Best Tent Camping near St. George, ME
Tent campsites in coastal St. George, Maine offer a range of primitive experiences from island-based backcountry camping to established campgrounds. Notable tent-specific options include Duck Harbor Campground in Acadia National Park, accessible only by mailboat from Stonington, and several Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) maintained islands including Nathan Island, Shivers Island, and Saddleback Island, which provide secluded camping opportunities in the Deer Isle Archipelago.
Most tent camping areas in this region require careful planning and self-sufficiency. The island tent sites typically have no amenities beyond flat tent pads and possibly fire rings. According to one visitor, "the camping spot is simple and similar to most backcountry sites: a flat space to pitch your small tent, no toilet, no drinking water, no picnic table, and no reservations possible." While mainland options like Tiny Cabins of Maine and Continuous Harmony Farm provide more facilities including drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables. Reservations are essential for Duck Harbor, as its five lean-to sites book extremely quickly when reservations open on April 1st.
The coastal tent camping experience around St. George offers unique advantages for tent campers seeking solitude. Maine Island Trail sites provide exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. A camper wrote that island sites offer "the perfect place to make dinner, watch the sunrise or set, and star gaze with no city lights or trees to obstruct your view." Island tent camping requires sea kayaking experience and proper gear, including marine charts, compasses, and tide tables, as tides can fluctuate 9-14 feet. Weather conditions can change rapidly with fog rolling in suddenly, so emergency communication devices are recommended. Many tent-only areas operate seasonally from mid-May to mid-October, with optimal conditions in summer when fog is less prevalent and water temperatures are warmer for kayaking.