The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Carrabassett Valley, ME

299 Reviews

Tent campsites in the Bigelow Ecological Reserve area near Carrabassett Valley, Maine offer remote backcountry experiences with minimal development. Round Barn Campsites and Moose Falls Campsite provide walk-in tent camping areas on public land, while Bigelow Col Campsite features free primitive tent sites within the reserve. Most locations are first-come, first-served with no reservation system, though some require hiking in from designated parking areas.

Many tent camping areas near Carrabassett Valley require campers to carry all necessary supplies, as amenities are limited. Fire rings are common at established sites, but campers must obtain fire permits before starting any campfires by calling local forest service numbers. According to one visitor, "Despite contending with a fair share of mosquitoes, the tranquility of the location made it all worthwhile." Most sites have pit toilets or vault toilets in varying conditions, though some more remote areas lack facilities entirely. Tent pads or platforms are available at some locations like Moose Falls Campsite, which has four platforms and seasonal water access from nearby springs. Roads accessing these areas can be rough, requiring careful driving or high-clearance vehicles.

The tent camping experience in this region offers significant natural rewards beyond basic accommodations. Sites like Myer's Lodge East provide water access directly from campsites while maintaining a primitive feel. Many campsites feature views of surrounding mountains and lakes, with loon calls creating a natural soundscape. A camper wrote that "Although it was chilly at night (33F!), we had a blast having water access right from our site." Sites within the Bigelow Preserve system have 14-day maximum stay limits and typically include fire rings and outhouses, providing basic amenities for backcountry tent camping without sacrificing the wilderness experience. Early fall camping offers less crowded conditions with crisp mountain air, while summer brings more competition for these limited tent camping areas.

Map showing campgrounds near Carrabassett Valley, MaineExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Carrabassett Valley, Maine (33)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 33 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Carrabassett Valley Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Carrabassett Valley, ME

20 Photos of 33 Carrabassett Valley Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Carrabassett Valley, ME

299 Reviews of 33 Carrabassett Valley Campgrounds

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

    Northeast Whitewater Lodge

    Yurts and Tent Camping

    Northeast Whitewater is a mix of guide service, moose viewing tours, whitewater rafting, and camping. The camping options are yurts and primitive tent camping. There are no RV/Van camping facilities. All camping is walk-in as you can’t drive to your site but most campsites and yurts are not too far away. There are six yurts all with varying configurations, sleeping anywhere from 1-2 people (with king sized bed) up to up to six people (with bunk beds). All yurts have electricity and come equipped with heaters and fans; in addition, pillows, bedding and linens are supplied. Depending on the particular yurt you choose, some have small refrigerators, table and chairs, and nightstands. 

    Tent sites are primitive with fire pits and picnic tables. The ground is level and cleared so there is no problem finding a place to put your tent. The sites are fairly close together so you will definitely hear and see your neighbor. There is no water or port-a-potties at camping sites. One bathhouse is located adjacent to the main building and there is a dish washing station located there as well. The bathhouse was clean when we visited (but we were not there during the busy summer season as there are many rafting trips and those customers share the same bathroom). The bathhouse is pretty far away from the camping area which is inconvenient when you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. All yurts and campsite have trash cans located at the site. Each site has a large fire pit and removable cooking grates are available. There are rustic log benches around the fire pits. 

    Yurts and campsites are located behind the main building/office but you still get some road noise as Route 6 is a heavily traveled road. As far as amenities, there is a volleyball net and corn holes. A covered pavilion is located between the campsites and the main building and has a few picnic tables underneath. The main building has a gift shop stocked with moose gifts, apparel, snacks, drinks, and an assortment of “camp stuff.” This is also where you can book a moose tour, rafting trip, or inflatable kayaks if you are feeling adventurous. 

    The campground is located between the towns of Monson and Greenville. The Monson General Store is a great little store with an assortment of grocery items and makes really good sandwiches and the nearby Lakeshore House Lodge and Pub has the most wonderful pot roast. Greenville has a larger grocery/trading post which has pretty much everything you need from shoes to lettuce. Hiking in the area is great! You can pick up the Appalachian Trail or head to Little Wilson Falls for a nice, wooded walk along a stream to a pretty waterfall. Borestone Mountain is nearby and provides amazing views.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Grafton Notch Campground

    Five years later, still five stars!

    General: Small (15-site) campground near Grafton Notch State Park (but not IN the park). No hookups. Not all will agree with me, but I am glad no generators are allowed.

    Site Quality: Sites are gravel, level, and have enough trees to afford privacy between sites. 

