Please note, this review is older than 3 years
Web site: Hermit Island
Bath, ME - 207-443-2101
Lorraine gave us this review on 02/08/06. Approx Dates of Stay: Week of July 4, 2005. What did you camp in? Tent
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.
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.
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.
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