Reviews:
Here is a list of reviews for Hermit Island taken from various websites on the web. I hope that these will be of more help to you when iquiring about Hermit Island. Please note that every review gave Hermit Island Campground a great rating. Websites used include www.thatscamping.com, www.epinions.com, and www.popupexplorer.com. If you have been to Hermit Island, be sure to e-mail you own review to me or post them in our forum. Much more to come!!!
1. Hermit Island Campground-there's no place like it!
Pros
Beautiful scenery, so many things to do, camping at it's best!
Cons
Absolutely nothing, unless you don't like camping!
The Bottom Line
Whether you're a couple looking to getaway, or a group of friends or family looking for an adventure, you've got to try this place!
Full Review: Being an original Maine-iac myself, I may be biased when it comes to any attraction in the state. However, this place has a special place in my heart. Since I was three years old my parents had been taking our family on week long trips to Hermit Island Campground and now I take mine. The campground is literally an island connected to the main land only by a strip of land that gives just enough room for a beach and parking. The campground holds 275 campsites each with their own camp fireplace, picnic table and parking spot. There are several beaches on the island including one that you have to hike to get there. Tents and small pop-ups are welcomed!
When driving into Hermit Island you will first hit the Kelp Shed, the campground headquarters. The Kelp Shed provides your check in/reservation desk along with a game room and snack bar. During the summer months the snack bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The reservation desk also provides a variety of board games to play on those rainy days when you want to keep inside. You can also check out the activities list and find a variety a things to do such as join a sunset cruise or rent canoes or kayaks. If your up for adventure, grab and map with trails and take a hike through the woods, who knows you may cross paths with a deer and her fawn.
After you've checked in you'll pass the General Store and Gift Shop. The General Store provides campers with fire wood, groceries, shellfish, lobster, beer and wine as well as camping necessities. This comes in handy since the closets grocery store is about a 25 minute drive back into Bath, Maine. Behind the General Store is a laundry room, I don't about know you but laundry is not something I don't want to do while vacationing, but none the less it is provided. The Gift Shop is small and quaint, but has wonderful little gifts for all ages including postcards of the island and pictures of the campground many years ago.
Okay, let's get on this island and past the enormous anchor that rests on a hill to your right as you drive in. Depending on your preference when camping, Hermit Island Campground offers campsites of all kinds. There are wooded, open, beach, and ocean view sites. They are broken down into Prime, Choice and Value sites. Joe's Head road consists of 12 sites on raised land that is very open with little trees and overlooks the Casco Bay. I personally am afraid of my tent blowing away at these sites, but to each his own. Western Reach is my favorite and most commonly reserved site area. You have the choice of Prime and Choice sites. The Prime sites are breath taking and overlook the Casco Bay as well. During 4th of July you can see the fireworks from across the bay into what I believe is Freeport/Brunswick area. Another breath taking area is Cross Island, at least 1, 2 and 3, but good luck getting one of these sites, I have only been fortunate enough to book them on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend when the water is cold and and the weather is very unpredictable. If you travel with several other families and a pop-up and don't mind not having any privacy I would suggest Iris Downs. The majority of the sites are excellent and you really can't go wrong. Of course if you've never been there before, just tell them your preferences and they will always do their best to accommodate you.
The restrooms on the island are generally clean and outhouses and flush are both offered. Showers are located in several different areas of the island and do have hot water, just avoid going during the rush which usually takes place right before dinner. Mirrors and outlets are located in the bathroom for your convenience.
During the day you can swim at one of the many beaches, plan a day trip to Sand Dollar Beach where if you're into snorkeling you can go out to find 100's of live sand dollars on the ocean floor. Sand Dollar beach requires getting into your vehicle to get to or you may attempt to hike or bike the hilled road to the beach. You may also hike the four different marked trails on the island. And one of my favorites is to purchase a shellfishing license and during low tide go out and dig clams. The license is available at the Kelp Shed or if the season is busy you may need to go into town if they run out. At the end of the day you can have yourself a good old fashioned New England Clam Dinner at your campfire.
At night you can smell the fires burning and the laughter of fellow campers around you. You can take a walk through the campground or venture on to the beach where you most likely will find someone doing night fishing. Time has no meaning when you're camping and what may seem like midnight may only be nine o'clock. However the campground does have round the clock security that drives around their golf cart throughout the night and makes sure that all minors obey curfew which is 10:00 pm last I checked.
