Best Tent Camping near Houlton, ME
The forested wilderness surrounding Houlton, Maine offers tent campers several established options within driving distance. Lunksoos Campground in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument provides dedicated walk-in tent sites along the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Approximately 70 miles northwest of Houlton, Trout Brook Farm Campground in Baxter State Park offers tent-only camping in a serene setting with mountain views, operating seasonally from early June through mid-October.
Tent-only sites at Lunksoos Campground include seven walk-in locations, with two group sites featuring tent platforms and parking nearby. The remaining five sites form a small loop through wooded terrain, including one accessible site. Basic amenities include vault toilets, bear boxes, picnic tables, and fire rings. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own or treat water from natural sources. Roads accessing these primitive tent camping areas may be rough and occasionally used by logging trucks. Trout Brook Farm provides similar basic facilities with the addition of canoe rentals for lake access.
According to reviews, tent campers at Lunksoos appreciate the quiet setting compared to nearby campgrounds that allow RVs. One visitor noted that "midweek in August, only one site was occupied," highlighting the solitude available at this backcountry tent camping location. For longer stays or weekend visits, reservations through Recreation.gov are recommended, though single-night stays operate on a first-come, first-served basis. At Trout Brook Farm, campers report beautiful surroundings with "open grasslands on the edge of a forest ringed by mountains." Wildlife encounters are common at both locations, with visitors reporting bear activity near Lunksoos and raccoons at Trout Brook Farm. Proper food storage is essential at these primitive tent campgrounds, with visitors advised to use provided bear boxes or hang food supplies.