Hermit Island Campground is a family-oriented seasonal campground located on a 255 acre peninsula in Small Point at the southern tip of Phippsburg. The campground is accessed by a right-of-way which goes across a sand causeway. Hermit Island is roughly 1.5 miles long and .5 miles wide at the widest point. Most of the campsites are on the southern end of the island. The northern end has several beaches, hiking trails, and a small marina and wharf.

Campsites & Cabins

Our 270 campsites are located near sandy beaches, on rocky cliffs, along the tidal harbor, and in the forested interior. Each campsite has a picnic table, a loose rock fire ring, and parking for one car. Campsites fall into 4 categories depending on how close to the ocean they are and whether they have a water view or direct beach access.

    Ocean Prime sites have an ocean view and/or beach access.
    Prime sites are close to the ocean or beach and may have a partial view.
    Choice sites are not as close to the ocean as Prime sites, but are closer than Value sites. Many Choice sites are on the harbor side of the campground and have water views and/or access to the harbor directly from the campsite.
    Value sites are located within the wooded interior of the island and are farthest from the harbor and ocean.

We also rent 3 small cabins - The Hermit Island Cottage, the Log Cabin, and the Sou'wester.

Hermit Island Campground

We visited this campground on a beautiful Labor Day weekend. We were not able to select a site close to the water since those sites all get reserved in the early spring! However, we had a large site, not too far from the shower house, on a dirt road in the woods. This campground is unique because it is surrounded on 3 sides by ocean. There are numerous coves and larger beaches to swim at. One can easily bike to all the rocky coasts or sandy beaches. You can see the sunrise from one side, and the sunset from another. There are great hiking trails. There is an outdoor volleyball pit, a game room, and snack shop/camp store near the entrance. We never needed to use them since the weather was good. The camp store was super handy though, since the nearest grocery store/quick mart is at least 15 min. away.

The camp sites are well maintained, and most guests are quite mannerly. No one is allowed into the campground who isn't registered to camp, which can be frustrating, but it keeps the spot private and quiet.

The main detractors is the need to book it so far in advance, unless you want to do it last minute, based on what they have available.

This campground has sites on cliffs right above the water, in sandy coves, in the woods, within walking distance...the options are many. We biked everywhere--since there isn't much parking at the swimming spot. Overall, is a beautiful, relaxing, natural place that we highly recommend.

Private, Stunningly Beautiful

My family and friends have been going for years. Such a fun, laid back, rustic camping experience. Stay for a week and unplug on the beaches. Swimming, biking, hiking and boating...and so much fun for kids.

The type of place families return to for generations 

This is my favorite place to camp.  You get the woods to camp in and beaches to explore.  The beach sites look amazing but I’ve never been lucky enough to nab one.  They have all kinds of things for kids to do.  They have live music on the weekends, a nice little shop with various camping needs and a snack shack. 


Amazing!

I went to Hermit Island Campground for the 1st time this year in our Pop Up Camper. The staff were Awesome and the site was outstanding. We met friends the unexpectedly and enjoyed their company at the beach. We went to the beach and swam and went on a bicycle ride to explore the island and visit the different beaches and the Small Point Harbor Marina. Thios Place is So Awesome I came back for a few days Solo camping in Swptember. Going back this year too if I get a reservation.

Hermit Island a Slice of Heaven

We love Hermit Island. Very primitive, but thats part of the fun. Private oceanfront getaway. No dogs except one weekend a year. This was nice before I had a dog. No barking. No radios. Just peace and quiet. It has become a little cliquey with "regulars" and "third generation visitors" some feel entitled to leave their belongings at the beach to claim their spot. Reservations are very old school - mail a letter and wait. Mosquitos are a problem. Last time we were there I was packing up for bed, making sure everything was closed and put away, and my cat rubbed against my leg... Only it wasnt my black and white housecat, yup, big fluffy skunk with no fear. Lots of wildlife - deer, skunks, porcupines. The island is beautiful. The views are breathtaking. One of our favorite places, but with our Doggo and reservation issues we make other choices.

Love it

I have been camping at Hermit Island for my entire life. Every year we have an annual camping trip there with friends and family. I believe this is the best primitive camping experience you can have.

  

Some info that may be helpful. Campsites do not have any electricity, there is no water at the sites, but most water faucets are a short walk. No radios or music allowed in the campground. No cell service (you may be able to get a little at the office).

  

We love the quiet the campground offers due to the no excessive noise. I have noticed campground security drive around somewhat regularly at night, even stopping and shutting their lights off periodically to see if anyone is making a ruckus. 

  

Most campsites have a lot of privacy. You're neighbors are not right on top of you like most campgrounds I've been to. The sites are a good size, at times being able to fit 3 maybe 4 tents in a pinch, though they do say 2 adults and 2 children. 1 vehicle per site with additional paid parking off site from 3rd parties.

  

I've been to other campgrounds with beaches, but I love Hermit's beaches, they are very long with plenty of room for everyone. There is one beach open to the public and the others for campers only. 

  

The store has basic necessities as well as selling live lobsters and clams that they will even cook up for you and give you a time to come back to pick them up. Across from the store is the Kelp Shed which has some tables, arcade games, pool tables, and a small snack shack for stuff like burgers, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream, etc. 

  

As someone who drives 3+ hours to camp here, I love the feeling of "being in the middle of nowhere with no cell service" it really brings back the good old days of camping, you have to find your own fun.

  

The hiking trails are fantastic,  they range from short to long. All relatively easy. They all have great sights, especially the one along the rocky coast. You can even hike to a private beach!  

  

If I lived closer, I would camp at Hermit's Island all the time. It is by far my favorite campground.

Best Primitive Camping Around

Hermit island came on high recommendations from long time friends. Like stepping back in time a bit with the general store selling lobsters and the Kelp Shack. You are really out there. I had no cell reception ( okay with me). My site was a tent only and on the bay side. HG2. Note- I could not drive into my campsite but had to park parallel at the entrance. The beaches were beautiful but the biting flies were TERRIBLE. Not sure if that is normal in August or Anton of sea weed had come ashore from the storm. Port a potties and bathrooms could use more attention as well as garbage pick up. Ice cream at the kelp shack was great as were the hikes around the island. I would go again.

Beautiful, primitive Camping!

One of my favorite places, the perfect coastal campground for checking out and roughing it. Tent &amp; pop-up campers only, with limits on amplified noise and  number campers makes it a great place to relax. Little to no cellphone service so might as well turn the phones off and enjoy nature. There are site options along the dunes, in the woods and along the cliffs of Joe's Head and Osprey Point.

Some great hiking trails and isolated beaches on the North side of the island. There is a pavilion near Sailboat Beach up to the left just before the end of Island Road which is a cool spot for a group to hang for the day. The all dirt roads are fun and easy for mountain biking. There's a few spots for cliff jumping, one in the Bathtub and another at Osprey Point. No motors, but there is boat access if you have and enjoy kayaking or canoeing (be sure to say hi to the seals!)  

Be sure to load up at the Shaws in Bath, ME before heading down 209 towards Phippsburg. The campground store by the main entrance has the basics for camping in case you forget anything and will steam fresh lobster or clams to order. The Kelp Shed across from the store is a great place to hang if the weather turns or just to grab a snack (you need to try the Maine Blueberry Ice Cream!)

Perfect Roughing it Coastal Campground

I’ve been to nearby Popham Beach SP a few times and wanted to check out camping in the area. I’d read good things about Hermit Island. If you camp here, you won't need to venture over to Popham Beach because the beaches are on site.

  

This large coastal campground has campsites nestled among trees or dunes. Where natural separation of trees and grasses are insufficient, they’ve provided visual separation between sites, adding small fences where necessary. Some are expansive with plenty of space while others you’ll be cozy with your single vehicle and tent; others are walk-in sites. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. There are lots of narrow curvy roads to the sites; you’ll want the map and read the street signs! Pop-ups are permitted on some sites, but absolutely no hard-sided trailers, no, not even teardrops(I mention this because I’ve seen some teardroppers expect to be treated like a tent, but that’s not an option here). With all the water around, have a plan for dealing with insects.  

  

It’s a bit of a haul to get here once you turn off the main road, so plan to do any last minute shopping in Bath or Brunswick(30 minutes to Bath without summer traffic). I could not get cell service at the campground, though I had spotty phone coverage on the road before the turnoff, but calls dropped randomly even when I was standing still.  

  

Reservations are by snail mail or phone months in advance and the prices are steep compared to a no-frills campground elsewhere; you’re paying for the privilege of being on the beach. There’s a large open to the public beach near the entrance and a few smaller beaches along the island. Bring your bikes and/or wagons…you’ll want them to get to the beach, explore the trails, or ride up to the camp store/snack shop. There are places to launch a kayak.