Sporting Camps and Lodges
Discover a unique Maine tradition offering an authentic outdoor experience.
Sporting Camps and Lodges are a unique Maine tradition offering an authentic outdoor experience to lucky visitors for more than 140 years. Unique to the state of Maine, some people originally thought of these camps as just “hunting and fishing lodges.” Today they offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation and guided experiences.
True Maine Tradition
A handful of camps opened their doors in the mid-1800s and are still in operation today. Many in DownEast Acadia are still run by the same family generations later. Guests tend to return year after year, even generation after generation. While early guests may have traveled by railroad, steamboat, horse-drawn wagon, or canoe, today access by float planes, snowmobiles, and gravel logging roads makes getting here a bit easier.
An important part of this tradition includes the availability of a Registered Maine Guide to help you learn more about most outdoor activities or guide your adventure.
an Authentic way to stay
Most, such as in Grand Lake Stream, are nestled on the shores of pristine inland lakes so beautiful you won’t ever want to miss taking your vacation, whether it’s for hunting, fishing, hiking, or just a laid-back family holiday. The lodges themselves are wonderful getaways with old-time features such as woodstoves and rockers on the front porch. Some are remote, and others offer 21st-century conveniences such as WiFi.
You’ll find yourself waking to the call of loons. Then it’s time for a hearty breakfast, followed by a day of wilderness activity. You can fly fish for native brook trout or landlocked salmon, enjoy a quiet lake paddle and hike on well-marked trails—with a good chance of spotting a moose and bald eagles.
There’s an abundance of fowl and game for the hunting enthusiast that roam our deep forests, quiet marshes, and beautiful lakes. You can find big game animals such as moose, deer, bear, bobcat, and small game birds and animals such as grouse, woodcock, and rabbit.
Planning Tools
To help you plan your trip we provide information on drive time and distances to and around the region. Plus info on other commercial transportation options.
Once you arrive in DownEast Acadia, you will want to access local sources of visitor information, state laws, recreation rules, and road conditions.
To help you pack or plan your day, check out the current weather in the region or learn about year-round averages of temperature and precipitation.
Paid for by Maine Office of Tourism with support from our member organizations. | ©2023, DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism | Design and Development: Thalo Blue Destination Marketing