Glamping Lakefront Island Retreat w/ Kayak & Pet-Friendly

Loon Point is a front-row seat to one of Maine’s most iconic performances. Perched above Annabessacook Lake with sweeping 270-degree views, this island tent overlook is serenaded daily by loons — calling across the water at dawn, echoing at dusk, and occasionally laughing you to sleep. It’s a stay shaped by their rhythms, where mornings begin with mist and music and evenings end with the lake settling into quiet loon conversation. Island prep is blissfully simple. Pack your clothes, favorite food, and drinks, and we’ll supply the rest. Loon Point features a comfy queen bed, cozy blankets, cooking gear, fresh drinking water, and a peaceful site that feels wonderfully remote without being inconvenient. Modern off-grid amenities include a nose-friendly compost toilet, hot outdoor shower (non-freezing seasons), solar lights, and a wood stove to keep things warm when the air turns crisp. It’s glamping that lets nature lead — loons included.

Getting here is part of the adventure, and we make it easy. Arrive by canoe, kayak, ferry, or your own boat, with free island transportation and parking included. Once settled, you’ll enjoy private access to Loon Point and shared access to the wider island: trails, hammocks, swimming spots, paddle gear, docks, and plenty of quiet places to listen for that unmistakable call drifting across the lake. Daytime visitors may pass through shared areas, as island tradition allows, but nights belong to overnight guests — and the loons.

Loon Point is pet-friendly for well-mannered pups, beloved by returning guests, and ideal for anyone craving a reset guided by water, wildlife, and sound instead of schedules. Come curious, pack light, and let the loons set the tone — they’ve been doing it longer than we have.

OUR FAQ:

HOW DO I GET TO THE ISLAND? Every island adventure begins at our shoreside parking/dock area. From there, you've got options: Paddle, Ferry, or BYOBoat. See the details below for schedules, limitations, and FAQ. Know that we make island access for you, your crew, and your gear convenient, free, and part of your adventure.

RETURNING GUESTS: We appreciate folks who return year after year. If you've misplaced the Island Withdrawal Syndrome coupon code, remind us of your last stay and we'll send you a new one. We can't have you suffering from IWS, now can we! Also, if you are looking for an exception to our minimum night requirements, please reach out.

COOKING OPTIONS: We make cooking is easy, so pack food, not gear. We supply: kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans, French press, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, and drinking water from our homestead well. You can cook on the propane grill and stove, or over an open fire.

FREE STUFF: Every Maine Island adventure includes: Free island transportation, camp chairs, unlimited firewood, lantern, fire starter, matches, canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle boards with life vests and gear so you can explore Annabessacook Lake! On the island, there is a mile of walking paths, benches and "emergency" hammocks. This is FINE GLAMPING not hard camping - we do all the rustling for you.

DOGS ON VACAY: We're dog people and Loon Point is pet-friendly for most pups. We screen all four legged visitors right after the reservation is made so that every island visitor is safe and prepared. If you can answer "YES" to each of our screening questions, your pup will be approved: Does your dog get along with other pups and humans? Is your dog’s history bite-free? Are you willing to keep your pup on leash during your stay? And, are you willing to be responsible for any damages your dog creates?

If there's a "NO" in there, DON'T WORRY! Check out our stay at Naughty Dog Island. It’s a private island with a log cabin where ANY dog - even unsociable ones - can be leash-free and worry-free. Our pet fees are $30/night per pet, which gets settled up after the reservation and screening are completed.

LOOKING FOR A SHORT STAY OR WANT A SUPER DEAL? So that guests looking for longer stays have options, our minimum night stay requirements tend to start high early in the year and then drop by Summer. So if you've got a quick stay in mind and are surprised by our minimum night stay requirements, check back with us. The closer we get to an empty night, the more flexible we will be.

Same goes for our pricing: if you've got specific dates or stay in mind, book early for the sure thing. But if you're flexible on dates, flexible on which stay you want, and don't mind biting your nails while waiting for a price you like, then save the link and check back later. We have a first-come, first-served booking policy, but our pricing gets lower, the closer we are to an empty night. Guests enjoy exclusive access to Loon Point where they can enjoy privacy and shared access to 1 Big Sustainable Island.

There's lots to do on 1 Big Sustainable Island and (as has been the tradition for generations in the neighborhood) visitors are encouraged to stop by (so expect some company from the neighborhood on the island during daylight -- after dark, however, the island is closed to the public). Activities in these shared areas include:

Hiking or walking on more than a mile of trails Swimming Cooking over an open fire Watching the sunset from Sunset Rock Resting in hammocks sprinkled about the island Fishing off the dock Canoeing, Kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding Sauna lake plunging

We are happy to provide safe luggage storage so you can enjoy free early arrival or free late departure. Guests can take advantage of the shared areas and activities either before check in or after check out.

