Free Backcountry Camping 45 Minutes From Acadia
Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land covers over 14,000 acres of lakes, mountains, and forest in Hancock County, roughly 45 minutes north of Acadia National Park. Everything here is free. No fees, no permits, no reservations. You drive in, find an open site, and set up camp. That combination of accessibility and zero cost makes Donnell Pond one of the best-kept camping secrets in coastal Maine.
The landscape centers around three pristine lakes surrounded by low mountains with exposed granite summits. The water is crystal clear. The beaches are sandy. The hiking is excellent. And on a weekday in September, you might have an entire lake to yourself.
This is not a developed campground. There are no bathrooms, no running water, no camp hosts, and no cell service. The sites are primitive, with fire rings and picnic tables at most locations. You pack in everything and pack out everything. That is the tradeoff for free lakeside camping within an hour of Bangor.
If every campground near Acadia is booked and you do not want to pay resort prices, Donnell Pond is your answer. It is 45 minutes from Bar Harbor, completely free, and rarely full. Spend your days in Acadia and your nights at Donnell Pond.
Camping Areas
There are three main camping areas at Donnell Pond, each with a different level of accessibility and solitude.
Schoodic Beach is the easiest to reach and the most popular. A short walk of about half a mile from the parking area brings you to roughly 9 sites along the sandy beach on Donnell Pond. The beach faces south and catches sun all day. Swimming is excellent here, with a gradual sandy bottom. This is the best option for families or anyone who does not want to carry gear very far.
Redman’s Beach requires a 4-mile hike to reach, which filters out most casual visitors. The sites are more secluded, the beach is quieter, and you are far more likely to have the area to yourself. If you are willing to carry your gear the extra distance, Redman’s is the more rewarding experience.
Spring River Lake is the most remote option. Access is primarily by paddle, making it the quietest camping area in the reserve. Bring a canoe or kayak, paddle across the lake, and make camp on the far shore. You will not see another person.
All sites are first-come-first-served. There is no reservation system. During peak summer weekends, Schoodic Beach sites can fill by early afternoon. Weekdays and shoulder season dates are rarely a problem.
The access roads to Donnell Pond are maintained dirt roads that are perfectly drivable in a regular car. Do not let the “backcountry” label scare you away. The drive in is easy. The camping is primitive, but getting there is not.
Hiking
Donnell Pond has some of the best short mountain hikes in Downeast Maine. The summits are low by western standards but the views are disproportionately good, with open granite ledges looking out over lakes, ocean, and the mountains of Acadia.
Schoodic Mountain (1,069 feet) is the headliner. The trail is about 2.6 miles round trip with roughly 900 feet of elevation gain. The summit is open granite with 360-degree views. On a clear day you can see Acadia’s mountains, Frenchman Bay, and the ocean beyond. This is one of the best view-to-effort ratios in Maine.
Black Mountain (1,094 feet) offers dramatic cliff-top views over Donnell Pond. The trail is roughly 3 miles round trip. The final approach crosses open ledges with steep drop-offs on one side. Not a scramble, but watch your footing.
Tunk Mountain (1,157 feet) is slightly more remote and less hiked. The summit has blueberry barrens and views north into the interior. A good option if you want solitude.
Caribou Mountain and Catherine Mountain round out the hiking options with shorter trails and more modest views.
Take the counter-clockwise loop for Schoodic Mountain. This route hits the steeper section on the ascent and gives you the gentler trail on the way down. The summit views open up gradually as you climb, building anticipation.
Swimming and Paddling
The lakes at Donnell Pond are clean enough to see the bottom in 10 feet of water. Schoodic Beach has a sandy bottom that slopes gradually, making it one of the best lake swimming spots in Downeast Maine. The water warms enough for comfortable swimming by mid-July.
Paddling is excellent on all three lakes. Donnell Pond itself is the largest and most popular. Spring River Lake is quieter and better for wildlife viewing. Bring your own boat; there is no rental available on-site. A hand-carry launch is available near the Schoodic Beach parking area.
Fishing is good for bass and pickerel. The lakes are stocked periodically. A Maine fishing license is required.
When to Go
Spring
Mud season through May. Black flies in June. Water too cold for swimming. Trails can be wet.
Summer
July-August ideal for swimming, camping, and hiking. Warmest water temps. Busiest weekends.
Fall
September-October perfect for hiking. Foliage peaks mid-October. Cool nights, no bugs.
Winter
Open year-round. Roads may not be plowed. Snowshoeing and ice fishing possible.
July and August are the best months for the full Donnell Pond experience. The water is warm enough for swimming, the weather is stable, and the days are long. Weekdays in July are the sweet spot between good weather and manageable crowds.
September and October are ideal for hiking. The bugs are gone, the temperatures are comfortable for climbing, and the foliage around the lakes is beautiful. Swimming becomes cold by late September, but the hiking is at its best.
There is no cell phone service at Donnell Pond. If you need to make a call or contact someone, you will need to drive back toward Route 1 or Ellsworth. Let someone know your plans before heading in.
Getting There
From Bangor, take Route 1A south to Ellsworth, then Route 1 / Route 182 east toward Franklin. Turn north on the Donnell Pond access road (dirt, signed). The drive is about 53 minutes from Bangor, 170 minutes from Portland.
From Acadia / Bar Harbor, head north on Route 3 to Ellsworth, then east on Route 1 / Route 182. About 45 minutes total.
The access roads are maintained gravel and dirt. Standard vehicles handle them fine in dry conditions. After heavy rain, a few spots can get muddy, but four-wheel drive is not required.
Camping Packing List
Donnell Pond Packing List
- Tent with rain fly
- Sleeping bag (40F rated for summer, 20F for fall)
- Sleeping pad
- Camp stove and fuel
- Water filter or purification tablets
- All drinking water or means to filter from the lake
- Cooler with ice (Schoodic Beach is a short carry)
- Bug spray (DEET or picaridin)
- Swimsuit and towel
- Hiking boots for mountain trails
- Kayak or canoe (optional, for paddling and Spring River Lake access)
- Trash bags (pack out everything)
- Headlamp
- Sunscreen
- Fishing rod and Maine fishing license
FAQ
Is camping at Donnell Pond really free?
Yes. Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land is managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. All camping is free, first-come-first-served, with no permits or reservations required.
How many campsites are there?
Schoodic Beach has roughly 9 sites. Redman's Beach has a handful of more dispersed sites. Spring River Lake has paddle-access sites on the far shore. Exact numbers vary as some sites are informal. On summer weekends, Schoodic Beach can fill by early afternoon.
Can I drive to the campsites?
Not directly. You park at the trailhead lot and walk about half a mile to Schoodic Beach. Redman's Beach is a 4-mile hike. Spring River Lake requires paddling. None of the sites are drive-up.
Is there drinking water?
No. There is no potable water anywhere in the reserve. Bring your own water or filter from the lakes. The lake water is clear but should always be filtered or treated before drinking.
Is Donnell Pond good for kids?
Schoodic Beach is great for families. The carry is short, the beach is sandy, the water is clean, and the swimming is safe with a gradual bottom. Schoodic Mountain is also a manageable hike for kids who are comfortable with a bit of elevation gain.
How does Donnell Pond compare to Acadia camping?
Donnell Pond is free and primitive with no facilities. Acadia campgrounds (Blackwoods, Seawall) cost $30/night and have restrooms, picnic tables, and ranger programs. Donnell Pond is wilder, quieter, and much less crowded. It is a legitimate alternative if Acadia campgrounds are booked.