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Best Tent Camping near Dexter, ME

182 Reviews

Primitive tent campgrounds scatter the wooded landscape surrounding Dexter, Maine, where tent campers find secluded sites within the Little Moose Public Lands and near Wilson Streams Area. These established backcountry tent camping locations typically offer basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers, with many sites requiring short walks from parking areas to reach the actual camping spots.

Most tent sites feature cleared ground with fire rings and basic picnic tables, though surface conditions vary from packed dirt to forest duff. Walk-in tent locations like those at The Hawnets Nest and Camp of the Woods require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas. Several primitive tent campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with 14-day maximum stays common at public land sites. Vault toilets or enclosed pit toilets are present at some locations, but potable water is rarely available, making water filtration equipment essential. Fire permits are required at many backcountry tent camping areas, with permits available by calling local forest service numbers.

Tent campers particularly value the waterfront sites found at locations like Rum Pond Campsite and Big Moose Pond Campsite, where direct pond access provides swimming and fishing opportunities. Tree cover at most tent-only sites offers shade and natural privacy screening between campsites. Many backcountry tent locations serve as excellent starting points for day hikes or longer treks, with trails like the Little Moose Ponds Loop Trail offering scenic views of surrounding ponds and mountains. Sites situated farther from main roads provide greater seclusion and wildlife viewing opportunities. According to one visitor at Little Moose Pond Campsite, "The campsite is tucked in the woods so you get some shade and privacy. Since you are right on the water, there are great views of the pond and surrounding woodlands."

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Best Tent Sites Near Dexter, Maine (23)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dexter, ME

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Tent Camping Reviews near Dexter, ME

182 Reviews of 23 Dexter 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.

  • R
    Oct. 14, 2020

    Pushaw Lake Campground

    Quick Trip

    I’ll preface this by saying that we got in after dark and left by 10am so this review is limited. First, while being very nice the front desk worker was not very helpful in helping us understand the layout and our best choice for tent camping that night. She was just not very communicative. After some prodding questions that felt like I was pulling teeth, we chose site 1 which was by the beach and the only tent site in that area of the campground. It was mid Sept on a particularly windy and unseasonably cold night. The wind was coming right off the lake which made it particularly hard to set up. Blocking the wind with our car was our only choice. After we got settled in, a nice fire and a little bourbon made it all worthwhile. While not very private because we were right next to an RV (all the RVs were lined up on the waterfront with little space between), it was still quite a lakefront spot. The site included a picnic table, a fire ring and a charcoal grill. Buckets of well seasoned wood were available at the camp store right next to us. It had a nice porch to sit on for the morning sun but unfortunately, that looked the opposite way from the lake toward the dense central campground. The camp store had a nice indoor dining area with views toward the lake that I believe was also closed for the season. All in all, I would recommend this if you’re not very concerned with privacy and want a beautiful lake to camp by.

  • 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.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks)

    Worth the hike-in, very close to the AT

    Beautiful hike-in sites located along the Pleasant River, and a great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or in Gulf Hagas area!  We didn’t stay at these sites, but came across them while hiking just off the AT. 

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, with access to a clean latrine (with TP!).  No potable water is available, but the river is easily accessible for dishwashing and boiling/filtering. Firewood is available for purchase at the access gate at Katahdin Iron Works, but keep in mind you’ll have to carry it about ¾ of a mile, and across a river. 

    For safety, no bikes or ATV’s are allowed beyond the Katahdin Iron Works gate, as these roads belong to the logging companies in the area and there can be many fast-moving logging trucks. The town of Milo is where you’ll find the closest grocery stores and gas stations, but it’s a bit of a drive so come prepared. 

    Note about costs: Located in the Maine North Woods, getting here is quite a journey, but ooohh so worth it. It’s on the way to nowhere, you have to pay to get through the gate at Katahdin Iron Works, pay a daily access fee, and daily camping fee.  Note: If you are planning to backpack on the AT from this location, the pricing is very different, so be sure to ask!

  • 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.

  • Gary J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Dunn Point Campground — Lily Bay State Park

    Camp in the woods

    We were surprised to find the camp sites large and heavily wooded. You could still see you neighbors but they were far enough away to not be a bother. No electric but water was available at sites around the loop. Generators are allowed to run between 8am and 8 pm. Nice swimming beach but quite a hike from the campsites. You are near the water but most sites are not on the water. Vault toilets are usually close by and there is only one shower house for the whole camp located between the loops. Shower house is divided into separate compartments which include toilets and single shower and sink. Ice and firewood was available at the ranger checkpoint station. Sanitation dump was located across the street from the comfort station and camp host. Overall rustic but still nice and comfortable.

  • 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.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2019

    Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks)

    First time we've seen moose FROM our campsite!

    This was an unexpectedly beautiful site and great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or Gulf Hagas area! We were seeking a place to stay 1 night just before embarking on a backpacking trip. The woman at the Katahdin Ironworks gatehouse selected the site for us and couldn’t have picked a better one. 

    Lots of privacy, beautiful view of the river, and we even were visited by a moose and her calf one evening! Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring, with access to a private, clean latrine (with TP!) across the road. No potable water is available, but the stream is easily accessible for dishwashing and boiling/filtering. Firewood is available for purchase at the access gate at Katahdin Iron Works. 

