KCT Island Camping
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust offers primitive overnight camping and day trips on our harbor islands. Experience the wonders of nature, beauty of the sea and magic of island life by coming for a visit. You can reach the harbor islands by boat, being mindful of the tides and Mother Nature. Small skiffs and non-motorized crafts (kayaks, canoes) are the preferred way to travel.
Day Trips
You are welcome to access the islands at low tide or by boat during the day and explore. There is rich history and wildlife on each island and we encourage you to meet each one. Please be mindful of campers, tides, poison ivy, bugs and Mother Nature as you plan your trips.
Island Camping
No fee camping is allowed at established sites on Cape, Trotts and Vaughn’s Islands. Each campsite has a designated maximum capacity.
Please visit each island's webpage or use the buttons below to reserve your campsite. Campsites may be reserved one week ahead of arrival for up to two consecutive nights. Advanced reservation are not accepted. Reservations are only required for overnight stays.
While camping is free, you can help us with care for the islands! Please considering becoming a Trust Member by making any sized contribution so we can forever maintain these special properties for all to enjoy for generations to come! Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can do great things!
Fire Restrictions
You will be camping on land owned and maintained by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. As part of your camping reservation, the Trust is permitting you to burn a campfire in, and only in, Trust maintained fire pits. Building and/or using rogue fire pits is strictly prohibited.
Within 48 hours of your reservation date, each camper is required to visit the Maine Forest Service’s Wildfire Danger Report at: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/wildfire_danger_report/index.html
If the fire danger for zone 10 is Yellow, Orange, or Red the fire risk is too high and you are not allowed to have any open fires – i.e. campfires are not permitted. You will need to make alternate arrangements for cooking and heating food.
When leaving your campsite, please be sure your campfire is completely extinguished. The best practice is to douse with water, stir down to the lowest coals, and douse a second time.
Thank you for following this important safety precaution, and have a wonderful, and safe, camping experience.
Don’t let poison ivy spoil your camping trip!
Most islands off the Maine coast commonly include a host of flora and fauna, including some not so pleasant to humans, such as mosquitos, marauding raccoons, and poison ivy. You can forestall the raccoons by keeping all food inside a cooler (very firmly latched) or your tent, and the mosquitos can be repelled with plenty of bug spray. The poison ivy is more of a challenge, so we recommend you familiarize yourself with what it looks like and avoid it. Should you come in contact with the plant, washing with liberal amounts of soap (dish soap – i.e. detergent is better) and salt water is a good immediate solution.
Resources
Cape Island Map Trott Island Map Vaughn Island Map
Island Camping Guide (to keep at your campsite)