Clamping on HERMIT ISLAND: A Hidden Gem
Glamping on Hermit Island Campground
If you love the idea of camping but prefer a real bed and a little coastal polish, glamping on Hermit Island is the sweet spot between rugged Maine and relaxed comfort. Tucked along the rocky shoreline of Casco Bay in Phippsburg, this family-owned campground feels wonderfully off-the-grid — but with enough thoughtful amenities to keep things easy.
Why It’s Special
Hermit Island isn’t a resort. It’s authentic, salty-air Maine — pine forests, tide pools, and five distinct beaches ranging from sandy stretches to dramatic rocky coves. Sunrises over the water feel cinematic, and at night the stars put on a show without city light competing.
The Glamping Angle
While many visitors pitch traditional tents, Hermit Island also offers rustic cabin and cottage rentals that elevate the experience. Think screened porches, simple kitchens, electricity, and cozy beds — so you can enjoy the sound of the ocean without wrestling with tent poles. Some sites sit just steps from the shoreline, where you can fall asleep to waves instead of traffic.
Savvy Tips for Your Stay
Book early. Summer reservations fill quickly, especially oceanfront spots. There are cabins, urts, or regular camping and they provide firewood too!
Plan for tides. Low tide reveals expansive sandbars and tide pools — perfect for exploring with kids.
Bring bikes. The island roads are ideal for cruising under the pines.
Pack layers. Even in July, evenings can be breezy and cool.
Catch golden hour at Sand Dollar Beach. It’s one of the most photogenic stretches on the island.
The Vibe
This is unplugged coastal nostalgia — lobster rolls nearby, bare feet in the sand, coffee on a porch facing the Atlantic. It’s glamping with a distinctly New England soul: simple, scenic, and restorative.
Let’s Go....
When you’re glamping on Hermit Island, you’re surrounded by quintessential Maine coastal flavor both on and off the sand. Right inside the campground at the Kelp Shed Snack Bar, you can grab classic summertime bites — breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and some of the best Gifford’s ice cream around with picnic-table views overlooking Head Beach. The camp store also sells fresh clams and live lobsters caught just off Casco Bay, so you can steam your own Maine feast back at your fire pit or order seafood to take with you while exploring the dunes and tide pools.
Just a short drive from the island, Phippsburg and the surrounding peninsula offer local seafood institutions worth planning a meal around. Spinney’s Oceanfront Restaurant at Popham Beach pairs lobster and seafood with one of the most scenic water views on the coast, perfect for an early dinner after a beach walk, while The Lobster House — a beloved casual seafood spot overlooking Small Point Harbor, has been a local favorite for generations with fresh catches and laid-back picnic-table dining right by the water.
For classic Maine lobster rolls worth a slight detour, head farther down the coast to legendary roadside stands like Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, frequently named one of the state’s best and known for hearty, prize-winning lobster sandwiches that draw lines of locals and travelers alike every summer.
While Hermit Island itself doesn’t have a boardwalk of shops, the small general store and gift shop inside the campground carry seasonal souvenirs, beach gear, snacks, and little treasures like sea-glass jewelry — perfect for capturing a bit of Maine seaside nostalgia before you head home