Welcome to Richmond Island

Interested in visiting or camping on the island in 2024?

PLEASE NOTE:

• Camping is permitted on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings only from May 24th- September 30th, 2024

• Reservation requests for camping permits for the 2024 season are given on a first come first serve basis and can be submitted anytime on or after April 1st. You will receive confirmation of your site by May 1st. 

• The island is closed to the public for the month of April 2024 to allow staff the space to carry out our spring maintenance work. Please respect our wishes not to come on the island during this time.

  RESERVATION REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS FOR CAMPING:

  If you are writing to request a camping reservation for the 2024 season, please read the following instructions carefully:

• You may reserve two dates, either consecutive or separate. 

• If you are flexible and open to any dates or campsite, please just submit a general request for (1) or (2) reservations to camp during the season of May 24th -September 30th. Your chances of getting a reservation will be greater if you are less specific on dates and site preference. 

• If you have a preference for a specific date and/or campsite, please submit a request of 1st and 2nd choice. Confirmation will be based on availability at the time your reservation request comes through. 

• Thanks for your patience and we look forward to seeing you on the island this year! 

VISITOR INFORMATION

The Sprague Corporation welcomes visitors to the island. Visitors are expected to be respectful of the island ecology and join us in being good stewards of this very beautiful place by observing the island guidelines. Richmond Island is also considered a wildlife refuge. All visitors are restricted to the beaches and the perimeter trail and please stay off the sand dunes. Thank you for respecting the island. 

ISLAND REGULATIONS

• NO DOGS ALLOWED ON ISLAND

• CARRY IN CARRY OUT ALL WASTE (INCLUDING POOP)

• WATERCRAFT IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS ISLAND- CROSSING OVERLAND VIA BREAKWATER IS NOT PERMITTED

• NO METAL DETECTORS OF ANY KIND PERMITTED ON THE ISLAND

• STAY ON PERIMETER TRAIL AND KEEP OFF ALL SAND DUNES

CAMPING

richmond.island@blackpointcorporation.com

The Sprague Corporation employs island caretakers during from May- October whose main duty is to protect, preserve and maintain the island. They are present on the island most days throughout the week and weekend. If you are camping, expect a visit from the caretaker during your stay to collect your permit. 

DAY USE

The island trails are open to the public for day use and no permit is required to spend the day on the island. Island will be closed to the public annually for the first 2 weeks of August. Caretakers are on the premises throughout the week and weekends. Overnight camping is allowed with permit only, issued by Richmond Island Caretakers and The Sprague Corporation.  

ABOUT THE ISLAND

This beautiful, historic island has been in the Sprague family since 1913. The 226-acre island off the coast of Cape Elizabeth has been the site of native American habitation dating back thousands of year. English fisherman settled here in the 1630’s.

The island boasts four beaches (Clam Cove Beach, Broad Cove Beach, John’s Cove Beach and Breakwater Beach). As you walk the perimeter path which is almost two miles long, you will notice a variety of ecosystems including fragile sand dunes, lake, pine forest and abundant grassland.

Visitors to the island may notice the Black Faced Scottish Rams (a domestic herd of 50+ head), deer, bald eagles, horned owls, blue herons, brown hawks, an occasional piping plover and swan. (Please take adequate precautions against ticks which pose a continued problem for visitors.) A visit on a July evening will delight with thousands and thousands of fireflies.