Duck Harbor Campground

- Isle Au Haut, ME 04645

Introduction / Overview

For Maine residents who cherish the state’s rugged coastline and seek a true escape from the summer crowds, Duck Harbor Campground represents the pinnacle of primitive, coastal camping. Located on the southern, National Park Service-managed half of the remote Isle au Haut, this destination offers a wilderness experience unlike any other in Acadia National Park. This is not the car-camping environment found on Mount Desert Island; Duck Harbor is a secluded, limited-access retreat designed for those who embrace the "off-the-beaten-path" ethos.

Duck Harbor is renowned, and famously difficult to book, due to its small size. The campground features only five meticulously maintained campsites, each housed within a classic New England-style, three-sided lean-to shelter. This scarcity, coupled with the sheer natural beauty and the island’s remoteness, ensures that those who manage to secure a reservation are treated to one of the quietest and most peaceful camping experiences available in the State of Maine. It is the perfect antidote to the high-traffic visitor areas of the park, offering an opportunity to connect with the raw, untamed nature of the Maine coast.

Guests must be prepared for a genuine backcountry experience. The island is largely inaccessible to automobiles, and all gear must be carried from the mailboat landing, a short distance away. While the camping is primitive, the reward is total immersion in a landscape of rocky cliffs, dense spruce forests, and spectacular ocean views. The area is a hiker's paradise, though as many experienced campers note, the trails here are exceptionally rugged and require a good level of fitness—a challenge well worth undertaking to see nature at its best.

Location and Accessibility

Duck Harbor Campground is located on Isle au Haut, an island approximately six miles off the coast of Stonington, Maine. The unique address is Isle Au Haut, ME 04645, USA, which immediately signifies its remote, island nature.

Access is a critical part of the experience and requires meticulous planning. The island is only reachable by the ferry service, known locally as the mailboat, which operates out of Stonington on the mainland. Visitors must leave their vehicles behind and travel only as passengers with their gear. During the peak season (typically mid-June through early October), the mailboat makes scheduled stops directly at the Duck Harbor Boat Landing, which is only about 300 feet from the campground shelters. However, outside of this narrow window, campers must disembark at the Isle au Haut Town Landing and hike approximately four to five challenging miles along the island's roads and trails to reach the campground.

The island's trails are noted for their difficulty. They feature primitive paths, often navigating loose rock, boulders, and steep inclines—a testament to the undeveloped nature of this corner of Acadia National Park. Campers are advised to be in good physical condition and to bring appropriate gear, such as sturdy footwear and hiking sticks, to safely navigate the terrain. This controlled, boat-only access is precisely what preserves the campground's extraordinary tranquility and sense of solitude.

Services Offered

Duck Harbor Campground provides essential, minimal services consistent with a true primitive backcountry camping experience within a National Park setting. Campers must be fully self-sufficient regarding food, safety, and potable water, as electricity and modern plumbing are not available.

• Sheltered Tent Sites: Five unique campsites are offered, each featuring a three-sided, wooden lean-to shelter with a roof and floor. Tents may be pitched inside the shelter space (12.5' wide by 8' deep) to offer protection from the elements and insects, but no tents are permitted outside the shelters.
• Campfire Amenities: Each lean-to site is equipped with a Fire Ring for cooking and warmth, along with a Picnic Table for meal preparation and dining.
• Non-Potable Water Source: A hand pump for non-potable water is located approximately 0.3 miles (about 1,600 feet) from the campground. All water drawn from this pump or other natural sources must be treated, filtered, or boiled before consumption. Campers are strongly encouraged to bring sufficient potable water for their entire stay.
• Sanitation: Three Composting Toilets are available on-site near the shelters, providing basic sanitation.
• Firewood Policy: Campers are permitted to collect dead and downed wood near the campground for fires, adhering to the park’s regulation against transporting outside firewood to prevent the spread of non-native insects.
• Trash Management: In keeping with Leave No Trace principles and the remote nature of the location, all trash must be carried out by campers—there are no dumpsters or trash collection services.

Features / Highlights

The true highlights of Duck Harbor Campground are less about amenities and more about the unparalleled natural environment and the opportunity for deep solitude.

• Extreme Solitude and Peace: With only five reservable sites, the campground guarantees an experience of exceptional quiet and a powerful sense of being off the grid, far removed from traffic and crowds.
• Backcountry Hiking Network: The campground is the gateway to the southern half of Acadia’s Isle au Haut trail network. This network offers over 18 miles of primitive, challenging trails, including the strenuous Duck Harbor Mountain Trail and the dramatic Goat Trail and Cliff Trail, which provide stunning views of coastal cliffs and the crashing Atlantic surf.
• Lean-to Shelters: The rustic, covered wooden platforms offer a unique and sheltered camping experience, providing protection from rain and fog, which are common on the Maine coast.
• Island Exploration: The island features diverse ecosystems, including rocky shorelines, dense spruce-fir forests, bogs, and a mile-long freshwater lake (Long Pond), offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and nature photography.
• Limited Season and Stay: The short camping season (typically mid-May through mid-October) and strict maximum stay limit (3 nights during peak season) ensure that the environment remains protected and that the exclusive nature of the experience is preserved.

Contact Information

Duck Harbor Campground is part of Acadia National Park and all reservation inquiries and procedural questions should be directed to the main park line or the National Park Service reservation system.

Address: Isle Au Haut, ME 04645, USA

Phone: (207) 288-3338 (Acadia National Park Headquarters)

Mobile Phone: +1 207-288-3338

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut is especially suitable for Maine locals because it offers a truly distinct and authentic downeast experience that is both accessible and a profound departure from everyday life. Maine residents who have already visited the popular spots like Mount Desert Island will appreciate the change of pace—the absolute quiet and the remote, untouched nature that this island section of Acadia National Park has preserved. This is a place where locals can truly test their skills in primitive camping, enjoy rugged coastal hiking without the congestion, and find the kind of deep, restorative solitude that Maine is famous for. While the limited reservation system makes it the hardest campground to book, its proximity (a manageable drive to Stonington for the mailboat) and the unparalleled reward of a serene, quiet, and beautiful retreat make the effort well worth it for the dedicated Maine adventurer. It’s an exclusive piece of Maine’s natural heritage, reserved for those willing to embrace the challenge of the journey.

Duck Harbor Campground

Isle Au Haut, ME 04645, USA