HOW PRIVATE IS THIS? Each of our eco-island stays is designed with privacy in mind. There are 6 stays on 1 Big Sustainable Island. Unless you go looking for neighbors, you probably won't know they are there. Every site has its own corner of the island. You might see folks in the public areas of the island (ie bathroom, boat rack, ferry ride, rope swing, and trails), but your sleeping and eating accommodations are private. Also know that our Reset Crew (if they're not already on island) is a text away, if you need help. Annabessacook Lake is our 1400 acre backyard of clear water, good fishing, and great neighbors. Whether they are year-round residents, summer vacationers, or visitors, most folks you'll meet will tell you that they have been coming here since they were a kid. Getting to the Island: You’ve got check in options

CHECK IN YOURSELF by:

* Bringing your own boat or boat plane - we have a public boat launch, free parking for your rig at our place, and free island dock space for convenient boat tie-up. * Paddling yourself - Take one of our canoes or kayaks and paddle the 30 minute trip across the lake to your stay. We can shuttle your gear on the next ferry if you want. Or,

CHECK IN WITH FERRY SERVICE:

Free ferry service to the island runs at: * 9:45 Early Arrival - We’ll shuttle you to 1 Big Sustainable Island early and while your stay is being prepared, you can begin your “Island Time” early. We’ll safely stow your gear and let you know as soon as your accommodations are ready.

* 3pm and 5pm - With the standard check in ferry, we’ll move your crew and your gear to the island and help get you settled in for FREE.

Pre-arranged Special Ferry Service is available at other times for a $60 one-way fee during regular hours (between 8pm and 7am, the cost is $100 and a hot cup of coffee for the Boat Captain). We'll transport your gear and all your guests on this 10 minute private boat ride.

FREE PARKING: Park in our private parking area for free. Cart your gear to our shoreside dock to begin your "Island Time" journey. OUTHOUSAPHOBES: We're with you! New guests might wonder about our island, off-the-grid bathrooms. Rest assured that our compost toilets are designed with usability in mind. They smell great!

We have all been to rural outhouses where this is not the case. It's the number 1 complaint (or is that #2?). Which is why, when we built each of our toilets facilities, we did something different. Through management of airflow, separation of liquids from solids, application of saw dust, and optimizing the force of gravity, we have a composting toilet system that has been in place for years with very little odor and maximum sanitation. So rest easy: if a member of your party is an "outhousaphobe", know that so are we!

CAN WE HOST A MEDIUM-SIZED GATHERING ON THE ISLAND? Yes — many groups do exactly that. Instead of reserving the entire island, you can combine several nearby island stays to create a comfortable base for your group, with shared time for meals, swims, and wandering conversations while everyone still has their own place to land at night. Once your group has a few stays reserved, our event console helps tie it all together — organizing guest lists, ferry arrivals, lodging, schedules, and potluck plans so the gathering feels coordinated without becoming a full-time planning job. 🌲🛶

CAN'T FIND THE DATES YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? Check out all eight of our Maine Island eco-retreat listings at 1 Big Sustainable Island.

Packing Advice for glampers: PACK LIGHT!

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? • Cooler w/ ice (Free replacement ice packs available) • Favorite foods and beverages • Cell phone/laptop charge cables (We've got juice to keep them charged.) • Sunscreen and bug repellent • Layers of warm clothing • Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries • Fishing permit for anyone over 16 • Water shoes for swimming • Curiosity and a good sense of humor

Our Rates include: • Free island transportation • Free canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, paddles and life vests • Free dock space for your boat • Hammock • Camp chairs • Unlimited firewood • Fire pit • Wood-stove tent heater (for heating season) • Adjustable grill for cooking over the fire • Propane grill and stove • Pots, pans • Dishes • Utensils • Biodegradable soap • Sheets • Towels • Playing Cards • Lanterns • Dad jokes and exclamation points! (We are overstocked on these)

REMOTE WORK - Wifi, cell, and battery recharges Cell reception registers 3 bars and 5G on the island . So, with any smartphone, you can work remotely. Bring your cords and we'll take phone and laptop battery charging from there. If you need our data plan, we offer a mobile hotspot upon request. There might be a catch: Telling the office or the teens how easy it is to get ******** island adventure will be up to you! If you need us to keep this on the low down: mum's the word.

WHAT IS 1 BIG SUSTAINABLE ISLAND (1BSI)? 1BSI is a nonprofit, off-grid island retreat on Annabessacook Lake in Maine where curious humans come to unplug, wander, and remember how to breathe at lake speed. It’s part glamping getaway, part community experiment, and part gentle mischief — a place where thoughtfully designed island stays (cabins, domes, tents, treehouses, and floating oddities) make simple living feel surprisingly luxurious. We handle the boats, the basics, and the behind-the-scenes magic so you can focus on the good stuff: nature, connection, quiet moments, and getting pleasantly reset by island life.