Best Campgrounds near Machias, ME

The Machias region of coastal Maine contains a range of camping environments from developed facilities to remote backcountry sites. Cobscook Bay State Park Campground offers boat-in and drive-in access with tent and RV accommodations, while the Cutler Coast Public Land provides more primitive hike-in camping along dramatic coastal bluffs. Several private campgrounds like Cottonwood Camping & RV Park offer additional options with full hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations including teepees. South Bay on Rocky Lake and Tom's Retreat on Gardner Lake provide lakefront camping opportunities with varying levels of amenities.

Seasonal considerations heavily influence the camping experience in this region. Most developed campgrounds operate from May through mid-October, with Cobscook Bay State Park and similar facilities closing for the winter season. The coastal sites along Cutler Coast have limited fresh water sources that often dry up by mid-summer, requiring campers to carry in all drinking water. Trail conditions can be challenging with boggy sections and rugged terrain along the coast. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly at remote sites. Public lands typically have a 14-day stay limit within a 45-day period. As one camper noted, "The Bold Coast is a mixture of bogs and wetlands, rocky and craggy coast line and pretty amazing maritime fir forests. The terrain is moderate in difficulty as it undulates, with several amazing overlooks."

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region. The five primitive campsites along Cutler Coast offer spectacular ocean views but remain in high demand due to their limited number and prime locations. Several visitors highlighted the sunrise views from coastal sites as exceptional experiences. Campgrounds on inland lakes like Rocky Lake and Gardner Lake provide alternatives with swimming access and more privacy. Developed campgrounds typically provide picnic tables, fire rings, and basic toilet facilities, while the primitive sites on public lands feature only rudimentary amenities. One visitor to Tom's Retreat described it as an "amazing lakefront lot, very private and comes with a big common area to BBQ." Black flies and mosquitoes are frequently mentioned in reviews as significant considerations during spring and summer months, making proper preparation essential for an enjoyable experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Machias, Maine (75)

    1. Cobscook Bay State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Whiting, ME
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 726-4412

    $20 / night

    "We had a tent site (53) that had a short root-laden walk into the site, but not bad and well worth the bay view."

    "One of the best campgrounds we’ve been to in America, beautiful views, close to amazing hiking (highly recommend bold coast trail)."

    2. Cutler Coast Public Land — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve

    7 Reviews
    Whiting, ME
    15 miles
    Website

    "The coast of Maine offers very few places for overnight backpacking or even just seaside hiking. The Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land is one great option."

    "This is probably the most beautiful coastal location in the state of Maine. The campsites are very limited and this is a popular spot. Show up early to get one!"

    3. Cottonwood Camping & RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Addison, ME
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 598-8497

    "The very clean restrooms were located nearby , which was convient. The staff was so friendly and very accommodating."

    "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"

    4. Tom's Retreat on Gardner Lake

    1 Review
    Machiasport, ME
    7 miles
    +1 (347) 595-3963

    $42 / night

    "Brought our own kayak to enjoy Gardner and Second Lakes!"

    5. South Bay on Rocky Lake

    2 Reviews
    Whitneyville, ME
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-4412

    "After turning off the highway you take a dirt road for about a mile until you see a sign for the campsites."

    "Picked this location because it was close to several locations we could take day trips to the coast. Visited Bar Harbor, Eastport and several places in between."

    6. Sunset Point Campground

    6 Reviews
    Addison, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 483-4412

    "Nice old fashioned campground on a classic Maine Bay. Full hookups or tent sites with grass and trees"

    "Nice old fashioned campground on a classic Maine Bay. Full hookups or tent sites with grass and trees. Tmobile 4g with a strong signal"

    7. Mud Landing On Rocky Lake

    1 Review
    Whitneyville, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 941-4412

    8. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    98 Reviews
    Seal Harbor, ME
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3274

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Close proximity to Bar Harbor and a lot of the main attractions of the national park. Showers are just outside of the entrance to the campground, coin operated."

    "quiet, wooded, relatively secluded. good spot at 111 where we stayed. nice places for tents. private showers outside main camping area were a positive since none in camping area itself."

    9. Long Point — Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve

    1 Review
    Whiting, ME
    16 miles
    Website

    "This spot is situated right along the Maine coast and has one heck of a view, not to mention a nice gravel beach!"

    10. Jonesport Campground

    1 Review
    Roque Bluffs, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 263-6576

    $35 / night

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Recent Reviews near Machias, ME

491 Reviews of 75 Machias Campgrounds


  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Machias Rips Campsite

    Nice enough

    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. Only real negative for me was nowhere to really walk my dogs, nothing even close to a trail nearby. Just the highway.

  • Yung H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Good spot but wood is rough

    I love the spot but all the wood is from outside the campgrounds. Its not so “dry” more like just chopped and bundled had to tend to it for over a hour+ just to get enough dry to keep the fire going. But overall a very nice quite camprground.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Machias River Camp off Route 9

    My favorite spot in Maine!!

    Super cool mixed use land with established campsites. 6 or 7 in total I think. Right on Machias river. Great ATT service.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    So lucky!

