Deer Isle Hostel
The only coastal hostel in Maine. Dennis Carter built it by hand — the main building in 17th-century style, the forest huts tucked into the surrounding woods. Solar power, organic gardens, Saturday communal dinners. A 4.9 on Google from 56 reviews, which means people aren't just tolerating the shared shower — they're coming back for it.
Dennis Carter and Anneli Carter-Sundqvist opened the Deer Isle Hostel around 2008, inspired by a treehouse hostel Dennis had encountered in Georgia. The concept: off-grid, hand-built, deeply rooted in homesteading and the Maine landscape. He built the main structure himself in the style of a 17th-century New England building, and added secluded forest huts — hand-crafted wooden dwellings semi-open to the surrounding spruce and fir.
The property sits at 65 Tennis Road on Deer Isle, a 10-minute drive from the village. On 24 hours a day during the season (9am-9pm contact hours), it offers dormitory-style beds in the main building and private-ish forest huts for guests who want more solitude without more price.
The communal dimension sets this place apart. There's a shared kitchen and dining area. The solar-powered hot outdoor shower. Organic gardens producing food for the property. On Saturday nights from June through September, they run a communal dinner — $20, kids under 10 eat free — that tends to become a real gathering. Kayaking and canoeing access nearby, a nature preserve and hiking trails adjacent.
2026 bookings opened February 1. The hostel is closed in winter.
Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
What Visitors Say
"**Amazing Camping Experience!** We recently had the pleasure of staying at this fantastic camping spot and we couldn't be happier with our experience. The emplacement was absolutely perfect, offering stunning views and a serene atmosphere. The vibe of the place was excellent – it was super quiet and peaceful, just what we needed to unwind and relax. A special shout-out to the host, Denis, who was incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. He was always available for any questions and went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great stay. I highly recommend this camping spot to anyone looking for a peaceful getaway in a beautiful location. We will definitely be returning! -Florence and Raphael"
"What a wonderful experience! Deer Isle is not only a beautiful location, but the hostel itself was clearly built with and continues to be cared for with so much love. We stayed in one of the huts, and it was clean and comfortable. The outhouse, outdoor shower, and shared kitchen were also very clean and had everything we needed to have a great stay. I cannot recommend visiting Deer Isle Hostel enough--staying here in and of itself was a clear highlight on our trip through Maine! We would be so lucky to stay here again one day."
"Deer Isle Hostel is a back-to-nature, laid back, magical place. As soon as you park, an air of calmness covers you. Tucked away in the woods, beautiful, simple, hand-planed huts await you. For travelers wishing all the usual amenities, you’ll need to lay to the side things like electrical outlets where you sleep, or toilets that flush. Walk back in time. Gather in the community kitchen at the long table, cook your meal at the stove, read one of the dozens of books that range from thin volumes that discuss what life is to homesteading. The longtime owner and builder of the hostel lives in large historically accurate home, which travelers can also stay in as an option. He’s super chill, mellow, and kind."
Local Tips
- Book via direct-book.com/properties/deerislehostel — their direct booking link.
- The Saturday communal dinner is worth staying for. $20 for a homemade meal with whoever else is staying that weekend is one of the better deals on the island.
- Bring a headlamp and layers — forest huts are genuinely rustic, not boutique-rustic.
- Dog-friendly, but contact them first before booking. They have a dog too.
- Check in between 4–9pm. Check out by noon.
Connected To
- Edgar M. Tennis Preserve — hiking trails nearby; ask Dennis for the local access points
- Deer Isle kayaking — the surrounding archipelago is some of the best paddling on the coast; the hostel can orient you
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts — a few miles away; international craft school and community anchor