Birch Harbor , Maine - 207 963-7194
Nancy L Ragusa gave us this review on 04/22/09. Dates of Stay: August 22-Sept 3rd 2008. Will You Return? Yes. What did you camp in? Tent
What stood out? This campground is private with large, 1/4 acre spacious sites, some even having 2 fireplaces. Although many people can camp there, you have all the privacy you want. You wake to the sunrise over your private oceanside site and get to watch the moon rise like a fireball over the water. Ocean sitings have included seals, dolphins and Bald Eagles. Also many other good birds if you are a birder. Birds I have seen include, white winged crossbills, blackburnians, black throated green warblers, wilson warbler,bald eagle, peregrin falcon, kestrel, king fishers, eiders, guillimonts,loons,blue heron,cedar waxwings nest right in the park, wood thrush, whiporwhill, hummingbirds, and many many others.
Owners and Staff: The owners/staff are amazing. Mike has maned the campground with the help of his family all these years. Their love for this place is obvious as they hacked out by hand all the sites themselves. They built the bathrooms with are spotless. They make frequent daily rounds of the grounds and are always available. Their home is right on the premises and believe it or not, all 8 children were birthed right there in their home. Mike and his family work very hard to make you stay quiet, private and restful.
Camp landscaping and surroundings: The campround is on rugged coastline. There are ocean sited and wooded sited. The ocean sited have 2 firerings. One on your partially wooded site and then one directly on the rocks. For people who have sites that are not on the ocean, there is a shore trail that leads to the ocean. It is a rocky shore, not a sandy one and therefore sometimes treacherous if you are elderly. As I said, most sites are a quarter acre so privacy abounds if you wish. There are plenty of jack pines.
Good sites: All of the coastal sites are wonderful. The inner sites are also good, it really depends on what you want. All coastal sites have water and electric.Best sites would probably be considered 16, 18, 20, and all the wilderness sites. Bad sites: Depends on what you are looking for. If you want to be away from Rvs, then off shore sites would be better for you. I would consider sites 11, 15, 17, A2E, A4 E, and A6E to be undesirable.
Campsite hookups: primitive tent, electric, water Campsite Descriptions: sunny and open, wooded, private, semi-private, large and spacious, picnic table, fire ring. Sites range in sizes and kinds. Some are private and wooded, and others more public. Our site that we pick every year and have now for 17 years is on the coast, private and large enough for us to set up 2 tents, a 17 ft tarp, a small bathroom, kitchen area with running water, our kayaks and we still have room to spare. Over the rocks are some sites considered to be the wilderness sites. They are a bit smaller and I believe no fires are allowed after 10 pm. Also no radios or electric. They are quite a distance from the bathroom but have their own privys.
Cell Phone Service: I believe there is one satillite over the campground. I dont always get cell phone reception at my particular site but only have to walk a few feet away to the shore wall to get reception....or up the the bathroom. For some reason, there is reception there and you will meet several others talking there too!
Seasonal Campers and Campsites: No seasonal, 2 week limit on sites, however you can switch sites after 2 weeks.
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: Although restroom and shower are accessable to all, they can be a bit of a walking distance to some sites. Not to bad tho. Showers are all cement and hosed down several times daily. I have been there for 17 years and never once seen a spider in the shower!
ocean, dumping station; This campground is for the naturalist or the family that just wants to get away together for some good quality time. The rocks, the woods and the ocean are your playground. there are however plenty of things to do outside the campground.
What is nearby? restaurants, grocery stores, ocean or lake, amusements, nature trails. There are several restaurants and one diner within 2 miles of the campground. There is a small grocery store, post office and bar within a quarter mile drive of the campground. there is also a kayak and boat or bike rental place within a mile. The beautiful Schoonic Point is within a few miles as is Frenchmens Bay and a short trip to Cadillac Mountain. If you wish to travel further, there is shopping in Ellsworth (40 minute) drive with an LL bean store for those who like LLBean. Also movies in Ellsworth and logger shows. Driving north of the campground will take you to Lubec. You can take a short trip to Jonesport to go on the Puffin Tour which is amazing. If you wish to do a 2 day trip, well Bay of Fundy is lots of fun too. Stop on your way there at Campobella Island to see Roosevelts vacation home. Also, if you wish, a ferry will take you shopping in Bar Harbor and I believe you can also catch the Cat out to Nova Scotia for the day or a several night trip. Locally you can also book boat trips, lobstering trips, or sailing trips. In Bar Harbor you can even book hang gliding trips. There is no reason to be bored unelss you want to be.
Last comments: Finally and most importantly. This campground will only be open one more year. Sadly it has been purchased by a new owner who has plans to sell. He has graciously allwed Mike to open and run this place for one last year. People from all over the country patronize this place and we are all grateful to this new owner for one last chance to enjoy the coastline in its beautiful natural state. Anyone who has ever thought about going to Oceanwood but have been putting it off should take advantage of this last year. Help us to thank Mike and his family for keeping a pristine coastline for all of us to enjoy year after year. Hope to see you there. If you do go, tell Mike that Nancy says HI!
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Wow, what a fantastic place. I was thinking we should stay there next season, and then I read the part where they have sold and are closing the campground. What a shame.
Thanks for sharing. I hope this last year will be terrific for you and for them!
Posted by That's Camping Admin on 04/22/09
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