Great Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

We went to Great Pond 6 times last year and loved every second. I'm getting through a snowstorm in April by telling myself June 14 will be here before I know it. Four stays this year, 16 days. I never liked camping, but having a Yurt is great. We've stayed in a cabin once (middle of winter) but usually stay in Yurt 9 when it is available, one of the others if it isn't. I don't think I would stay in the smaller yurt again. I love my husband and my dog, but that was too much togetherness. I raved about it so much my parents invited themselves to come with me once this year.

My wife and I spent two weeks at Great Pond this summer and loved it! We stayed in the campground. It is a very relaxing place to spend some time. We only wish we could have stayed longer! Judy and her staff were some of the most friendly folks we have ever encountered while camping. The bathrooms in the campground were always clean, even though they have very little to work with. The bathroom buildings at the campground were so small and antiquated. We heard they may be getting new shower/restrooms by next summer! When this happens, I don't know how anyone could give this recreation area anything but a perfect score! We had a couple issues getting to the property since we used our GPS. Do not go by a GPS! Please do yourself a favor and follow the directions on the website! The rec hall has Everything you could ask for on a rainy day... Pool, ping pong, air hockey, television, board games, computers. You name it! It is a clean and very well managed rec area. Even though we are from Texas, we WILL return to Great Pond!!

Stayed in cabin 6, one of the brand new cabins. I found it to be well designed for comfort and efficiency. The path to the pond is not yet worn but adequate. The pond is also a great place to enjoy some fishing. I also come here each February for ice fishing. We will be there again next February. Enjoy!

Found this camp after talking with a coworker on my ship. My wife and I took the kids up there several occasions this past summer and I have never had so much fun. The staff are top notch, and extremely helpful. I suffered a break line failure on my truck on our last trip just as we were departing. Everyone there did everything they could to get us into a local shop quick so we could make it home safe. Thanks everyone and we are looking forward to more trip(s) this year and many to come. The camp is out in the middle of the woods, turn your phones off as you head down the hill cause they won't work. My family and I love the secluded ness of it, and it is jut beautiful. We stayed in one of the yurts our first time and let me tell ya it's fun but its not roughing it! =) the rest of the visits we tent camped, there are nice bathroom facility's too. Just make sure you bring bug spray!

Great place, it is the best hands down. There is great fishing on the pond. Every time I visit there I add a new fishing story to my collection. This year "no lie" I was out on the pond pulling in some bass that were huge. I decided to take photos of my new found hot spot and right then an AMERICAN BALD EAGLE swoops down and plucks a fish right out of the water!!!!!!! Could not believe it, I even have the photo to prove it. EPIC. I look forward to visiting it next year. The staff is so nice and always helpful. The cabins are clean and well stocked and you only need to bring your food. There is not a lot for technology but that is the beauty of it. My kids took about half a day to get over it and then they were just fine and survived just fine. We had a lot of laughs this year my 9 year old son took a solo bike ride from the cabins to the recreation center (about 1 mile)for his first time, you would have think he just hit a grand slam out of Fenway park. Can’t say enough about this outstanding place.

How anyone could rate this below a perfect score baffles me. Great Pond is a hidden gem, a place where you can go and get away from it all, be it work pressure, life pressure, or just the hustle/bustle of daily life. You'll find peace and quiet, the sound of the loons lulling you to sleep, the feel of dirt roads beneath your feet, the wind on your face when you rent a boat or canoe and go out on the pond... it's an amazing place that everyone should visit. And while some say they lack the conveniences of modern technology, I beg to differ. With wireless internet in the lodge, tvs in all the cabins, and access to the outside world if you should need it (but why would you in a setting like that!) it's perfect. The kitchens have everything you need to cook with so you don't need to worry about lugging extra things from home, the cabins have bathrooms and showers, and there is beauty all around you. My husband and I love it so much that we got married nearby at King Pond and have stayed there for the last two years. It's a magical place for families and we look forward to coming back with our growing little one after they're born in the spring.

The staff at Great Pond: Judy, Julie, Linda, Donna and Diana are always warm and welcoming. We've been coming to Great Pond for several years and always have a wonderful time. I think the facility gets better with each passing year and the new cabins are a nice addition but the older cabins are still just fine. I can only echo what other people have written about the location, the beauty of the surroundings and the chance just to unplug and appreciate the quiet. Great Pond is a wonderful place to appreciate the simple beauty of life and reconnect with family. We especially like being able to experience the change of seasons and watch the fall colors reflected in the waters of Great Pond.

Our 3rd time here . . . Once in June 2011, then again with about 40 friends in August 2012 and this last weekend was just the 2 of us . . . We relaxed & read and walked with the dogs . . . It was beautiful. We've stayed in the new cabins in August and we stayed in an older, more rustic cabin this last trip. Both are comfortable & clean . . . We enjoy everything about the place . . . it's location is perfect. Only down-side was there was no TV reception in the cabin so my husband had to listen to the Pat's game on the radio . . . but even that was fun. We plan on making many more trips up to Great Pond in the future. So grateful that the military community has these little perks to enjoy . . .

Love everything about Great Pond! We have been going there every year since 2004. The staff is great. There is a big rec center, Beautiful pond, Hiking paths, and the new cabins are beautiful!

What a great secret! The camp sites are spacious, the facilities are clean and well maintained and the staff (Diana, Julie, Judy, Linda and Donna)go out of their way to help and assist. There is TV and WiFi at the lodge/office, great walking trails, fie pits on each site, swimming/boating and cell phone connections just a short drive up the road (even closer if you have Skype on your computer). It is the perfect place to relax and get away from it all. The Air National Guard has a PX/Commissary in Bangor (about 45 minutes away) and Bangor has everything - Walmart, Home Depot, RV parts/service, etc. We will visit again!! And you should plan a visit!!

This is the absolute best campground in the world to do absolutely nothing, except to enjoy the great outdoors and the joy of camping. No cell service to bug you, no internet service to bother you, no malls within a reasonable distance, heck, no stores close by, just the opportunity to be out in the wild and enjoy. If you must have all the fancy amenities, you need to go somewhere else. Having said that, their clubhouse is absolutely outstanding with the big fireplace and if you have to have it, internet service. Been coming here for a number of years now and will continue to stop by to "unwind" and get away from it all for a while.

I have nothing to criticize and a whole host of things to praise about Great Pond Recreation Area. This place is just incredible and it's exactly what we were hoping to find. We stayed in a Yurt with our two young kids (3 and 6). It was clean, comfortable, spacious, and well equipped. The campground is in a remote wooded area but it's an easy walk back to the main office and rec center. Each Yurt is equipped with an outdoor table, a propane grill (with propane), a fresh water spigot, a heater/AC, dishes, cooking utensils, bunk beds, a fold-out twin sofa, and a futon. All you really need to bring to be comfortable is sleeping bags and/or bedding. We rented a small powerboat on-site to explore Great Pond and to do some fishing. It was reasonably priced ($30 for the day) and it was perfect for our family. We also made the 1-mile hike to Rift Pond and used the canoes that are placed at the pond. I just can't say enough good things about all this place has to offer... The staff members at Great Pond were simply fantastic. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful at every turn. Each Yurt contains a guest book filled with entries written by past patrons and page after page describe ways the staff have gone out of their way to help make memories. If you are looking for a remote getaway with tons of activities for families in a friendly atmosphere, this is definitely your place. We will be back again and again!

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.