Best Dispersed Camping near Aurora, ME
Machias Rips Campsite provides free dispersed camping opportunities near Aurora, Maine, located along the Machias River Corridor Public Lands. This primitive camping area sits approximately one hour from Ellsworth and Bangor, offering both drive-in and walk-in access. The site includes several designated camping spots with a mix of tent sites, RV-compatible areas, and a lean-to shelter positioned along the riverbank. While technically dispersed, this public land camping area maintains a basic structure with defined sites spaced for privacy.
Access to Machias Rips requires navigating a dirt road off Route 9 between Amherst and Wesley. The access road can be easily missed despite blue signage marking the entrance, and contains some potholes, though standard vehicles can navigate with care. GPS directions may not provide exact coordinates to the site. The campground features pit toilets but lacks drinking water, trash service, and hookups of any kind. Fires are permitted in established fire rings, which helps manage the mosquitoes that can be prevalent in the area. Cell service varies by carrier, with some visitors reporting good LTE coverage while others note limited connectivity.
The riverside location distinguishes this free camping area, with each site offering trails leading to the water. Campers can fish for smallmouth bass, chubs, and trout directly from the campground. The site balances accessibility with a natural setting, though its convenience comes with occasional drawbacks. "Beautiful place. Clean sites. Easy to find and right off rt 9. 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," notes one visitor. Another camper describes it as "a nature lover's dream" with good spacing between sites and river views. A marked trail extends from the campground into the surrounding forest, potentially connecting to additional primitive camping areas upriver.
