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Logo of Fortland featuring a stylized design with an arch, crossed tools, and the brand name in gold.

Plan Your Visit: Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We’ve got answers! 

Review our frequently asked questions: 

Don’t see the answer to your specific question? Our team is here to help – Contact us at info@fortlandmaine.com or via call/text at 207-200-1267!

FAQ - Fortland Campground

Booking your Visit

What days are you open?

We are open for general bookings Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from June through early October. Island Takeovers are available 7 days a week during our regular season. During open booking, you may see specific pricing and availability for specific dates here.

What are your rates?

$299-800/night, depending on the site type (yurts are generally $50-100 more than tents), the day of the week, and time of the season. This price includes parking + a check-in and check-out boat charter. During open booking, you may see specific pricing and availability here.

Is there a minimum stay required when booking?

We require a 2-night minimum for weekends (Fri/Sat). In most cases, though, we do make exceptions for last-minute bookings.

What is your cancellation policy?

A 50% deposit is required at time of booking to confirm your reservation.

The balance of your bill is due 30 days before your stay. Reservations may be canceled or modified up until 30 days prior to your arrival date*.

Cancellations will be refunded less a $100 administrative fee.

Within 30 days of arrival date, reservation deposit is 100% and reservations are non-refundable, non-modifiable, and non-transferable.

Cancellations, for whatever reason, made within the 30-day window prior to your arrival date are non-refundable.

Early departures or no-shows will still be charged at their full rate. We do not give credit or refunds due to the discomforts of nature. The fun continues rain or shine.

The cancellation policy shall be amended by Fortland in the event a natural disaster (i.e. hurricane or tropical storm watch/warning, gale warning, small craft advisory) is issued for the greater Portland area OR when there is a mandatory evacuation of the area and the campground will be closed.

To protect your stay at Fortland, we highly suggest purchasing travel insurance.

*The 50% deposit is non-refundable for Group Camping bookings (reservations of 3+ Fortland sites)

What happens if there's bad weather?

We do not cancel (or refund for guest cancelation due to weather) unless the wind and weather are unsafe. See cancellation policy.

To protect your stay at Fortland, we highly suggest purchasing travel insurance.

Can I book more than one site?

Yes! During our camping weekends, guests may reserve up to 4 sites (up to 15 guests). Our team can provide recommendations for sites so your group can remain near one another.

Connect with us via email at info@fortlandmaine.com or text/call  207-200-1267.

Just need 2 sites? Book directly on our website.

For groups requiring 3+ sites, our team will build a custom Group Camping booking.

*The 50% deposit is non-refundable for Group Camping bookings (reservations of 3+ Fortland sites)

Before you Stay

What do I bring + what does Fortland provide?

A NOTE ABOUT WATER:

  • There is no running water on the island, but we do provide drinking water and also water for handwashing, showering (with our portable solar showers), feetwashing, etc.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:

  • Water bottle
  • Food, coolers, ice/ice packs (if you have an extended stay, we can help you procure more ice)
  • A rain layer for the boat in case it's windy & choppy on the water and you are sitting outside the cabin.
  • Seasonally appropriate clothing; including warm layers for nighttime (it can get colder and breezy), bathing suit, sneakers/closed toe shoes are best for the fort tour, rain coat.
  • Toiletries
  • Sunglasses (& a hat if you're into that)
  • Sunscreen, bug spray
  • Headlamp (great for exploring the fort and navigating at night- not required)

WHAT WE PROVIDE:

  • Boat transport for check-in and check-out
  • Cookware: propane grills and burners, propane, pots/pans, utensils, flatware, cups, salt & pepper, oil, cooking bowls, tea kettle, coffee percolator
  • All linens and bedding
  • Lanterns for inside yurt/tent
  • One towel per guest for beach/etc
  • Yard games
  • Solar battery @ each site for charging devices
  • Firewood
  • Coffee, cream, sugar
  • Skewers for marshmallows

Do I bring my own food? Water? Coffee?

FOOD: Except for pre-coordinated catered occasions, we do not provide or organize food. Guests carry in their own food, coolers, and ice, and we provide cool, shady storage space for food and coolers.

