LindaBrinck

My photographer friend and I would like to head to Maine August 7-14 to photograph lighthouses and the Milky Way night sky (need secluded locations away from light pollution). Not knowing the area, I am very unsure of where to book some hotels.

We both live in

Since it is high season for Maine, I thought we should have a pre-arranged itinerary since we are male and female but not a "couple" so 2 separate bedrooms will be needed. Airbnb seems to have many available rooms and this seems to be most economical.

Now, where do we go?

clarkgriswold

If you go far enough north in Maine( and you should), Moosehead Lake would be good for night sky photos. Google Moosehead Lake Night Sky for lots of ideas.

If you stay in the touristy but terrific Camden maine area, head towards Deer Foot Farm in Appleton for some night sky photography.

LindaBrinck

I checked out Moosehead Lake night photos and it is incredible. We will definitely add this to our itinerary. Thank you so much for this suggestion.

Not sure is we should stay in Camden or Ellsworth....

clarkgriswold

Getting to Acadia from Ellsworth during one of the busiest tourist weeks of the year can be very slow. I guess it depends on how many times you're planning to make that drive back & forth. Ellsworth itself does not have much to offer.

As for all-that-availability you're seeing on airbnb, I wouldn't expect it to last much longer and I'm surprised that's what you've found. Where you end up staying might have a lot to do with availability.

dfrostnh

Do your dates fit with phase of moon for good milky way? Google Jeff Foliage and check out some off his photo sites (vistaphotography) for some lighthouse photos.

We have stayed at Bay Leaf in Lincolnville just north of Camden. Basic kind of place if you don't find air B&B availability.

elberko

Good point, dfrostnh. We went to a star watch at Acadia a few years ago. The nearly full moon made it pointless.

westie

Highbrook motel in Bar Harbor is reasonably priced. It is an older motel, but meticulously maintained and convenient to Hulls Cove entrance to ANP. In the Camden area, we stayed at the Mount Battie Motel in Lincolnville and it also is clean and well priced. See my recent TR for photos.

Mutti

I lived in Maine for 10 years and you'll love it. Route one is the tourist route, but it also hits the charming New England towns you are looking for. My advice is to choose your lighthouses, then pick a spot outside of the towns they are located in to stay. The suggestion of Lincolnville outside of Camden is a good one and a trick I would suggest for all the more popular places. You'll have to drive anyway, and can save a few bucks by being out of the center of town. Parking in the popular areas can be tricky. Follow the rules to avoid a ticket!

Moosehead is gorgeous, but very far from the coast and pretty far north in Maine. Make sure you have enough time for that trip. An alternative would be to go inland from Bangor, away from the city. That may yield enough night sky for you. As for rooms, try some of the colleges and universities for cheap housing. They used to rent rooms in dorms for visitors. They may not be air conditioned. Could you friends share a room with two twin beds? That may expand the room possibilities.

Have a great time and enjoy Maine!