Cabin accommodations near Lubec, Maine range from simple waterfront structures to unique treehouse options. Several campgrounds offer heated cabin rentals available from late spring through mid-fall, with most requiring a two-night minimum stay during peak season. Accessible primarily via Route 1 and Route 189, these properties sit between 30 minutes and 1 hour from the Canadian border crossing at Calais.
What to do
Fishing access: Keenes Lake Family Campground provides direct lake access with boat rentals available. "We stayed here one night in mid September. There are new owners and they are really nice people," notes a visitor, adding that it's a "quiet place with a pretty lake."
Hiking nearby: The Machias Rips Campsite offers access to woodland trails. "There is also a marked trail in the camp that leads deep into the woods, I followed it for about a mile before it got too thick for my interest," reports one camper who explored the area.
River recreation: Waterfront sites provide swimming and paddling opportunities. A visitor at Cottonwood Camping & RV Park mentioned the unique activities available: "This is the first campground we have stayed at that has ATV trail access, horse friendly camping, full hookups, pull through sites, tent camping, tent rentals, teepee rentals, 'tiny bird cabin', and a tree house."
What campers like
Waterfront views: Seaview Campground delivers on its name with premium ocean vistas. "What an awesome campground... We had site S11, one of the best for sure. Unobstructed view of the bay. You can see whales swimming by," wrote one reviewer who appreciated the scenery.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost sites at public lands. "Great free off grid camping near Canadian border," reports a visitor about Machias Rips Campsite, noting "camp sites today are very buggy - bring your repellent and/or netting."
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard cabins, some properties offer specialty lodging. According to one camper at Cottonwood Camping & RV Park: "This campground is absolutely adorable... I surprised my husband with the Teepee - we were not disappointed! A huge Teepee with a very comfortable queen size bed - a couch, table, area animal rugs, coffee maker and a fan if needed."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary significantly between properties. At Pleasant Lake Camping Area, cabin campers should verify bathroom access during booking as facilities aren't standardized across all sites.
Site conditions: Terrain may present challenges at some locations. One camper at Machias Rips noted: "There are about 5 spots. Some are rough and not super flat, but it's pretty and the river is right there. You can hear the highway but it's not too bad."
Ownership changes: Management transitions affect pricing and policies. A recent visitor to Seaview Campground cautioned: "Pay no attention to any reviews that are a year older as there are new owners now. The prices have tripled and there are 7 pages of rules you have to sign off on!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule water-based recreation during warmer months. A visitor to Keenes Lake Family Campground shared their experience: "The lake was clean and we swam, kayaked and crossed the lake on paddle boards. The campground is small with limited sites, but I would gladly return."
Off-season considerations: Fall visits require additional preparation. "I stayed in a small site, just me and my vehicle," explained one off-season camper at Keenes Lake, noting that "it is basic, but more like what you would find at national parks, which I prefer MUCH MORE."
Pet restrictions: Verify animal policies before booking. Some cabin camping near Lubec, Maine prohibits pets entirely, while others allow them with deposits ranging from $10-25 per stay.
Tips from RVers
Cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. At Machias Rips, experiences differ as one visitor reported needing to "drive 20 Minutes up the road for signal," while another noted "we had 4 bars of LTE service (AT&T) which was nice."
Site selection: Request specific sites when booking. At Seaview Campground, a camper recommended: "Had a choice of 3 campgrounds in the Eastport area during Covid but we wanted full hookup for our little teardrop trailer... The site is plenty large (there are some BIG rigs here) and we can see the bay from it although we are maybe 150 feet away."
Seasonal facilities: Expect reduced amenities during shoulder seasons. "New park so lots of construction going on. Owner is very helpful. Will be a great park when it really gets going," noted a visitor to Cottonwood Camping & RV Park, adding that rates were "35 to 45 bucks, in Maine thats not bad."
