Best Tent Camping near Holden, ME
Tent campsites near Holden, Maine offer a mix of established campgrounds and more primitive options across the region's diverse landscape. The Hawnets Nest provides both walk-in tent sites and an A-frame accommodation, while Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land offers more remote tent camping experiences along its scenic shoreline. Other options include the Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss established campground, which features tent sites set among rolling blueberry fields approximately 30 miles south of Holden.
Most tent sites in the area provide basic amenities like fire rings, though facilities vary considerably between locations. Gassabias Lake campsites feature free primitive tent camping with picnic tables and vault toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Access to many backcountry tent sites requires driving on dirt roads that can be rough in spots, with some campgrounds located over 20 miles from paved roads. The Forest Poshtel and Donnell Pond sites have more rustic setups with minimal services. During summer months, insects can be problematic at many locations, particularly at wooded tent sites near water bodies.
Sites farther from town offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking solitude. At Donnell Pond, campers can choose between walk-in tent sites accessible by a half-mile hike or more remote boat-in camping options along the beaches. The pond offers swimming opportunities and mountain views that enhance the primitive camping experience. Several established tent campgrounds, including Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss, provide flat, open terrain ideal for setting up tents with some privacy between sites. A visitor commented that "the area was very quiet - at night we only heard the crickets and the wind." For backcountry tent camping at Gassabias Lake, a recent review noted the area is "a well-kept secret" with secluded spots that feature "wooded, path to the lake" settings where campers can enjoy the sounds of loons at night.
