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Camping options near Vinalhaven, Maine center primarily on island locations and coastal settings along the Gulf of Maine. Several campgrounds in the area, including Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut (part of Acadia National Park) and Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground in Stonington, provide established sites with varying amenities. The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) maintains numerous island camping areas throughout the Deer Isle Archipelago, such as Nathan Island, Buckle Island, and Shivers Island, which offer primitive tent sites accessible primarily by sea kayak or small boat.
Seasonal timing significantly affects camping availability in this coastal region, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Duck Harbor Campground requires reservations that become available on April 1st and typically fill within minutes of opening. Many Maine island sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are accessible only to MITA members. For island camping, tidal considerations impact landing possibilities, with 9-14 foot tides making access challenging at high water. Campers need to carry all necessary supplies, including fresh water and waste disposal bags. A recent visitor noted, "The fog can roll in at any minute so come prepared with a chart, compass, bearings between islands/markers and a marine radio."
Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from campers visiting the region. The islands provide exceptional opportunities for solitude and stargazing without light pollution. Several visitors mentioned the opportunity to observe wildlife and enjoy unobstructed views of sunrise and sunset as particular highlights. Mainland campgrounds like Greenlaw's RV Park offer more amenities while maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Some reviews emphasized the importance of mosquito protection, particularly around sunset. According to one camper, "This is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. The amenities are all well done, limited in scope. The result is a quiet atmosphere." For those seeking a true wilderness experience, the island camping areas provide primitive sites with stunning coastal scenery but require advanced preparation and paddling skills.
"Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas. 9 out of 10 times I visit Camden (one of my favorite places in Maine), I stay at this campground."
"As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The campsites start level with the main road and then tier downwards towards the water. Campsites on the southside have less trees while campsites in the north are a little more rocky."
"**The location of this campground is outstanding. Conveniently situated between Camden and Rockport off of Route One, the views of the Penobscot Bay are drop dead gorgeous."
from $32 - $58 / night
Check Availability"The campground is perfectly located between Camden and Rockland Maine. For a private campground the sites are a decent size with some trees. There is a beautiful overlook to the ocean."
"Lovely campground near the beautiful lake. Great fishing and boating! There’s quite a few hiking trails located in the town around the campground."
"My boyfriend and I drove all around looking for a camping place in the Bar Harbor area but nothing was open because it was the end of April."
"Esthetically it is a little rough around the edges, so as we pulled in our first impressions were not great. However, the site we were in was quite nice with enough room for 22' camper."
"This campground is quiet, walking distance to the ocean. Family oriented. There are however, no showers. Most of the walk in campsites are only steps away from the parking lot."
"We stayed at the tent walk in sites (D25) The sites are close together but otherwise, well maintained."
from $22 - $60 / 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"Three sides were surrounded by trees, bushes…nature…you get it. There was a picnic table and a fire pit. It was quiet, we didn’t hear the other campers."
"The price was incredible given the proximity to the water. The only negative was that the RVs were pretty loud."
"Camping on in the Duck Harbor Campground is nearly the stuff of legends. "
"You need to bring everything with you (except water) on the mailboat and then walk on a short distance to one of 5 campsites. It is a great place to just get away."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful, quiet location with views of the deer isle bridge and access to walking the beach. Owners are so nice and friendly and accommodating. Sites are mostly private and have space. Very clean."
"Site number 4 was great it was tucked away a bit yet still had a nearby bathroom and a 3 minute walk to the seashore which was beautiful!"
from $29 - $39 / night
Check Availability"This weekend, we did some sea kayak camping and hiking on the islands in the Gulf of Maine."
LegendThis is one of our favorite campgrounds in the region. Close to the Botanical Gardens and the lovely historic town of Boothbay. The campground is small and well appointed with a super clean bath house and laundry room. Showers are free and the water is hot. Tasty beers and great food available at the brewery, though the brewery isn’t open on Monday- Wednesday.
RangerSpent a few days here in early October. Pleasant host, easy check-in, and quiet campground with full hookups. Minutes from the highway and an hour or so from Acadia.
ScoutThis is a BIG campground with lots of amenities. Laundry, dog park, bath house, etc…. The size of the place makes using some of the amenities prohibitively—you could walk well over a quarter mile to get to the bath house. Generally a very clean location with easy access to the road to Acadia NP.
GuideThis has been our favorite site yet! We at C54 which is apparently the best site. We have a roof top tent and the site had power and water. It is a “corner lot”! It has so much room and is right near the bathroom and showers. You are in the woods and there is a beautiful lake with kayak rentals right on site. The staff was so kind and helpful. We felt they were truly happy we were there.
GuideNice state campground. Older style restrooms and showers but clean. We got a beautiful site looking out at the bay. We will likely extend our already booked 2 night stay.
ScoutOverall great campsite! However it was raining here so if you are truck bed camping make sure to have another cover to hangout under. There aren’t many places to hangout on site. Also, showers are not in the park they are located a “short” walk from loop B if you are midway and a long walk from loop A- they also cost quarters to operate. Probably close to a mile walk from loop A and about .5 to loop B
ScoutThis is our first time at Narrows Too, we fount the staff to be helpful. The sites are big enough to get large RV’s in. There were several 40’-45’ buses and fifth wheels at the campground. Some of the water facing sites are pretty snug but the pull through we had was perfect for us. We would definitely stay here again!
