There are 5 campsites near Johnston Pond in the KI-JO-Mary multiuse forest. None of them are directly on the water, but 2 have easy access plus there is a boat launch area and large beach at the other end of the pond. If you approach from the Jo Mary checkpoint, sites 3 & 4 on the left are more open, The sites have fire pits and a picnic tables. Sites 4 & 5 also have a roof over the picnic table. A latrine provides toilet facilities, but bring your own water or plan to treat water. You may collect dead wood or purchase wood at the checkpoint for fire.
Site 5 is deeper in the woods and the approach through the trees is beautiful. The waterfront area is very rocky here.
Be aware of general regulations for the KJM forest, including the need to yield to trucks (which are often moving at quite a clip and loaded with logs) and length limits (28' single vehicle, 44' combined). You'll need to pay with cash or check. Fees are higher for out of state campers; rates are based off Maine minimum wage and campers pay both a day use and a camping fee per person, so the sites are not inexpensive.
I was able to secure a site midweek August without a problem, but most of the sites were reserved for the weekend, so plan accordingly.
The roads are well-marked and if you pick up a map at the checkpoint, you should be ok finding your campsite. Consider also downloading maps for offline use as there is no cell coverage in most of the park. You could sometimes get texts through from the nearby Little Jo Mary campsite area. I found my phone blew up with texts shortly after leaving the forest area, back on the main road.
I enjoyed paddling my kayak in the pond. Continue past the campsite area and you'll see a turnoff at the far end of the pond that takes you to the sandy beach/boat launch area. There were loons on the clear pond and also native trout.
If you head back toward the checkpoint, you'll see the turnoff on the right to Little Jo Mary pond and Gauntlet Falls. The falls are a nice spot to swim and enjoy sitting on the rocks; it has day use parking in addition to a campsite here, so it's more crowded than some of the other areas.
Leave your bikes and ATVs behind; they aren't permitted. The AT runs through the forest, though, so you may explore on foot.
There is a private campground closer to the entrance that sells ice and a few treats and has a daily fee if you want to fish or use the beach.
