Lack Camp

Description and Access

Nestled along the Machias River in Whitneyville, Maine, the 10-acre Lack Camp and Preserve provides a peaceful setting for fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation.

The Lack Camp interior

This easy-to-access camp has a screened in porch, gas range, large wood stove, 4 bunks, a loft and futon for sleeping. Outside, there is a picnic table, fire ring and outhouse, and the river is accessible by a short (170 feet) trail. Visitors should bring their own drinking water or purifier, as the river is the only water source at the camp. Some firewood may be available, but you should bring some locally-sourced firewood with you, especially during the cooler months.

Lack Camp front deck

Like all DSF preserves and camps, this is a “Pack-It-In, Pack-It-Out” facility. Please bring trash bags and remove all of your trash, and do not leave any food or paper products out to attract pests. We do not have a cleaning staff for this camp, so please leave the camp neat and clean for the next campers. Ketchup, mustard, and soy sauce packets are a favorite food for rodents, so please take them home with you!

Bunk Beds at the Lack Camp

To access the camp from US Route 1, turn onto Route 1A, towards Whitneyville and travel 3.2 miles and turn right on Hanscom Road. Follow Hanscom Road past the buildings near the entrance, heading east, and continue about 0.25 mile and bear left at a driveway (marked #69) and continue for another 0.4 mile and the driveway for the Lack Camp will be on your left. Turn on the driveway and proceed for 400 feet to the parking area for the camp. Hanscom Road may look like a driveway, but it is actually a fairly lengthy road. This road is poorly maintained with many potholes and large puddles, especially after heavy rains. A higher clearance vehicle is recommended for those driving to the camp during rainy periods. Google doesn’t represent the road accurately, so please follow the directions we have provided.

Request a Reservation

Check the calendar for availability, then fill out the reservation request form to get started. We will email you with confirmation and camp details. Reservations are from noon to noon – late departures can be requested during the booking process.

Please allow up to 48 hour for the processing of your camp stay request. Reservations made for dates within this 48 hour window may not be accommodated.

We request a donation of $75 per night for Wigwams Camp and $50 per night for Lack Camp bookings prior to your stay.