    Bath/Shower House: It is immaculately clean. Each gender has two stalls and one ADA-accessible shower. The shower has nice warm water and a great flow. There is also a very clean vault toilet. 

    Activities/Amenities: Horseshoes and cornhole in the lawn area in the center. Information on many local hikes. Rocky beach has tables where you can sit and relax. There are two dishwashing sinks, potable water, and a dump station. 

    What makes this campground shine is the owner, Mo. We’ve stayed in many campgrounds but hands down, Mo takes more pride in her campground than any other we’ve been in. Seasonal decorations, flower pots, and Mo is an on-site presence to answer questions, engage in conversation, and make sure the sites and all facilities are pristine. We stayed here five years ago and look forward to hopefully staying again in the future. About the only thing I can find fault with is the proximity to the road but even at that, road noise is minimal.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Portage Site

    2 out of 5 because of human impact

    This is a large site that sits on the eastern side of Holeb Pond, at one end of the canoe portage between Attean and Holeb Ponds on the Moose Bow Loop. This is a conveniently located spot, however, it is very impacted and often full of trash(human and otherwise). It really is an amazing location but was really gross when we were there in October of 2020. One of the fire rings, of which there are many, was full of eggshells and other food waste. The outhouse wasn’t awful but certainly heavily used. There are a lot of rocks and stumps in the sites but level ground can be found to pitch a few tents. There are some picnic tables dispersed in the area as well. I wouldn’t stay here but if you have a larger group, it may be a good fit. All in all, if you could skip this site I would.

  • Miccal M.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Trout Pond Campsite

    Nice Secluded Campsite on a Beautiful Pond

    This primitive campsite is located in the Little Moose Public Lands area about five miles from downtown Greenville, Maine. The public lands area is approximately 15,000 acres. Access to the public lands and overnight camping are free and this is a first-come, first-served campsite with a 14-night maximum stay. Keep in mind this is a carry in, carry out site. A fire permit is required and can be sought by calling (207) 778-8231. 

    From the entrance of the public lands off Route 6, travel approximately 5½ miles along North Road to Trout Pond Road to the trailhead leading to the campsite (the area is well-marked). The campsite is located about a quarter of a mile away from the parking lot. The path to get to the campsite is relatively flat and easy to traverse except over some of the wooden planks which were slippery when I visited due to recent rain. The campsite is really large in a nice open cleared spot with some large trees for shade. A large picnic table and stone fire ring are present. There is a fully enclosed vault toilet that where someone left sanitary wipes, toilet paper, and fire wood inside. Based on the shredded toilet paper, it looks like a mouse uses it as well. The pond is beautiful, and you have water access from this campsite. There are some canoes and boats stashed in the woods and we saw a few people paddling and fishing while we visited so you may have company. 

    There is great hiking around Big and Little Moose Ponds with nice views. The Loop hike is about 4.4 miles with a 650’ elevation change. For a harder hike with great views of Moosehead Lake and Greenville, check out Big Moose Mountain which is about 4.4 miles with an elevation gain of 1,800’. Downtown Greenville has good restaurants, shopping, and a few shops. Moose and seaplane tours are very popular and there are plenty of guides if you are interested in hunting and fishing.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2022

    Wilson Streams Area

    Nice streamside campsites

    There are six primitive first come, first serve campsites near the trailhead of Little Wilson Falls. As you enter the gravel road leading to the falls trailhead, there is an information board with registration instructions and rules and regulations. Continue down the road to five of the six sites (#6 is located a short drive away across the stream accessible from (Bodfish road). The sites are clearly marked and have a picnic table and fire pit. You must obtain a fire permit before kindling a fire. (The information board has a number you can call to get a permit from the forest service.) The sites are considered “walk in” but there are parking spaces adjacent to the campsites that will accommodate cars (no RVs). Sites 1, 2, 3, and 6 are right along the stream with access to the water and nice tall trees for shade. Sites 1 and 2 are pretty close together so there is shared space. Sites 4 and 5 are across the gravel road in a shrubby area and super close together as well. The trees surrounding these sites are not very tall and don’t provide any shade. There is a vault toilet located along the road but no potable water spigots. The waterfront campsites seemed pretty well used as there was lots of evidence of people not practicing carry in, carry out and there were numerous pieces of toilet paper scattered about. Maximum stay is five nights and they do limit occupancy to eight and only one dog. 

