Map showing campground location near Franklin, Maine

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Donnell Pond — Donnel Pond

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Getting to Donnell Pond requires either a boat or a half-mile hike from the Schoodic Beach parking lot, where restrooms are available but not at the campsites themselves. Sites are free and first-come, first-served, with fire rings and picnic tables on two sandy beaches facing the water and the surrounding hills. Crowds can be an issue on summer weekends. Anglers, paddlers, and hikers who can manage the access conditions will find this a solid base among campgrounds outside Donnel Pond.

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Map & DirectionsDonnell Pond is located in Maine near Franklin

Public Campground

Directions

Access is twelve miles east of Ellsworth off Route 182 or 183.

Address

106 Hogan Road
Suite 5, ME 04401

Coordinates

44.59631483 N
68.17935982 W

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Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

53 min from Bangor, ME
2 hrs 12 min from Lewiston, ME
2 hrs 50 min from Portland, ME
3 hrs 53 min from Manchester, NH

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Reviews3 Camper Reviews - Donnell Pond

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

Erik C.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2024

Fantastic spot for a long weekend

This was really a beautiful spot to set up camp. I stayed here for only 1 night as I had reservations in Acadia (about 45 minutes outside Acadia) but I will absolutely come back in the future. The hike in is only about 1/2 mile so it’s totally doable even if you need to make two trips. The spots are secluded enough but not isolated. People in the other campsites were very friendly and respectful. Had dinner on the beach as the sun set behind the lake and the hike the next morning was a good climb for only about a 3+ mile hike.

Month of VisitJune

Amanda F.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 13, 2022

Camped on the beach

This place is so breathtaking with the views! We boated to the boat with our gear and camped there. This lake is huge so keep that in mind. We parked at the public dock that has public parking and boated over to the beach. There are two beaches that you can camp on that have sites with fire rings and picnic tables. A lot of people at both beaches. We found a spot and it was gorgeous with the Mountain View’s. We were able to swim here as well. We went fishing and did catch a couple of fish! These are public/free and first come first serve sites. We only went for one night but really enjoyed it here. If you do not have a boat, you can park at the public schoodic beach lot and walk the half mile to the beach. It can be confusing knowing where to go exactly to get to the camping spots but once we figured it out we were fine. There are restrooms at the parking lot but not on the beaches.

Siteboated over to the beach

Month of VisitJuly

Casey

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2022

Great weekend hidden gem

The hiking is moderate with multiple trails and great views. The campsites are a little cramped unless you have a boat or are a ultralight back packer and want to either cross the lake by boat or hike a few miles to a camp site with a little more privacy otherwise all sites are free and can openly burn at with the exception of a few. The one site that is easily accessible is a half mile hike with 9 campsites and if your lucky you won't have the experience I did with a group of ten partying all night next to me and using chainsaws in a location that was not permitted. And the trails aren't well labeled with very little information at the site. Pros: free camping, not swamped by tourists, fire permitted, great hiking and views, and a beautiful pond that's more like a lake. Cons: people not respecting the rules of the reserve or the campers around them, andmore secluded campsites being pretty far for campers who can't afford thousands of dollars on ultralight gear to hike or an expensive boat to get there

Siteschoodic Beach camp site

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping facilities are available at Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land?

Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land offers primitive, free camping with sites featuring fire rings. The campsites are accessible either by a short half-mile hike, by boat across the lake, or for ultralight backpackers willing to hike a few miles for more privacy. Some sites may feel somewhat cramped unless you access the more remote locations. There are beach camping areas as well. No advanced facilities like showers or electrical hookups are available, maintaining the natural wilderness experience.

Where is Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land camping located in Maine?

Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land is located approximately 45 minutes from Acadia National Park in eastern Maine. This scenic area features a large lake surrounded by mountains with hiking trails that offer excellent views. The area is accessible by car with public parking available at the boat dock, making it a convenient base for exploring both the immediate wilderness and nearby attractions.

What do reviews say about camping at Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land?

Camping at Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land offers breathtaking views and beautiful spots to set up camp. The half-mile hike to campsites is manageable even if multiple trips are needed to transport gear. The area features moderate hiking trails with great views across multiple routes. While some campsites near the main access points can feel cramped, those with boats or willing to hike further will find more private options. The large lake provides recreation opportunities, with two beaches offering camping sites with fire rings. The location is convenient for those also visiting Acadia National Park.

Is camping permitted at Schoodic Beach on Donnell Pond?

Yes, camping is permitted at Schoodic Beach on Donnell Pond. The beach has designated sites with fire rings where visitors can set up camp. The area is accessible either by a half-mile hike from the parking area or by boat. Some campers prefer boating to the beach with their gear as the lake is quite large. The scenic beach location offers beautiful views and makes for an excellent camping experience.

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