80 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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)."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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"
"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."
"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"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Gravel lot about half a mile down the main road going east and it’s a turn off on your left. There’s a public parking sign and doesn’t say anything about no overnight parking."
"The area serves as a hub for day hikes and offers five oceanfront walk-in campsites. Most vehicles in the lot belong to hikers and campers."
"The tent sites are great — right on the water’s edge — and much more spacious and private than the hookup sites."
"The location is directly on Johnson Bay which is beautiful to see. It's in a remote part of Maine but there is a chocolatier across the street, a grocery store just north (IGA I think it might be)."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability
GuideLocation/Location - near the major attractions with clearly marked trails to hike to Adventureland. Sites were small but separated nicely with trees and shrubs. Only 50% full week after Labor Day. Also, Forrest ranger education in amphitheater each evening. Great park and stay!
GuideBeautiful setting, huge sites, and hike and bike trails right from the campground. Would come again!
ScoutThis campground is wonderful and I highly recommend. Check-in was a breeze. There is ample room for multiple rigs to park during check-in. We reserved a golf cart for our stay as the campground is large. The golf cart was ready upon our check in. We were happy that we had it for the week we stayed.
There is a family fun zone with water slides, pools, mini golf, etc. It is small enough to easily keep watch over children, but large enough for them to have fun. There is a little cafe by the pools so parents can easily purchase food and treats without leaving the area.
We stayed in "D" Loop. It was very quiet there. There is space between the campsites and we didn't feel like we were crowded.
The entire campground was very clean. The bathroom/shower facilities and laundry are cleaned multiple times a day. The campsites and roads were groomed, level and very clean.
There were always plenty of staff working at any given time. All were very pleasant and helpful.
We will definitely stay at this campground again when in the area.
GuideStayed three nights and really everything was great. Site was close to the eastern bay and sunrise. Bathroom were old, rustic rustic, and a quarter to shower. Pool was nice and laundry facilities was actually really nice and lots of machines. Spent a very rainy day morning doing laundry. That’s what you do when it is racing cats and dogs, right? Location to Acadia and Bar Harbor just fine. Big benefit was the restaurant across the street, Lobster Pound! Yes, ear there at least once. Not cheap but great hot lobsters roll and lobster feast. Yum yum!
TravelerAmazing views. The camp hosts are salt of the earth. Unfortunately there are some changes coming. They are loosing 10 campsites next season.
ScoutWe had a terrific stay at Blackwoods campground. It was very quiet throughout our stay despite being almost at capacity; other campers were respectful and friendly. The campsite and bathroom were clean, but bring your own hand soap! Friendly, frequently seen rangers and professional/informative check-in. Acadia is amazingly beautiful, with many hikes nearby and a free shuttle bus that can take you to several different spots throughout Acadia.
TravelerWe stayed one night. Standard Maine camp - neighbors 20’ away on three sides.
Price is $25-$70.
This is a good spot if you’re visiting Jonesport or Cherryfield.
Staff is very friendly.
ScoutIts a great location, easy access. The local free bus comes right to the park entrance if you dont want to drive to Bar Harbour and goes to many other locations in Acadia National Park
ScoutKids were in bed in our camper. Wanted to watch a replay of a sporting event on our outside tv and a staff member told us no tvs or music after 10pm. The TV volume was extremely low and was bothering nobody. I could hear multiple crying children in the distance over the low volume of my tv but the staff didn’t knock on their camper doors and tell them no crying after 10pm. Apparently adults can’t be respectful adults and enjoy themselves for an hour when their kids go to bed. Will never come back to this place.
Camping sites near Machias, Maine span multiple coastal and inland environments across Washington County's rolling terrain. The area receives approximately 50 inches of precipitation annually with summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F and frequent coastal fog. Camping options include rustic wilderness sites requiring complete self-sufficiency and more developed facilities with amenities ranging from electrical hookups to bathroom facilities.