    Take time to hike the falls trail which is a 2.4-mile round trip, out and back trail. The trail follows water with a few nice swimming holes and crosses the AT.  About five miles away is the small town of Monson which has an Appalachian Trail Visitor Center, some galleries, restaurants, and a great general store where you can get lots of grocery items and sandwiches to go.  Approximately 15 miles north is the town of Greenville which is a beautiful town with great hiking and pretty lake views.  There are a couple of outdoor outfitters in town if you need gear.

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

    Smudge Cove

    A Favorite Spot

    This campsite is along the Forest Legacy Trail and while the trail is managed by one entity, the remote campsites are managed by another. The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust maintains the trails in and out while Cupsuptic Campground manages the campsites.

    There is a tent platform at Smudge Cove but it is in desperate need of repair and it sounds like that's in the plans for next summer. There is a nice picnic table available as well as an established fire ring. The site is just off the water and there is a nice long dock that makes it super easy to boat into and unload. 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.

    These sites are secluded and offer a lovely amount of privacy and rest assured, the only sounds you will hear at night are the loons!

  • Tina D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Lone Jack Campground — Cold Stream Forest

    Nice little site

    15-site primitive campground with fire rings. We saw cross bill birds there eating the pinecone sap. They also came down and ate ash from our fire pit in the morning. The BEST site in my opinion was ours. It's right next to the dock area and no other sites can go next to it, only across the lot.

    This site has picnic tables, and 3 outhouses, located along Cold Stream east of Lone Jack Pond. There is a small floating dock on the stream. Four additional roadside shoreline campsites were established next to Durgin Pond, and several others in scattered locations near to roads.

    There's a 0.4 mile walk-in trail into Lang Pond, and a 0.5 mile trail into Big Berry Pond. People can fish here, it's supposed to be a hidden jem or hot spot. There are some additional trails into Snake and/or Fernald Pond, and into Cold Stream downstream of the headwaters area. You can also walk down the roads, there's old logging roads that split off here and there from what it seemed like.

    Great kayaking up and down the stream and pond area. The roads were a bit crazy as you can see in my pictures. A bunch of warblers were there too. We drove into Jackman one day when the weather wasn't so great. Cute little town.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 23, 2023

    Base Camp — Umbagog Lake State Park

    Gorgeous sunsets!

    General: 27 sites with electricity and water, two cabins, 33 remote campsites, and four remote cabins in isolated locations around Umbagog Lake accessible only by boat. 

    Site Quality: Some sites have a lake view while some are tucked in among the trees. Site 1A was the fourth up from the lakeshore but still gave us a decent view of the lake. A fire ring and picnic table were at the site. My one complaint is that the electric hookup was so far from where we had to park that we were unable to access it without a very long extension cord (which we did not have). Fortunately, we did not need electricity.

    Bathhouse: Quite possibly the most immaculate campground bathroom I’ve ever encountered! They are cleaned at 8 am but when we arrived at 6:30 pm, they were still very clean. Soap and paper towels are appreciated. There was also a vault toilet closer to the wooded sites, although it would not be an unreasonable walk to the main bathhouse. 

    Activities/Amenities: Boat launch and slips, fishing, and swimming. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. The building that has restrooms, laundry, and showers also has a large deck with chairs so you can enjoy the view. The sunsets can be spectacular! There is a small store at the office. 

    Although just an overnight stay for us, it was very enjoyable. We conversed with a ranger in the morning, and he told us that even when the campground was full (in the summer months), it is a very quiet campground.

Guide to Carrabassett Valley

Tent camping near Carrabassett Valley, Maine, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities.

Tent Camping Prices and Amenities

  • Prices for tent camping can range from free to around $30 per night, depending on the location and amenities offered.
  • At the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve Wilderness, campers can enjoy features like picnic tables, firewood, and toilets, all while soaking in breathtaking views.
  • Cupsuptic Campgrounds provides drinking water, electric hookups, and showers, making it a comfortable choice for families.

Local Attractions and Activities

  • Explore the pristine beauty of Mooselookmeguntic Lake while camping at Myer's Lodge East, where you can rent canoes and enjoy water access right from your site.
  • The Round Barn Campsites are conveniently located near hiking trails, allowing for easy access to the stunning landscapes of the Bigelow Mountain Range.
  • For a truly secluded experience, Bigelow Col Campsite — Bigelow Ecological Reserve offers tranquil lake access and the chance to hear the calls of loons and owls at night.

Tent Campers Enjoy These Nearby Activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carrabassett Valley, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carrabassett Valley, ME is Round Barn Campsites with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Carrabassett Valley, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Carrabassett Valley, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring