Best Dispersed Camping near Caratunk, ME

Dispersed camping locations around Caratunk, Maine include multiple primitive sites along waterways and forest roads. Several free camping options exist in the region, such as Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road, Philbrick Landing, Trout Brook Campground, and Upper Gravel Pit. Many sites are located on public lands where camping is permitted with minimal facilities and without formal reservation systems. The more remote locations like Mosquito Rips and Lazy Tom Bog offer primitive camping in areas known for wildlife viewing opportunities.

Access to many dispersed sites requires traveling on unpaved roads with varying conditions. Dead River Access features approximately 10 narrow sites bordered by large rocks, while Upper Gravel Pit is situated on a large mowed area with steep access roads containing loose rocks. Several locations require boats to access, including Philbrick Landing along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Mosquito Rips on the Moose River. Most sites permit camping for up to 14 days, with many areas allowing campfires though fire permits are required in some locations. Few sites offer amenities, with some providing vault toilets or picnic tables while most have no water or waste facilities.

The region's dispersed camping areas are known for natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities. "The sound of the river put us to sleep and greeted us the next morning," noted one camper at Dead River Access. Sites like Lazy Tom Bog are popular with photographers seeking moose, with one visitor reporting, "In the two nights we stayed here, we saw 5 moose." Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most areas. Many locations have established fire rings but campers should bring all necessary supplies as services are not available nearby. Privacy varies significantly between sites, with some reviewers noting certain locations like Trout Brook Campground offer "0 privacy" while others provide more secluded experiences.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Caratunk, Maine (11)

    1. Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road

    2 Reviews
    Caratunk, ME
    10 miles

    "The main camping area has about 10 long narrow sites that have large rocks bordering each site. Each site is bordered by the road. There is a single vaulted toilet."

    "I have been here numerous time with my GF and my friends alike and just about every time we have spotted moose and had a great time in the backroads of maine."

    2. Philbrick Landing

    1 Review
    Caratunk, ME
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 496-2285

    "This is a small impacted spot along the Dead River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT)."

    3. Trout Brook Campground

    4 Reviews
    Stratton, ME
    21 miles

    "Posted up to 14 days max. Even an out-house."

    "You’re camping close to others but it was quiet at night when we were there mid-week."

    4. Upper Gravel Pit - Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Greenville Junction, ME
    21 miles

    "Great spot is you don't mind dry camping. Amazing views of the surrounding mountains. There are two sites and plenty of space between them."

    5. Mosquito Rips

    1 Review
    Jackman, ME
    27 miles
    Website

    "The site is small and impacted but has a nice picnic table, fire pit and outhouse."

    6. Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Frenchtown, ME
    42 miles

    "A short distance down the dirt roads north of town and known for moose. A few cars in and out checking for moose, but a peaceful night's sleep."

    "Dirt road to get to the spot right after the bridge on the right for only 5 minutes at most. Rocky camping spot but has a fire pit. I didn’t have any service. PERFECT launching spot for a kayak."

    8. Smudge Cove

    1 Review
    Oquossoc, ME
    45 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

    "This campsite is along the Forest Legacy Trail and while the trail is managed by one entity, the remote campsites are managed by another."

    9. Eagle Cove

    1 Review
    Oquossoc, ME
    44 miles
    Website

    10. Raven

    1 Review
    Oquossoc, ME
    45 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Caratunk, ME

17 Reviews of 11 Caratunk Campgrounds


  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2022

    Upper Gravel Pit - Dispersed

    Nice Views, no Facilities

    Dispersed Gravel Pit This is a large mowed area on top of a gravel pit. There are two fire pits but plenty of room for more than two campers. We drove up in our car before bringing our motorhome because we were a little suspicious of the site and didn’t want to get stuck in an inappropriate place. The gravel pit is located in Little Moose Public Lands on North Road. After the intersection of Big Squaw Road, continue on North Road for another half mile and the pit is on your right. The road to the pit is gravel and bumpy but you don’t need a 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle. The short road up to the camping area is quite steep with somewhat loose rocks. There are no utilities, potable water, restroom, or garbage facilities so bring the water your need and carry out your trash. (There is a dump station at the nearby Moosehead Family Campground.) 

