Deer Lake offers a variety of camping options including tent, lean-to and cabin sites. With sites distributed throughout the 253 acre property, you’re sure to find the perfect spot whether you’re looking for group camping or time to be alone in the wilderness.
Facilities
Outdoor
In addition to our campsites, Deer Lake has several outdoor spaces available for your use. There’s a chapel on a cliff overlooking the water, a water-side amphitheater with a stage and fire pits, pavilion with electricity, wooded areas, wide-open fields, and three separate waterfront areas.
Indoor
The centerpiece of Deer Lake facilities is Clifton Hall, a 5,000-square foot post-and-beam construction hall with a certified full commercial kitchen and seating for 300. Just a short walk from Clifton Hall is Halliwell Training Center, ideal to host conferences or round-table discussions. Both facilities have fireplaces, overhead projectors with screens and bathroom facilities. From small group meetings to large weddings, we have a space to meet your needs.
FAQ
With ample indoor and outdoor space, Deer Lake is a great place to host your next private event. Call us at 203-421-4040 or email us at info@deerlakeoutdoors.org to discuss your event.
We’re honored to support and offer use of our facilities at discounted rates to non-profit organizations with charitable causes that are complementary to our mission.
Organizations that meet our Aligned Non-Profit Policies may reserve camping sites, cabins, and watercraft online for their functions. If you expect more than 64 people to participate in the function, or if you are interested in using Clifton Hall, Halliwell Training Center, Chapel, Amphitheater, or one of our waterfronts, please contact us at (203) 421-4040 or email us at info@deerlakeoutdoors.org.
Deer Lake Outdoor Center is open to the public from dawn to dusk for walking and hiking without a reservation. If you’re part of a group, we ask that you check-in at the Ranger’s Office to let us know you’re here. There may be days throughout the year where we will be closed to the public for a private event, but should that happen, we will post it on our website, social media and with physical signs.
Our campsites and cabins are available for use only by registered guests with a reservation. Looking for a last-minute campsite, please call us at 203-421-4040, email us at info@deerlakeoutdoors.org, or stop in at the Rangers’ Office to see is a site is available.
Yes, Deer Lake is open to the public for camping, programming, and events. Come for a solitary camping weekend or bring your whole family for a reunion.
If you have an emergency while at Deer Lake, please call 911.
The directors of Deer Lake, Jenn and Brian, are both certified Wilderness EMTs and active volunteers with the Killingworth Ambulance Association. There are also two AEDs on premises and several medical facilities within a 15 minute drive.
There is a four-season shower house with flush toilets, sinks and hot showers at the North end of camp. There is also an identical shower house at the center of our lean-to campsites that is open seasonally.
Friendly dogs are welcome at Deer Lake but must supervised and under control at all times. You must clean up after them and you are responsible for any damage they cause. Dogs are not permitted in any buildings or shelters except cabins or shelters when staying with an overnight guest. When outside your campsite or cabin, they must be leashed.
Yes, our campsites are rented by the weekend and available for longer reservations as well. A few of our indoor facilities are also rentable by the day or partial day.
While we strongly encourage disconnecting while here at Deer Lake, we’ve recently installed a commercial mesh WIFI network throughout the center of camp. Most of our campsites and cabins do not have reliable WiFi and cellular reception can be spotty throughout the property.
All of our trails are marked using a blazing system on the trees along the trails. A trail map is available HERE and at the Ranger’s Office. Stop in and say hello!
Five run north-south and several run east west. We have a variety of trails from easy to moderate difficulty. Some are as wide as a car, and others are single track foot paths. You will encounter gravel, larger stones, tree roots, and on occasion mud. There are vernal ponds, rock cliffs, and boulders for exploring.
Yes, from a single facility to the entire camp, Deer Lake is available for your use.
Every summer we run an eight week day camp from Monday through Friday. For the safety of our campers, we do not take reservations for camping or events during those weeks.
Deer Lake is home to the Richard English Bird Sanctuary and a diverse ever-changing population of birds as different species stop over on the migration journeys. On an early morning hike you may come across local white-tailed deer or see signs of bear, bobcat, coyote. Take a walk along our Lakeside trail to visit our resident beavers.