Reservations for this magnificent campground, are taken by mail only starting Jan. 2nd and must be for week long reservations. Beginning Feb. they will take by mail and phone for week long bookings and then come March they will take reservations for less than a week. Payment is always due 30 days after booking. Rates may change but vary between $30 - $50 a night. Please check their website for more details at http://www.hermitisland.com
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
2. Hermit Island
Overall Campground Rating: excellent. What stood out? The location is beautiful, and since there are no RV's allowed, all you hear at night is the sound of the wind and the ocean. Lots of sites, but most of them have some kind of buffer between, so you feel like you have some kind of privacy.
Owners and Staff: Very professional and courteous. The campground hires lots of older teens and young adults, who work very hard at everything -keeping the bathrooms and grounds clean, tending the store and the snack bar, etc.
Camp landscaping and surroundings: Everything from ocean-side cliffs to woods, to grassy glades. The campground is only half of the "island," and the other half is forested, with hiking trails out to the more remote beaches. There was an actual hermit in the 1800's and his apple orchard is still there. Go to the orchard an hour before dusk and you're likely to see a herd of deer meander through.
Overall Site Quality: excellent Good/Bad sites: That's hard - depends on whether you like sun, woods, or both. Be aware that the "Prime" sites are mostly in the sun, but have gorgeous views of the ocean or are right in the dunes. The "choice" sites are usually at least partially shaded, and have some other amenity like a partial view of the ocean, are right on the bay side of the island, or have great privacy. The "value" sites are in the deeper woods, a little further from the ocean, and can be a bit buggy. I've been happy with just about everything on "the circle" except perhaps #32. There are over 270 sites! 23 is good for kids - big and spacious, close to the bathroom, but a little close to the road for me. There's a lobstering-related truck that goes down the main road of the campground every morning about 6:00 and is kind of loud. Campsite hookups: primitive tent. Campsite Descriptions: sunny and open, wooded, private, semi-private, large and spacious, sandy bottom, grassy bottom, picnic table, fire ring, group camping area.
Seasonal Campers and Campsites: No permanent sites.
Clean restrooms and showers? yes. Restrooms and showers need updating? no. free showers. Are restrooms accessible from all sites? yes. Additional comments on restrooms and showers: There's a combination of flush toilets and pit toilets. The pits are usually pretty well kept, but in mid summer they can be a little scary. If you have bladder problems or small children who can't wait, you will want to ask for a site near the flush toilets.
Activities and Amenities ocean, swimming, fishing, boat rentals, recreation hall, video games, pool table, live entertainment, camp store, ice cream, AM coffee, snack bar, laundry room, security gate. The laundry room is dryers only. There's a laundromat 20 minutes away in Bath. They have a staff biologist who does nature hikes, and two different kinds of boat trips - sunset pleasure type trips, and nature-watching trips.
What is nearby? restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, ocean or lake, amusements, nature trails. The city of Bath is 20 minutes away, and Brunswick is 35 minutes away. There's a huge bookstore and a 10-screen cineplex in Brunswick (Cook's Corner), in case of rainy days. If you go during 4th of July, be sure to check out the Arts fair in front of the Library in Bath.
Last comments: I've been camping here for 12 years. My daughter has always loved it, and still wants to go, even though she's now an adult. Sites fill up fast, so if you want to go for a week or more, be sure to send in your reservation request in December. Otherwise your choices of campsite will be limited. Best strategy may be to book any site for any amount of time (even a long weekend is good), then thoroughly check out the campground, making note of the sites, or kinds of sites you'd like to get next time. Then you can book your reservation early and get a site you like.
3. Hermit Island
Overall Campground Rating: excellent. What stood out? awesome location!!! camping right on the ocean
Owners and Staff: friendly, always helpful
Camp landscaping and surroundings: beautiful, natural, trails, rocky coast, hidden beaches
Overall Site Quality: excellent Good sites: all are great, but along the coast overlooking the ocean are amazing! look on thier web site for a download of camp sites Bad sites: none, it's just great to be there
Campsite hookups: primitive tent, Campsite Descriptions: sunny and open, wooded, private, semi-private, large and spacious, sandy bottom, picnic table, fire ring, sites always clean
Clean restrooms and showers? yes. Restrooms and showers need updating? no. free showers. Are restrooms accessible from all sites? yes.
Activities and Amenities ocean, swimming, fishing, camp store, ice cream, AM coffee, snack bar,
What is nearby? restaurants, grocery stores, nature trails.
Last comments: I have been camping at hermit island for 35 years, i now take my own family, they love it, i can't miss a year! best place to camp ever.
4. Hermit Island
Overall Campground Rating: excellent. What stood out? They had a great varity of beaches and hiking trails. The campground had a great hang out called the Kelp Shed where they served food and ice-cream. In the Kelp Shed they had video games and a pool table. They have a store where you can purchase food,milk, and snacks. When it's time to leave you can always stop at the gift shop and buy something to remind you of the great campsite.
