5 Free Campsites In Downeast Maine For This Summer

You may have to hike or boat in to find these remote tent sites within downeast Maine, but it'll be a worthwhile endeavor, and best of all they're free!

1-Schoodic Beach - Sullivan - From Ellsworth, follow Route 1 to Sullivan, and then turn left onto Route 183.  Look for a sign that says Donnell Pond Public Lands, and turn left there onto the dirt road.  Soon you'll take your first left and then look for the Schoodic Beach - Donnell Pond sign. Pets are welcome, sandy beach with outhouse.

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Sept. 17 only a few people on #schoodicbeach #donnellpond #lastswimoftheseason #mainethewaylifeshouldbe

A post shared by Anita (@chaquita1962) on Sep 17, 2016 at 11:33am PDT

2-Mud Landing - Meddybemps - Located on the shore of Rocky Lake, which is part of Maine's public lands in beautiful and remote Washington County. Stay up to 14 days, and bring your bug spray.

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The Mr is away fishing for the night & I am totally jealous! #rocklylake #dorset #carpfishing #carp #jailbait #bivvy #thegreatoutdoors #nature #fishinglife #maleanglers #lakefishing A post shared by Charley & Daniel (@keeping_it_reel___) on Nov 1, 2018 at 2:11am PDT

3-Reversing Falls City Park - Pembroke.  On the Reversing Falls Road.  The road is gravel and you'll have to travel about one mile in. If you love camping where seals are basking on the rocks while eagles are flying overhead, then this remote site is for you. Pets are welcome and there are fire rings there.

Still-life.

A post shared by Joe (@wareaglewalt) on Sep 10, 2018 at 11:50am PDT

4-Cutler Coast Public Land - Cutler. Part of Maine Public Lands overlooking the Bay of Fundy.  You"ll find tent sites away from where the RVs park. Nice place to see birds and the occasional whale right off the shore.

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❤️ A post shared by Peter (@paumpkineater) on Feb 14, 2020 at 9:10am PST

5-Machias River Corridor - From Fifth Machias Lake off Route 9 and then 76 miles downriver to the Machias tidewater, this area is also part of Maine Public Lands, and of course the camping is free.  There's over 60,000 acres within the Machias River watershed, providing a fabulous area for paddling and tenting. You'll find sites that you can drive to using a four-wheel drive vehicle, but the more popular ones are those that you'll hike or paddle to.

We made it back to the #USofA and found a beautiful #CampingSpot in #Maine that ended up being straight up #MosquitoApocalypse at 4:30 in the morning got woken up by all the buzzing and bites of #pinchemosquitos‍♂️‍♀️ that somehow were able to penetrate by the dozens the fortified #mosquitonetting #Huey166 #popuptent ‍♂️ but luckily they were mainly bitting only #Papa. About an hour later 5 and 3 year old #tinysoldiers joined the ongoing battle of hunting and murdering every single enemy with wings, #MamaGeneral lead the hard fought battle but about 6am the call was made and we raised our #whiteflags and sent the Second Lieutenant Papa outside the safety of our #castlewalls to pack up the outside of #Huey and escape the hostile area half-asleep but happy that we didn’t loose anybody to those #tinymonsters with wings #HueNewfy #Campingtales

A post shared by HUE166 Overland Journal (@hueverland) on Jun 29, 2019 at 5:32am PDT

There's more free campsites across Maine, and we suggest that you treat each and every one like the precious gifts that they are.  Remember to take what you brought with you when you leave.  We got some of our information from FreeCampsites.net.