    We tried staying here in the summer a few years back and it filled up weeks ahead of time. We got lucky this trip and got one spot open same day. Got here super late and was surrounded by other campers but the trees all around gave us privacy and everyone was super quiet so no disruptive folks like so many campgrounds. The bathrooms don’t have showers of course but they are so clean it was a great thing from other sites pit toilets. If you’re in Acadia this is the spot!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Forest Ridge Campground

    Clean, quiet and affordable

    Stayed here while visiting friends and Acadia NP. Facilities very clean every time I saw them. Showers were nice but you need to wait for the hot water. Run it all hot and it will get there in a little while. Wood available on site. Open spaces in the middle with no trees or shrubs. Campers can be very close. Sides have more wooded sites. Not too many seasonal looking sites. 1 issue: our clean out was a bit high so had to lift sewer hose to clear it out. Didn’t use pool , laundry area worked good , screen porch at facility building. Fire ring worked out well, kept lots of heat in. We were off-season mid September. Reservation system forced us into our site, wants to charge a site selection fee.

  • B
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Great campground

    quiet, wooded, relatively secluded. good spot at 111 where we stayed. nice places for tents. private showers outside main camping area were a positive since none in camping area itself.

  • S
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Nice location, actually on the ocean

    A bit pricey, but it is a nice location and the free island bus stops right at the KOA

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Beautiful campground and a beautiful park!

    A good campground in a absolutely wonderful park. There's a lot of trees around so even though the campsites are close together they feel very private. Good amount of bathrooms, trash cans, and water spickets


Guide to Machias

Camping near Machias, Maine, offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors while exploring beautiful landscapes and local attractions. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and enjoy nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in Acadia National Park. One camper mentioned, "I love that the southern ridge trailhead for Cadillac mountain leaves from the campgrounds and connects to a bunch of other trails" at Blackwoods Campground.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Seawall Campground noted, "Many other reviewers have reported seeing Moose near or in the campground here."
  • Kayaking: Take advantage of the nearby water for kayaking. A review for Cobscook Bay State Park Campground highlighted, "The kayaking is great."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. One reviewer at Mount Desert Campground said, "Restrooms were very clean and there was plenty of hot water for the coin-operated showers."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A camper at Schoodic Woods Campground mentioned, "The sites are carefully designed so that although you might hear your neighbor you likely will not see them."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Smuggler's Den Campground shared, "Check-in was easy and staff was friendly."

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Some campgrounds do not take reservations. A camper at Bar Harbor Campground noted, "This campground is huge, and takes no reservations, so it works great for us who don’t like to plan ahead."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. A review for Schoodic Woods Campground stated, "There are no showers onsite so come prepared."
  • Bug Spray is Essential: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance. A camper at Cobscook Bay State Park Campground advised, "Definitely bring insect repellent and/or a screen room."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Smuggler's Den Campground mentioned, "The playground was great for the kids."
  • Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise during quiet hours. One camper at Hadley's Point Campground noted, "The only problem was kids running around during quiet hour."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have stores for snacks and essentials. A visitor at Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA said, "The camp store was well stocked."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Schoodic Woods Campground advised, "Choose your site carefully if you have a large rig."
  • Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A review for Hadley's Point Campground mentioned, "The only negative was lack of enough sewer necessitating a $12 pump out."
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Be aware that Wi-Fi can be spotty. A visitor at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort noted, "WiFi is sketchy with low signal and frequent drops."

Camping near Machias, Maine, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great destination for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Machias, Maine?

The Machias area offers several excellent camping options. Machias Rips Campsite provides a beautiful riverfront experience with 2 RV sites, 3 tent sites, and a lean-to shelter right on the river bank. For those seeking more seclusion, Third Machias Lake - Machias River Cooridor offers primitive camping accessible via the Little River Road. The area also features South Bay on Rocky Lake near East Machias for a more rustic, free camping experience. Additionally, the region has several dispersed camping options along the Machias River Corridor Public Lands, ideal for paddlers and hikers looking for a wilderness experience.

Is there a state park with camping options in Machias?

While there isn't a state park directly in Machias, Cobscook Bay State Park Campground is the closest state park with camping facilities, located about 45 minutes from Machias. This park offers private, remote sites with spectacular bay views - some campers particularly recommend site 53 for its water views. The park is known for its pristine environment and serves as an excellent base for exploring Maine's rugged Downeast coast. For those willing to travel a bit further, Lamoine State Park Campground provides another state park option within reasonable driving distance of the Machias area.

Are RV rentals available in the Machias area?

RV rentals are limited directly in Machias, but there are options in the broader region. Mainstay Cottages & RV Park in Winter Harbor (about an hour from Machias) offers a small RV site with great ocean views. For those planning to bring their own RV, Cottonwood Camping & RV Park near Columbia Falls provides suitable facilities with big-rig-friendly sites. To rent an RV in this region, you'll likely need to arrange it from larger towns like Bangor or Ellsworth and drive to your destination. Many visitors to the area bring their own RVs rather than renting locally due to the limited rental options in this rural part of Maine.