Owners and Staff: The staff is pretty good and they keep the campground clean and check you every so often to see if your camping exspirience has been good.
Camp landscaping and surroundings: The campground is surrounded by beachs and the landscape is wonderful!
Overall Site Quality: excellent Good sites: Landfall 6,4,3 Everything West Dune Way Bad sites: I haven't had a bad site yet!
Campsite hookups: primitive tent, water, Campsite Descriptions: sunny and open, private, picnic table, fire ring, group camping area. The site are amazing and full of wood that you can use for campfires.
Seasonal Campers and Campsites: neat and orderly,
Clean restrooms and showers? yes. Restrooms and showers need updating? no. free showers. Are restrooms accessible from all sites? yes. Additional comments on restrooms and showers: The are pretty clean and private
Activities and Amenities ocean, swimming, fishing, boating, boat rentals, video games, pool table, camp store, ice cream, AM coffee, snack bar, There are many activities to do on the island.
What is nearby? ocean or lake, The beaches are wonderful!!!
Last comments: You will have a great time if you go to Hermit Island!!!
5. Hermit Island Campground
Approx Dates of Stay: 06/12-13/2004 & others. Overall Campground Rating: excellent. What stood out? Location, location, location! Fall asleep listening to the ocean surf, the bells on the buoys, belly full of Lobster & Steamers cooked over a campfire!! To borrow from a commercial- It doesn't get any better than this! Owners and Staff: Always helpful, always courteous. Perhaps not Overly friendly but the there are like 275 sites!! Camp landscaping and surroundings: Campground is on a spit of land, surrounded on three sides by the ocean or bays. Sites vary from Sand and full sun to wooded and rocky!There are about 7 beaches here so yo may find you have a beach all to yourself!
Overall Site Quality: excellent. Good/Bad site #'s: This is far too personal a choice! Our first year we had a small site, almost couldn't get the pop-up out due to rain and slick grass, but had such a great time! Had a site there one year that I had to pile flat rocks to level tha camper- still had a great time. Campsite hookups: primitive tent. Campsite Descriptions: sunny and open, wooded, private, semi-private, large and spacious, somewhat small, close to the road, sandy bottom, grassy bottom, picnic table, fire ring, Seasonal Campers and Campsites: I don't believe they do seasonals!
Clean restrooms and showers? yes. Restrooms and showers need updating? no. free showers. Are restrooms accessible from all sites? yes. Additional comments on restrooms and showers: Some sites are closer to pit toilets than flush toilets. Ask questions and choose wisely in the heat of the summer!
Activities and Amenities: ocean, swimming, fishing, boating, boat rentals, docks or moorings, recreation hall, video games, pool table, playground, camp store, ice cream, AM coffee, security gate. Great Lobsters and steamers at the camp store! Good Ice Cream at the snack bar! What is nearby? restaurants, retail stores, ocean or lake, LL Bean down the coast in Freeport. Bath Ironworks nearby. Probably the nicest beach anywhere in Maine is Popham Beach, a few miles away. Great restaurants too, but when you can cook Lobster and steamers over your campfire- who needs restaurants!!! Last comments: Hermit Island will not appeal to everyone! It's primitive. Only Tents, Pickup campers and small to medium pop-ups are allowed. No frills, but oh, do we love it!
6. Hermit Island Campground
Overall Campground Rating: excellent. What stood out? The location definitely stood out. It is on an island and guests staying there feel like they are a million miles away from civilization. There are 7 white sand beaches which are never crowded. There are also about 6 hiking trails through many acres of woods. Boat rentals are at the marina. There are Yankee boat cruises plus alot of places to fish.
Owners and Staff: The staff was very helpful. You check in at the Kelp Shed which is the service center for the campground. Here many things happpen including the game room, volleyball court, and a cafe and rainy day games.
Camp landscaping and surroundings: The landscaping is great. You are surrounded by ocean on all of the island except a small strip connecting it to the mainland. The woods are peacful and hold plenty of wildlife. The beaches are totally exceptional.
Overall Site Quality: excellent Good/Bad sites: All the sites are good. Be sure not to get a choice site which are the lowest sites. These tend to be more buggy seeing as the are more wooded. Campsite hookups: primitive tent, Campsite Descriptions: sunny and open, wooded, large and spacious, close to the road, sandy bottom, grassy bottom, pine needle bottom, picnic table, fire ring, Very nice. Sites range from sandy dune sites to grss bottom sites to fully wooded sites.
