Great Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

If your looking for a wilderness camp ground, you have found it here. The staff and Mgt are professional in all manner. I Thank you all for a great time. I was able to park my winnebago with ease. Staff personal always kept everyone informed of ongoing events. You can be assured that your family will always be safe and welcomed by the Great Pond Recreational Staff.

We stayed in a RV site, we liked how the sites aren't right up against each other, you have plenty of space and privacy. We were right across from a little beach which was great because we brought our boat and had access right there. Staff is UNBELIEVABLY friendly and helpful. A man came in to the office asking if they had milk for his coffee, they didn't but let him use their own creamer! The rec center is so complete, and they have a great selection of rentals (kayaks, boats, even ice shacks for ice fishing!)! We're looking forward to returning in July to stay at one of the cabins. Have a warning, though: the man who owns one of the islands is incredibly mean and rude. After he yelled at my son, we saw him yell at other kids and he even yelled at a woman who had caught a fish and then had a snapping turtle eat it right on the hook (he accused her of "catching" the turtle?!). He is a certifiable jerk, so stay away from him, or better yet ignore him--because you don't need him ruining a wonderful experience at Great Pond!

Stayed in cabin #2 (Old Speck) last spring. Had a fantastic time! The cabin was very clean, right on the lake, in the woods and nice & quiet. There is no TV reception but there is a VCR. Lots of board games...great family bonding time. Lodge is great. WIFI, toys for little ones, lake rentals, etc. Little beach area for those willing to get in the chilly water. Hosts are amazing. We had a cookout at our cabin & forgot steak sauce. The hosts gave us theirs when we found there was none in the little camp store! Could not say enough about this place. It is your own hideaway in the Maine woods. Would pay top dollar for a place like this in the civilian sector. The military is fortunate to have such a wonderful place for its' warriors to enjoy. Be sure & stop on the way in at a store in Bangor because there is extremely limited grocery selection nearby. It is a good 45 minute drive to nearest store. There is a good roadside small restaurant right before the camp turnoff though. Make sure you day trip to Acadia National Park! It is an easy drive and well worth it.

We always enjoy it here no matter what. Very relaxing and quiet due to off season. We were the only ones in the campground one night. The woods are beautiful this time of year. Deb and Rick are the best, thanks! I understand that they are building more cabins, hope they don't forget the campsites. They need upgrading too. Will be back next season.

Very unimpressive. Planned an over night stay on the way to New Brunswick. Made a reservation a month in advance for the sole pull through site available. Was assured all was well. Arrived in pouring rain and extreme muddy conditions. Followed signs to campground, found my reserved site and it was occupied. Tried to call office and had no cell service. Had to unhook car and drive around and back to find the office. Was told my reserved site was occupied and I had to take a back in site. Office help was not professional or helpful. The mosquitoes were some of the worst I have experienced since Alaska. This site is very overpriced when compared to other military sites and I would not recommend it. I will never return!

The "Great" things about Great Pond... It's location - off the beaten track -- no fast food restaurants, turnpikes, and traffic jams! Fall asleep listening to the loons! Ride a bike to the rec center (on a lovely gravel road) -- Smell the balsam! Visit the new blind to watch the beavers -- and you might even catch Mike challenging the beavers' lifestyle -- (but his efforts guarantee that you'll see the beaver!) So much to do -- paddle a canoe - rent a boat - fish - hike, or explore the numerous nearby logging roads (but be sure to bring the Maine Delorme mapbook!) The greatest treasure is the people at Great Pond -- they are courteous -- and will do everything they can to accomodate your needs. Great Pond is Maine's best kept secret!

Thoroughly enjoyed the week at Bigelow cabin. The staff is very friendly and accomdating. We were able to have the whole family visit with no hassles whatsoever. Nice, quiet and peaceful. This is third year staying there and will return in future years.

A bit "out of the way" to be a base camp for sightseeing, this campground IS a lovely vacation spot. There was so much to do right at the CG and the community lodge is great for kids and adults. The staff is very helpful and accommodating. We had been assigned a site with overhanging branches, and they moved us w/o a fuss. The CG is easy to maneuver, but many sites are for smaller rigs. I do feel it was overpriced, as it is now the most expensive military CG we've stayed at.

My husband hadn't been here for 15 years so newly married we took his parents and our 11 year old son to show him this beautiful spot! Memories flooded my in laws and I absolutely loved it! It is just the right amount of quite and relaxation while having the amenities of home! We stayed in Cabin 2 "Old Speck" and absolutely loved it! Debbie & Rick Kipp were the best hosts ever and made our stay even more wonderful. Our son even said he would live there if he could! We can't wait to go back, you can't go wrong with "Dow Pines" as my family knows it! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Mike, Marci & Justin Jouver, Lisbon, Maine along with Chuck & Sandy Jouver, Brunswick, Maine

A small campground but absolutely beautiful on the shore of Great Pond. The bathrooms are small as well but if you get up early, there's never a wait. If you want a lot of entertainment this might not be for you but if you like to sit, read and relax it's ideal. The only drawback which is also part of its charm is that it's a long way from any where: 1.5 hours to Acadia National Park and 3 hours to Baxter State Park so be prepared to drive. It was a truly wonderful week we spent and I'd love to return.

