Vaughns-Island-photo-by-David-Jourdan – Kennebunkport Conservation Trust

Vaughn’s Island, photo by David Jourdan.

The Cape Porpoise Islands are preserved for all to enjoy. They are monitored by Island Stewards. Please help us keep them in their natural state by observing the following:

Carry In, Carry Out

Carry Out all trash. Please take all solid human waste and toilet paper to the mainland for proper disposal.

Fire Restrictions

You will be camping on land owned and maintained by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. As part of your camping reservation, the Trust is permitting you to burn a campfire in, and only in, Trust maintained firepits. Building and/or using rouge firepits is strictly prohibited. Be vigilant and mindful of wind conditions. DO NOT CUT Island vegetation. Extinguish all fires completely. NO BONFIRES. MORE INFO

Adapting to our Islands (Don’t let poison ivy spoil your camping trip!)

Most islands off the Maine coast commonly include a host of flora and fauna, including some not so pleasant to humans, such as mosquitos, marauding raccoons, and poison ivy. You can forestall the raccoons by keeping all food inside a cooler (very firmly latched) or your tent, and the mosquitos can be repelled with plenty of bug spray. The poison ivy is more of a challenge, and this year the Island Stewards will be testing an organic vinegar spray on Cape Island.

Spraying this highly concentrated solution on young plants had had success on Jewell Island in Casco Bay, so we are hopeful it will keep the poison ivy under control immediately around the campsites. But we will never eradicate it completely, so we recommend you familiarize yourself with what it looks like and avoid it. Should you come in contact with the plant, washing with liberal amounts of soap (dish soap – i.e. detergent is better) and salt water is a good immediate solution.

Parking Information

Limited parking is available at the end of Turbots Creek Road (where it meets the water – 3 spaces), and along the right side of Pier road just beyond the boat launch area up to the Pier 77 restaurant property.

Camping permits

Permits are required and can be obtained on this site. Please select the Island, campsite, and date for overnight camping. No Commercial use. Maximum camp size 4-8 people. Respect others’ privacy.

Respect Wildlife

Respect wildlife, habitats, nesting sites, and the natural beauty of the islands.

Firearms

Use of firearms strictly prohibited except by licensed hunters during regulated hunting seasons.