Clean restrooms and showers? yes. Restrooms and showers need updating? no. free showers. Are restrooms accessible from all sites? yes. Additional comments on restrooms and showers: Very clean and situated good. Be sure that in the summer heat you are near flush toilets and not regular toilets since the regular toilets tend to smell more.
Activities and Amenities pond, ocean, swimming, fishing, boating, boat rentals, docks or moorings, video games, kids planned activities, camp store, AM coffee, snack bar, Be sure to check out the different tours offered. They can be fun especially ones along the beach and throught the tidepools. These can be signed up for at the Kelp Shed.
What is nearby? restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, ocean or lake, Close to Bath which has many dining options and retail stores.
Last comments: Great for people looking to plunge into nature. From beaches to hiking to boating to fishing they have it all. Great for nature lovers!!!!
7. Hermit Island Campground
Absolutely fabulous. This campground could not get any better. Located on Casco Bay it is an island which is connected to the mainland by a small strip of beach with a road going over it. It is completely private including all of its facilities. There are seven white sand beaches. Since only people staying at the campground are allowed in, the beaches are pratically empty. The water is warm and the scenery is exceptional. One beach I would suggest is Sand Dune Beach on the southeast side of the island. There are also about 6 hiking trails. These go through woods filled with wildlife and over rocks near the coast. One trails suggested is the red trail which is the only trail near the coast. Since the bugs on the island are endless the red trailtends to get the least amount of bugs. On top of all the activites there are plenty of boating options. There is a full marina on the island where boats can be rented and moorings can be rented out for people coming in by boat. Among the boats that can be rented, there are kayaks, canoes, and row boats. There is also a boat ramp. On top the best is the islands own "Yankee" boat which goes out almost every day on great cruises around Casco Bay and the Branch. The waters are filled with plenty of fish for fishing and on top of that, the area is abundant with lobster. The lobster can be purchased live at the campground store. They make any dinner a great one on the island. At the store they also offer many other necesities including groceries, live seafood, camp supplies, firewood, and a few food options. Next to the store is the island's gift shop which offers eveything to remind you of your island vacation inlcuding t-shirts and postcards among other options. Across the street from the store is the Kelp Shed; the islands full service station. Here you cancheck-in for the campground, rent a mooring, book a "Yankee" cruise, play a game of billiards or some video games in the game room, grab a snack or some ice-cream at the snack bar, play a game of volleyball at the outdoor volleyball court, or have a bite to eat on the picnic tables. For the shower and toilet facilities, they are completely spick and span. They are scattered throughout the campground and the showers are free to all guests. In the summer be sure to get a site though away from the regular toilets since they do not flush and tend to stink. The sites are put into three groups; prime, choice, and value with prime being the highest and value being the lowest. The prime and choice are open with little shade with less bugs. The value are fully wooded but tend to have more bugs. Every site has a picnic table and fire ring where campfires are allowed. Public drinking and washing water is pumped through the campground and can be obtained through many spigots at various locations. Overall, the campground is great for nature lovers and beach goers. It is pretty off-the-beaten-path but definitely worth the drive!!!
8. Hermit Island Campground
Eveything was perfect. I especially loved the tours which is what I did with most of my time on the island. The island tour guides cover every speck of the island. The ones on the beach and through the tidepools are especially good because they show what animals live on the islands tidepools. There are crabs, lobsters, and other animals. These tours can be signed up for at the Kelp shed which is the islands service center. Got to check out the beaches which are also good. Be sure to get a prime site. They are open and less buggy.
9. Hermit Island Campground
I found out about this campground on the Internet, and I tent camped there in July 2007.
Describe your camping trip:
This campground is amazing. It is a 255 acre island with rocky bluffs, birch groves, dunes and beaches, and a deep forest. There are 275 campsites spread out over all of these areas. The island itself has seven white sand swimming beaches, an extensive hiking trail system, a full marina, boating options, fishing, biking, daily nature activities and more. There is always something to do on the island, including nature trips from the campground's staff biologist, beach activities, nightly entertainment at the Kelp Shed, tidepooling, and much more. The campground has a store, a gift shop, and the Kelp Shed, the island's headquarters. Hermit Island is famous for its beachfront campsites right on the ocean, but there are also plenty others with views of Casco Bay or deep in the forest. Hemit Island is easily the most peaceful and relaxing campground out there, with camping right on the ocean.
Pros: Absolutely everything.
Cons: Nothing at all.
Nearby attractions: Plenty of nearby attractions, especially in Bath, including museums, shopping and dining. Popham Beach is also very close to the island.
Further comments:
Absolutely the best camping there can be, with camping right on the ocean. It does not get any better than this.
More Information:
Hikercentral Reviews
