FAQ & POLICIES
POLICIES
CHECK IN / CHECK OUT: Check in time is from 3pm to 10pm, check out time is 10am, unless early check in or late check out have been arranged​. Check in and check out are contactless and self-serve. All instructions are sent electronically.
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DOGS: We allow dogs, and they must be registered ($30/night per dog, max is 2 per site), ADA-designated service dogs are exempted from the nightly fee. Please keep dogs leashed, clean up after them, and never leave them unattended. Other types of pets are not allowed.
SMOKING & ALCOHOL: Smoking or vaping of any kind is not permitted on the premises. The Desert of Maine is a tobacco-free and smoke-free campus. Alcohol is permitted within assigned sites for guests of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly; guests who do not will be asked to leave.
CLEANING: Daily housekeeping services are not included in the rental rate. Fresh towels and other cabin supplies can be requested as needed for longer stays.​
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CANCELLATION: Cancellations made prior to 7 days in advance of your stay will receive a full refund. No refunds for cancellations less than 7 days before the reservation date will not receive a refund regardless of circumstances. Requests to change the reservation dates within 7 days of your original arrival date (e.g., shortening your stay or shifting the arrival date) will be at the discretion of the Desert of Maine.
PACKING LIST
Photo by Ethan Abitz
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LAYERS: Maine can be chilly at night, even in the summer. Check the weather before you come and bring an extra layer, extra blankets, extra fuzzy socks etc. if needed.​
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FLASHLIGHT or LANTERN: Great to have if you want to go for a night walk on the dunes​
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OUTDOOR COOKWARE: If you want to cook over the fire pit, bring your own pots and pans​
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SNACKIES & FOOD: Our Camp Store has essentials (drinks, s'mores kits, JiffyPop, granola), and our Snack Bar serves hot dogs and ice cream, but probably you'll want your favorite snacks!
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TOILETRIES: We provide EO bath products in the cabins and bath house showers, but your hair might so fabulous that you need to bring your own stuff. ​
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ENTERTAINMENT: Games, books, cards, journals, etc!​
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CHARGERS: We provide electrical outlets but not chargers​
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BEAR SPRAY: Bring several cans. If you are traveling with a group, you can just bring running shoes. (jk, there are no bears here.)
Group Reservations
We can host groups seeking to book 10 or more cabins and glamping tents. For group reservations, we assist in setting up your reservation, help answer questions, and assist in setting up a payment plan. You have the option to pay all together or individually. Groups are subject to a 60 day cancellation policy, and groups that choose the Desert of Maine for their gathering must be committed to preserving the calm and relaxing experience that all our guests come here to have. ​
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If you are interested in coordinating a large group reservation for 10 or more sites, we recommend reading our group reservation policy. If you have questions or would like to set up a reservation, please email us at stay@desertofmaine.com.
FAQ
CAMPGROUND BASICS
Do you allow seasonal camping or reservations for someone to stay the entire season?
No. The maximum stay is 14 days.
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Do you allow winter or year-round rentals?
Yes! Our main camping season is May through November, and we have some Haven cabins and Luna domes available for cozy getaways during our off-season.
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Do you have spots for trailers, personal tents, and RVs?
Unfortunately not. We do not have any spots for trailers, personal tents, RVs, or campers of any kind.
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Is there a dump station in the campground?
No, there is not. Gross. Please take that situation somewhere else. :)
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How do I make a reservation?
You can book your reservation by going to https://book.desertofmaine.com. We generally don't take reservations by phone unless you're struggling to complete your booking online for whatever reason.
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Pro tip: If you have a specific site you would like to book, you can search without entering dates, and select the site you want, then from the details page you will see a calendar that shows the availability for that site.
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Do you accommodate reservations for groups for multiple cabins or glamping tents?
Each site has a maximum occupancy based on the layout, however, you can book multiple sites by making multiple reservations, one at a time (sorry). Please be aware that we take our quiet hours seriously here (10pm-8am), so we may not be the best fit for every type of group. For reservations of 10 or more sites, see our group reservation policy.
