Kayak camping in Maine?

[mariagwyn]

Hey all,

My mother is in town and would like to kayak camp over labor day weekend. I was thinking about Maine, and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations about places to camp involving lvl 2ish paddles. I am trying to get info about Acadia, and am looking into the Maine Island Trails Assoc, but I am not sure I want to become a member at this point. Any recommendations?

Also, any recommendations about where to rent a tandem kayak in Maine? I can rent one here, but I thought closer to the destination might work better.

Thanks,

Maria

[ccarlson]

Well, MITA membership would open many island camping opportunities and is also a worthy cause regardless (OK, off soapbox now). There are a number of islands that are publicly owned. Those coming immediately to mind include Jewell in Casco Bay, Thief in Muscongus, Little Chebeague in Casco, etc. Jewell and Little Chebeague are apt to be pretty heavily used Labor Day weekend. Thief has just one useable site and is also likely to be busy. I believe Strawberry Island in Muscongus Bay is public and not too far a paddle from Bremen Cove Marine, a good put-in for Muscongus. There are quite a few other public islands so some research will likely be fruitful.

Another alternative is Warren Island State Park in Penobscot Bay. It's a 2 mile paddle from Lincolnville Beach (can be choppy on a windy day) and has nice sites, fresh water, privy, etc.

Check with Maine Sport for the tandem rental.... they're in Rockport, ME.

Have fun!

[Brad Fournier]

I recently stayed overnight in Muscongus bay (Boothbay), on Crow Island and it was quite nice. There arent many pleasure boaters in here but it si crawling with 35-40' noisy diesel lobster boats that that are throttle heavy. If you plan on sleeping past 5am forget it as you will be awakened by these monster sounding boats (with country music blasting ) as they check the unbelievable amount of lobster traps in this gorgeous , almost unspoiled seascape. Refer to Tamsin Venns (?) book Paddling the NEw England Coast. Or write me back and I can E-mail you the pertinent article. brad.

[jonsprag1]

If you can drive to the Stonington area, Old Quarry Ocean Adventures rents Necky Amaruks---18' long doubles w/rudders. You can rent them by the 1/2 day, full day, or multiple days---you can also rent camping equipment including tents, stove, sleeping pads etc. If you are not familiar with the Stonington area, there are apporximatly 58 islands within a hours paddle of the launch site---many of them with a 15 minute to 30 minute paddle---many are publicly owned islands or private islands on the Maine Island Trail and allow free camping. You don't have to be a member of MITA to camp on the public land but to access the private islands you should be. The area is one of the best places to paddle on the Maine coast.(others might say Mount Desert Island is better but MDI does not have free camping anywhere except for three rather hard to get to Islands----Stonington has at least 20 places) If you want your camping to be on the luxury side you can stay at Old Quarry and use their indoor toilets and hot showers. Warrens Island is also good but you do have a 2.5--3 mile paddle across a stretch of water completly open the SW swells and winds coming up the bay from the open ocean and outshouse w/no showers. Casco Bay (Little Chebeague, Jewells etc) is also nice and it is closer to Mass but the marine traffic there is very heavy. When I paddle in the lower bay close to Portland I spend most of my time dodging ferry boats and other traffic. The beauty of Stonington is that you can choose a sheltered paddle from island to island and never be more than 100--200 yards away from land or you can cross Merchant's Row and paddle around Isle Au Haut(most of which is part of Acadia National Park) for more exposed trips. If you would like a guide, one is available through Old Quarry for 1/2 day, full day or multiple day trips.(I guide from there, hence the shamless plug) Feel free to contact me via private e-mail if you would like some more information.

[Dee Hall]

Keep in mind, lobstering is illegal on Sundays in Maine. We stayed on Crow on a Saturday night and slept a wonderful, late Sunday morning.

-Dee

[Mel Rice]

I'll add one more to this list of good suggestions...

You can always camp at Acadia and take a series of day trips. This will give you a variety of places to choose from based on skill level, weather etc.

Cheers,

Mel

[EEL]

>My mother is in town and would like to kayak camp over labor

>day weekend. I was thinking about Maine, and wanted to know

>if anyone had any recommendations about places to camp

>involving lvl 2ish paddles.

I'm not sure what Level 2 implies, especially with a tandem, but the paddles in the upper part of Muscongus Bay and Stonington should be well within limits absent fog or unusual weather. Crow would be a easy destination in Muscongus.

>

>Also, any recommendations about where to rent a tandem kayak

>in Maine?

Not sure whether he provides his tandem as rental, but you might also try Ray Wirth of Water Walker in Belfast Maine.

There is a great deal to be said for staying in B&Bs and doing day paddles. Finding places for Labor Day would likely be a trick.

I second Carl's suggestion that belonging to MITA is something to consider for many reasons.

Ed Lawson

[mariagwyn]

So far all of your suggestions are great. And yes, I did just join MITA and I hope they send their membership book pronto. Stonington looks like a real possibility for a variety of reasons. Further suggestions welcome, but this has already been helpful.

Thanks,

Maria

[scamlin]

Agree with Carl's suggestions.

However, note that the crossing to Warren Island is definitely NOT for novices in any boat. That channel can get very rough, especially when the wind is against the strong current. It can be misleading since the trip over can be like a lake, but conditions can change in a hurry. (Not to mention possible fog or the boat taffic).

Best,

Scott

[ccarlson]

Scott's right about the possibility of very ugly conditions crossing Penobscot Bay to Warren I believe you can take the Ferry over to Islesboro then paddle to Warren from there but not sure they'll let you take a kayak without a car though.