M
Mark W.
Scout
ScoutUpper Gravel Pit - Dispersed
Nice and quiet good view. Road is good 2wd.
Tent Camping near Carrabassett Valley, ME
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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.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Carrabassett Valley (32)
1. Round Barn Campsites
"There were even people camping in their rooftop tents. Sites that I saw looked great, trails need some maintenance though, and some of the sites need clean up."
"Round barn campsites offers a dozen or so tent sites with two big group sites. It will pretty consistently have some campers, but I've never seen all the sites full before."
2. Bigelow Col Campsite — Bigelow Ecological Reserve
"Despite contending with a fair share of mosquitoes, the tranquility of the location made it all worthwhile. The campsite, offering access to the lake, was a real gem."
"Some areas fit small tents with no fire rings."
3. Moose Falls Campsite — Bigelow Ecological Reserve
"My daughter and I stayed there last Friday night and shared the site with some wonderful people. Site was quiet and really felt like one was “in” the Maine woods. 4 platforms and a privy."
4. Maine Huts & Trails
"What an impressive set up. Multiple huts laid out over 35 square miles in the heart of the Carrabasset Valley."
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $150 / night
5. Myer's Lodge East
"we had a blast having water access right from our site and the ability to park within steps of our tent."
6. Stealth Site
7. Safford Notch Campsite — Bigelow Ecological Reserve
8. Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve Wilderness
"It's a rare treat to be in a location where sight and sound of others are absent. While a few sites might have a neighbor in view, most offer exceptional privacy."
"Can rent canoes to take out to the sites on islands and across the lake. There are water refills at the office available Farrington island is my favorite spot. There are 2 sites."
9. Cupsuptic Lake Park & Campground
"Very nice being several miles out on logging roads away from any towns or noise. Incredibly buggy. Site was advertise as next to the river, but had to walk through heavy vegetation to even see it."
"It's a nice place on the lake. Nice beach with little seating coves along the waters edge, offers a little privacy. There is a tiny marina, docks for small boats. There are a lot of seasonal campers."
10. Myer’s Lodge West
Drive Time
- 1 hr 52 min from Lewiston, ME
- 1 hr 58 min from Bangor, ME
- 2 hrs 35 min from Portland, ME
- 4 hrs 20 min from Burlington, VT
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Carrabassett Valley, ME
20 Photos of 32 Carrabassett Valley Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Carrabassett Valley, ME
315 Reviews of 32 Carrabassett Valley Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendRangeley Lake State Park Campground
Fall camping at its best!
This campground is located in one of the prettiest places in Maine during the fall. The expansive views are magnificent! Rangely State Park is fairly small with just over 800 acres but has lots to do other than camping like hiking, wildlife watching, photography, fishing, hunting, and lots of winter sports.
The campground at Rangeley Lake State Park has 50 sites which are well-spaced and most are close to the lakeshore. There is not much in the way of amenities except a picnic area, playground, and a boat launch with docks(in fact, there are canoes for rent on-site). A“beach” area has picnic tables with grill and stairs leading down to the swimming area. Make sure you wear shoes because the beach is more rocky than sandy. A short-forested hiking trail (slightly less than a mile) runs from the park entrance to the contact station. There are bathrooms, showers, water fill-up, dish washing station. Two dump stations are located near the entrance and are level and easily accessible. There is also a potable water fill-up near the dump stations. There are very few sites that will accommodate big-rigs as many are short. The website and reservation system has a map which identifies what size RV fits in each site. The larger and more private sites are 23 through 48. Some sites have electric and water and some are primitive. Many sites can be reserved in advance on-line (with a two-night minimum and max stay of two weeks). The campground does have quiet hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m which all campers abided by. By in large, this was a pretty quiet campground with most people keeping to themselves and void of loud music and parties. A couple of things to beware of are bugs and booze. Be prepared for black flies and mosquitoes, particularly in the spring and summer. Plus, ticks can be really bad so make sure you do tick checks regularly. And, park rules prohibit use of intoxicating beverages in public areas. We did all our drinking discretely at our site and didn’t have any problems.
Nearby is the Height of Lands which provides amazing expansive views, especially in the summer. The town of Rangely has the largest grocery store in the area, restaurants, and some shops and a theater. The nearby town of Oquossoc has a great brewpub(the Portage Tab House) and a great little historical outdoor-themed museum which is very interesting.
- Nancy W.Legend
Leisure Life Family Resort
Rustic Campground Adjacent to Hotel and Restaurant
This facility is a unique combination of campground(RV and tent), hotel, restaurant, bar, and golf driving range. Camping is in a grassy field or tucked into the woods. There are no hook-ups and no dump station. Sites are dispersed and have a fire pit and picnic table. Campsites are very affordable- the price is $25/night for two people and$10 for each additional person which means the price for four people would be$45/site (plus a 9% Maine tax). Some sites are tucked in the woods and more private, while others are more open. The grass was mowed and the campsites were clean. There is a bathhouse but it a quite a distance from the campsites. Amenities include a small catch and release trout pond (with a peddle boat available for use), volleyball net, and driving range. Access to snowmobiling and ATVing(which is really big in the area) is adjacent to the property. There is a restaurant and bar onsite but it is only open in the evenings three days a week and not open when we were there. However, the town of Greenville is very close with more dining options (we especially loved pizza from Jamos).
The surrounding area has lots of hiking trails and places to paddle. We loved paddling Prong Pong and Lilly Bay State Park and hiking in Little Moose Public Lands. Fall is a great time to visit this area as the autumn colors are fantastic. Another great time to come is for the International Seaplane Fly-in in early September when hundreds of seaplanes come for the event.
- WWill W.
GuideCupsuptic Lake Park & Campground
Car camping
Car camped Friday October 9, Columbus Day weekend, their last open weekend. CG was mostly full. Sites are too tightly packed for my liking and tent camping cost $38. Staff was neither friendly or unfriendly. Shower facilities were quite nice. Spacious with lots of room to shower and change without risk of getting clothes wet.
Dana M.GuideRangeley Lake State Park Campground
Great Little Campground
This is our second time here. We stopped here again because it’s close to Mtn Biking in the area. Bathrooms were clean. Shower pressure amazing.
- Dana M.Guide
Lake Francis State Park Campground
Well Maintained
This is out 2nd time here. Bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities are very clean and well maintained. Water sites are close together but the views are great. It’s very pleasant here.
Mary S.ScoutGrafton Notch Campground
Very nice campground
The campground is small but extremely well kept. Bathrooms very clean and up to date. Mo the woman who runs this campground is very sweet and attentive.
There is only one electric site. The other sites don’t have electric hook up.
- CChristine T.Scout
Cathedral Pines Campground
Excellent night
We got the last site. I assumed it would be a blah experience- I don’t usually stay at giant campgrounds with RV camping- I had it all wrong though. What a great place! It’s a very quiet, respectful place. Families everywhere who all are respectful- no screaming kids, drunk campers or barking dogs. Everywhere you saw folks walking, peddling bikes, rollerblading, and scooters. Kids playing happily in the park or having an old-school experience. The sites were spaces out enough so you have privacy with neighbors nearby. We lucked out that a blues band was rocking the pavilion- a great, friendly party where all ages were grooving and having fun. The lake boasts gorgeous views of The Bigs which I couldn’t get enough of. I’m not going to lie- most of the plates were Maine on Labor Day weekend. This strikes me as a home-based vacation that many Maine-ahs enjoy again and again. This Maine-ah will stay again on our next hike…
- CChristine T.Scout
Mountain View Motel & Campground
We left
There are 11 or 12 sites- each are right on top of each other in a very small space. Very small. We looked at each site and only two have a level space for a small tent. Seriously- angles everywhere because it is not a flat space. My recommendation to the owner would be to cut the number in half, 5 or 6 sites AFTER you truck in some material to flatten the areas. This “campground “ screams money grab and ripoff. We continued to a different place and had a fabulous night. It would have sucked at the motel site.
Guide to Carrabassett Valley
Tent campsites near Carrabassett Valley, Maine provide primitive wilderness experiences within the Bigelow Ecological Reserve and surrounding areas. Most sites receive seasonal use from May through October, with access becoming difficult during winter months. Overnight camping options range from designated sites with minimal amenities to completely undeveloped areas where campers must follow Leave No Trace principles.
