Naughty Dog Island is what happens when island time meets unapologetic canine freedom. This is a private island log cabin where you and your pup can truly be away away — no leashes once you arrive, no neighbors, no schedules worth keeping. Just you, your dog(s), and a 1,400-acre lake that becomes your shared backyard. If your dog has ever dreamed of running the show, this is their moment.
The space
Life here is simple, cozy, and intentionally off-grid. The rustic cabin offers a warm woodstove, solar lighting, an indoor, nose-friendly composting toilet, and a private outdoor hot shower (non-freezing seasons). Days unfold however you like: swimming off the dock, paddling the lake, fishing world-class bass waters, hammock hopping, or doing absolutely nothing while loons call and eagles circle overhead. It’s glamping with personality — relaxed, a little quirky, and wonderfully unbothered.
Getting to Naughty Dog Island is easy and part of the adventure. Arrive by paddle, ferry, or your own boat, with free parking and island transport included. Once settled, you and your pack have exclusive access to all of Naught Dog Island. If curiosity strikes, you’re also welcome to paddle over to 1 Big Sustainable Island during daylight hours to explore trails, saunas, and shared spaces.
Naughty Dog Island is designed for dogs of all personalities, including the delightfully unsociable. We screen pups for safe transport, then hand the island over to them leash-free and judgment-free. If you’re craving deep quiet, goofy joy, and a place where dogs don’t have to behave like humans, this is island time done right — muddy paws, wagging tails, and all.
OUR FAQ:
COOKING: We make cooking easy: Pack heavy on food, light on gear. We supply: kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans, French press, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, and drinking water from our homestead well. You can cook on the propane grill and stove, or over an open fire. Naughty Dog Island adventures involve minimal visitor preparation because this is GLAMPING: bring lots of food, vacay clothes, and your pup. We'll take it from there.
HOW DO I GET TO THE ISLAND?
Every island adventure begins at our shoreside parking/dock area. From there, you've got options: Paddle, Ferry, or BYOBoat. See the details below for schedules, limitations, and FAQ. Know that we make island access for you, your crew, and your gear convenient, free, and part of your adventure.
RETURNING GUESTS: We appreciate folks who return year after year. If you've misplaced the Island Withdrawal Syndrome coupon code, remind us of your last stay and we'll send you a new one. We can't have you suffering from IWS, now can we! Also, if you are looking for an exception to minimum night requirements, please reach out.
FREE STUFF: Every Maine Island adventure includes: FREE island transportation, camp chairs, unlimited firewood, lantern, fire starter, matches, canoe or kayaks with life vests and gear. Explore Annabessacook Lake!
DOGS ON VACAY: We're dog people and Naughty Dog Island is pet-friendly for all pups. We screen all four legged visitors right after the reservation is made so that every island visitor and ferry passenger is safe and prepared. The process has the following questions: Does your dog get along with other pups and humans? Is your dog’s history bite-free? Are you willing to keep your pup on leash during your trip out? And, are you willing to be responsible for any damages your dog creates?
If there's a "NO" in there, DON'T WORRY! Because Naughty Dog Island is a private island, ANY dog - even unsociable ones - can be leash-free and worry-free. We just need to know about our four-legged challenges on the ferry-ride. Our pet fees are $30/night per pet, which gets settled up after the reservation and screening are completed.
LOOKING FOR A SHORT STAY OR WANT A SUPER DEAL? So that guests looking for longer stays have options, our minimum night stay requirements tend to start high early in the year and then drop by Summer. So if you've got a quick stay in mind and are surprised by our minimum night stay requirements, check back with us. The closer we get to an empty night, the more flexible we will be.
Same goes for our pricing: if you've got specific dates or stay in mind, book early for the sure thing. But if you're flexible on dates, flexible on which stay you want, and don't mind biting your nails while waiting for a price you like, then save the link and check back. We have a first-come, first-served booking policy, but our pricing gets lower, the closer we are to an empty night.
Guest access
Guests enjoy private and exclusive access to the entire Naughty Dog Island.
