No matter where you are coming in from, you will need to stop at a grocery store. While we have abundant food and drink for festivities, you will want to have a stash of your own for other meals and snack attacks outside of scheduled events.
Conveniently, the closer you get to Whetstone, the more limited grocery stores are in their selections. Welcome to rural Maine! Vacationland! We have all you need, maybe not all you want. Trust us – it’s the way life should be.
On your way in from Bangor, we recommend Shaw’s in Dover.
From Portland, it’s Hannaford in Newport, or Hannaford in Dexter.
Check out the map we made with points of interest to help with planning your trip, including the local bar, restaurant, and grocery stores.
General Rules & Regulations
Camp is a sacred place to all who know and enjoy it. Please be cautious to leave nothing but footprints behind, no matter where you find yourself.
Quiet hours are generally 10:00PM – 8:00AM.
If you are having a conversation outside, assume the entire Pond can hear you.
No boating or floating without lights after sunset.
Life-vests are required by law to have with you at all times on any boat.
It is considered polite (and smart) to not hug the shore when boating. It is best to keep a distance from the shoreline, beyond the swimming floats. Be cautious of swimmers and wildlife. Hannah hugged the shore once while kayaking in the outlet at Whetstone, and found herself face-to-face with a coyote in broad daylight. Never again.
Drunk driving laws apply to boat and ATV operators.
Please do not tear up the dirt roads – keep it under 20 mph. If you’re kicking up dirt, you’re going too fast!
Outbound traffic has the right of way on dirt roads at both Piper and Whetstone.
Wave to the neighbors! On the road and on the water.
Keep a healthy distance from wildlife, most notably moose, deer, bears, coyotes, loons, and snapping turtles. Encountering them is rare-ish, but it is important to be smart and prepared.
Loons are harmless, but protected. Keep your distance. Do not disturb them or get close to their nests. They’ll yell if they feel threatened, and everyone on the pond will judge you.
Be cautious of wildlife in roadways, particularly deer and moose at dawn and dusk.
Never open windows or exit your vehicle if you happen upon wildlife in roadways.
There are no poisonous snakes or spiders in Maine, although in recent years we have gained quite a tick population. Check for ticks regularly.
Do not leave any fire unattended and be certain they are put completely out.
Secure any items left out overnight (eg: inflatables).
Do not leave food outside overnight.
Keep camp doors closed. Pets in, pests out.
Do not peel bark from vertical trees. This is necessary to say only because birch trees make it so tempting.
No smoking inside any building.
In the words of TC at the marginally-famous Bangor Maine Police Department,
“Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people’s things alone, and be kind to one another.”