Best Tent Camping near Eustis, ME
Tent camping opportunities near Eustis, Maine include several primitive sites within the Bigelow Ecological Reserve, where backcountry tent campsites offer seclusion and mountain views. Bigelow Col Campsite and Moose Falls Campsite provide established tent-only locations with minimal amenities, while Round Barn Campsites offers walk-in tent sites with water access. Most locations are accessible via forest roads that may require careful navigation during wet conditions.
Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Myer's Lodge East and West provide free walk-in tent camping with picnic tables and fire rings but no running water. Many backcountry tent sites require permits for fires, obtainable by calling local ranger stations. The Round Barn Campsites include pit toilets but no running water or electricity, and all sites are walk-in only. A camper noted that "the road is rough, but with care you can get there, just go slow."
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking the nearby Appalachian Trail sections or exploring the Bigelow Preserve. Sites at Round Barn Campsites provide direct water access with some tent platforms located on small islands accessible by sandbar. The area offers significant privacy compared to more developed campgrounds, with one visitor noting that "Round Barn Campsites offers a dozen or so tent sites with two big group sites... Great secluded spot where you won't feel crowded like at Baxter or Grafton notch areas." Many backcountry tent locations feature views of surrounding mountains and ponds, with opportunities for paddling, fishing, and wildlife observation, particularly loons and owls which can be heard throughout the night.