    Basically, it is a wide-open area with two fire pits.  You are permitted to collect downed wood for fires or there are numerous places to purchase bundles in town. The camping area is level and roomy with some pretty views of the surrounding mountains. The best thing about camping here is the easy access to the great hiking in Little Moose Public Lands. Great views are found along the Little Moose Pond Trail for people looking for a decent hike but not too much elevation change (approximately 4.3 miles and 650 feet of elevation change). Or hike up Big Moose Mountain for expansive views of Moosehead Lake and the surrounding mountains (approximately 4.4 and 1,800 feet of elevation change). This campsite is just a few miles from downtown Greenville where you will find a well-stocked large grocery, restaurants, outdoor oufitters, fuel, and a couple of small museums.

  • Miccal  M.
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Trout Brook Campground

    Primitive Camping at it's most Public

    This location is Beautiful, but it comes at the cost of privacy.  When I first discovered this spot, it wasn't an official campsite, people just came here to swim and there was a fire ring. That was over 20yrs ago.

    There are 4 sites, 3 have no separation between them, 1 is at the entrance, all are on the access road with 0 privacy.  This area is overused, and it shows, sites are warn in and if there was room relocating fire pits and allowing some nature to come back would be nice.  I managed to tuck myself into a private alcove of trees on the #1 site, but still was in full view of headlights and people driving in to see if there was space.  The site I had was big enough that I shared it with a couple that had a small child, and they had their own section. 

    There are no service, no water, no electricity, no to little cell coverage.  There is one pit toilet.  

    The access road in is rough, not for normal street cars.

    Did I mention lack of privacy?

    See pics.

  • Thomas B.
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Upper Gravel Pit - Dispersed

    Great Views

    Great spot is you don't mind dry camping. Amazing views of the surrounding mountains. There are two sites and plenty of space between them. When I went (labor day weekend) there was a porta-potty about 1.5 miles down the road. Plenty of trail heads nearby. About 30 mins to downtown Greenville.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2022

    Philbrick Landing

    Secluded spot along the NFCT

    This is a small impacted spot along the Dead River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). The site is not easily visible from the river and there is a steep bank you have to navigate to unload and pull your canoe or kayak up for the evening. That being said, it is a nice spot to spend an evening.

    When we were there, there was a small bench and a few stumps that were nice for seating. The campsite is at the end of an old logging road that you can walk down quite a ways. In the summer months, you will find an abundance of blueberries! 

    This is a primitive backcountry site so pack it in, pack it out. And maybe take a few extra pieces of trash with you! There is a large fire ring and a little gravel area we used to cook. There's plenty of flat space for a couple of 2-3 person tents. The stars are beautiful to boot! Definitely bring everything you need with you because there's nothing anywhere around.

  • Chris T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2023

    Trout Brook Campground

    Dispersed site with lake access

    Very wooded. Road is passable for most any vehicle. Not larger RV friendly but was comfortable enough to get the 27' foot trailer in. Some fire rings and tables available. Cannot be beat for zero dollars. Posted up to 14 days max. Even an out-house.

  • Paula C.
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite

    Nice and easy stay

    Easy to find. This wasn't a private area, but was easy to find, park and spend an evening. Not far from Kokadjo. A short distance down the dirt roads north of town and known for moose. A few cars in and out checking for moose, but a peaceful night's sleep.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lazy Tom Bog Primitive Campsite

    THIS IS WHERE YOU SEE A MOOSE!

    Was there for not even 24 hours and saw a moose. Dirt road to get to the spot right after the bridge on the right for only 5 minutes at most. Rocky camping spot but has a fire pit. I didn’t have any service. PERFECT launching spot for a kayak. Gets cold at night. I’d say closest gas station was probably 15-20 minutes away from the spot. People come often to check for moose and loud lumber trucks pass often so keep that in mind when camping. Again, it was all rocky.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Raven

    Super Impacted

    This site, while in a beautiful spot perched above Cupsuptic Lake, it is so impacted that in the rain it was a literal mud pit. While there was a picnic table to get up off the ground, finding a spot to pitch a tent where water wouldn't puddle would be impossible. We hiked in, but you can paddle into the site just know that the exit/entry to the water is a bit tricky and not as easy as some of the other sites available along the way. 

