Yes, pets are allowed. But only one dog per site. Dogs must be leashed, quiet, and accompanied by their owner at all times. As many surrounding campgrounds have banned dogs, we became overwhelmed by the number of dogs. We now limit campers to one dog per site. However, day and overnight visitors must leave their dogs at home. We can provide names and phone numbers for area dog day care facilities, but most require arrangements in advance.
Well, the short answer is that Orr’s Island is named for two brothers—Joseph and Clement Orr—who came from Ireland. Some information says the family may have originally been from Scotland or France. Joseph Orr built his homestead in 1756 on the land that is now occupied by Orr’s Island Campground. The home is said to be the oldest on the island. His home, which still stands, was made famous in a book called “The Pearl of Orr’s Island” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Mrs. Stowe visited the area while her husband was a professor at Bowdoin College in nearby Brunswick, Maine. She created a tale of the islands using fictional characters living in real homes.
Yes, we sell ice, sodas, candy, firewood, and limited camping supplies. We encourage campers to patronize the many shops and restaurants on the islands such as The Store on Orr’s — located 1/2 mile north on Route 24 — for groceries; Fishnet Cafe — located 1/2 mile south on Route 24 — for breakfast, lunch, snacks, ice cream and dinner; and Island Candy Store — located about 3/4 mile south on Route 24 — for candy, ice cream, books and local items.
We close for the winter months and are frequently occupied with other jobs. We are available by email, and by phone, by chance or appointment. An answering machine can record a message if we are not available at the time of your call. We do begin accepting reservations for weekly stays for the coming year — by USPS mail only in order according to the postmark — beginning with a February 1 postmark. Refer to the Reserve page for further details on how to make a reservation.
Yes, boats are allowed with certain restrictions attached. Your boat cannot be brought to your site; rather, it can stay in our designated boat parking area until it is ready to be launched. Although there is a road leading to our beach, most vehicles sink into the surface of the beach. Only four-wheel drive trucks towing small boats are recommended to be driven onto the beach. Canoes and kayaks can be easily carried a short distance to the water from a stable vehicle unloading point. For all other boats, especially large ones, there is a free boat launching free farther down the island.
Our sites are limited to a single family each. We define a family as two adults and their children ages 18 and younger. Please inquire about exceptions for extended families with additional adults. Only one vehicle is allowed per family. Each family may bring only one dog.
One night stays are available from time to time with advance arrangements, but only for self-contained rigs with their own full working bathrooms. Although we changed our focus to seasonal camping, there are at least two full hook-up sites on the North Bluff that are always available for weekly-minimum stays. Some non-view sites with full hookups are available for weekly stays with other arrival and departure days. For stays of less than one week, please call or e-mail just a day or two in advance to check on availability and schedule an appointment for your arrival. We can no longer accommodate tents or pop-up campers.
Orr’s Island Campground has been open for low-key camping on the beautiful coast of Casco Bay since 1978. Originally including tent camping and short-term stays, it is now a mostly-seasonal campground for self-contained rigs.
Have some questions, or want to reserve a site? Feel free to leave a phone message or email us: