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Best Tent Camping near Calais, ME

76 Reviews

Tent campsites near Calais, Maine provide primitive backcountry camping experiences in remote coastal and forest settings. The Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve offers two tent camping areas at Black Point Cove and Fair Head, both accessible only by hiking trails. Additional tent-only options include Huckins Beach and Trail with five walk-in sites, and Tom's Retreat on Gardner Lake, which features a private lakefront camping area.

Most tent campgrounds in this region require self-sufficiency from campers, with limited or no amenities. Cutler Coast sites are free but have no fires allowed and feature only rudimentary toilet facilities. A recent review noted, "There isn't much fresh water around either, so we hiked in enough for dinner and breakfast the following day." Sites at Gassabias Lake include fire rings and picnic tables with shared pit toilets, following strict carry-in, carry-out principles. Access roads to many sites are unpaved and can be rough, requiring careful driving or hiking in with gear. Several campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation systems.

The tent camping experience in eastern Maine offers exceptional natural surroundings and solitude. Areas like Gassabias Lake provide secluded spots on dead-end roads with paths to the water. A camper wrote, "This cluster is a well-kept secret. It's a great backup plan if the Unknown Lake sites are full." The coastal tent sites along Cutler Coast feature dramatic views of the Bay of Fundy with tent spots perched on cliff tops. Wildlife observation opportunities abound with loons creating "quite a symphony" at lake sites, according to one review. Many campsites feature proximity to hiking trails, kayaking waters, and fishing opportunities, making them suitable bases for multi-day outdoor adventures despite their primitive nature.

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Best Tent Sites Near Calais, Maine (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Calais, ME

6 Photos of 6 Calais Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Calais, ME

76 Reviews of 6 Calais Campgrounds

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 18, 2025

    Sunset Point RV Park

    Easternmost camping in the US!

    General: 31 RV sites with w/e plus six tent sites with no hookups. 

    Site Quality: Our site was on grass and level enough that we could make it work without much difficulty. Sites 12A and 12B are the best IMO as they have an unobstructed view of the bay and more space between them than other sites. The lettered tent sites are also good, IMO, especially A, E, and F. Sites 1-29 are very close together with no physical separation between them in typical RV park fashion. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, however, sites 1-4 share a fire ring, making it a good choice for people traveling together 

    Bath/Shower house: Clean. Toilet stalls are a bit tight. The shower was also a little tight. One stall had plenty of hooks, but I could not get the faucets to work; the other stall only had one hook, but I could get the faucets to work! Plenty of hot water. 

    Activities/Amenities: Dishwashing sink, laundry (three washers/three dryers, $1.50 each) Free WiFi, and morning coffee on the porch. Firewood and ice are available for purchase for a reasonable amount (after-hours wood is available on the honor system). You can sign up in the office for a lobster set-up which includes a pot, burner, and propane to cook lobsters, clams, or crabs at your site. There are no activities at the campground, but you are encouraged to explore the town of Lubec, especially the West Quoddy lighthouse at sunrise. In the afternoon, we enjoyed watching the tide come in and out in the bay and I could do yoga on the grassy area. There was also a shared swing where you can enjoy the tide and sunsets.

    Cindy and her husband manage this campground, and we received a hearty welcome from Cindy when we checked in. After we paid (Cash or check only, no credit cards), she gave us the lowdown on what we should see and do in the small town of Lubec, especially the West Quoddy house lighthouse (which despite its name, is the easternmost point where you can see the sunrise in the US). Very quiet campground that was about half full when we were there. And yes, if the weather cooperates, the sunsets are beautiful.

  • Ingrid W.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Gassabias Lake campsites

    Remote and private

    3 secluded spots on a dead-end road. Wooded, path to the lake. Each site includes fire ring and picnic table, and share a pit toilet. Strictly carry-in, carry-out. Road into camp is dirt and some of it can be rough. Cars can make it just go slow. Atv trail access from camp - can ride to Lincoln, Ellsworth, Grand Lake Stream, Machias and all points downeast from here.

    No fee, first-come first served. I have never seen all 3 sites in use at one time.

    Over 20 miles from paved road. Designated cell reception about few miles away. Accessible to Jack’s Snack Shack (seasonal food and firewood).

