Trenton Planning Board OKs New Campground

The Trenton Planning Board has approved a new cabin campground called Acadia Timber Cottages.

According to a report, the owner, Jonathan Bates of Stone Park Properties, plans to build 59 cabins with a rustic feel and modern amenities.

The cabins will be built in two sizes, 42 with two bedrooms and 17 with one bedroom, and will feature a rustic feel with modern amenities. Each cabin will have its own double parking area and an outdoor fire pit, giving guests plenty of privacy. The location is between Mount Desert Island and Ellsworth, with attractions like Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show nearby.

“We’re going to create this winding road through the wilderness with some inviting landscape on the side. It’s tucked away in the wilderness spread out on 80 acres,” Bates said.

Over time, Bates plans to add more attractions to the property, such as a small gaming center, hiking trails, biking trails, and cross-country ski trails. The project will have several phases, and Bates hopes to begin laying the groundwork in the coming summer.

Private campground owners or operators may take note of the demand for this type of experience. Many travelers are looking for a more authentic experience, and timber frame buildings like the ones Bates plans to build have become increasingly popular.

Bates is partnering with Heritage Timber Wrights, a timber frame construction group based in Searsport, to bring this building style to travelers looking for an authentic Maine cabin experience.

This project will require several phases to finish, but Bates is looking forward to working with the town and is happy that it has received such enthusiastic support thus far.

The Acadia Timber Cottages project is an exciting addition to the Trenton community and a potential source of inspiration for other private campground owners and operators looking to provide unique, authentic experiences for their guests.