never forget... in a good way. Check it out.
EDIT: I see Dan mentioned Aronson, ,,, yes. Get in touch with him, he is a spectacular tour guide of the island, just don't let him drive the Corvair. As laid back as Vinalhaven is, it's like New York City compared to Monhegan. Shoot me a PM of when you'll be here and I can get a bunch of info around... I owe ya for the RRC ..
Or, if you're into action. head over to Matinicus island... it's all Lobstermen,... and they actually shoot one another over *turf wars*.. kinda like the wild west....
EDIT: I see Dan mentioned Aronson, ,,, yes. Get in touch with him, he is a spectacular tour guide of the island, just don't let him drive the Corvair. As laid back as Vinalhaven is, it's like New York City compared to Monhegan. Shoot me a PM of when you'll be here and I can get a bunch of info around... I owe ya for the RRC ..
Or, if you're into action. head over to Matinicus island... it's all Lobstermen,... and they actually shoot one another over *turf wars*.. kinda like the wild west....
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kevin-ct said:Hi Doug,
If you sell me your 109 you and the family will have money to stay in a nice hotel!
You should e-mail Jeff A. he lives up in Maine
Keep warm!
Kevin
Funny Kevin, I think about selling it about once a year, then I come to my senses, but I'm not camping out of necessity, my kids are too used to hotels, I don't want them to get soft.
Guys, thanks for all the great leads. I'll have plenty to research tonight. I will be traveling with my wife, and my seven year old daughter (who likes hotels), and my three year old son. I'll have to find something that appeals to everyone, and doesn't scare them away from the great outdoors.
Fortunately Maine has got plenty of options from camping to luxury inns. Kennebunkport/Kennebunk has some great spots. Federal Jacks Brew Pub, Clam Shack and dinner at Bandaloop are all musts. You've got the Breakwater if spas are your thing and you've got more simple accommodations for everything in between.
If you are looking to camp in Acadia make your reservations well in advance. It books up in the summer very fast. I prefer late summer up there. Fewer tourists and the best weather.
If time is an issue don't bother with route 1 the entire way.
You'll never get to see everything of course. I've been going up there every year for the past 20+ years and still find new spots each time I go up. One of my favorite states to visit by far.
If you are looking to camp in Acadia make your reservations well in advance. It books up in the summer very fast. I prefer late summer up there. Fewer tourists and the best weather.
If time is an issue don't bother with route 1 the entire way.
You'll never get to see everything of course. I've been going up there every year for the past 20+ years and still find new spots each time I go up. One of my favorite states to visit by far.
Doug, this should narrow it down.
mid may until about the end of June..... black flys
end of June until the end of July........... mosquitoes
for the first 2 weeks of August......... no see 'ums( local terminology), can't see them and they bite like hell
3rd week of August, the first frost. I've had to light the fire at night during the last week of August... it's depressiing.
All of the bugs mentioned above bite. The closer you are(like right next to it) to the coast, the safer you are. Something to keep in mind while camping.atriot:
mid may until about the end of June..... black flys
end of June until the end of July........... mosquitoes
for the first 2 weeks of August......... no see 'ums( local terminology), can't see them and they bite like hell
3rd week of August, the first frost. I've had to light the fire at night during the last week of August... it's depressiing.
All of the bugs mentioned above bite. The closer you are(like right next to it) to the coast, the safer you are. Something to keep in mind while camping.
atriot:
I second Monhegan Island. We've gone there twice in the last two summers. The Trailing Yew is a good place to stay. Cheap, includes breakfast and dinner. Or you can go for day hikes. There's a cheap ferry that will take you around the outside of the island. If your captain feels like fucking off, he'll take you out further to see if he can find some whales.
My family camped at Megunticook in the Camden/Rockland/Rockport area every year when I was growing up. Not too far from the Vinalhaven ferry and East Coast Rovers is right there (and so is whatroad). Mount Battie has a killer view. I love that area. Some good wheeling out there too.
My family camped at Megunticook in the Camden/Rockland/Rockport area every year when I was growing up. Not too far from the Vinalhaven ferry and East Coast Rovers is right there (and so is whatroad). Mount Battie has a killer view. I love that area. Some good wheeling out there too.
Not exactly coastal, but there is a sweet "semi-secret" state-run campground on the Machais River, just off Rte 9. The "lean-to" structure (more of an "Adirondack") is right on the river and very pretty. It's rustic, but the his & her outhouses are clean and maintained.
It was very private and my kids loved it when we camped there on the way to Nova Scotia. Also, it was FREE.
The site is toward the bottom of the map:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/PropertyGuides/Maps/FullSize/machiasrivermap.pdf
More info on the area:
http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online...rved_land=90&shared_use_trails=&option=search
It was very private and my kids loved it when we camped there on the way to Nova Scotia. Also, it was FREE.
The site is toward the bottom of the map:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/PropertyGuides/Maps/FullSize/machiasrivermap.pdf
More info on the area:
http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online...rved_land=90&shared_use_trails=&option=search
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garrett said:
Or, another option in Freeport: camp in a demo tent inside the LL Bean flagship store. I did this in 2006. The store is open 24/7.
whatroad said:Doug, this should narrow it down.
mid may until about the end of June..... black flys
end of June until the end of July........... mosquitoes
for the first 2 weeks of August......... no see 'ums( local terminology), can't see them and they bite like hell
3rd week of August, the first frost. I've had to light the fire at night during the last week of August... it's depressiing.
All of the bugs mentioned above bite. The closer you are(like right next to it) to the coast, the safer you are. Something to keep in mind while camping.
Carey, I know all too well about the bugs in Maine. I used to go on a mountain biking trip up there every May. We used to get eaten alive, but great biking.
Maine is just awsome. Bar Harbor is a cool place to visit. Lots of beer brewed around there. My wife and I stayed at blackwell in september, It was great. I think their was only one other group there that weekend. Also I forget the name but their is a land bridge that forms downtown at low tide, you can drive across it. Not a big deal but fun none the less.
Check out downeast maine at its best, the bold coast trails in the town of Cutler. Also for a real campground i recommennd cobscook bay campground.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...q8HTBw&usg=AFQjCNEkQbHcQXjHSdDBqJtPCLXQ6TK1AQ
I went to college in Machias Me, people usuallly stop going up the coast at Bar Harbor...keep going
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...q8HTBw&usg=AFQjCNEkQbHcQXjHSdDBqJtPCLXQ6TK1AQ
I went to college in Machias Me, people usuallly stop going up the coast at Bar Harbor...keep going
I second Cobscook Bay & Recompence. Cobscook is a haul to get to. It's close to Eastport which is weird little town that throws an amazing 4th of July celebration. Quoddy Head is also close.
Also in the Freeport area is Bradbury State Park. Decent campground with great mtn biking.
Not sure if it's still around, but there was a private campground in Schoodic Point (just north of Acadia). Quieter than the national park but you can get there in 10 min.
Also in the Freeport area is Bradbury State Park. Decent campground with great mtn biking.
Not sure if it's still around, but there was a private campground in Schoodic Point (just north of Acadia). Quieter than the national park but you can get there in 10 min.