ScoutCampsites are nice. Spaced nicely apart from each other. Bathhouse very clean.. campground needs showers though !!!
GuideClean, water and electric only at the waterfront, but nice view. I didn't use the facilities so I can't comment on those. $55 a night with military discount and off season.
Camping options near Vinalhaven, Maine range from established campgrounds on the mainland to primitive island sites accessible only by boat. The region experiences significant tidal fluctuations of 9-14 feet, which affects landing and camping logistics on islands. Many campsites in this coastal area operate seasonally from May through October, with some opening as early as April.
Hiking on Isle au Haut: Acadia National Park extends to Isle au Haut where Duck Harbor Campground offers access to several miles of trails. "There are several miles of moderate hikes. Starting in 2018 reservations will be online starting April 1. The campground is open mid May to mid October but the mailboat only goes to the campground from late June to late September; otherwise a 5 mile walk from town," notes Patricia P.
Kayaking to island campsites: Paddle to remote islands like Nathan Island in the Deer Isle Archipelago. A camper advises, "The nearby village of Stonington has everything you may need for your island camping adventure. You can even rent kayaks and most of your gear from Old Quarry Ocean Adventures."
Coastal exploration: The rocky shoreline provides excellent tide pooling and wildlife viewing opportunities. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, campers report marine wildlife sightings: "We went swimming at their beach and saw a seal!" according to Michael K.
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. At Nathan Island, one camper described it as "the perfect place to make dinner, watch the sunrise or set, and star gaze with no city lights or trees to obstruct your view."
Ocean views: Waterfront camping sites provide direct access to scenic vistas. At Lobster Buoy Campsites, Chad G. shares: "One of my favorite places to be. The ocean views are great. It's very laid back. Not a lot of amenities but you don't need anything. Just a tent, kayak and a camp chair. You're good to go!"
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature well-spaced sites. At Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground in Stonington, a reviewer notes: "This is a small, wooded campground with large private sites. They are working to improve the campground everyday."
Reservation timing: Popular sites book extremely quickly. For Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut, Shari G. explains: "If you don't go online within 10 minutes of opening day, April 1st, at 10 am EST, you will miss your chance to stay here for the whole year."
Weather preparedness: Coastal weather can change rapidly with fog being a particular concern. Always carry navigational tools when boating to islands.
Waste management: Most island sites require pack-in, pack-out practices including human waste. On Nathan Island, "you are required to use Wag Bags instead of digging hole to dispose of human waste."
Limited facilities: Most island campsites lack basic amenities. Even mainland campgrounds may have limited services as one camper at Lobster Buoy Campsites notes: "The bathhouse has hot showers and flush toilets that were just o.k.– a little on the old side and overused."
Consider mainland options: For families with young children, established campgrounds like Megunticook Campground provide amenities while maintaining coastal access. Dave reports, "The campsites are ample with room for two cars on many of them. Most sites are wooded with plenty of shade trees making keeping your rig cool in the hot sun a breeze!"
Plan for beach activities: Some campgrounds offer shoreline access for swimming and exploration. A visitor to Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls mentioned, "The beach was nice but really nothing could have made up for being stuck on this postage stamp for 6 days."
Check campground activities: Some locations offer family-friendly amenities. Samantha from Megunticook Campground reported: "Great campground, very clean and good layout. The ocean overlook is particularly lovely."
Size restrictions: Many coastal and island campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. At Lobster Buoy Campsites, Kevin W. notes: "RV sites are close together but ok and has electric and water. A dump station is located at the CG."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. According to a Megunticook Campground reviewer: "$10 to use the dump station (we found another place that charged $5)."
Level sites: Many coastal campgrounds have uneven terrain. As Nancy W. observed at Lobster Buoy Campsites: "It is really tight for big rigs and many of the sites are just o.k. being too close, unlevel, or with no view."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the official camping sites on Vinalhaven, Maine?
Vinalhaven has limited official camping options as it's primarily a residential island. The main camping option is Nathan Island, which is accessible only by boat. For visitors seeking alternatives in the general region, consider Duck Harbor Campground — Acadia National Park on nearby Isle au Haut, which requires ferry access and advance reservations. Most visitors to Vinalhaven typically stay at lodges, vacation rentals, or B&Bs on the island, or choose to camp on the mainland at places like Camden or Bar Harbor and make day trips to Vinalhaven via ferry.
What camping amenities and facilities are available on Vinalhaven?
Camping amenities on Vinalhaven are quite primitive. The island's remote location means facilities are minimal compared to mainland options. At boat-accessible sites, expect primitive camping with no hookups, potable water, or established bathroom facilities. For those wanting more amenities while staying in the region, Megunticook Campground on the mainland offers better facilities, or consider Camden Hills State Park Campground, which provides clean bathrooms, fresh water, and access to hiking trails. Remember to pack in and pack out all supplies when camping on Vinalhaven as services are limited.
Do I need a permit for camping on Vinalhaven Island?
Yes, permits are required for camping on Vinalhaven. The limited camping options on the island are regulated to protect the natural environment. For Nathan Island, you should contact the local land trust or town office before planning your trip as permission may be needed. If looking at nearby island alternatives, Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls on the mainland requires reservations that essentially serve as permits. Be aware that unauthorized camping on private property is prohibited. Always check current regulations before your trip as permit requirements may change seasonally.
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