Cape Island
The Cape Porpoise Islands are preserved for all to enjoy. They are monitored by Island Stewards. Please help us keep them in their natural state.
Camp Sites
Two sites are available for Cape Island: West Point and Bay View. West Point has a maximum capacity of 6 campers, Bay View has a maximum capacity of 4 campers.
Please note: poison ivy is extremely prevalent at Bay View this year, and the site is not recommended for those who are sensitive to it, or those camping with children. We hope to get this under control for next season.
Reservation Information
Reservations are required and can be obtained on this website. Please select the island, campsite, and date for overnight camping. No Commercial use. Respect others’ privacy. Use the button 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.
Parking Information
Due to limited daytime and overnight parking in the area it is recommended that you drop off your equipment and park elsewhere or have someone else drop you off.
Please visit the Town of Kennebunkport website for specific parking information.
There are public boat launches on:
- Pier Road at the causeway in Cape Porpoise
- Langsford Road Lobster & Fish House, for residents only
Pets
To protect wildlife and your pets, please leave your pets at home or have them leashed at all times.
Please Observe the Following
Carry In, Carry Out
Carry Out all trash. Please take all solid human waste and toilet paper to the mainland for proper disposal.
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. NO BONFIRES.
You must bring in your own firewood as there is very little drift wood on the islands and tree decay is vital to soil replenishment of the island environment and ecosystem. There are occasionally pieces of planks that wash ashore and you are welcome to use those. You are also welcome to use small sticks for kindling. DO NOT CUT Island vegetation.
Be vigilant and mindful of wind conditions.
When leaving your campsite, please be sure your campfire is completely extinguished. The best practice is to douse with sea water, stir down to the lowest coals, and douse a second time. Fire buckets are available at all sites.
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.
Thank you for following this important safety precaution, and have a wonderful, and safe, camping experience.
Respect Wildlife
Respect wildlife, habitats, nesting sites, and the natural beauty of the islands.
Adapting to our Islands (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.
Click the image to see examples of poison ivy.
Hunting & Firearms
Hunting is prohibited on Kennebunkport Conservation Trust islands. Please visit our Hunting Information page to learn more. Use of firearms strictly prohibited on our islands.
Island Camping Guide (to keep at your campsite)