The coastal region of Downeast Maine near Perry offers dispersed camping options where visitors can experience the rugged Atlantic coastline, dense maritime forests, and scenic river systems. Most camping locations sit within public reserved land where temperatures range from summer highs around 75°F to winter lows below freezing. Free camping opportunities in this region tend to be primitive with limited or no facilities.
What to do
Coastal hiking trails: The Bold Coast section of Cutler Coast Public Land offers approximately 10 miles of trails through maritime forests and along dramatic ocean cliffs. "The terrain is moderate in difficulty as it undulates, with several amazing overlooks," notes one camper who hiked with dogs but cautions "this may not be appropriate for all canine friends."
River fishing: At Machias Rips Campsite, anglers access the Machias River directly from multiple campsites. "Great spot to fish and swim! I've caught smallmouth bass, chubs and trout in the river so far," reports a visitor who recommends "black and silver jerk baits work great" for fishing success.
Beach exploration: The gravel beach at Long Point provides access to the water despite Maine's typically cold coastal temperatures. A visitor describes it as "a nice spot to relax in the afternoon sun" but clarifies that "the campsites are NOT located on the beach but on the cliffs just above it."
Wildlife observation: The region supports diverse wildlife including marine mammals, seabirds, and forest species. "The Bold Coast is a mixture of bogs and wetlands, rocky and craggy coastline and pretty amazing maritime fir forests," writes a camper who documented the varied ecosystems throughout the area.
What campers like
Stargazing: The remote location provides exceptional dark sky viewing opportunities. "Such an awesome view of the night sky oh my gosh. I could stare at it forever. We could see the milky way," enthuses one visitor to Cutler Coast sites who appreciated the minimal light pollution despite noting occasional lighthouse signals.
Solitude: Many sites offer relative privacy despite increasing popularity. "After dark it was very quiet. We got up at 5am to have the trails to ourselves. It was a peaceful night," shares a camper who noticed daytime traffic but enjoyed tranquility overnight.
Scenic views: The dramatic coastline provides constant visual rewards. "If you take the coastal trail to get there, you will have to work for it. The trail gets fairly rugged once you get to the coast, but the payoff is worth it!" reports a visitor to Fairyhead who rated the location five stars.
Free camping: The area offers several no-cost dispersed camping options. "Situated right off of Route 9 between Amherst and Wesley Maine, you can access the Machias River Corridor Public Lands. At this particular location, there are 2 RV sites, 3 tent sites and a lean-to shelter, all situated right on the bank of the river," describes a visitor who utilized the no-fee sites.
What you should know
Limited water sources: Most coastal sites have minimal freshwater access. "There isn't much fresh water available even in the rainy season, so be prepared to carry in water," cautions a camper at Long Point, emphasizing the importance of bringing adequate supplies.
Rustic toilets: Facilities throughout the region are primitive. "There is also a relatively new and quite clean pit toilet available for use," notes a visitor to Machias Rips, while coastal sites feature more basic structures described as "a small wooden toilet that consists of: a wooden frame, toilet seat and some hardware cloth wire."
Site competition: Limited availability creates challenges during peak season. "A sought-after destination, this popular spot boasts gravel and dirt parking lots enveloped by trees yet strategically cleared for ample sunlight," reports a visitor to Cutler Coast Public Land who observed high demand for the five oceanfront campsites.
Bug pressure: Insects can be problematic depending on season. "The mosquitoes can get bad in the area but fire pits and fires are permitted in the camp and they helped keep me comfortable from bugs," shares a Machias Rips camper who utilized campfires as a deterrent.
Tips for camping with families
Lean-to option: The shelter at Machias Rips offers additional protection for families with young children. "The lean-to was in decent shape but it's definitely been marked by its visitors and has quite the slope to it. It was large enough for us to pitch our 3 person tent in," reports a visitor who found the structure spacious enough for multiple sleeping arrangements.
Accessibility considerations: Not all sites require strenuous hiking. "Beautiful place. Clean sites. Easy to find and right off rt 9," notes a visitor to Machias Rips, highlighting the drive-in access that makes this location more suitable for families with small children than more remote sites.
Site selection: Some locations offer more space than others. The Long Point area "is the one area along the Bold Coast that you could pitch more than a single tent. There are several flat and impacted sites," according to a camper who observed greater capacity than at other nearby locations.
Tips from RVers
RV site availability: Free camping near Perry includes limited options for recreational vehicles. "Sitting only an hour from Ellsworth and Bangor ME this is a nature lovers dream!" writes an RVer who brought a "stock (low to the ground) Dodge Caravan" to Machias Rips and found "the road has a few pot holes but nothing my van couldn't handle."
Communication limitations: Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region. "Most cell phone carriers won't have service back at the camp," reports one visitor, while another notes "we had 4 bars of LTE service (AT&T) which was nice" at the same location, indicating carrier-dependent connectivity.
Campground traffic patterns: Some sites experience regular day-use traffic. "Seems to be a bathroom pit-stop for travelers on rt 9 due to having the maintained bathroom. So lots of traffic driving in, using the toilet and then driving right back out," observes a visitor who noted this pattern could affect privacy for overnight campers with RVs.
