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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
