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Booking for 2023 We are currently accepting reservations for members! Members should have received an email explaining how to access our new booking system. Please note: we no longer accept RVs with the exception of campervans and truck campers. We know this means many of our previous guests will no longer be able to bring their RVs here and we are terribly sorry for that. We agonized over this decision but in the end it was clear this was the best decision for us. We are a very small campground and building cabins and glamping tents just made the most sense for us. Ugh. Sorry. Reservation Schedule We are keeping busy this off-season: building 8 new cabins, setting up new glamping tents, adding a new site, and installing our new bocce court! We also replaced our booking software. We plan to open bookings for the 2023 season in the following order: ​ March 8th (or possibly earlier) - March 15th Members get first dibs! Become a member here ! -- No restrictions on # of nights March 16th - March 18th Members + Previous Guests + Newsletter Subscribers - 3-night minimum. Join Newsletter here ! March 19th - 22nd Members + Previous Guests+ Newsletter Subscribers - 2-night minimum. Join Newsletter here ! March 23rd - March 26th Members + Previous Guests+ Newsletter Subscribers - No minimum stay March 27th - April 15th Open to everyone (including AirBnB, VRBO, etc.) - 2-night minimum ​ ​April 16th Open to everyone (including AirBnB, VRBO, etc.) - no minimum stay As always, it is best to book directly rather than on AirBnB because to avoid their service fees. ​ See you in 2023! BOOK ONLINE

Glamping Tents Everything you need is already here We have several glamping tents available that have everything you need already set up for your camping getaway! Our canvas tents are completely waterproof, and beautiful! The Luxe IMG_5386 IMG_5396 IMG_4880 IMG_5386 1/13 Click for a full-screen image gallery All Luxe tents include: 1 queen bed with a quilt or down comforter depending on the season, linens, and pillows 16'x20' interior 1 queen sleeper sofa (w/ comfortable foam mattress) Two 1" sleeping pads under the bed (intended for kids) Linens (sheet s, pillowcases, towels (4), hand towels (2), down comforter for the queen bed, plus blankets and pillows for extra guests) Small countertop Eve rything you need for c offee/t ea Inside seating area w/ two comfy chairs Electrical outlets / lights Pedestal fan + heater Access to our cedar bath house nearby Two 1" sleeping pads under the bed (intended for kids) Electrical outlets / lights Mini fridge Pedestal Fan Wood stove (when it's cold!) Heating pad built into the mattress (w/ separate controls for each side) Raised platform + Waterproof rainfly Front porch w/ outdoor furniture Outdoor seating area w/ two Adirondack chairs, small picnic table, fire ring (w/ integrated grill), and bistro lights BOOK ONLINE Rates Rates fluctuate based on the season, day of the week, and availability. Usually, the further you book in advance, the better the rate. However, there are definitely last minute deals if we are not fully booked! ​ Discounts / Fees 10% off campground reservations for members 15% off mini golf / general admission to the Desert of Maine for campground guests $20/night per dog -- Sorry, we know is a lot but dogs cause the vast majority of damage to furniture, blankets, etc. and they require a very thorough cleaning of each glamping tent. BOOK ONLINE Pro Tips If you are looking to book a particular glamping tent (or a type of glamping tent) but your chosen dates are unavailable, you can leave the dates blank and click "Search". The results will show all of the sites and then you can click on a specific site and see that it has its own calendar. Clicking on that calendar, you can see the dates are the available (the dates that are greyed out are unavailable).