Kayaking coastal waters: Cobscook Bay offers extensive paddling opportunities with strong tides requiring preparation. "You can launch a kayak from your campsite, or from the large dock/boat launch area in the park. Kayaking should be done with prior research to ensure familiarity with the tide changes (which are up to 20 ft) and currents, which are strong and dangerous in certain areas of Cobscook Bay," notes a visitor at Cobscook Bay State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: The coastal camping areas provide excellent opportunities for spotting marine wildlife. "There is a lot of wildlife and waterlife - we saw many seals and cormorants in the water, as well as a few eagles," reports one camper at Cobscook Bay State Park Campground.
Hiking varied terrain: Long Point at Cutler Coast Ecological Reserve offers trails through diverse ecosystems. "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," explains one hiker.
Beach access: Some coastal camping locations feature small beaches for relaxation. A Long Point visitor notes, "This spot is situated right along the Maine coast and has one heck of a view, not to mention a nice gravel beach! While the water is quite cold in Maine any time of the year, the beach is a nice spot to relax in the afternoon sun."
Waterfront privacy: Many campers value the secluded water access at regional camping locations. At Tom's Retreat on Gardner Lake, visitors appreciate the "Amazing lakefront lot, very private and comes with a big common area to BBQ and clean Port-a-Potty on the top of the 1 acre sloped lot."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear skies and limited light pollution create exceptional night viewing. A Cobscook Bay State Park Campground camper described it as "Very quiet and an incredible place to star gaze. I hope to return someday."
Diverse camping options: The region offers unusual accommodations beyond standard tent sites. Cottonwood Camping & RV Park provides "ATV trail access, horse friendly camping, full hookups, pull through sites, tent camping, tent rentals, teepee rentals, 'tiny bird cabin', and a tree house."
Unexpected amenities: Some campgrounds provide features not commonly found at rustic locations. "This campground is absolutely adorable. RV, tent, Treehouse camping to camping out in a Teepee! 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," reports a Cottonwood Camping visitor.
Fresh water limitations: Water access varies significantly across camping areas. At Cutler Coast, "There isn't much fresh water available even in the rainy season, so be prepared to carry in water."
Weather preparedness: Coastal fog and wind require proper gear. "Since you are right on the ocean, it can get quite windy so be sure not to leave your awning out if you go away," warns a camper at Jonesport Campground.
Rustic facilities: Many sites feature basic toilet arrangements. A Long Point camper describes, "There is a small wooden 'toilet' that consists of: a wooden frame, toilet seat and some hardware cloth wire. These are not pit toilets and the human waste and whatever else folx decide to toss in, simply sit on top of the ground."
Limited services: Many camping locations lack nearby resources. For Jonesport Campground, a visitor advises, "Jonesport has a hardware store, small grocery store, two places to get pizza and a few other shops scattered here or there. You are best to bring everything you need."
Beach-accessible sites: Look for camps with safe water access for children. "There are both reservable and non-reservable sites. Some sites have Adirondack shelters. All sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The majority of the tent sites and small rv sites, and some larger rv sites, are on the water," notes a Cobscook Bay State Park Campground visitor.
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose campgrounds with designated play areas. Cobscook Bay State Park Campground offers "a few open areas for picnicking or just relaxing, as well as a play area for kids."
Easy hiking trails: Select campgrounds with accessible nature paths. "There are a few nice, relatively short and easy hiking trails that run through the park. One of the trails is right at the entrance, so you can park there if needed," reports a Cobscook visitor.
Bug protection: Prepare for insects, especially in warmer months. "Screen rooms are a good idea because the black flies and mosquitos in Maine can be quite pesky in the spring and summer," advises a Jonesport Campground camper.
Limited hookups: RV sites vary in service availability. "There is no water/electric/power at any site. There are water stations around the park, as well as a bath house and dump station," notes a visitor at Sunset Point Campground.
Site selection: Choose RV sites based on specific needs. A Sunset Point Campground visitor recommends, "Nice level site, easy to back into. Covered table and a fire pit you can cook on."
Laundry access: Some campgrounds provide limited laundry facilities. "Laundry in camp with 1 washer and dryer, but we had no trouble getting our laundry done," reports a Sunset Point camper.
Waste disposal: RV waste services vary by location. For Jonesport Campground, "There is also a honey wagon service that comes around weekly if you need it."
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.
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