What to do
Hiking access to mountain views: The Round Barn Campsites serve as an ideal base for hikers tackling Bigelow Mountain. "It is right next to the stafford brook trail to hike to the top of Bigelow and you can easily hike from your campsite to the top of the mountain and back within a day," notes camper Xzavier.
Water recreation options: Many camping areas near Flagstaff Lake allow direct water access for swimming and paddling. "The cove makes for safe swimming away from the wind and waves offshore," reports a Round Barn visitor. Water temperatures remain cold even in summer months, rarely exceeding 65°F.
Backcountry exploration: Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve Wilderness offers canoe-accessible campsites on Mooselookmeguntic Lake. "The lake is great for exploring both day and night. I've personally never seen so many stars as I did our on the lake in the evenings," writes Emily R. The preserve maintains strictly limited capacity to preserve the wilderness experience.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Several primitive sites at Myer's Lodge East feature direct lake access. "We had a blast having water access right from our site and the ability to park within steps of our tent," reports Anna W. The sites have sandy, level terrain suitable for tent setup without extensive preparation.
Wildlife observation: The relative isolation of camping areas increases wildlife viewing opportunities. "The echoing calls of loons during both day and night created an immersive natural ambiance, and the hooting owls added to the enchanting soundscape after sunset," writes a Bigelow Col visitor. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife observation opportunities.
Island camping experiences: Several campsites in the region feature island locations accessible by sandbar or boat. "Farrington island is my favorite spot. There are 2 sites. We always rent both so we are the only ones on the island," mentions Melissa G. at Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve. Island sites typically require additional preparation for transporting gear across water.
What you should know
Site availability challenges: The limited number of designated campsites means competition during summer weekends. "Stopped in to try and camp here, all the spots were taken. There were even people camping in their rooftop tents," reports Miccal M. about Round Barn Campsites. Arriving midweek or during shoulder seasons improves chances of securing a site.
Road conditions: Access roads to many camping areas require careful driving. "The Road is rough, but with care you can get there, just go slow," advises a Round Barn visitor. Logging roads and unmaintained forest routes may become impassable after heavy rain.
Water availability: Seasonal fluctuations affect water sources at backcountry sites. At Moose Falls Campsite, a camper noted: "Water source for the site had dried up when we got there but there was just enough flow on a spring that crossed the trail about 100 ft north of the site." Carrying additional water or filtration equipment is advisable.
Tips for camping with families
Temperature preparation: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly even during summer months. A camper at Myer's Lodge East reported: "Although it was chilly at night (33F!) we had a blast." Children require appropriate sleeping gear with temperature ratings below freezing even for summer camping.
Beach access: Cupsuptic Lake Park & Campground offers family-friendly water access. "Nice beach with little seating coves along the waters edge, offers a little privacy," notes Kevin W. The gradual entry points provide safer swimming areas for children compared to the deeper, rockier shorelines at more primitive sites.
Insect management: Biting insects present a significant challenge, particularly for families with young children. "Incredibly buggy. Site was advertise as next to the river, but had to walk through heavy vegetation to even see it," reports Erika H. about Cupsuptic Lake. Permethrin-treated clothing and appropriate repellents are essential from late May through September.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most camping areas near Carrabassett Valley prohibit or severely restrict RV access. "It mentioned on this site that it's for RV parking, but that isn't accurate. There is a parking lot (which you cannot camp in) and you must walk in (tent only)," clarifies A M. about Myer's Lodge East. RVs exceeding 20 feet face significant access limitations throughout the region.
Alternative lodging: For those seeking more comfort, Maine Huts & Trails provides backcountry accommodations with amenities. "Multiple huts laid out over 35 square miles in the heart of the Carrabasset Valley. Trails lead you into a paradise of Maine's backcountry. 5 huts are there for you to find, explore and stay at," explains Tony F. These huts offer a compromise between tent camping and RV comfort.
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campsite near Carrabassett Valley, ME?
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.
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