    For safety, no bikes or ATV’s are allowed beyond the Katahdin Iron Works gate, as these roads belong to the logging companies in the area and there can be many fast-moving logging trucks. The town of Milo is where you’ll find the closest grocery stores and gas stations, but it’s a bit of a drive so come prepared. 

    Note about costs: Located in the Maine North Woods, getting here is quite a journey, but ooohh so worth it. It’s on the way to nowhere, you have to pay to get through the gate at Katahdin Iron Works, pay a daily access fee, and daily camping fee. Note: If you are planning to backpack on the AT from this location, the pricing is very different, so be sure to ask!

  • L
    Sep. 18, 2021

    Dunn Point Campground — Lily Bay State Park

    Gateway to Moosehead's vast wilderness

    Absolutely one of the jewels in the Maine State Park System, Lily Bay on enormous Moosehead Lake is generally open year round. Historically, this area was part of the Northern Canoe Trail and an important logging tract. It’s reasonably close to the Maine finish of the AT at Mt.Katahdin. 

    It is worth remembering that weather can change suddenly on the lake and on the shore including substantial wind gusts and rain storms. Herds of deer are prevalent in the campground, and there are a few coyotes. 

    Lily Bay, 9 miles north of Greenville, has two distinct camping clusters: Dunn Point and Rowell Cove. Each camping cluster has a trailerable boat launch area although these facilities may be more slightly more appealing on Dunn Point which also includes a playground and swim beach. Fishing is a very active sport on Moosehead. 

    This review seeks only to observe the park from a tent camper’s point of view. There are hot showers in a central location called“comfort station” near the entrance. This multi-use comfort center is kept scrupulously clean. There is a helpful shower chair in each of about 6 shower bathrooms. Otherwise, there are vault outhouses throughout the park. One generally has to arrive at the plumbed comfort station by car. It is some distance from campsites. It may be nearly a mile from some of the campsites so campers will generally use the out-houses, not central bathrooms. 

    Extensive usage of RV’s in the park means that if tent campers want to avoid being next to an RV they should select sites that are classified as“walk-in tent sites”. You don’t have to walk very far when using these sites but the category protects the tent user. In Dunn Point walk-in sites are 200T; 201T; 213T; 214T; 215T; 221T; 222T; 223T; 224T; 231T. In Rowell Cove sites that are protected for clusters of tents are 33T;34T; 35T; 36T; 37T; 38T; 39T; 40T; 41T; 44T; 45T; 46T. Site 41T has the longest walk-in path in the park. These tent sites are reasonably spaced and this reviewer can say that on Dunn point the most coveted beach tent site is the non-reservable site 221T. Most sites that front the water on Dunn Point are elevated high above the water, but sites 221T; 222T; and 223T have direct open water beach access. If you are a tent camper, regardless of which site you have reserved— it is definitely worth asking the park clerks if sites 221T; 222T, and 223T are open on Dunn Point. 

    Park check-in closes about 4-4:30 and after that each camper does a self check-in on the specific site that has been reserved in advance. 

    The park sells ice and wood. 

    The forest in this 900 acre park is mixed spruce, cedar, hemlock, birch and maple. Each night loons call to each other.

Guide to Dexter

Tent campsites near Dexter, Maine offer diverse backcountry camping opportunities throughout Maine's central highlands region. Most primitive sites sit at elevations between 900-1,200 feet, with seasonal temperature variations making summer and early fall the optimal camping periods. Water access determines campsite popularity, with pond-adjacent locations filling quickly during peak season weekends.

What to do

Hiking trails access: The Little Moose Public Lands trail system provides multiple difficulty levels for day hikers. At Rum Pond Campsite, campers can explore the 4.3-mile Rum Pond Loop trail directly from their site. According to Nancy W., "The Rum Pond loop trail is approximately 4.3 miles round-trip and definitely worth a hike. We saw massive amounts of moose droppings along the trail near Cranberry Pond."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings offer prime moose spotting conditions throughout the region. Nancy W. reports, "We did see a large bull moose at the small pond just off to the right-hand side as you enter Rum Pond Road from Ki Road." Bring binoculars for optimal wildlife viewing.

Water activities: Many tent sites provide direct water access for fishing and paddling. At Wilson Streams Area, Nancy W. notes, "Sites 1, 2, 3, and 6 are right along the stream with access to the water and nice tall trees for shade... 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."

What campers like

Secluded pond locations: Waterfront campsites remain the most sought-after options. At Little Notch Pond Campsite, campers appreciate the remoteness. Nancy W. explains, "The pond is located deep in the public lands area and nicely tucked into the woods away from any road noise or busy spots in the park... The campsite is not very large so multiple tents may not fit but it is secluded and very nice."

Canoe access: Several sites feature stored watercraft for camper use. At Little Moose Pond Campsite, "A couple of canoes are stashed at the campsite and we were not sure who owns them but one was unlocked and there were two paddles propped against a tree."

Proximity to small towns: Many campers value the combination of wilderness camping with nearby amenities. Nancy notes that "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."

What you should know

Fire permit requirements: Most primitive sites require advance authorization for campfires. For Big Moose Pond Campsite, Nancy W. advises, "You need to call 207-695-3721 to see if you can obtain a permit before starting a fire."

Water filtration necessity: No potable water exists at primitive sites. Campers must filter water from nearby streams or ponds or carry in their supply. For Little Moose Public Lands campsites, the pond serves as the only water source.

Frequently Asked Questions

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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dexter, ME is The Hawnets Nest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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