    This cluster is a well-kept secret. It’s a great backup plan if the Unknown Lake sites are full. Being wooded, it’s a tad cooler here, but the bugs are still obnoxious. If you enjoy listening to Loons, they put on quite a symphony. The lake would be great for kayaking or SUPs and fishing.

  • Amanda F.
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Third Machias Lake - Machias River Cooridor

    Third lake machias

    I have gone camping here a handful of times and it is so beautiful! Definitely far out there and can be difficult to find if you don’t know the area well. Little to no service as well. We canoe to the island and camp on that but there are spots you can get to without a boat we just prefer it there. Make sure to bring everything you need! There are fire rings but the ranges can be sticklers about having a fire permit. This has only happened once that we’ve been there though they usually just leave you alone. These are also free spots that are first come first serve. The bugs can be really bad here especially in the earlier summer months so definitely keep that in mind and bring bug nets. We have caught a ton of fish here as well. Super beautiful lake and remote spot perfect to get away and unplug for a bit.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2021

    Fair Head — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve

    4 Star Site-5 Star Views

    Hiking along the Cutler Coast is a unique opportunity that if you get the chance to explore, you absolutely should. There are only 5 campsites total available along the Cutler Coast, 3 of them are at the Fairy Head. We approached the area via the Inland Trail, about a 5.5 mile hike from the trial head(trail signs are inaccurate, they don't account for the recent re-route). From this direction, sites were a little challenging to find but we managed. Just be aware that these three sites are NOT well marked and you have to hike up a wooden ladder to get to at least 2 of the 3. There isn't much fresh water around either, so we hiked in enough for dinner and breakfast the following day. 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(we had a 3 person). While there was a make-shift fire ring, fires are NOT allowed in the public land reserve here. Sites also have very rudimentary privies but these are not pit toilets, far from it. They are quite pathetic and gross consisting of a toilet seat sitting on a wooden frame, caged in by hardware wire. You can see everything and the odor isn't masked at all. I'm not sure why this design is in use. Not to mention that folx can't be bothered to pack out their trash. This site gets hit by first light and you can watch the sun rise right out of your tent just by sitting up in your sleeping bag. The views are incredible but these are very high impacted sites. There was a sheet of paper completely full at the trail head that serves as a register for folx to sign in, in order to avoid hiking in and not finding a site. We scrounged up a sheet of paper from our car and put it on the clipboard for folx to use. It was an old Amazon receipt but it's all we had. I was hesitant to put where we were camping exactly just for security reasons as two female hikers. But it was helpful to see that there was space for us when we arrived. All in all, it was a beautiful night!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2021

    Black Point Cove — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve

    Impacted site but beautiful

    This is one of 5 available campsites along the Cutler Coast Bold Coast hiking trail. Situated on top of a little knoll overlooking the Bay of Fundy, this is a lovely gem. The site is extremely small and it's obvious others have found other spots outside of the designated area to camp (please don't be on of those folx). There is a small wooden stair case that leads up to the small flat spot. Our 3 person tent fit but it was quite tight and I find it difficult to imagine trying to squeeze a larger tent in the spot. I suppose that's why the group size is limited to 4 at each site.

    There is a small wooden box with a toilet seat, surrounded by hardware wire that is boasted as a "toilet." These were quite full and odiferous, a pit toilet would be less offensive to the eyes and nose but I'm sure the State has their reasons. 

    The views are spectacular and the sunrise won't disappoint if you're there on a clear morning. There is a nice large rocky beach a short distance from the campsite where we spent the afternoon in the sunshine watching the tide come in (you can get stranded on the rock at high tide so be advised). This time of year (spring) there was fresh running water available to treat/filter for drinking. I've heard that most of the water sources are totally dry by the middle of the summer so you may need to hike in all of your water depending on the time of year you visit. 

    There is supposed to be a register at the trail head for folx to sign in on to help prevent you from hiking in and not being able to find a site. That being said, there was only a single sheet of notebook paper that was already full when we arrived. We donated the only sheet of paper we could find in the car and added it to the register. I was hesitant to put our exact camping locations for safety reasons, as two female hikers I intentionally left the register information vague. 

    This is a very popular location so plan on getting an early start or visiting in more of the "off season."

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Cobscook Bay State Park Campground

    Paddlers Paradise!