WATER: We carry in and provide drinking water for guests, but guests should bring their own drinks of other kinds.

COFFEE: Fresh, hot coffee is made for any interested guests every morning!

What is the cooking situation?

There is a Community tent which serves as the area for guest 'kitchens,’ which include grills and stoves, all cooking utensils, and flatware and silverware. We also have a central firepit for evening or morning fires. We require that guests keep all food and eating in the Community tent area and not in sites! This is to be sure that the sites remain pest-free.

Is there any refrigeration?

Everything at Fortland is run by limited solar power, so we rely on good old fashioned ice and coolers. Should you be staying longer than the ice will last, we can help you get more.

Do you provide bedding + towels?

We do! Supima cotton sheets, comforters, fleece blankets, and two pendleton towels are included with each site. Beds will be made up for you prior to your arrival based on occupancy.

Do you allow pets?

Sorry, no pets or animals can accompany guests during a visit to Fortland. House Island is a safe habitat for migratory birds and is a sensitive ecosystem.

Getting to the island

What time is check-in and check-out?

Generally speaking, our charter boat leaves the mainland at 3:30pm for check-in, and leaves Fortland at 11:00am for check-out.

Do you offer early check-in or late check-out?

With the nature of our operation, we cannot accommodate early check-in or late check-out.

Our check-in boat departs the mainland at 3:30pm and our check-out boat departs the island at 11:00am.

To extend your stay, an additional night will need to be booked.

How do we get to the island?

We have a check-in boat and a check-out boat for our guests!

Check-In: The boat leaves from our parking area at Bug Light in South Portland at 3:30pm.

Check-Out: The boat leaves our dock at 11:00am and returns guests to Bug Light. All guests must depart by 11:00am on the final day of their reservation.

*If you need a boat at a different time, you may book your own transportation at your own expense. We recommend Fogg’s Water Taxi @ (207) 415-8493.

If you will be arriving or departing at a different check in/out time, you must let us know so we can help accommodate your plans.

How long does the boat ride take?

It takes about 10 minutes to get to Fortland from Bug Light or from downtown Portland.

Can I bring my own boat or kayak?

If you are a guest traveling by kayak or canoe, you are welcome to pull up on our beach at your own risk. Fortland does not otherwise provide dockage or moorings for guests’ boats.

If you are a captain of your own vessel and would like to stay with us, please reach out to discuss how we can accommodate your stay. All guests arriving by boat must notify Fortland prior to their arrival.

During your stay

How many yurts/tents are there?

We have 3 yurts and 4 tents with a total of 16 beds - 7 queens and 9 twins. Yurts can sleep up to 4 people, and tents can sleep up to 3, in most cases.  If you book a stay and will be using more than just the queen bed, the additional twin(s) will be made up for you prior to your arrival.

What about bathrooms + showers?

We have central composting toilets shared by all guests. We provide portable solar showers for use at your site.

Can I pitch my own tent?

We only book stays in our existing yurts and tent cabin sites, EXCEPT in cases of island takeovers. (If you book the whole island, we do allow the use of up to 10 pitch-your-own tent areas.)

Can I invite visitors to the island during my stay?

Visits from additional guests must be pre-approved by Fortland management. All visitors must sign a waiver, and visitor fees apply.

Is there electricity? Wi-Fi?

Each guest site and our central event tent have solar-powered battery packs for charging phones + devices. There is no Wi-Fi, but the cell signal is strong to use as a hotspot in most areas.

Can I film, photograph, and/or fly my drone at Fortland?

Personal pictures and simple video by individual guests and individual families are permitted, with respect to the privacy of other guests.

Filming and photo shoots require advance approvals. Location fees and proof of insurance may be required. Please contact info@fortlandmaine.com.

For safety reasons, recreational drone use by any guest or member of the public is not permitted on or over Fortland. Likewise, commercial use is also prohibited, except in limited circumstances when an approved operator has received written permission from Fortland management. This includes use associated with special events, marketing and in film/photo applications

Do you have quiet hours?

Our quiet hours during regular camping nights are 10:00pm to 7:00am.

Further Questions?

Feel free to contact us anytime.