Tent camping near Cranberry Isles, Maine provides access to some of the most secluded coastal camping in New England. Situated in Hancock County with an average summer temperature of 75°F and winter lows around 10°F, the camping season typically runs from late May through mid-October. Many campsites in the region experience significant winds off the Gulf of Maine, with gusts regularly reaching 15-25 mph in exposed areas.
What to do
Kayak fishing: Launch from the Stonington public dock to access Nathan Island and other nearby camping spots. One visitor noted, "We went fishing and did catch a couple of fish! These are public/free and first come first serve sites."
Hiking on Isle au Haut: Duck Harbor Campground in Acadia National Park offers access to "several miles of moderate hikes" with one camper mentioning it's "a great place to just get away." The island can be reached via mailboat from Stonington from late June to late September.
Blueberry picking: Visit Continuous Harmony Farm during late July and early August to pick organic wild blueberries. A reviewer recommends you can "pick your own blueberries alongside their raking crew in their organic wild blueberry barrens."
What campers like
Private island camping: Nathan Island is described as "perfect for 1-2 small tents and is just a stone's throw away from the famous and beautiful Isle au Haut." Campers appreciate that it's near Stonington village, which "has everything you may need for your island camping adventure."
Secluded beach sites: At Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land, campers enjoy the shoreline locations. One camper shared, "There are two beaches that you can camp on that have sites with fire rings and picnic tables" and "We were able to swim here as well."
Star viewing: Many island campsites offer exceptional night sky viewing without light pollution. One camper at Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss noted, "The area was very quiet - at night we only heard the crickets and the wind."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: For Duck Harbor, reservations open April 1st at 10am EST and fill quickly. A camper warns, "if you don't go online within 10 minutes of opening day, April 1st, at 10 am EST, you will miss your chance to stay here for the whole year."
Site identification challenges: Several campgrounds lack clear markings. At Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss, a visitor noted, "it was a little difficult to find our site as there was nothing labeled" and at Donnell Pond, campers found "the trails aren't well labeled with very little information at the site."
Access limitations: Shivers Island and many other islands require careful planning around tides. A reviewer notes the "tide in this area is significant (9-12 vertical feet), and landing at high tide is nearly impossible on Shivers (and many other islands)."
Tips for camping with families
Backup plans: Always have alternative camping options ready when island camping. For island camping near Stonington, "since all of the islands are first-come, first-served, have a back-up plan for camping on another island."
Boat-free options: For families without watercraft, Donnell Pond offers walk-in sites. A camper notes, "The hike in is only about 1/2 mile so it's totally doable even if you need to make two trips."
Water safety: Tides affect swimming conditions throughout the day. One camper mentioned that at Donnell Pond, "This lake is huge so keep that in mind. We parked at the public dock that has public parking and boated over to the beach."
Tips from RVers
Farm camping options: Limited RV sites exist on some private properties. At Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss, "We stayed in campsite 2, where the land is open and flat, and there was plenty of room for our rv."
Off-grid preparation: Most island-accessible sites have no facilities. An RVer staying at a farm campground noted, "It is dry camping, with no hookups, and generators are not allowed."
Alternate housing: For RVers wanting to explore islands, consider temporary base camps. Four Acre Woods Campground offers both RV sites and canvas tents, though one visitor noted, "there was nothing in the tent. There weren't any photos of the inside of the tent in the listing."
Legend