    Surrounded by water on 3 sides, this state park has a lot to offer. Well off the beaten track on the tidal backwater of Cobscook Bay, this park has a wide variety of sites to suit everyone’s style of camping. From full water and electrical RV hook-up sites, to tent-only camping loops, you can find your own camping bliss in this amazing park. 

    Each site comes with the standard picnic table and fire pit, but many have a shelter over the table as well. There are many pit-toilets scattered throughout, and the centralized bath house only offers inexpensive showers and sinks, no flush toilets however. 

    Additionally, there is a huge playground for the kids, as well as designated picnic sites complete with fire pit and picnic shelters. The campground loops wind around small headlands into the bay, so there are literally dozens of waterfront sites, but they are of course the most popular. 

    The bay is tidal, and has a HUGE tidal range, so opportunities for tide pooling, paddling, and other water sports just need a little planning ahead.   Be sure to check out the reversing falls, just a 20 minute drive from the park. There is a nice boat ramp and picnic area just north of the park on the main road. 

    Calais is the nearest town, about 30 minutes away, and has all the you need while camping in the area.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2022

    Huckins Beach and Trail

    Nice Secluded Campsites

    This primitive campground is part of the Cobscook Shores Land Trust which operates 15 parks and preserves in the eastern portion of Maine near the town of Lubec. This campground is for tent camping only with five tent sites and does not even allow RVs in the parking lot. There are no reservations(first come, first served) with a maximum stay of three nights. Some campsites have some trees for shade and others are in an open sunny meadow. There is a picnic table and gravel camping pad at each site. Fires are not permitted on Cobscook property so there are no fire pits. Dogs are permitted in the campground and on most trails but there is one section where they are prohibited due to shorebird nesting habitat and they must be leashed and picked up after. There is a centrally located hand pump water spigot and two port-a-potties near the parking lot. One thing that is a little weird is there is a cemetery nearby so if you are disturbed by sleeping near dead people nearby you may want to go somewhere else. There is no parking at your campsite so you have to carry your gear for the parking lot which is a short walk away. You can also paddle into this campground but you will have to carry your gear about a hundred yards. The preserve has an expansive gravel beach and hard pack sand when the tide goes out. Be mindful of the tides which are some of the highest in the country of nearly 20 feet. If you come in at low tide you will have a very long way to carry your canoe/kayak. This is a carry in/carry out park so don’t forget to take your trash with you. The closest town is Lubec which is about a fifteen-minute drive away. There is a convenient store and a restaurant/seafood market nearby(about a five minute away). This is a beautiful part of Maine where you are surrounded by lots of bays and lakes and just a short trek to what is called“the Bold Coast” of Maine where there are dramatic rocky cliffs and magnificent ocean views. Nearby are plenty of other nature preserves, West Quoddy State Park, and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Harold C.
    May. 30, 2021

    Sunset Point RV Park

    Cute camp W/E dump station

    Nice size sites, 50/30/20 electric, there are a few single picnic tables under shelters, nice small pond, tent sites two with W/E. Heated shower rooms, restrooms are open. Opened couple days early to accommodate a few early campers, I being one of them. Yes I would gladly stay here again!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 3, 2021

    Cobscook Bay State Park Campground

    Fun Lean-to on the Bay

    We decided to spend the night at this park after having to adjust our plans due to high winds. Given our timing(early October), the place was almost entirely empty. We chose one of the small lean-to shelters for the night. There are a few of these and they do require you to walk your gear in a short distance, so pack accordingly. 

    The site we stayed in had a gorgeous view of the bay and it was super cool to watch the tide come and go with such a drastic change in the water levels. We even saw a racoon take a swim across the bay at high tide. 

    There was a nice small and consolidated fire ring and a large picnic table. The lean-to was the perfect size for our three-person tent and kept us out of some cray wind(gusting up to 40 mph). 

    The state park has primitive pit toilets scattered throughout the various loops that require a bit of a trek from where we were camped. There are also numerous sites right on the water in the picnic area that would be great day use options if you’re just looking to enjoy the area for a few hours. The gentleman making the rounds was friendly and it was nice to know there were a few employees still around and available if needed.

    The state park is located close to Lubec as well as the St. Croix International Historic Site, which we visited while we were in the area. Given the pandemic, we weren’t able to venture over to Canada but maybe next time!

Guide to Calais

Tent camping near Calais, Maine offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Calais, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Calais, ME is Pleasant Lake Camping Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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