Tent camping options near Georgetown, Maine include several primitive sites located on public reserves and private lands. The area features coastal terrain with elevation changes from sea level to over 200 feet at certain hiking-accessible tent sites. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F during day and 50-60°F at night, with significant cooling in fall camping months when overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F.
What to do
Water activities on Gardner Lake: At Tom's Retreat on Gardner Lake, visitors can enjoy lakefront camping with private water access. One camper shared: "Brought our own kayak to enjoy Gardner and Second Lakes!"
ATV trail riding: Near Gassabias Lake campsites, extensive ATV trail networks connect multiple towns. According to a reviewer: "Atv trail access from camp - can ride to Lincoln, Ellsworth, Grand Lake Stream, Machias and all points downeast from here."
Tidal exploration: The dramatic tides at Huckins Beach and Trail reach nearly 20 feet, creating unique beach conditions. A camper notes: "The preserve has an expansive gravel beach and hard pack sand when the tide goes out. Be mindful of the tides which are some of the highest in the country of nearly 20 feet."
Hiking nearby trails: Multiple trail systems connect to tent sites, with varying difficulty levels from easy beach walks to challenging coastal climbs. At Gassabias Lake, sites provide direct trail access while offering "secluded spots on a dead-end road."
What campers like
Solitude and quietness: The Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss campground offers tent sites with exceptional privacy. A camper described: "It was so quiet, private, and beautiful. I look forward to returning in the future!"
Sunrise views: Fair Head at Cutler Coast offers dramatic morning light. A reviewer explained: "This site gets hit by first light and you can watch the sun rise right out of your tent just by sitting up in your sleeping bag."
Loon watching: Wildlife observation opportunities abound at several tent sites. At Gassabias Lake, "If you enjoy listening to Loons, they put on quite a symphony."
Beach camping: Several sites feature direct beach access with swimming options. At Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land, a camper enjoyed "dinner on the beach as the sun set behind the lake and the hike the next morning was a good climb for only about a 3+ mile hike."
What you should know
Limited bathroom facilities: Most primitive tent sites have basic toilet setups. At Cutler Coast, facilities are described as "a small wooden box with a toilet seat, surrounded by hardware wire."
Water availability concerns: Seasonal water fluctuations affect camping comfort. A Fair Head camper warned: "I've heard that most of the water sources are totally dry by the middle of the summer so you may need to hike in all your water."
First-come, first-served system: Most tent sites in the region cannot be reserved. At Black Point Cove, there is "supposed to be a register at the trail head for folx to sign in on to help prevent you from hiking in and not being able to find a site."
Vehicle restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit certain vehicle types. Huckins Beach and Trail "is for tent camping only with five tent sites and does not even allow RVs in the parking lot."
Tips for camping with families
Short hike-in options: For families, consider sites with minimal carrying distance. At Donnell Pond, "the hike in is only about 1/2 mile so it's totally doable even if you need to make two trips."
Blueberry picking: Children particularly enjoy the Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss campground where campers can pick fresh berries. A visitor mentioned: "We absolutely loved this site... we swam in the water everyday, and picked/ate the blueberries!"
Beach swimming: Several tent sites offer safe swimming options for families. One camper at Donnell Pond noted: "We boated to the boat with our gear and camped there... We were able to swim here as well."
Cemetery awareness: Some sites have unique features to consider. At Huckins Beach and Trail, "there is a cemetery nearby so if you are disturbed by sleeping near dead people nearby you may want to go somewhere else."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most tent camping options near Georgetown restrict vehicle types. Even at Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss, which allows small RVs, one visitor specified: "It is dry camping, with no hookups, and generators are not allowed."
Site selection for larger vehicles: For those with RVs seeking tent camping near Georgetown, select open areas. A Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss camper reported: "We stayed in campsite 2, where the land is open and flat, and there was plenty of room for our rv."
Power planning: The lack of electricity requires advance preparation. As one RVer noted about Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss: "This is private land that the owner rents to campers... There are 4 total campsites, and each offers a slightly different view and sense of privacy."
