Griffin Island campsite

- north, Oquossoc, ME 04964

Introduction / Overview

For the true Maine wilderness enthusiast—the camper who defines a perfect getaway by silence, seclusion, and separation from modern amenities—Griffin Island Campsite stands out as a jewel. This is not a typical roadside campground with RV hookups and bustling activities. Instead, it offers a deeply primitive, highly exclusive experience as part of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve, a massive conservation area extending over 6,000 protected acres in the Rangeley Lakes Region.

Griffin Island hosts a single, dedicated campsite, making it the ultimate destination for privacy. It is situated on Mooselookmeguntic Lake, one of the region's largest and most pristine bodies of water. The entire preserve, which includes mainland shorelines and several other islands, was established in 1963 to permanently protect the natural beauty of the land, maintaining accessibility for public enjoyment of its rugged, conserved state.

A stay at Griffin Island is an immersion into the natural rhythms of Western Maine. Campers must be fully self-sufficient and comfortable with a boat-in access point, as this site is deliberately isolated. The reward is an unrivaled quietude, a large, grassy island space with a protected fire pit, and truly panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the Bemis Range and the Height of the Land.

Location and Accessibility

Griffin Island Campsite is physically located on Griffin Island within Mooselookmeguntic Lake, near the community of Oquossoc, ME 04964, USA. The most crucial detail for this specific site is its access requirement: it is exclusively a boat-in campsite. There is no vehicle access, no bridge, and no hiking trail connecting it to the mainland or the main Preserve office. This intentional remoteness is what ensures the exceptional privacy.

The main office for the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve is located off Stephens Road in Oquossoc. Campers must first check in here to obtain their reservation and permit. While canoe rentals are available at the main office, most campers with a larger boat utilize the public boat launch at Haines Landing (approximately 5 miles from the office) or the public boat launch across from Toothaker Island to launch onto Mooselookmeguntic Lake.

Navigation to Griffin Island requires caution, particularly for those unfamiliar with the lake. The Preserve staff advises boaters to be extremely careful when approaching from the south due to a submerged reef stretching from Lunch Island. The site is best approached from the west, where a safer, rocky shoreline landing area, free from large submerged rocks, can be found. The island is located approximately 4.5 miles from the Preserve office and 3 miles from Haines Landing by water.

Services Offered

• Tent-Only Camping: The single site on Griffin Island is designed exclusively for tent camping; there are no facilities for RVs, trailers, or even pop-up campers.

• Essential Amenities: The site includes a durable tent pad (sized approximately 10x12), a metal fire pit with a grill grate (which must not be moved for safety reasons), and a wooden picnic table.

• Basic Toilet Facilities: As a wilderness site, an outhouse (typically a rustic box-style toilet) is provided for the use of campers.

• Camp Office Support: While on the island, campers are self-sufficient, but the mainland office offers services, including firewood for sale (hardwood bundles) and canoe rentals.

• Zero Waste Policy: In line with its conservation mission, the Preserve operates on a strict carry-in/carry-out policy. No trash facilities are provided, and all refuse must be taken off the island by the camper.

Features / Highlights

• Unrivaled Privacy: Hosting only one designated campsite, Griffin Island is the only location within the Preserve where a camper can secure an entire island to themselves, offering maximum seclusion.

• Panoramic Mountain Views: The site features large, open, and grassy areas and boasts spectacular views of the eastern, western, and southern shores of the lake, including the Bemis Range, Bald and Elephant Mountains, and the famous Height of the Land vista.

• Unique Shoreline: The island features a rocky, shale shoreline, with a small area that allows for careful boat landing, ideal for those who bring their own watercraft.

• Wilderness Experience: It is an ideal spot for anglers, offering access to Mooselookmeguntic Lake, known for its landlocked salmon and brook trout. The experience is truly rustic—no electricity, no showers, and no running water, offering a genuine 'unplugged' escape.

• Conservation Commitment: Your camping fees directly contribute to the mission of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve Trust, ensuring the permanent preservation of this pristine wilderness for future generations.

Contact Information

Address: Located on Griffin Island, north, Oquossoc, ME 04964, USA (Reservations and office operations are conducted through the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve on the mainland.)

Phone: (207) 864-2003

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

For the Maine resident, Griffin Island Campsite is a pinnacle of the authentic wilderness experience that defines our state. We value the quiet, the remote, and the challenge of a truly primitive outing, and Griffin Island delivers this in spades. It is a place that rewards preparation with unparalleled beauty and solitude.

The island's suitability for locals lies in its exclusivity. While many Mainers enjoy family campgrounds, there is a deep, intrinsic pull toward the secluded island campsite—a place where the loudest sounds are the calls of the loons and the crackle of a campfire. With only one site, it provides the kind of guaranteed privacy that is nearly impossible to find at public mainland parks.

Furthermore, by choosing to camp within the Stephen Phillips Memorial Preserve, Mainers are actively supporting a local conservation trust. The modest camping fees sustain the maintenance and protection of this vast, beautiful territory. It’s an opportunity to truly embody the "Vacationland" spirit by challenging oneself with a primitive, boat-in camping experience while ensuring that this extraordinary piece of the Rangeley Lakes Region remains forever wild and accessible to those who respect it. Griffin Island isn't just a campsite; it's a preserved piece of Maine heritage, waiting to be discovered by the adventurous local camper.

Griffin Island campsite

north, Oquossoc, ME 04964, USA