Modern, Luxurious Cabins Make your escape Over the last couple of years, we have been building modern, luxury cabins so our guests can experience the magic of camping in a way that is luxurious and turnkey. We have four models of cabins for you to choose from! BOOK ONLINE The Cozy That view... That view... Aerial view That view... 1/11 Click for a full-screen image gallery The Escape 1/18 Click for a full-screen image gallery ​The Cozy is our most romantic cabin. It is intended for two people. A wall of glass that overlooks the woods. #23 and #24 overlook a steam too. ​​ Dramatic 12' ceilings 10'x11' interior 1 queen bed Linens (sheets, pillowcases, towels (2), hand towels (2), quilt or down comforter for the queen bed) Privacy curtain or blinds for the window(s) near the bed A very short walk to our cedar bath house Wall-mounted fan, plus AC/Heat unit Mini fridge Electrical outlets / lights Everything you need for coffee/tea Seating area w/ two Adirondack chairs, small picnic table, fire ring (w/ integrated grill), and bistro lights BOOK ONLINE ​The Escape is perfect for couples that want a half-bathroom, or families with kids that don't mind sleeping on a foam mattress on the floor. We have two Escapes side by side (#14 & #15) which are perfect for two families traveling together! A wall of glass that overlooks the woods 14'x18' interior Dramatic 18' ceilings 1 queen bed and 2 twin mattresses available (on the floor) Linens (sheets, pillowcases, towels (2), hand towels (2), quilt or down comforter for the queen bed, extra pillows and blankets for the twin mattresses) Half bathroom (sink & toilet) Pedestal fan + AC/Heat unit Private balcony w/ outdoor furniture Mini fridge Electrical outlets / lights Everything you need for c offee/t ea Seating area w/ two Adirondack chairs, small picnic table, fire ring (w/ integrated grill), and bistro lights BOOK ONLINE The Haven 19 exterior - sun flare small 19 exterior - sun flare small 1/22 Click for a full-screen image gallery The Haven (secluded) 1/20 Click for a full-screen image gallery ​New for 2023, Havens are our largest, most luxurious and modern cabins. They feature a kitchen area, a full bathroom with an incredible shower, big windows, a sleeper sofa, and a built-in seating area. Big windows overlooking the woods Dramatic 18' ceilings 21'x15' 1 queen bed 1 queen sleeper sofa (w/ comfortable foam mattress) Linens (sheet s, pillowcases, towels (4), hand towels (2), down comforter for the queen bed, plus blankets and pillows for extra guests) Full bathroom (sink, toilet, shower) Kitchen area (sink, small stovetop, mini fridge, countertop, dishes, cookware, utensils) Built-in bench and table Electrical outlets / lights Everything you need for c offee/t ea AC/heater + pedestal fan Seating area w/ two Adirondack chairs, small picnic table, fire ring (w/ integrated grill), and bistro lights BOOK ONLINE We have two Havens that are set further back from the main campground road with stunning views of the woods and stream. You can't park directly in front of these cabins but there is a designated parking spot nearby. Because of their location, we could not put a full bathroom in these cabins. These cabins are perfect for people who want our most secluded setting and don't mind walking 100ft to the bath house! Big windows overlooking the woods 17'x14' Dramatic 18' ceilings 1 queen bed 1 queen sleeper sofa (w/ comfortable foam mattress) Linens (sheets, pillowcases, towels (4), hand towels (2), down comforter for the queen bed, plus blankets and pillows for extra guests) Access to our cedar bath house very close by View of stream, most secluded Kitchen counter w/ mini fridge, stovetop, dishes, and cookware Built-in bench and table Private balcony w/ outdoor furniture Electrical outlets / lights Everything you need for c offee/t ea AC/heater + p edestal fan Seating area w/ two Adirondack chairs, small picnic table, fire ring (w/ integrated grill), and bistro lights ​ Note: #25 is down a short, s teep path from the parking spot and bath house. BOOK ONLINE The Haven (Accessible) One of our Haven cabins (#16) has an accessible entrance and layout, an accessible bathroom, and accessible outdoor seating area. Guests who rent this cabin can choose between a couple layout options and placements for amenities to ensure they have space and full access. Big windows overlooking the woods Dramatic 18' ceilings Ramps and railings on both the front and back of the cabin 1 queen bed Wall mounted folding table and stackable chairs 1 queen sleeper sofa (w/ comfortable foam mattress) Linens (sheets, pillowcases, towels (4), hand towels (2), down comforter for the queen bed, plus blankets and pillows for extra guests) Kitchen area (sink, small stovetop, mini fridge, countertop, dishes, cookware, utensils) Full bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower, including shower seat, grab bars, and plenty of space Electrical outlets / lights AC/heater Everything you need for c offee/t ea Outdoor seating area w/ bistro lights, an accessible picnic table (coming soon!), accessible fire ring, and two Adirondack chairs ​ ​ BOOK ONLINE Rates Rates fluctuate based on the season, day of the week, and availability. Usually, the further you book in advance, the better the rate. However, there are definitely last minute deals if we are not fully booked! ​ Discounts / Fees 10% off campground reservations for Desert of Maine annual pass holders 15% off mini golf / general admission to the Desert of Maine for campground guests $20/night per dog -- we know is a lot but dogs cause the vast majority of damage to furniture, blankets, etc. and they require a very thorough cleaning of each cabin. BOOK ONLINE Pro Tips If you are looking to book a particular cabin (or a type of cabin) but your chosen dates are unavailable, you can leave the dates blank and click "Search". The results will show all of the cabins and then you can click on a specific cabin and see that it has its own calendar. Clicking on that calendar, you can see the dates are the available (the dates that are greyed out are unavailable). Sites 22 and 25 are our must secluded cabins. Site 26 is our most secluded glamping tent. Sites 25 and 26 require walking down a short, though somewhat steep, path Cabins 14 and 15 are relatively close together. These are perfect for two families traveling together!

Gallery Photos and Videos of the Desert of Maine

Tickets Reservations are not required but buying your tickets online definitely saves time when you arrive! Tickets purchased in advance are held under your name for the entire season, so even if your plans change you can use them another time. All you have to do when you arrive is just give us your name and we will look up your order--easy! Admission BUY ONLINE Mini Golf BUY ONLINE Admission + Mini Golf BUY ONLINE Save $2

Campground Map NOTES - The Lunas and Stargazers and a few of the Luxe's are under construction in 2024. We will make them available on stay.desertofmaine.com as soon as they are ready!

Employment Work With Us We are hiring for the 2024 season! We have several full time or part time roles available for our upcoming May through October season. The Desert of Maine is going through a total reboot under new ownership. We are constantly adding staff to help us deliver a world-class experience for our visitors. We take special pride in creating a work environment that is friendly, supportive, challenging, and fun. Open Positions Open Positions for 2024 Visitor Experience Staff Reporting to the Director of Operations, our Visitor Experience staff work in many roles including welcoming visitors at our Welcome Center; operating our retail store, snack bar, and mini golf course; orienting visitors and answering questions; facilitating Sand Art and driving our 1800s-style electric train (for those interested)! Learn More Sr Grounds/Maintenance Staff Reporting to the owner, our Senior Grounds and Maintenance staff have the overall responsibility for keeping our outdoor spaces safe and looking great. We are looking for someone with landscaping experience, carpentry/repair skills, and experience operating tools and equipment such as tractors, power tools, mowers, etc. Senior grounds and maintenance staff will oversee our small grounds and maintenance team. Learn More Grounds/Maintenance Staff Our grounds and maintenance staff spends their time outdoors making our grounds look beautiful. Tasks include landscaping, leafblowing, mowing, campground upkeep, stacking wood, mulching, weeding, exhibit maintenance, and much more. Join a small, close-knit team and spend your summer outdoors in a beautiful place learning valuable skills! Learn More Housekeeping Staff Our housekeeping staff manages daily turnover and cleaning of cabins, glamping tents, and our shared campground bath house. Tasks include changing linens, cleaning bathrooms and floors, restocking supplies, and more. Work alongside a small team of housekeeping staff in one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in Maine! Learn More Train Conductor Our team of friendly train conductors operate our trackless electric train, driving the train around our designated loop, greeting passengers (especially kids!), and helping passengers on and off at designated stops. The Train Conductor role can be a part time role for interested applicants, or combined with our Visitor Experience Staff role as well. Learn More Working at the Desert

Train Conductor To apply to our train conductor role, please email us a short cover letter telling us why you would be perfect for this role. Feel free to let your personality shine through! Attach a resume that highlights any experience you think is relevant. If you put in the effort, we will seriously consider you. ​ Apply Now

Accessibility ​Getting Here Our parking lot is dirt/gravel and has four handicap parking spaces--two of which are van-accessible--positioned close to the Welcome Center. An ADA-compliant stone pathway leads from the accessible parking spots to the Welcome Center. The entrance and exit of the Welcome Center have stone ramps leading in and out of the building. Sliding doors are left open, weather permitting. ​ Navigating the Desert of Maine A wooden boardwalk, approximately 200 ft in length, leads from the Welcome Center to the edge of the dunes to provide a view of the landscape. Single-occupancy accessible restrooms are located on the side of the Welcome Center, reachable from the boardwalk. Changing tables are available in both restrooms. A ramp leads from inside the Welcome Center to the Oasis snack bar, and orders can be placed from our outdoor window on the patio. The recently excavated Springhouse located on the edge of the dunes can be viewed from a vista point on the dunes or from a closer vantage point which requires navigating down and back up a staircase. The 1800s farmhouse requires two steps up to enter and exit the front door. An accessible metal ramp will be installed for the back door coming in June 2023. Our nature trails are well groomed and span sand, woods, and include some boardwalks over small streams. There are benches in a couple places along the trails. We have one beach wheelchair available for visitors to use on a first come, first-served basis, and can be found outside the Welcome Center. We have two jogging strollers that are available for visitors on a first come, first-served basis, and can be found outside the Welcome Center. ​ Electric Train New in 2023, we have an electric train that operates on a loop out in the dunes and through the woods. The first stop is at the “bottom” of the dunes, which requires navigating up the boardwalk and down the slope of the dunes. To get on the train, a step on board and off board is required. The rear car of the train is equipped with a manual ramp that can make it possible to load and unload strollers or wheelchairs. ​ Mini Golf ​ Tickets for mini golf are sold in a small cabin next to the course. The cabin has an entry door and an exit door on the opposite side, and can be accessed by mobility devices From the Welcome Center, the mini golf ticket cabin and course are reachable via stone ramp and packed gravel path. All but four of the holes (4, 5, 6, and 7) on the course are accessible by wheelchair. Holes 4, 5, 6, and 7 require navigating up and down a couple stairs and slopes. Guests who are unable to play holes 4, 5, 6, and 7 qualify for a prorated discount, or they can choose to replay holes 1, 2, 3, and 4 to make a complete round. Benches are placed near almost every hole. With the exception of holes 4, 5, 6, and 7, all holes are surrounded by cement curbs that are about 5 inches tall and include curb cuts for easier access in and out. Adjustable putters equipped with a ball retriever are available in the mini golf ticket cabin. ​ Campground ​ The campground is reachable via a dirt road that is accessible to cars and vans. Many campsites include a parking spot within the site, but some do not. Please review our campground map and site details for more information. Sites 25 and 26 are located down a small hill and reachable by a packed dirt path. Guests staying in these sites will need to access our bath house at the top of the hill. The campground bath house has private shower rooms that require a step up and down to enter and exit. Each shower has grab bars and portable stool which allows guests to shower while seated. Each shower also includes a detachable sprayer. 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 compliance. One of our new "Haven" cabins (#16) includes an accessible layout, bathroom, and entrance, along with an accessible picnic table and outdoor fire ring. If you’re interested in any of our campsites, glamping tents, or cabins, be sure to check out the images on our campground page. If you would like to know more about our campground accommodations, please reach out at hello@desertofmaine.com ​ Tuttle Barn ​ The 200+-year-old Tuttle Barn is currently undergoing restorations to become a performing arts venue. Phase 1 of the project is underway and Phase 2 is planning for 2024 or 2025. Once completed, the barn will have a fully accessible ground floor with accessible restrooms. Designs are still in process, but accessibility for the public and our performers is a top priority. ​ ​ Our goal is to make the Desert of Maine as accessible as possible for all people. Efforts to improve access are ongoing, and we appreciate feedback and suggestions from our community for how we can ensure an inclusive experience at the Desert of Maine. Accessibility at the Desert

Donation Requests Supporting our Local Community We love supporting organizations in our local community that are doing good. We routinely donate tickets to fundraising auctions, host events, among other things. Please contact us using the form below and we will get back to you quickly! DONATION REQUEST

Group Visits Group visits can be scheduled any time during our open season: May through Indigenous Peoples' Day Looking to book a group tour? The Center for Arts & Ecology, the non-profit that operates onsite at the Desert has developed engaging and educational docent-led tours and programs for schools, home school groups, camps, as well as any adult or mixed aged groups. Book now Visiting the Desert Groups of all ages are welcome at the Desert of Maine! Please note: Unless booked through Center for Arts and Ecology, all group visits are self-guided. With opportunities to learn about history, geology, and ecology in Maine, space for play and exploration, or a chance to try out our mini golf course, you can design your group visit around the interests and needs of your group. ​ You do not need to coordinate with us if you plan to bring less than 20 people to visit the Desert. ​ Discounted admission (20% off) is available for groups of 20 people or more.* The group discount is only available for in-person ticket purchases. ​ For more information or to schedule your group's visit, contact us at info@desertofmaine.org ​ *Additional discounted pricing is available for qualifying school districts. Playing Mini Golf We welcome groups to come enjoy the mini golf course together! Groups must break up into smaller groups of 5 players per game to help us keep the course moving. If you plan to bring a small group of 20 people or less just to play mini golf, you don't need to contact us ahead of time to coordinate. For larger groups, please reach out to schedule a day and time for your visit. We can often accommodate larger groups of 20-40 people on weekdays and evenings. Discounted tickets (20% off) are available for groups of 20 people or more.* The group discount is only available for in-person ticket purchases. For more information or to schedule your group's visit, contact us at groups@desertofmaine.com

Re-opening for the 2024 season on May 4th! What is this place? The Desert of Maine is a weird and wonderful place. It is far more than just the 20 acres of rolling sand dunes in the middle of a lush forest. It has rich history going back to the 1800s, and it has been an iconic tourist destination in Maine for nearly 100 years. It is fun, educational, beautiful --well-suited for families with kids, history buffs, nature lovers, science nerds, and curious travelers. PLAN YOUR VISIT A perfect place for kids... ​ Kids absolutely love it here. We have a one-of-a-kind natural playground , an imaginative labyrinth called Gemstone Village where kids can dig for gems, a hands-on Fossil Dig exhibit, a new mini golf course, a Story Walk , a Secret Sandbox , and lots more! ...that is also great for adults! ​ The Desert is also great for adults ! A self-guided experience takes you to interpretive signs and exhibits that cover the history, geology, and ecology of Desert. Explore fascinating ex hibits like the Buried Spring House and 1800s Farmhouse museum and take in the natural beauty of the dunes and surrounding forest. EXPLORE Mini Golf We have a new fun and challenging mini golf course that is as unique as the Desert itself! Opened in summer of 2022, it features beautiful landscaping, waterfalls, modern hole designs, and sculptures from the Desert’s history! EXPLORE Campground Feel like you are far away, while being close to everything. A quiet, secluded campground surrounded by tall pines, sandy dunes, and a gentle stream. Features a selection of cabins and glamping tents, beautifully renovated bath house, strong WiFi, and convenient self-serve camp store for the basics. BOOK NOW Read what people have to say...