Great Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

P.A. left this review using the Directory software: - If you want to be away from it all, this is the place for you! Great wooded camp sites, very secluded. Staff very friendly and informative. Can rent small boats on the lake. WIFI works only at the Lodge. Verizon phone and MIFI would not work at campsite but would about 5 miles back toward SR-9. I was able to catch one satellite (101), for my DirecTV. Dump Station not far from campsites. Nice Showers and clean restrooms the norm while we were here. They even picked up garbage daily!

When you come here you know you are in the boondocks so with that said there is no TV, Phone, Internet, the showers are cramped if you are much over 150lbs, no sewer but there is a dump station, the water connection is in the front on the opposite side of the trailer so have about 40ft of hose now I digress this is a beautiful place right next to a lake with swimming, fishing, canoeing and trails so with that in mine I still feel that the price is high but for others they would wonder why I would say that, so enjoy.

M.P. left this review using the Directory software - Great place although it is out in the middle of nowhere we used it to sight see to Bar Harbor and Acadia. The park is very quiet and clean. The bath house is small but well maintained. They have a very large rec room at the office with games, internet, TV, and laundry. We had no tv, internet or cell phone at the site which made it very relaxing. The staff were very friendly and helpful. This is a great site to just have fun and relax. We camped here in a 40 ft motorhome and would definitely come back.

My Husband and I have stayed at Great Pond every year since 2004. It is very relaxing! The cabins are clean and well furnished. The Staff is great. The scenery is beautiful!

We have been coming to Great Pond for many years, we have a great time every trip. Very secluded and remote which is what makes it a wonderful time. The new cabins are going to make it even better. For the cost it can't be beat!

M.T. left this review using the Directory software: Tent camping while enjoying the fishing on Great Pond. Although there are no dedicated tent sites, Site 15 has room for a tent at the end of the RV gravel area. Perfect and very roomy for my 10x10 tent and a 16x16 tarp in front for the occasional drizzle. The fishing was great. Small mouth and Brown Trout. The staff couldn't be more helpful, friendly and professional.

B.C. left this review using the Directory software: In Aug 2010 my wife and I visited Great Pond. The sites are separated enough to have your own privacy. Very quite and totally out in the fine Maine woods. The view of the valley and lake were beautiful. I have the best pictures of the most beautiful sunset we have ever seen. The sky looked like it was on fire. The staff were great and very willing to help with anything. We found it quit funny that we had to drive up the hill to a graveyard to call out (I guess there was some help there, Ha!). Being so far from home and family made us a bit nervous. We use ATT and they have poor service in that area. Others got out ok on their networks. We recommend this spot in beautiful Maine above many civilian campgrounds we have stayed at. WIFI and TV was only available at the rec hall. Would have been nice to have site access to both. THANKS to the staff.

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.