Hermit Island is a family-oriented seasonal campground with rustic sites for tents and pop-up trailers. Hermit Island is now closed for the season. We welcome well-behaved dogs and their owners who clean up after them, as well as others who enjoy walking, to respectfully enjoy the island as it rests after another great summer.
Hermit Island Campground started in 1952. Since then, generations of campers have come to love the island. It remains largely unchanged - rustic, slow-paced, and in tune with the natural environment. There are 271 sites spread across the southern end of the island, each unique. We welcome campers with tents, pop-up trailers (up to 25'), and truck campers, but no RVs or hard-topped campers.
Hermit Island Campground started in 1952. Since then, generations of campers have come to love the island. It remains largely unchanged - rustic, slow-paced, and in tune with the natural environment. There are 271 sites spread across the southern end of the island, each unique. We welcome campers with tents, pop-up trailers (up to 25'), and truck campers, but no RVs or hard-topped campers.
Services
RVs, teardrops, travel trailers, hybrid trailers, and dual-wheeled pick-up campers cannot be accommodated. There are no electrical hook-ups or pumping stations. Hermit Island Campground is for registered campers only - visitors are not allowed within the campground. Reservation for stays of 7+ nights as well as the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends (3-day package) can be made beginning in January by mail, and beginning in February by phone.
We are located about an hour north of Portland in Phippsburg, Maine. Take Route 1 North from Brunswick along the coast to Bath, then turn south towards Phippsburg on Route 209 / 216. When 209 and 216 split, follow 216 straight. Near the end of the peninsula, follow signs to Hermit Island across Head Beach's sand causeway.
Hermit Island Campground is looking for people to fill several important positions this season. To apply, please call Donny Wallace, manager, at our office in Bath, Maine to request an application and set up an interview. This job includes handling reservations by phone, by mail, and in person, filing paperwork, processing payments, and working the desk in the Kelp Shed.
Reviews (29)
Brendan Meagher
Oct 03, 2021
Report
Bob R.
Sep 08, 2021
Report
The campground is an over priced sh*t hole. Draconian parking regulations, disgusting restroom and showers. Sadly many folks think this place is amazing and rave about it. The location is incredible, the management is clearly clueless, or unfortunately they simply don't care because the loyal zombies line up like the walking dead to make reservations. Personally, I could find a better place to camp in Mumbai - bottom line, disgusting sh*t hole.
Kenneth Sharp
Aug 25, 2021
Report
Christa Montgomery
Jul 02, 2021
Report
Tent camping Fri., Sat, and Sun. nights in early June 2021 with two tweens at Cross Island 4 site. The view was excellent and most sites are clean, large, and well spaced. The campground was quiet and not crowded, but we visited early in the season. Plenty of vault toilets. Free, warm showers and flush toilets within walking distance from most sites and are relatively clean. Roads are narrow, very bumpy, curvy, some are steep, and not well marked. I would NOT recommend bicycling here, especially for children as difficult to see ahead. Water available but not always easy to get large containers
Kristina Isacson
Jun 11, 2021
Report
E. G.
Sep 27, 2020
Report
K.
Jan 29, 2020
Report
Sierra Frith
Oct 24, 2019
Report
Keegan Bluegrass
Oct 11, 2019
Report
Debbie Grijalva
Sep 13, 2019
Report
Olya Trushina
Jul 22, 2018
Report
Melissa M.
Dec 23, 2017
Report
*** This review is for the beach only. Out of season visiting. I went for the first time and checked out Head Beach. It was so serene! Very clean beach and the rocky shore was fun to bounce around on. Just be aware some rocks are slippery per high tide times. I've heard camping here in the summer is an experience, but I have not had that part... YET!
Paul M.
Oct 15, 2016
Report
My wife and I have been to Hermit Island twice now, both times we have been there was during their off-season in the fall. We love the campground because of its simple, basic no-frills style. Our last visit was not as enjoyable as our first due to a significant detail we did not know prior to getting there. Their website states very clearly that NO PETS ALLOWED. Unbeknownst to us, they allow dogs the last weekend of their season. Without exaggeration, I would estimate that over 80% of the people camping that weekend had their dogs, some, had more than one dog. I love dogs (I have had dogs
Tourist Guide D.