WOW!! What a great time! It was quiet and relaxing, the campers were friendly and the pet problem from before has been fixed. Judy and the gang know how to make things enjoyable. They even planned a blueberry pancake breakfast on Saturday for everyone. The only reason I gave a 4 is that they really need to update the bathrooms. They're very clean but an upgrade is needed to more modern facilities. I'm sure that isn't a big problem. If you can't enjoy yourself here it's not anyone's fault but you're own. We'll be back next season for sure!!

A best value location...beautiful surroundings, reasonable rentals on all the recreation gear and a SUPERB staff that bends over backwards for you. This was year four(4) for us and we already have our reservation for next year! BRAVO ZULU to the whole team at Great Pond!!!

R.L. left this review using the Directory software: Very well maintained, very peaceful, very friendly and helpful staff. Decent fishing (small mouth bass, pickerel and yellow perch) -- boats, motors and bait available at the Rec Center. Highly recommended as a place to kick back and unwind.

Great place to go camping. They do need to deal with the pet situation. Pets running without a leash and barking all the time. At times we thought we were at a kennel!! The staff tried to deal with it, but as soon as they left it was back to the same thing. This is such a nice place in a remote setting and the staff bends over backwards to help it's sad this had to happen. Hope it's a one time thing as we plan on coming back soon.

Outstanding - again. The staff was great, always responsive and cheerful. We stayed in Bigelow Lodge and have booked it again for next summer. If you want a stay by the lake with all the things that go with the outdoors then do not miss out on Great Pond, I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful facility.

WOW! What a great place. We spent a lot of time on the "Pond" (more like a lake to us!), we canoed, hiked up to Rift Pond and canoed there as well. We spent a lot of time fishing and relaxing exactly what we were looking for in a vacation. Cannot say enough about the staff. They were very attentive to all of our questions and went out of their way to be of assistance. Cleanest bathhouses I have ever seen. I'm not sure how they kept them so clean! We stayed in a Yurt (our first time) and loved it. We are already talking out our next trip to GPOAC!

This was our second year going to Great Pond. The staff is fantastic. The fishing is great. We caught 15 northern in 2 hours and over 30 in 2 days. I have only been there in July and August. There are a lot of things to do and you are only 45 minutes from Bangor. We can not wait for next year. My family really enjoyed it.

If your looking for some family fun Great Pond is the place to go. The staff at Great Pond is the best. Rick, Deb, Judy, Linda and Donna are the nicest people, they go out of there way to make your stay pleasant. We spent the weekend ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. The cabin was perfect the appliances are up to date, the sleeping arrangements were set up to our needs, the water was hot, and the view was wonderful and all we needed to do was bring our food and clothes. We are looking forward to making more great memories at Great Pond in the summer, if you are looking for some wilderness fun take your family to Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center.

We have been coming to Great Pond for the last 3 years for our family reunion filled with ice fishing, skating, and sliding. This year like all those in the past were wonderful and the kids and adults took away many memories. Friday night we experienced icing and rain so the ice had lots of water on top. By noon the snow suits, mittens, and boots were wet and the staff let us throw our clothes in the dryer so the kids could go back out and play. GPOAC is the perfect getaway for those that want adventure, or the peace and quite that Mother Nature will give us. It is a place that you do not mind letting your kids explore by themselves or a chance to meet new friends in the rec center, on the beach, or at the campfire at night. The staff Judy, Debbie, Rick, Donna, and Linda are the greastest bunch you will meet. They welcome you and make you feel like part of there family. Thanks for a great time and see you next year!

We first started coming to Great Pond when the Air Force ran it in the 80's and it was called Dow Pines. The people caring for the place are the friendliest we've ever met. We've been here in all four seasons and have never lacked for something to do. The only people I'd not recommend this place to are urbanites not looking for a relaxing take care of yourself experience. There seems to be something here for everyone to do, even those who like mysteries. I've seen other reviews about the wildlife etc. and they're all true. I thought I'd address some the mysterious things that happen around here. For example today's Feb. 2nd, Ground Hog Day. The closest relative to a ground hog in this area would be the beaver that frequent the pond. As I peered out upon the Pond this morning, I was amazed to see what appeared to be a large monster head on a very long neck break through the ice. It looked around in all directions and then disappeared under the ice. It turned out there was a large number of towns people gathered in front of the Rec. Hall watching the same spectacle. I rushed down from Bigelow and asked one of the native's "What the hell was that?" She replied that it was 'The Great Alipondro', a mysterious creature thought to be left over from the age of dinosaurs. It usually pops up on Feb. 2nd to see what's going on and then goes back under. She also mentioned it was thought to be responsible for the many "pond circles"visible on the ice. Because of their immensity, some are more easily seen from the ledges overlooking the pond. "The Great Alipondro" is thought to immerge in thick fogs. One foggy morning, I was canoeing following some of the many loons around when I heard something breathing very loudly behind me. The only animal I knew of in the area that could make that big a noise was a bear. I knew it couldn't be that, since I was in the middle of the pond. I couldn't be certain what it was, but "The Great Alipondro" was as good an explanation as any. I'm sure most of you find this difficult to believe, so I guess you'll just have to come by to see and or hear for yourselves.