The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Sedgwick, ME

4 Reviews

The Deer Isle Archipelago near Sedgwick, Maine offers free dispersed camping exclusively on islands accessible by boat, primarily sea kayak. These sites are managed by the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) and are free for MITA members. Buckle Island features two camping areas - a larger wooded site and a smaller shore site with sunset views, ideal for novice sea kayakers due to its sandy shore. Wheat Island provides two sites with views of the Gulf of Maine and proximity to Isle au Haut, though landing can be challenging at high tide.

Marshall Island stands out with two established camping areas featuring tent platforms and picnic tables. Sand Cove on the southeast side offers exceptional stargazing opportunities and beach access. Doliver Island provides minimal space with "barely a tent space" but serves as a strategic stop when island hopping. All islands require complete self-sufficiency - campers must bring fresh water, use wag bags for waste management, and practice leave-no-trace principles. A visitor noted, "Come prepared with fresh water and wag bags. There is no fresh water for filtering and no toilets." Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly at sunset, even into early September.

Map showing campgrounds near Sedgwick, MaineExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Sedgwick, Maine (4)

    1. Buckle Island

    1 Review
    Stonington, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225

    "One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites – one larger area up in the woods, the other quite small near the granite shore, but"

    2. Wheat Island

    1 Review
    Isle au Haut, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225

    "One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one very small one on the northeast side, the other perfect for larger groups on the"

    3. Marshall Island

    1 Review
    Swans Island, ME
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225

    "One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one on the southeast side near Sand Cove and the other on the northeast side of the"

    4. Doliver Island

    1 Review
    Isle au Haut, ME
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 761-8225
Show More
Showing results 1-4 of 4 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Sedgwick Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Sedgwick, ME

7 Photos of 4 Sedgwick Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sedgwick, ME

4 Reviews of 4 Sedgwick Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2019

    Wheat Island

    Gorgeous Views of the Gulf

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one very small one on the northeast side, the other perfect for larger groups on the southwest side. We stayed at the larger site and had a gorgeous view of the sun setting and full moon rising. 

    Perfect island for exploring the close-by Isle au Haut, a remote section of Acadia National Park, but very hard to get reservations at Duck Harbor Campground. This can be a tricky island to land on at high tide, so plan accordingly. 

    Be prepared for mosquitoes. We thought we were passed mosquito season in early September, but alas, they were pretty bad at sunset. Come prepared with fresh water (there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). 

    Sites are first come, first served and completely free for MITA members.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2019

    Buckle Island

    Perfect island for those new to sea kayak camping

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites – one larger area up in the woods, the other quite small near the granite shore, but both accessible from the east side of the island. We stayed at the site by the shore and had a gorgeous view of the sun setting. 

    This is a perfect island for those new to sea kayak camping as the sandy shore, which is exposed for a good portion of the day, is easy to land on and a short walk to a trail into the woods. 

    Come prepared with fresh water(there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). Sites are first come, first served and completely free for MITA members.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2019

    Marshall Island

    The Most Magical Island in the Gulf of Maine

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island has 2 sites– one on the southeast side near Sand Cove and the other on the northeast side of the island. We stayed at one of the 2 sites near Sand Cove which is a truly gorgeous wooded area with a tent platform and a picnic table at each site. Sand Cove is perfect for a beach fire and stargazing on a clear night– some of the best stargazing spots we’ve ever seen! 

    Despite the fact that the other islands had pesky mosquitoes, this site had none. Come prepared with fresh water (there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). If you happen to need a food or water resupply, Swan’s Island is a short paddle away and has a very small grocery store and town office with fresh water. Sites are first come, first served and completely free for MITA members. And, if you do a beach clean-up during your stay and send in a picture, you will receive a Maine Coast Heritage Trust hat!

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2019

    Doliver Island

    Spot for Just 1 Tent...Barely!

    One of the MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago, this island is small with barely a tent space, but a good stop for us on our 9 day journey and a perfect launching spot for crossing Jericho Bay (4.5 miles) to Marshall Island the next day.   Gorgeous shell covered beach and a beautiful view of Isle au Haut, just next door.

    This can be a tricky island to land on at high tide, so plan accordingly. Be prepared for mosquitoes. We thought we were passed mosquito season in early September, but alas, they were pretty bad all day long. 

    Come prepared with fresh water (there is no fresh water for filtering) and wag bags (no toilets). Site is first come, first served and completely free for MITA members.

Guide to Sedgwick

Dispersed camping near Sedgwick, Maine is primarily available on the offshore islands in the Deer Isle Archipelago through the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA). Buckle Island, Wheat Island, Marshall Island, and Doliver Island offer free primitive camping for MITA members. These sites are accessible only by boat, specifically sea kayak, requiring paddling skills and proper planning for tides and weather conditions.

The islands offer varying levels of accommodation and terrain. Marshall Island provides the most developed sites with tent platforms and picnic tables at Sand Cove, while Doliver Island has extremely limited space for just one small tent. None of the islands have fresh water sources, toilet facilities, or trash service. A camper mentioned that Marshall Island offers "some of the best stargazing spots we've ever seen" and is notable for its lack of mosquitoes compared to nearby islands. Visitors must pack in all supplies, including drinking water and waste disposal bags, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with a 14-day limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Sedgwick, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Sedgwick, ME is Buckle Island with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Sedgwick, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Sedgwick, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring