Duck Harbor Campground

DUCK HARBOR CAMPGROUND

Overview

Duck Harbor campsites are reservable starting on April 1st at 10:00am ET. Duck Harbor Campground is located on Isle au Haut, a rugged island off the coast of Stonington, Maine. Remote and inaccessible to automobiles, Isle au Haut is linked to the mainland by mailboat.

Facilities

This small campground contains five campsites. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, and a lean-to shelter which is three-sided with roof and floor. Dimensions are 8' tall, 8' deep, and 12.5' wide. Use of tents is limited to what can fit inside the shelters. There are three composting toilets at the campground and a hand pump for non-potable water located 0.3 miles from campground.

There is a ranger station 4 miles from the campground but only 0.3 miles from the Isle au Haut Town Landing. The ranger station is open mid-May to mid-October, when there are rangers on Isle au Haut for the season. While the rangers are typically out in the field and not at the ranger station during most of the day, the lobby remains open, allowing visitors access to maps, reading material, water, and the only public restroom in town. Boat service to Duck Harbor is limited at the beginning and end of the season. Please review the Need to Know section.

Natural Features

Isle au Haut provides opportunities to explore rocky shorelines, wooded uplands, marshes, bogs, and a mile-long freshwater lake. A section of Acadia National Park covers about half of Isle au Haut. The campground is situated on the western side of Isle au Haut. It is just south of the Duck Harbor Boat Landing. The island is approximately six miles long by two miles wide.

Recreation

Isle au Haut offers excellent hiking. The remoteness of the island provides a quiet experience along primitive trails with many great views of rocky cliffs and coastal scenery. Bicycling is allowed but is very rigorous, on loose rock, and unpaved road. No trail biking. You must bring your own mountain bike. Bicycles can only be unloaded at the Town Dock. No bicycles may be loaded or unloaded at Duck Harbor Landing.

Nearby Attractions

There is a small, traditional village near the Isle au Haut Town Landing where one can find a general store, seasonal gift shop, a seasonal food shack, and post office.

Important Notices

No pets allowed in the campground.
Campsite reservations can be made beginning at 10am on April 1.
The first night is June 19th and the last night is October 5th.
Maximum length of stay is three nights.
Campers are limited to one stay per calendar year.
Six people are permitted per campsite.
There is no potable water source at Duck Harbor Campground. Plan ahead to treat the water or bring enough potable water for the duration of your stay.
Check with the Isle au Haut Boat Services for boat schedule. On some days, boat transportation is limited to the Isle au Haut Town Landing and does not travel to Duck Harbor, especially during October. No reservations are taken for the boat. Be there at least one half hour before departure.
Distance from Ranger Station to Duck Harbor Campground is ~4 miles via trail and ~5 miles via road. Distance from Duck Harbor Boat Landing to Duck Harbor Campground is approximately 300 feet.
Prepare for camping in the backcountry and pack relevant camping gear. This is not car camping.
All trash must be carried out.
Firewood: Dead and downed wood may be collected near the campground. Please do not bring your own firewood to reduce the spread of non-native insects.
All campsites must be reserved on this website (recreation.gov) or by calling 877-444-6777. Camping without a reservation is prohibited.
Check-in time and check-out time is 11:00am
Arriving Late? You must arrive at your campsite before 11:00am check-out time on the day after your scheduled arrival date. If you cannot arrive by that time, you must call (207) 335-5551 or you will be marked a No Show and incur fees. Review them on the Fees & Cancellations tab above.

Available Activities

CAMPING - Camping

Directions

From the north, take I-95 to Bangor, then I-395 to Brewer, then take Rte. 15 south to Stonington. From the south, take I-95 or I-295 to Augusta, then Rte. 3 to Belfast, then Rte. 15 to Stonington.

Cancellation Policy

No Shows <ul> <li>If a camper does not arrive at his/her campsite by 11:00am check-out time the day after the scheduled arrival date, their reservation will be cancelled, the camper will incur a $20.00 service fee, and forfeit the first night's camping fee. </li> </ul> Making Changes to Your Reservation <ul> <li>A $10.00 service fee will apply if you make any changes to your reservation. </li> </ul> Cancelling Your Reservation <ul> <li>If you cancel your reservation the day before or on the day of your scheduled arrival date, you will incur a $10 service fee and forfeit your first night's camping fee. If you cancel your reservation 2 or more days before your scheduled arrival date, you will only incur a $10 service fee. </li> </ul> Please review Rules & Reservation Policies below for more information.

Contact Information

Phone: 207-335-5551

Acadia National Park, Attn: Duck Harbor Campground, PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

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