You are also invited to explore the shared areas of 1 Big Sustainable Island from sunrise to sunset, a 1/2 mile paddle from Naughty Dog Island. You're welcome to take the early arrival ferry there, explore during the day, and check in at the appointed time. Or, you can paddle over on your own schedule.
ACTIVITIES:
There's lots to do on 1 Big Sustainable Island and (as has been the tradition for generations in the neighborhood) visitors are encouraged to stop by (so you might have some company from the neighborhood on the island during daylight -- after dark, however, the island is closed to the public). Activities in these shared areas include:
Hiking or walking on more than a mile of trails
Swimming
Watching the sunset from Sunset Rock
Resting in one of the hammocks sprinkled about the island
Fishing off the dock
Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding
Sauna lake plunging
We are happy to provide safe luggage storage so you can enjoy free early arrival or free late departure. Guests can take advantage of the shared areas and activities either before check in or after check out.
Other things to note
OUTHOUSAPHOBES: We're with you!
New guests might wonder about our island, off-the-grid bathrooms. Rest assured that our compost toilets are designed with usability in mind. They smell great!
We have all been to rural outhouses where this is not the case. It's the number 1 complaint (or is that #2?). Which is why, when we built each of our toilets facilities, we did something different. Through management of airflow, separation of liquids from solids, application of saw dust, and optimizing the force of gravity, we have a composting toilet system that has been in place for years with very little odor and maximum sanitation. So rest easy: if a member of your party is an "outhousaphobe", know that so are we!
I HAVE A LARGER GROUP:
If Naughty Dog Island is the right vibe, but the wrong size, check out our Eco-Island Resort for events, weddings, and retreats. It's 14 acres and 6 stays . It's private, remote, leash-free, on the same lake, and just as convenient - only for large and very large groups:
airbnb.com/h/1-big-sustainable-island
CAN'T FIND THE DATES YOU'RE LOOKING FOR at NDI?
Check out our other Maine Island eco-retreat listings at 1 Big Sustainable Island.
Island Luxury Dome
airbnb.com/h/maine-island-luxury-dome
Island Floating Cabin
airbnb.com/h/floatingislandwaterhouse
Island Tent Overlook
airbnb.com/h/maine-island-tent-overlook
Island Aframe
airbnb.com/h/maine-island-a-frame
Island Treehouse
airbnb.com/h/maine-island-tree-house
Packing Advice for glampers: PACK RIGHT = PACK LIGHT!
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
• Cooler w/ ice (Free replacement ice packs available)
• Favorite foods and beverages
• Cell phone/laptop cables (We supply recharge juice)
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Layers of warm clothing
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• Fishing permit if you're over 16
• Water shoes for swimming
• Curiosity and a Good Sense of Humor
THIS IS GLAMPING, NOT CAMPING!
(don't worry about these, we got it covered)
• Free island transportation
• Free canoes, kayaks, paddles and life vests
• Free dock space for your boat
• Hammock
• Camp chairs
• Unlimited firewood
• Out door fire pit
• Indoor wood stove
• Adjustable grill for cooking over the fire
• Propane grill with stove
• Pots, pans
• Dishes
• Utensils
• Biodegradable soap
• Sheets
• Towels
• Playing Cards
• Lanterns
• Dad jokes and lots of exclamation points!
REMOTE WORK - Wifi, cell, and battery recharges
Cell reception registers 3 bars and 5G on the island . So, with any smartphone, you can work remotely. Bring your cord and we'll take phone and laptop battery charging from there. If you need our data plan, we offer a mobile hotspot upon request. There might be a catch: Telling the office or the teens how easy it is to get online on your island adventure will be up to you! If you need us to keep this on the low down: mum's the word.
WHAT IS 1 BIG SUSTAINABLE ISLAND (1BSI)?
1BSI is a nonprofit, off-grid island retreat on Annabessacook Lake in Maine where curious humans come to unplug, wander, and remember how to breathe at lake speed. It’s part glamping getaway, part community experiment, and part gentle mischief — a place where thoughtfully designed island stays (cabins, domes, tents, treehouses, and floating oddities) make simple living feel surprisingly luxurious. We handle the boats, the basics, and the behind-the-scenes magic so you can focus on the good stuff: nature, connection, quiet moments, and getting pleasantly reset by island life.
