98% (1.7K) • 58 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Portland
Hidden Valley Nature Center
1. Hidden Valley Nature Center
95%
(538)
46mi from Portland · 8 sites
Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley is 1,000 acres of protected land in Jefferson, Maine. It is rich with a variety of habitat and terrain, including over a mile of shorefront on Little Dyer Pond, nearly 25 miles of multi-use trails are great for hiking, birding, and exploring. Try our rolled and groomed cross country ski trails in the winter.
Hidden Valley is a Community Forest, part of over 16,000 acres protected and stewarded by Midcoast Conservancy, a non-profit. A portion of the booking fees supports the organization’s mission to protect and restore vital lands and waters in midcoast Maine on a scale that matters.
NOTE: ALL of the cabins and campsites are walk-in only. There is no overnight camping allowed in the parking lot.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from
$120
/ night
Your Own Private Island
2. Your Own Private Island
100%
(2)
24mi from Portland · 1 site
Want a unique vacation? Everyone loves the idea of their own island. Peaceful, quiet and away from it all. In recent years we even have a nesting bald eagle pair! Our cottage is rustic, no running water and no electricity and only accessible via boat!
We have a propane stove, refrigerator, and lanterns. Guests must bring water and small propane canisters for their stay. Guests are required to clean before departure.
Bathroom is within the cottage and has an odor free composting toilet. For showering needs we have a camp style solar shower. Bedroom has a full-size bed. Crow's nest has a small futon that opens for an additional bed for one.
The $375 fee is the cost of the boat captain to make one trip to deliver you and your gear to the island and one to take you back. If you will be coming in your own boat or kayak, please let us know and we can refund that fee if we aren't hiring the captain.
Depending on the captain's schedule often arrival is the last trip of day and departure is 8 am. Additional trips can be arranged with our captains as well as sightseeing tours. Please note the captain charges $25 to transport a pet. We have a dock if you would be interested in bringing your own boat.
Boat rentals also available nearby. Arrival and departure times are dependent on the captain's availability.
See Bald eagles and seals. You can fish for striped bass right off the island.
Water views from every window. The upper floor of the cottage is the Crow's nest (a tiny space accessible from a ladder below,) in the treetops with great sunset views.
Bring your kayaks! Crow Island was mentioned in the book "Rivers of Memory" by John Gibson
To quote Rachel Field, “If once you have slept on an island. You’ll never quite be the same.”
Toilets
Cooking equipment
from
$138
/ night
Cozy Waterfront Cottage
3. Cozy Waterfront Cottage
29mi from Portland · 1 site
Cozy country cottage located on the crooked river in Naples Maine. Large attached deck, fire pit, and riverside patio overlooking 100’ of waterfront. Open concept living room and kitchen with 65” smart tv, convertible full-size sofa bed, countertop dishwasher, air fryer, electric stove & fridge. First-floor master bedroom with queen bed. The second floor finished loft with 3 twin beds. Fully air-conditioned and heated. Come and enjoy all of the amazing amenities that the Lakes region has to offer. Beautiful screened in gazebo with outdoor seating and propane fire pit overlooking the river. Enjoy easy access to river with our multi level river side deck down to floating dock. Kayak or canoe or just tie off and float in the exceptionally clean river water. We provide 2 kayaks and 1 canoe for your use during stay at no extra charge. Bring your own inflatables for relaxing float time.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$275
/ night
98% (1.7K) • 58 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Portland
Hidden Valley Nature Center
1. Hidden Valley Nature Center
95%
(538)
46mi from Portland · 8 sites
Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley is 1,000 acres of protected land in Jefferson, Maine. It is rich with a variety of habitat and terrain, including over a mile of shorefront on Little Dyer Pond, nearly 25 miles of multi-use trails are great for hiking, birding, and exploring. Try our rolled and groomed cross country ski trails in the winter.
Hidden Valley is a Community Forest, part of over 16,000 acres protected and stewarded by Midcoast Conservancy, a non-profit. A portion of the booking fees supports the organization’s mission to protect and restore vital lands and waters in midcoast Maine on a scale that matters.
NOTE: ALL of the cabins and campsites are walk-in only. There is no overnight camping allowed in the parking lot.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from
$120
/ night
Your Own Private Island
2. Your Own Private Island
100%
(2)
24mi from Portland · 1 site
Want a unique vacation? Everyone loves the idea of their own island. Peaceful, quiet and away from it all. In recent years we even have a nesting bald eagle pair! Our cottage is rustic, no running water and no electricity and only accessible via boat!
We have a propane stove, refrigerator, and lanterns. Guests must bring water and small propane canisters for their stay. Guests are required to clean before departure.
Bathroom is within the cottage and has an odor free composting toilet. For showering needs we have a camp style solar shower. Bedroom has a full-size bed. Crow's nest has a small futon that opens for an additional bed for one.
The $375 fee is the cost of the boat captain to make one trip to deliver you and your gear to the island and one to take you back. If you will be coming in your own boat or kayak, please let us know and we can refund that fee if we aren't hiring the captain.