Aug 29, 2016
Report
Checked out yesterday after 3 nights. This was our second year camping here. LOVE IT!! Hermit Island is amazing. I almost don't want to review it because I don't want it to get too over popular. Its a quiet, strict, private camp ground wirh lots of rules: no guests, no extra cars, no music, no late night unsupervised kids. After two seasons this will be our get away. You can dig your own clams and mussels. Bring your own food or eat at the Kelp Shed. Rent canoes and kayaks, and just relax. Book early to get the spot you want! Bathrooms and showers are clean and no real wait time
Drew D.
Jul 18, 2016
Report
My family and I have spent time at H.I. 9 or 10 times over the past 25 years. It has created many unforgettable wonderful memories for me, my children, grand children, other family members and friends over the years. To our dismay the last few times there, we have been more and more disappointed with a growing laundry list of unacceptable issues. The number one issue is the lack of service (with the bathrooms, shower rooms, out houses, and garbage. Not sure if they have the help to keep up). :(
Cole M.
Oct 04, 2015
Report
I've only been two times. Both of which were considered out of season. $40 per night. It's generally still busy and most sites are picked over. On top of that the sites are on top of each other making it very awkward. We ran into a skunk problem...A whole family of them. They tortured us all night. That ruined my experience this time, isn't that why you pay $40 a night - to not deal with those problems.
Overall it was just ok. Will be checking out sebago next time!
Overall it was just ok. Will be checking out sebago next time!
Sarah J.
Sep 05, 2015
Report
Lorena A.
Jul 16, 2015
Report
We booked this trip last minute since we had originally planned to go to Maryland but the weather called for thunderstorms, so we decided to come to Maine! What an awesome experience. We absolutely loved everything about it! The people at the campground were all so helpful and cordial. The campground was clean, well kept, safe and gorgeous. All the other reviews hit it right on too. Can't say one bad thing about it. We bought fresh Lobster at the store at the campground and cooked ourselves, it was delicious. We walked around the entire island and there is not a bad site, they are all great
Nat S.
Jun 22, 2015
Report
We went the last day of off season, and had a really nice site and time here. The staff was nice, and I did not have any problems. I will say I find it odd that only two adults over the age of 21 may be at a site, while you may have up the three or four children with the adults. I am guessing someone threw a "rager", and ruined it for everyone. Also no boom boxes, and electronic noise making, I am guessing you can bring an acoustic guitar, which we forgot. You have to drive quite a bit to get here, but the seclusion and being right by the ocean was worth it. No running water, besides
K. L.
Aug 29, 2014
Report
We used to come here every year, but lately the rules police have gotten out of hand, When we were making some noise after 10pm one night, they came by and let us know....which I am ok with. however the next night when another campsite was loud they came and gave us attitude. when I explained it wasn't us, and I refused to throw the other camp site under the bus they continued to give us grief the next day!!!
Getting a reservation is as pleasant as a root canal, and if you want a specific site. forget it! we have wanted to stay on an upper ocean prime site for years!
For the last 4 years
Getting a reservation is as pleasant as a root canal, and if you want a specific site. forget it! we have wanted to stay on an upper ocean prime site for years!
For the last 4 years
J. M.
Apr 14, 2014
Report
Pros: if you succeed at playing their antiquated reservations game, and you do get a decent waterfront site (which we did not)... Maybe you're related to somebody, or you know a guy who knows a guy... Well, I imagine that could be quite nice. Good luck with that.
Cons:
Poorly maintained grounds with lots of standing water = bugs that attacked us constantly, every second that we were not either inside our tent or next to the ocean (10 minute walk from our tent). They bit while we sprayed ourselves with DEET, and continued to come back for more. They bit me on the soles of my feet and
Cons:
Poorly maintained grounds with lots of standing water = bugs that attacked us constantly, every second that we were not either inside our tent or next to the ocean (10 minute walk from our tent). They bit while we sprayed ourselves with DEET, and continued to come back for more. They bit me on the soles of my feet and
Kristen H.
Sep 08, 2013
Report
John-Paul P.
Jul 23, 2013
Report
My parents took me every year here when I was a child, my fiancee and I come here every year on our own now, and I'll likely take my children here in the future. It's a great place to get away from technology/life for a few days and just kind of slow down. Enjoy a campfire, read a book on the beach, and go to sleep and wake up with the sun.