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ABOUT MY STAY​
Where do I check in for my reservation?
Our campground is self-serve. You can head directly to your site anytime after 3pm on the day of your reservation. You do not need to stop at our Welcome Center to check in or check out. If you have questions or concerns about your reservation, reply to any of the messages we sent to you about your reservation.
Can I request an early check in or a late check out?
In most cases we can accommodate these requests. We will send you a link to request early check in prior to your arrival, and we will message you when your site is ready. Late checkout can be arranged after you make your reservation by clicking the link in the confirmation message.
Will I be refunded if I cancel my reservation?
Cancellations made prior to 7 days in advance of your stay will receive a full refund. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the beginning of the stay will not receive any refund regardless of weather or other circumstances. Changes to the reservation dates within 7 days of your arrival (eg. shortening your stay or shifting the arrival date earlier or later) will be at the discretion of the Desert of Maine.​
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ACCOMMODATION & AMENITY INFO
Are the cabins accessible?
Our Haven cabins #17 and #5 are accessible, including an accessible entrance, kitchenette, layout, and bathroom. One of our Luxe tents, #13 includes a ramp for entry and has a very spacious layout, though guests must use our shared bath house, which is not fully accessible. The Cozy and Escape cabins do not have an accessible entrance or layout. Each requires going up several steps to get into the cabin. The Cozy cabin, as it is named, is quite small on the inside, and also requires guests to use the nearby bath house. The Escape cabins are more spacious and each have a toilet and sink.
Is the Bath House accessible?
The original structure of the bath house is several decades old and the dimensions of individual restroom stalls in the bath house do not meet ADA guidelines. The private showers require a step up and down to enter and exit. Each shower has grab bars, a portable stool, and a detachable sprayer.
If I stay in the campground, can I explore the dunes and play mini golf too? What about the playground?
Our campground guests receive a 15% discount on general admission and mini golf tickets during our operating hours. You will be given a coupon code at the time of your reservation, along with other information about visiting and accessing the Desert of Maine. In addition, campground guests are invited to stroll the dunes after 6pm for free. Access to the playground is always free.
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Do all accommodations have WiFi?
Yes, the whole campground has excellent WiFi.
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Do all accommodations have heat and AC?
Our Haven cabins and Luna domes have a mini split which allows you to adjust the heat or AC to your comfort level depending on the time of year. Our Escape cabins, Cozy cabins, and Lunita domes have portable ACs and electric heaters.
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The Luxe tents have an overhead fan and a pedestal fan to help with air flow in the summer. In the spring and fall, we install a wood stove, which can keep the tent very toasty, and we also provide a small electric heater if you don't want to make a fire. The Stargazer tent is equipped with a fan for the warmer months and a space heater for cooler months. We provide heated mattress pads for all glamping tents for the cooler months.
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What is the “Camp Store” and what are its hours?
Our Camp Store is a self-serve store in our campground where our guests can buy firewood, small snacks, and other essentials. The Camp Store is open 24/7 and has both a self-checkout kiosk that accepts credit cards and cash.
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POLICIES
Are pets allowed in the campground?
We allow dogs in the campground, but other types of pets are not permitted. If you do bring a dog, please help us in keeping barking to a minimum, and please make sure to clean up after your dogs. There is a $30 per night fee per dog that is included in the booking process.
Can I bring my own firewood?
If you are bringing properly treated wood from within the state of Maine then yes. In Maine, you are not allowed to bring in firewood from out of state. Bundled firewood, fire starters, and matches are available for purchase at our self-serve camp store.
How many cars can park at each campsite?
Our campsites can accommodate one car per site. If you have a second car, please park it in our lower parking lot (the lot that you drive through on your way into the campground).
I have a question that is not listed here, how do I get in touch with the campground office?
We do not have a campground office. Our Welcome Center is primarily for our tourist attraction and mini golf. If you want more information about the campground, reply to any of the messages you received about your reservation and our campground team will answer as soon as possible!