Our story
A Historic Maine Camp
Craig Pond Wilderness Lodge is a new name on a camp that has been part of this community for close to a century. From 1921 through 2017 the property ran as a traditional Maine boys’ wilderness camp, where generations of young men learned to paddle a canoe, land a fish, build a fire and hold their own outdoors — and built friendships that outlasted the summers that made them.
The pond was part of our family long before the camp was. Dawn grew up just down the road in Bucksport, swimming off the public beach and catching tadpoles through long summer days. Even in the years we lived away, we brought our own children back here each summer to swim in this same water.
We could never recreate what that camp was, and we are not trying to. What we can do is carry its purpose forward — opening these cabins to families and friends from near and far, and giving young people a true camping experience and memories that stay with them long after they head home. As its next stewards we are restoring the cabins and grounds carefully, preserving the history, the natural beauty and the primitive off-grid character that make this place remarkable.
Our Mission
Disconnect from technology. Reconnect with nature. We want every guest to leave Craig Pond having experienced Maine the way it used to be — without sacrificing the comforts that make a wilderness stay a real vacation.
Welcome to camp
A Note from Phil & Dawn
Craig Pond Wilderness Lodge is more than a collection of cabins in the woods — it is a place with a remarkable story, and we did not expect to become part of it.
In the summer of 2025 we came across the property while browsing real estate listings. Curiosity turned into a dream fairly quickly. For Dawn, who grew up nearby in Bucksport, Craig Pond already held a childhood’s worth of memories — swimming at the public beach, catching tadpoles, and long summer days with family and friends. Even in the years we lived away, we brought our own children back here each summer to swim. For both of us this was a chance to make new memories as a family and to preserve a truly special piece of Maine history, giving it new life for the generations coming behind us. In March of 2026 that dream became reality, and we have been carefully restoring the camp ever since.
The cabins, trails, docks and quiet water here have seen generations of laughter, adventure and growing up, and we consider it a privilege to be their next stewards. Whether you come to paddle the pond, fish from the dock, explore the trails, sit down with a good book, or simply unplug from the pace of everyday life, we hope you find the same sense of peace and wonder that first captured our hearts.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out — we would be happy to answer any questions you have, recommend local places worth exploring, or share more of the history that makes Craig Pond Wilderness Lodge so unique.
Welcome to camp.
Why off-grid
Our Preservation Philosophy
We keep the property off-grid on purpose. No grid-tied power means no screens, no notifications, and nothing between you and the woods, the water and the people you came with — while a solar power bank in each cabin still keeps phones charged and the lanterns lit.
- No grid-tied electricity — a rooftop-solar power bank in each cabin runs phone charging, LED lanterns and the porch lights
- Wood stoves and fireplaces for heat in the cooler months
- Outdoor composting facilities
- Drinking water: bring your own or ask about the pump on arrival
- Cell service is good throughout the campground
- No EV charging on site — the closest chargers are in the town of Bucksport, so arrive with the range you need
Part of the Great Pond Community
Craig Pond sits within the Great Pond Mountain region, alongside the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands Trust and a long tradition of Maine sporting camps. We are proud to be part of that community and to help guests explore everything the region offers.
Ready to Disconnect?
Check availability and book your stay at Craig Pond Wilderness Lodge.