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Boat in water on clear summer day

Beal Island Campground

Contact

144 Jewett Road,
Georgetown ME 04548

(603) 466-2727

[email protected]

Book Now

Enjoy wilderness camping on AMC’s only coastal island destination, located on the tidal Sasanoa River. Wake up to the call of ospreys and watch the tides as they move through Lower Hell Gate channel. With a limit of just two groups at a time, you’ll enjoy tranquility and seclusion surrounded by 60 aces of woodland. Learn more.

Season dates

Self-Service

May 13, 2025 - October 15, 2025

Amenities:
  • Rustic campsites
    Rustic campsites
  • Outhouse
    Outhouse
  • Tables
    Tables
  • Fireplace on Beach
    Fireplace on Beach
Description
Meals & Amenities
Getting Here
Nearby Trails & Activities
Accessibility

Beal Island Campground is located on Beal Island, a 64-acre island in the Sasanoa River, between the towns of Westport and Georgetown on Maine’s Mid-Coast.

Less than a nautical mile from the beach at Knubble Bay Camp (about a 20-minute paddle), Beal Island has been a favorite destination for campers for generations. Relax on the sandy beach and watch osprey, seals, eagles, and porcupines. Some of the fastest currents on the East Coast envelop the island at certain times in the tide cycle, a phenomenon that is best observed from the safety of land.

A large grassy area and pine grove offer comfortable tenting spots. The island is available for overnight camping from early spring to late fall and is limited to two parties or up to 30 campers.

The island has an outhouse, but water must be transported from the pump at Knubble Bay Camp. Guests must bring their own food and carry out their trash. Two wooden tables are situated on the beach and are available for guest use.

All fires are restricted to the rock ring at the water’s edge. Fires are by permit only. Before you arrive, secure a fire permit by going to wardensreport.com. Enter Sagadahoc as the “county” and Georgetown as the “town.” Contact the Georgetown Fire Department (207-371-2020) with any issues.

Learn more about AMC’s cancellation policies for lodging and programs.

The island is accessible only by boat. Parking is at AMC’s Knubble Bay Camp, 144 Jewitt Road, Georgetown, Maine. Beal Island is 0.6 nautical miles by ocean from Knubble Bay Camp. Depending on the current and your paddle speed, the KBC launch to BI takes anywhere from 12 minutes to 30 minutes.

A trail circumnavigates the island, revealing breathtaking views of the rocky coastline, as well as old stone foundations from long-ago residents. Beal Island is part of the Maine Island Trail, a 375-mile recreational water trail that extends the length of Maine’s coast.

If you plan to paddle while staying on Beal Island, be aware of the currents north of the beach and south of Knubble Bay. More information on local tides and currents can be found at https://amckbc.org/tides-currents.

Need to rent a sea kayak while at the campground? Seaspray Kayaking and Paddlesports offers rental deals to AMC members and can deliver boats to the parking area at Knubble Bay Camp: https://www.seaspraykayaking.com/georgetown/

Service Animals

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including AMC managed lodging and visitor centers, where service animals are welcomed.

A service animal at AMC facilities must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

These rules do not apply to emotional support animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

For more information about our policies, click here.

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The Appalachian Mountain Club is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 04-6001677) under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. AMC operates under several special permits and leases, including in the White Mountain National Forest, New York Palisades Interstate Park Commission, and New Hampshire State Parks.

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