Depending on the captain's schedule often arrival is the last trip of day and departure is 8 am. Additional trips can be arranged with our captains as well as sightseeing tours. Please note the captain charges $25 to transport a pet. We have a dock if you would be interested in bringing your own boat.
Boat rentals also available nearby. Arrival and departure times are dependent on the captain's availability.
See Bald eagles and seals. You can fish for striped bass right off the island.
Water views from every window. The upper floor of the cottage is the Crow's nest (a tiny space accessible from a ladder below,) in the treetops with great sunset views.
Bring your kayaks! Crow Island was mentioned in the book "Rivers of Memory" by John Gibson
To quote Rachel Field, “If once you have slept on an island. You’ll never quite be the same.”
Toilets
Cooking equipment
from
$138
/ night
Cozy Waterfront Cottage
3. Cozy Waterfront Cottage
29mi from Portland · 1 site
Cozy country cottage located on the crooked river in Naples Maine. Large attached deck, fire pit, and riverside patio overlooking 100’ of waterfront. Open concept living room and kitchen with 65” smart tv, convertible full-size sofa bed, countertop dishwasher, air fryer, electric stove & fridge. First-floor master bedroom with queen bed. The second floor finished loft with 3 twin beds. Fully air-conditioned and heated. Come and enjoy all of the amazing amenities that the Lakes region has to offer. Beautiful screened in gazebo with outdoor seating and propane fire pit overlooking the river. Enjoy easy access to river with our multi level river side deck down to floating dock. Kayak or canoe or just tie off and float in the exceptionally clean river water. We provide 2 kayaks and 1 canoe for your use during stay at no extra charge. Bring your own inflatables for relaxing float time.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$275
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Ben
July 2025
With kids
My wife, nine year old daughter, and I stay on the island for three nights. We had a wonderful time. It was a almost magical family getaway. The island is close to an area where seals congregate and there were dozens of seals playing and hunting nearby. The cabin is austere but comfortable. We would definitely go back.
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A
Ashley
April 2025
Weekend Trip to Hidden Valley Nature Center
The cabin is large and has a sleeping loft and two cots. The wood stove heats up quick and keeps you warm all night long! Love the outdoor fire pit.
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D
Darren
March 2025
With kids
Great place. Heavier than you may think to lug everything in so be prepared. Be careful about signage. We walked half a mile up hill in freezing rain for the Joe and Doe cabin but it was the wrong way.
See moreG
Gregory
March 2025
1 night at Hidden Valley Nature Center
Beautiful spot. Lovely cabin. Easy to keep nice and warm on a cold night.
See moreJ
Jim
March 2025
Group trip
The Pond Cabin is a sweet spot in a beautiful, mixed hardwood forest on the edge of Little Dyer Pond. The wood stove kept us warm and cozy. The Barred Owls hooting at night was a special treat.
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B
Briana
February 2025
With pets
Kids and I had a fantastic time! The cabin is beautiful and the woodstove provided plenty of heat, even in February. We'll be back!
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J
Jeffry
February 2025
With pets
The cabin was beautiful and in a great location. Once up to temperature, it held the heat. The view and access to cabin was great.
See moreR
Robert
February 2025
2 nights at Hidden Valley Nature Center
The pond was well stocked with wood, beautiful area and absolutely quiet at night. Great trip.
See moreA
Ashley
January 2025
Group trip
The cabin was great! Big enough for more than just two people. I have been coming here for years. The cots in this cabin are a nice touch, just wish we could move them around. A few things to note though, the wood stove in the Joe & Doe cabin takes HOURS to heat up, and you need to constantly feed it. Not like the other wood stoves in the other cabins up there. Also, the people before us didn’t bring any wood inside to dry out before we got there and there were no wood chips in the outhouse. The cabins are great, but the price has gone up a lot, and it doesn’t look like they are being checked in on as much as they used to be.
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Jason
December 2024
Group trip
The cabin was a great spot for a group of buddies to get away for a quick trip. Heading into the cabin in the dark made for a great surprise in the morning with the very interesting terrain and forests around.
See moreD
Deenah
December 2024
Weekend Trip to Hidden Valley Nature Center
We've been going to Pond Cabin for five years now. It's a super special place, though it has significantly negatively changed with ownership changes and since it came onto this website, Hipcamp. One main concern from our last stay is that the outhouse at Pond Cabin is absolutely full - it's pretty gross. It needs to be dealt with ASAP. I don't see how the Midcoast Conservancy can continue to charge these enormously inflated prices while not having a serviceable bathroom option. We're of course happy to pee outside when camping, but this land is very public and there needs to be a private bathroom option when charging nearly $200 a night to stay in the woods. It's absurd. HVNC has to deal with this before winter really sets in. It's inappropriate to charge what they do without any maintenance of the outhouses.
See moreF
Finn
November 2024
Group trip
Yet another spectacular trip to Joe & Doe cabin! This is an incredible place to connect with friends and with all that the Midcoast's forests have to offer. Thank you to Midcoast Conservancy for all you do at HVNC.
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