There are many varieties of camps, from bed & breakfasts to ski lodges or dude ranches. It all started in the 1880’s when Maine was still a wilderness. Outdoor enthusiasts, such as Henry Thoreau, John Lowell and Teddy Roosevelt came to Maine and wrote about their experiences that prompted others to follow.

Sporting Camp guests in those days traveled by train to small Maine towns. They would continue by steamboat, horse and wagon, boat or canoe to a remote location, usually on a pond or lake that bore picturesque names, such as Camp Onawa, Crow’s Nest or Birch Point Lodge.

The camps usually consisted of a main lodge for dining and socializing, sleeping from 8-20 persons. Many of the camps offered boathouses, woodshed, guide’s camp, ice house, barn and workshop.

The Sporting Camps were self-sufficient. The staff consisted of a cook, waitress, boat boy and a chore boy. The Maine Guide was the official person that guests kept in contact with, as he guided them to the best fishing spots.

Popularity of the camps declined in the late 1940’s. Some camps continue, passing though three or four generations. Many rotted into the ground and some ultimately became condo communities, while others became private retreats.

Fortunately, the popularity of these camps has been rekindled, and in 1987 the Maine Sporting Camp Association was formed to assist concerned camp owners whose purpose was to preserve the sporting lifestyle.

Fishing: Most camps offer general fishing, fly-fishing, trolling, or spinning equipment. Fish for salmon, trout, lake trout, perch, pickerel, northern pike, blueback trout, or Muskellunge. Hunt for deer, bear, moose, and upland birds such as grouse and woodcock.