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Best Dispersed Camping near Castine, ME

4 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Castine, Maine centers exclusively on boat-in island sites within the Deer Isle Archipelago, managed by the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA). Buckle Island offers two sites with easy beach access, making it ideal for novice sea kayakers. Wheat Island provides two camping areas with sunset views, though landing can be challenging at high tide. Marshall Island features two established sites with tent platforms and picnic tables near Sand Cove, known for exceptional stargazing opportunities.

These primitive island campsites require proper preparation as they have no facilities, drinking water, or trash service. Campers must bring fresh water and waste disposal bags. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are free for MITA members. A review mentioned, "This can be a tricky island to land on at high tide, so plan accordingly." Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly at sunset, even in early September. Doliver Island offers extremely limited space with "barely a tent space," but serves as a strategic stopping point when crossing Jericho Bay.

Map showing campgrounds near Castine, MaineExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Castine, Maine (4)

    1. Buckle Island

    1 Review
    Stonington, ME
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225

    "One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites – one larger area up in the woods, the other quite small near the granite shore, but"

    2. Wheat Island

    1 Review
    Isle au Haut, ME
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225

    "One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one very small one on the northeast side, the other perfect for larger groups on the"

    3. Marshall Island

    1 Review
    Swans Island, ME
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225

    "One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one on the southeast side near Sand Cove and the other on the northeast side of the"

    4. Doliver Island

    1 Review
    Isle au Haut, ME
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Castine, ME

7 Photos of 4 Castine Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Castine, ME

4 Reviews of 4 Castine Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2019

    Wheat Island

    Gorgeous Views of the Gulf

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one very small one on the northeast side, the other perfect for larger groups on the southwest side. We stayed at the larger site and had a gorgeous view of the sun setting and full moon rising. 

    Perfect island for exploring the close-by Isle au Haut, a remote section of Acadia National Park, but very hard to get reservations at Duck Harbor Campground. This can be a tricky island to land on at high tide, so plan accordingly. 

    Be prepared for mosquitoes. We thought we were passed mosquito season in early September, but alas, they were pretty bad at sunset. Come prepared with fresh water (there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). 

    Sites are first come, first served and completely free for MITA members.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2019

    Buckle Island

    Perfect island for those new to sea kayak camping

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites – one larger area up in the woods, the other quite small near the granite shore, but both accessible from the east side of the island. We stayed at the site by the shore and had a gorgeous view of the sun setting. 

    This is a perfect island for those new to sea kayak camping as the sandy shore, which is exposed for a good portion of the day, is easy to land on and a short walk to a trail into the woods. 

    Come prepared with fresh water(there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). Sites are first come, first served and completely free for MITA members.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2019

    Marshall Island

    The Most Magical Island in the Gulf of Maine

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one on the southeast side near Sand Cove and the other on the northeast side of the island. We stayed at one of the 2 sites near Sand Cove which is a truly gorgeous wooded area with a tent platform and a picnic table at each site. Sand Cove is perfect for a beach fire and stargazing on a clear night– some of the best stargazing spots we’ve ever seen! 

    Despite the fact that the other islands had pesky mosquitoes, this site had none. Come prepared with fresh water (there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). If you happen to need a food or water resupply, Swan’s Island is a short paddle away and has a very small grocery store and town office with fresh water. Sites are first come, first served and completely free for MITA members. And, if you do a beach clean-up during your stay and send in a picture, you will receive a Maine Coast Heritage Trust hat!

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2019

    Doliver Island

    Spot for Just 1 Tent...Barely!

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island is small with barely a tent space, but a good stop for us on our 9 day journey and a perfect launching spot for crossing Jericho Bay (4.5 miles) to Marshall Island the next day.   Gorgeous shell covered beach and a beautiful view of Isle au Haut, just next door.

    This can be a tricky island to land on at high tide, so plan accordingly. Be prepared for mosquitoes. We thought we were passed mosquito season in early September, but alas, they were pretty bad all day long. 

    Come prepared with fresh water (there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). Site is first come, first served and completely free for MITA members.

Guide to Castine

Dispersed camping near Castine, Maine is concentrated on several islands in the Deer Isle Archipelago, all requiring boat access. These sites are managed by the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) and are free for MITA members. Buckle Island features two camping sites - a larger wooded area and a smaller shore site with granite coastline. Wheat Island offers two sites with views of the Gulf of Maine, including one suitable for larger groups on the southwest side. Marshall Island provides two camping areas with tent platforms and picnic tables, including sites near Sand Cove.

All island camping requires preparation as no facilities or services exist. Campers must bring fresh water, as none is available for filtering, and pack out all waste using wag bags since no toilets are provided. Landing can be challenging at high tide, particularly on Wheat and Doliver Islands. These backcountry camping areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A review mentioned that "Marshall Island is perfect for a beach fire and stargazing on a clear night—some of the best stargazing spots we've ever seen!" Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially around sunset, though Marshall Island reportedly has fewer insects than neighboring islands.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Castine, ME is Buckle Island with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Castine, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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