    There is a large fire pit, also a mess in the down pours. The picnic table is in far better shape here than the one in Eagle Cove (rotting) and Cedar Bay (non-existent). The site is quite small and wouldn't be able to accommodate more than two small tents. I wouldn't make a special trip to stay here.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road

    Beautiful location on the river

    The main camping area has about 10 long narrow sites that have large rocks bordering each site. Each site is bordered by the road. There is a single vaulted toilet.

    The paved area of the road ends just past the campground. Lots of people drive just past the pavement and then they turn around.

    Across the road from the campground is a beautiful river. The sound of the river put us to sleep and greeted us the next morning.


Guide to Caratunk

Dispersed camping near Caratunk, Maine offers outdoor enthusiasts remote lakeside and riverside sites throughout the North Maine Woods region. Most primitive campsites sit at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, with late spring through early fall providing the most accessible camping conditions. Winter camping requires specialized equipment and experience due to average January temperatures around 10°F and potential snowfall exceeding 70 inches annually.

What to do

Paddle the Moose Bow Loop: Access primitive sites like Mosquito Rips where paddlers can enjoy rapids depending on water levels. "Depending on the water level and your skill, you can paddle the rapid or line your boat. We chose to line given we were traveling with our dogs," notes Sarah C.

Hike the Forest Legacy Trail: The trail provides access to several remote campsites including Smudge Cove. "You can also backpack in and enjoy some pretty cool Maine forests along the way. There is also relatively easy access to the water by way of the rocks, beside the dock," according to a reviewer.

Wildlife photography: Dawn and dusk offer prime moose-viewing opportunities at several locations. Bring binoculars and telephoto lenses for optimal viewing from a safe distance. "We had kayaks. We stayed here, just to be up early enough to paddle out and wait for moose to show up," shares one visitor.

What campers like

Mountain views: Several sites offer panoramic vistas of surrounding peaks. "Great spot if you don't mind dry camping. Amazing views of the surrounding mountains," writes Thomas B. about Upper Gravel Pit.

Riverside camping: Sites along waterways provide natural sound barriers between campsites. "We drove there looking for privacy with our dogs to camp overnight. There are about 4 total spots, but only 1 of the four is truly enjoyable/private," notes one camper about Trout Brook Campground.

Secluded paddling sites: Boat-in locations offer more privacy than drive-in sites. "This is a small impacted spot along the Dead River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). The site is not easily visible from the river and there is a steep bank you have to navigate to unload and pull your canoe or kayak up for the evening," describes Sarah C.

What you should know

Fire permit requirements: Obtain permits before camping if planning campfires. "You need a fire permit in order to have a fire. You can obtain a permit at the Fire Department in the town of Jackman," advises one reviewer.

Site conditions vary significantly: Many sites lack basic amenities and terrain can be challenging. "This site, while in a beautiful spot perched above Cupsuptic Lake, is so impacted that in the rain it was a literal mud pit," warns a camper about Raven.

Access road limitations: Most dispersed sites require traveling unpaved roads. "The access road in is rough, not for normal street cars," notes one camper. Another adds, "The road to the pit is gravel and bumpy but you don't need a 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle."

Tips for camping with families

Consider site privacy: Some locations offer minimal separation between sites. "This area is overused, and it shows, sites are worn in and if there was room relocating fire pits and allowing some nature to come back would be nice," mentions Miccal M.

Look for established facilities: Some primitive sites offer minimal infrastructure beneficial for family camping. "There are three free campsites off Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton, ME, located on the Dead River. Head northeast out of Rangeley toward Stratton," notes one camper about Rangeley-Stratton Road Camp.

Plan for wildlife viewing: Schedule activities around prime wildlife hours for memorable experiences. "In the two nights we stayed here, we saw 5 moose. Likely the same 2-3 but hard to tell. We saw them at dusk and dawn," shares one enthusiastic wildlife watcher.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. "Not larger RV friendly but was comfortable enough to get the 27' foot trailer in," reports Chris T.

Parking considerations: Some sites have steep or narrow access points. "The short road up to the camping area is quite steep with somewhat loose rocks," warns Nancy W. about Lazy Tom Bog.

Waste management: No dump stations at primitive sites. "There are no utilities, potable water, restroom, or garbage facilities so bring the water you need and carry out your trash. (There is a dump station at the nearby Moosehead Family Campground)," advises one RVer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Caratunk, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Caratunk, ME is Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Caratunk, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Caratunk, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.