Dispersed camping options near Addison, Maine provide low-cost or free camping opportunities along Maine's eastern coastline. The region sits at the junction of Downeast Maine's forests and the Bold Coast, with many sites positioned along rivers or overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer highs average in the 70s, creating a short but popular camping season from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Freshwater fishing opportunities: The Machias River offers productive fishing for smallmouth bass, trout, and chubs. According to John R. at Machias Rips Campsite, "I've caught smallmouth bass, chubs and trout in the river so far! (Black and silver Jerk baits work great)."
Coastal hiking: The trail system at Cutler Coast contains multiple loop options ranging from 5-10 miles. As Michael L. notes about Cutler Coast Public Land, "If you take the coastal trail to get there, you will have to work for it. The trail gets fairly rugged once you get to the coast, but the payoff is worth it!"
Beach access: Some coastal campsites provide access to small pebble beaches. Sarah C. at Long Point describes, "This spot is situated right along the Maine coast and has one heck of a view, not to mention a nice gravel beach! While the water is quite cold in Maine any time of the year, the beach is a nice spot to relax in the afternoon sun."
What campers like
Early morning solitude: Getting an early start provides peaceful trail access. According to Paula C., who stayed at Cutler Coast, "We got up at 5am to have the trails to ourselves. It was a peaceful night."
Astronomy viewing: Coastal sites provide excellent night sky viewing away from light pollution. Tina D. shares about Cutler Coast Public Land, "Such an awesome view of the night sky oh my gosh. I could stare at it forever. We could see the milky way."
Cell service variability: Unlike many remote camping areas, some sites maintain good connectivity. Gary at Machias Rips notes, "The only exception is that we had 4 bars of LTE service (AT&T) which was nice." Similarly, Tim M. at Machias River Camp off Route 9 confirms, "Great ATT service."
What you should know
Limited fresh water access: Despite proximity to water bodies, potable water sources are scarce. Ashley S. advises visitors to Cutler Coast Public Land: "We did find some to filter but would recommend bringing at least 5L per person and another 2L or more depending on the size of your dog."
Insect preparedness: The region experiences significant seasonal insect activity. Gary from Machias Rips warns, "Camp sites today are very buggy - bring your repellent and/or netting."
Seasonal planning: The conditions vary dramatically by season. Shari G. notes that when visiting coastal sites, "the trails can be quite muddy and soggy. There is a price for this much beauty in one place!"
Tips for camping with families
Site capacity considerations: Some areas have limited space for group camping. According to Sarah C., at Fairy Head along the Cutler Coast, "The site we stayed in, site 1 (at least we think it's site 1) was perched on a beautiful cliff top in the trees. The area is very small and fitting anything larger than a 4 person tent might be difficult."
Mixed use area awareness: Some campgrounds experience day traffic. As Jillian B. explains about Machias Rips Campsite, "Seems to be a bathroom pit-stop for travelers on rt 9 due to having the maintained bathroom. So lots of traffic driving in, using the toilet and then driving right back out."
Dog-friendly considerations: Many sites allow pets but have limitations. One camper at Machias Rips noted, "Only real negative for me was nowhere to really walk my dogs, nothing even close to a trail nearby. Just the highway."
Tips from RVers
Access road navigation: Dirt access roads can be challenging but generally passable. John R. describes the approach to Machias Rips: "The dirt road leading to the camp can be easily missed if not paying attention! But is clearly marked with a blue sign at the head of the road... The road has a few pot holes but nothing my stock (Low to the ground) Dodge Caravan couldn't handle."
RV site availability: The Machias River area contains multiple designated RV spots. As noted by John R., "There is about 4 Sites with river front views and trails leading to the water from each camp. There are also bigger sites for campers and RVs."
Site leveling requirements: Some RV sites may require adjustments. As one camper mentions, "Some are rough and not super flat, but it's pretty and the river is right there. You can hear the highway but it's not too bad."