I felt propelled to add a review to counteract some of the points made by "Van P." I can assume by your description that your site was #3 Cross Island. This is a great site (I've been there once before). It's located up on
I felt propelled to add a review to counteract some of the points made by "Van P." I can assume by your description that your site was #3 Cross Island. This is a great site (I've been there once before). It's located up on
August L.
Jul 14, 2013
Report
Gorgeous campground. Definitely pay more for an Ocean Prime spot if you can. Most of the sites are quite private and they all allow various types of camping equipment - some allow pop-up campers, some are only for tents. It's nice and quiet - the rules prevent loud music blaring or huge groups of drunken friends. Great little hikes and Popham Beach is very nearby and worth a trip.
The camp store has basic camp food, batteries, ice, camp supplies, and fire wood. However, the wood we purchased there was expensive, but it had not been cured and wouldn't burn! We had another bundle from
The camp store has basic camp food, batteries, ice, camp supplies, and fire wood. However, the wood we purchased there was expensive, but it had not been cured and wouldn't burn! We had another bundle from
M. P.
Aug 01, 2012
Report
Love it! It's one of our traditional summer family campground stops. Some incredible camp sites and views. Very friendly staff with a sweet convenience store and snack house. Lots to do from hiking and exploring in and around the cliffs and secluded coves to swimming, kayaking and boating . I felt comfortable letting the kids roam freely to and from our campsite to the store and bath facility. Consistantly well maintained campground. You can tell that they care.
Note: it's early impossible to get a prime site during peak season (although most sites are better than the average
Note: it's early impossible to get a prime site during peak season (although most sites are better than the average
Melinda C.
Jul 14, 2012
Report
Hermit Island Campgrounds isn't for a quick getaway from the city (nyc). That ish is mad far! ...but it's worth it, if you come prepared. All the great camp sites tend to be for week long reservations only, and there's pretty much nothing else out there but the campgrounds.
Pros:
- varied camp sites with privacy and a few ocean front locations
- recommended beaches: sand dollar beach is smaller with finer sand and a bit more private than sand dune beach which is bigger and accessible off a path through the campsites; it has the better view, but not as nice shore
- you can rent
Pros:
- varied camp sites with privacy and a few ocean front locations
- recommended beaches: sand dollar beach is smaller with finer sand and a bit more private than sand dune beach which is bigger and accessible off a path through the campsites; it has the better view, but not as nice shore
- you can rent
Seth D.
Jul 20, 2010
Report
David V.
Jul 12, 2010
Report
Came here early in the season and we practically had the place to ourselves. As I understand, it's nearly impossible to get any of the sites near the ocean during the summer season, but in early May anyway it was a piece of cake.
The prices are a little steep - the ocean view campsites were $30+ a night, but it's certainly worth it for the view. I'm sure this property is worth millions, and the only way to keep it as a campground accessible to all is to keep it profitable. I'm not sure what the prices of the inland campsites are, as those are probably the only ones available
The prices are a little steep - the ocean view campsites were $30+ a night, but it's certainly worth it for the view. I'm sure this property is worth millions, and the only way to keep it as a campground accessible to all is to keep it profitable. I'm not sure what the prices of the inland campsites are, as those are probably the only ones available
Q. S.
Aug 25, 2008
Report
A fun little island in Bath, Maine.
The island is fairly isolated. It is pretty big and has great hiking trails as well as a beach.
The campsites are super clean and are different sizes. They have running water, flush toilets and showers (a big plus for me personally).
You can rent kayaks and canoes there as well for additional costs.
If you decide to come to Hermit Island, I would strongly recommend that you pack enough food to last for the whole trip. I believe the nearest super market is at least 1 hour away. They do have a little snack bar and a convenience store with wood,
The island is fairly isolated. It is pretty big and has great hiking trails as well as a beach.
The campsites are super clean and are different sizes. They have running water, flush toilets and showers (a big plus for me personally).
You can rent kayaks and canoes there as well for additional costs.
If you decide to come to Hermit Island, I would strongly recommend that you pack enough food to last for the whole trip. I believe the nearest super market is at least 1 hour away. They do have a little snack bar and a convenience store with wood,
