Backcountry Camping in Maine
Maine's best primitive and backcountry camping: free shoreline sites, island camping, AT shelters, and deep-woods wilderness.
Featured Backcountry Sites
CAMP Moosehead Lake Backcountry Camping
Greenville, Moosehead
90+ free primitive campsites along Moosehead Lake's shores and islands. True North Woods wilderness camping.
CAMP Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Allagash Village, Aroostook & Katahdin
92-mile Wild and Scenic River with 81 primitive campsites. The iconic multi-day canoe trip through northern Maine.
CAMP Bigelow Preserve
Stratton, Western Mountains
36,000-acre wilderness with twin 4,000-foot peaks and free alpine camping at Horns Pond on the Appalachian Trail.
CAMP Bold Coast Trail
Cutler, Downeast
100-foot sea cliffs and 5 free primitive campsites on one of the most dramatic coastal trails in the eastern US.
CAMP 100-Mile Wilderness
Monson, Moosehead
The most remote section of the Appalachian Trail. 100 miles of wilderness with lean-tos every 8-12 miles.
CAMP Donnell Pond Public Land
Ellsworth, Downeast
14,000 acres of free backcountry camping on crystal-clear lakes, 45 minutes from Acadia. A hidden gem.
CAMP Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness
Millinocket, Aroostook & Katahdin
46,000-acre TNC wilderness with famous ice caves, pristine lakes, and Arctic char. Adjacent to Baxter.
Types of Backcountry Camping
Shoreline Primitive
Drive-to sites on logging roads with fire rings and pit toilets. Free.
Island Camping
Paddle or boat to remote island campsites. Total solitude.
Lean-to / AT Shelters
Three-sided shelters along the Appalachian Trail and backcountry routes.
North Maine Woods
Primitive sites on millions of acres of managed forestland. Small fee.
Backcountry Essentials
- 1. Pack it in, pack it out. Most primitive sites have no trash service. Leave no trace.
- 2. Bring water filtration. Lake and stream water is not safe to drink without treatment.
- 3. Store food properly. Maine has the largest black bear population in the eastern US. Use bear canisters or hang food 10+ feet up.
- 4. Carry a satellite communicator. Cell service is nonexistent in most backcountry areas. A Garmin inReach or SPOT device can save your life.
All Backcountry Sites
7 backcountry areas across Maine
CAMP Moosehead Lake Backcountry Camping
Greenville, Moosehead
90+ free primitive campsites along Moosehead Lake's shores and islands. True North Woods wilderness camping.
CAMP Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Allagash Village, Aroostook & Katahdin
92-mile Wild and Scenic River with 81 primitive campsites. The iconic multi-day canoe trip through northern Maine.
CAMP Bigelow Preserve
Stratton, Western Mountains
36,000-acre wilderness with twin 4,000-foot peaks and free alpine camping at Horns Pond on the Appalachian Trail.
CAMP Bold Coast Trail
Cutler, Downeast
100-foot sea cliffs and 5 free primitive campsites on one of the most dramatic coastal trails in the eastern US.
CAMP 100-Mile Wilderness
Monson, Moosehead
The most remote section of the Appalachian Trail. 100 miles of wilderness with lean-tos every 8-12 miles.
CAMP Donnell Pond Public Land
Ellsworth, Downeast
14,000 acres of free backcountry camping on crystal-clear lakes, 45 minutes from Acadia. A hidden gem.
CAMP Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness
Millinocket, Aroostook & Katahdin
46,000-acre TNC wilderness with famous ice caves, pristine lakes, and Arctic char. Adjacent to Baxter.