There’s nothing quite like pitching a tent for a night under the stars of the Pine Tree State, and today we’re sharing some of our favorite sites for primitive camping in Maine. We’re not talking about glamping or resorts; no, these are wholly rustic and bare-bones spots for Pine Tree State camping purists. But trust us when we say that the scenery surrounding these rustic spots makes “roughing it” well worth it! Here are some good options for backcountry camping in Maine, but keep exploring and finding your own. Then, once you do, let us know where they are in the comments below; we’re always up for a camping adventure in Maine!

1. Duck Harbor Campground, Isle Au Haut

Duck Harbor Campground, Isle Au Haut, ME 04645, USA
Ben Norvell / Flickr
These five primitive camping spots on Isle Au Haut are about as rustic as it gets. Off the beaten path, Isle Au Haut offers calm and beauty with the only accessibility being via the mailboat. You'll need to reserve in advance and these are typically only available through the middle of October. But, we have a feeling even the most rustic among us would prefer not to be backwoods camping after that date anyway!

2. Lobster Buoy Campsites, South Thomaston

Lobster Buoy Campsite, 280 Waterman Beach Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858, USA
Lobster Buoy Campsites / Facebook
About seven miles south of Rockland, Maine, is one of the oldest and loveliest campsites in the area. While not necessarily rustic, this beachside spot on Waterman Beach features individual campsites that are no more than 150 yards from the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The 40 sites can accommodate a mix of tents and RVs and every site comes with grassy areas, a picnic table, and a fire ring. You'll also find hot showers here, which can be nice for those chilly Maine mornings.

3. Gray's Homestead Oceanfront Campground, Boothbay Harbor

Gray Homestead Ocean Campground, 21 Homestead Rd, Southport, ME 04576, USA
Gray's Homestead Oceanfront Campground / TripAdvisor
The only oceanfront campground in Boothbay Harbor is also one of the nicest in the state. People rave about the way the spaces are lined up - just as nature allows, rather than the uniform plots you might find at a typical campground. If you can't get a camping spot on the beach, don't fret! They are all in close proximity to the water - meaning you can wake up in your tent and be kayaking in the water in no more than 10 minutes!

4. Hermit Island Campground, Phippsburg

Hermit Island Campground, Hermit Island Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562, USA
Steve Brown / Google Reviews
If you're looking for the perfect coastal camping spot, Hermit Island Campground might be it. While not an island exactly (it's actually connected to Phippsburg via a small road), it does feel like you're a bit off the beaten path. Depending on when you visit, you'll pay a fee for overnight or weekly camping, but it's nominal and worth the views you get from this backcountry camping site in Maine.

5. Backcountry Camping at Baxter State Park, Millinocket

Baxter State Park, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
David Fulmer / Flickr
The very definition of backcountry camping in Maine, it doesn't get much more rustic or remote than this. There are a few backcountry camping spots in Baxter. One is Chimney Pond, which requires a three-mile hike from the Roaring Brook campsite. If you're hiking Katahdin, you'll need to pass Chimney Pond on the way, so we think you might as well give it a go. There are nine lean-tos, as well as a 10-person bunkhouse. The more adventurous can plan a stay at another backcountry site, Russell Pond. This one requires a longer hike of about seven miles from Roaring Brook. The area includes five lean-tos, three tent sites and an eight-person bunkhouse.

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6. Lake Pemaquid Campground, Damariscotta

Lake Pemaquid Camping, 100 Twin Cove Ln, Damariscotta, ME 04543, USA
Amelia Hansen / Google Reviews
This is a wonderful inland lake camping spot. Seven Mile Lake Pemaquid features over 15 miles of water for fishing, swimming, and overall exploration. You'll be able to access Biscay Pond, Duck Puddle Pond, and Pemaquid River by boat from here as well. Plus, you'll get the added bonus of all those beautiful leaves to peep.

7. HTR Acadia Campground, Mt Desert

HTR Acadia Campground, 5 Spinnaker Way, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA
HTR Acadia Campground / Google Reviews
Head to Mount Desert Island for some of the saltiest beachfront camping in Maine. Some sites will have you feeling like you're in the wood but with the added benefit of that salty air. A stay means being treated to views of Sargent and Norumbega mountains in Acadia National Park, as well as access to everything the park has to offer - including hiking trails and leisurely strolls on the Carriage Roads. This place is surely one of the best for rustic, fall camp vibes.

8. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Allagash

Allagash wilderness camps, 1477 Main St, St Francis, ME 04774, USA
Allagash Brewing / Flickr
If you want to try your hand at some real camping in Maine head here - to one of the most beautiful wilderness areas you'll find in New England. Forest rangers look after individual campsites located at the shores of each lake and pond that is part of the 92-mile-long Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW). A trip here means the opportunity to see bald eagles, osprey, moose, and deer. Some of the campsites have trails leading to places that will show remnants of logging operations from the early to mid-1900s.

9. Cobscook Bay State Park, Dennysville (approximately)

Cobscook Bay State Park, 40 S Edmunds Rd, Dennysville, ME 04628, USA
Kim Carpenter / Flickr
Cobscook Bay State Park is one of the most unique in Maine. We recently mentioned that it has one of the most dramatic tidal ranges in all of the state - averaging about 24 feet. But it's also an incredible place to camp if you love rustic exploring. The narrow opening to the sea, along with its craggy shoreline and few rivers and streams to feed make it unique. The nutrient rich Gulf of Maine water comes in, which stimulates plankton growth. This leads to all sorts of wildlife in the form of land and sea creatures. There are numerous areas designated for camping, offering over 100 actual spots. Many of these are at the shoreline. The sites can accommodate anything from small pop-up tents to vehicles over 35'. You'll find Adirondack shelters as well.

10. Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, Searsport

Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, 216 W Main St, Searsport, ME 04974, USA
Searsport Shores Ocean Campground / Facebook
We're pretty excited to have another opportunity to include Searsport Shores Ocean Camping in a camping article. Rustic is truly in the eyes of the beholder and to many, this place is as luxurious as it gets. But, for those of you new to camping, this is a great entry point. Not quite rustic, but it's absolutely wonderful! Known to be one of the best campgrounds in Maine, this spot on Penobscot Bay is located smack between Bar Harbor and Camden Village.

With the ability to accommodate RVs along the ocean, as well as tents, you won't be far from any of the water activities that make vacations in Maine great. The oceanfront location means you can kayak right from the beach, hike the nature trails, fish from the beach, and explore tidal pools. There are tons of activities for kids and adults here as well. So plan to stay as long as you can.

Going primitive camping in Maine allows us to experience nature in a way that not many choose to do. Have you gone remote camping in Maine? Where is your favorite place to pitch a tent in the Pine Tree State? Be sure to check out our ultimate hiking packing list so you can pick up a few new toys for your next trip.

If you’re more a glamper than a camper, never fear, here are 10 spectacular campsites for people who *say* they don’t like camping! You might just change your tune!

These 10 Luxury Glampgrounds In Maine Will Give You An Unforgettable Experience

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More to Explore

Remote Camping In Maine

Sarah M. | June 14, 2022

What are some other remote accommodations in Maine?

Does your idea of "backcountry camping in Maine" involve a rustic cabin in the middle of nowhere? Not everyone is looking for free camping in Maine in our beautiful but very remote forests. If you'd rather have a few amenities, you'll want to check out these remote accommodations in Maine:

  • Nahmakanta Lake Wilderness Camps: This remote wilderness camp has been welcoming guests to Nahmakanta Lake since 1827. With nine rustic but cozy cabins in the woods, the camp has that old summer camp vibe. If you enjoy kayaking, fishing, or swimming in a crystal-clear lake as sunlight sprinkles diamonds all around you, we are pretty sure you'll enjoy this peaceful retreat.
  • Clifftop Cabin: An exceptional Airbnb offering guests an experience they simply can't find anywhere else. The amenities are numerous -- high-end appliances, beautifully decorated bedrooms, a cozy fireplace -- yet what makes this luxury rental so unique is that it sits atop a 130-foot cliff. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Howards Cove, Jasper Beach, and the surrounding woodlands putting guests at this cabin in the captain's seat of the beautiful Pine Tree State. If you've ever wanted to escape to the ends of the world, do it here!

What's another remote campground in Maine?

Another remote campground where you can enjoy private camping in Maine Maine is in Kennebunkport. Sandy Pines Campground offers guests a camping experience that's every bit as extraordinary as its surroundings. Sandy Pines has three separate luxury rental types: Camp Carriages, Hideaway Huts, and Glamp Tents -- and each accommodation boasts its own bespoke amenities and features. The Glamp Tent is the most "classic camping" of the offerings; each of these tents offers 430 square feet of space, a king-sized bed, and decor hand-picked by New England designers. During your stay, guests have access to a clean and fully updated bathhouse, too; and as if that weren’t enough, all glamping rentals are situated in a wonderfully quiet "serenity zone," ensuring total R&R in this little slice of Pine Tree State paradise.

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