The Perfect Valentine's Day Getaway: Romance at Camp DeForest
There's something about February in Maine that strips away the noise. The summer crowds have long since retreated, the pace slows to a gentle hush, and the coast reveals itself in ways the busy months never allow. It's cold, yes—but it's the kind of cold that makes a warm cabin feel like a revelation, that makes a shared blanket feel like an event, that makes the simple act of holding hands by a fire feel like the most romantic gesture in the world.
At Camp DeForest, we've found that Valentine's Day isn't really about the grand gestures. It's about the quiet ones. The morning coffee brought to you in bed. The afternoon spent wandering through a snow-dusted coastal town with no agenda. The evening where the only plans involve a fire, a drink, and nowhere you need to be.
If you're looking for a Valentine's escape that feels like coming home—with someone you love, to a place that loves you back—here's your guide to romance on the MidCoast.
Our Valentine's Weekend Sweetheart Getaway Package
This Valentine's weekend, we've done the planning so you can focus on what matters—being together. Our Sweetheart Getaway Package is two nights of crackling fires, pine-scented mornings, and the kind of unhurried romance that only happens when you leave the to-do list behind.
Optional Upgrades:
Cabin Upgrade (+$150): Trade your cozy room for one of our private cabins tucked into the trees—more space, more seclusion, more romance.
Wine Pairing (+$50): Elevate your Saturday dinner with expertly paired wines for each course, from a sparkling rosé to start to a housemade dark chocolate espresso liqueur to finish.
Two-Night Stay (Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15): Settle into one of our cozy rooms for two, designed with vintage-inspired charm and modern comforts.
Romance Touches Upon Arrival: Fresh roses and a cookie plate waiting in your room—because the getaway should start the moment you walk through the door.
Gourmet Five-Course Valentine's Dinner: On Saturday evening, join us for a romantic prix fixe dinner featuring locally-inspired courses crafted for the occasion (see menu below).
Camp Breakfast Each Morning: Wake up to hearty camp-style breakfasts both Saturday and Sunday—fuel for your romantic adventures or for doing absolutely nothing at all.
Package Price: $599 (plus tax)
To book your Sweetheart Getaway,
call us at (207) 789-5777
Or email valentines@campdeforest.com
Spaces are limited for Valentine's weekend—reserve your spot before it's gone.
Your Cabin: A Private Retreat for Two
Romance starts with the space you share. Our cabins at Camp DeForest were designed for exactly this kind of getaway—intimate without feeling cramped, nostalgic without sacrificing comfort. Think warm wood paneling, vintage-inspired details that make you feel like you've stepped back to a simpler time, crisp linens you'll actually want to sleep in, and modern amenities hidden behind that 1950s summer camp charm.
Each cabin offers its own personality. The Pine and Spruce cabins tuck you into the trees with views of the forest canopy. The Maple cabin opens to morning light and birdsong. The Birch cabin feels like your own private hideaway. Whichever you choose, you'll have everything you need for a romantic retreat: comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and the kind of quiet that city dwellers forget exists.
A Peek at Saturday Night's Prix Fixe Menu
Our culinary team has designed a five-course dinner that's equal parts indulgent and intimate. Here's what awaits:
"Take My Heart" — Prosciutto wrapped figs with Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen blue cheese and balsamic reduction
"Apple of My Eye" — Arugula salad with local chèvre, toasted nuts, Sewall's organic apple cider vinegar, and shaved fresh apples
"A Pair of Star Crossed Lovers" — Local scallops and filet mignon with mushroom demi-glace, roasted vegetables, and fingerling potatoes
"Tempted by the Fruit of Another" — Passion fruit sorbet with candied pineapple
"I Can't Help Myself" — Dark chocolate cake with raspberry coulis, smoky sea salt, toasted marshmallow, and espresso gelato
The optional wine pairing ($50) brings each course to life with thoughtfully selected pours, including J.P. Chenet sparkling rosé, Southern Lines Sauvignon Blanc, Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône, Mas Fina Cava, and a housemade dark chocolate espresso liqueur.
Fireside Evenings: Where the Magic Happens
If there's one thing that defines a Camp DeForest experience, it's the campfire. And in February, with frost in the air and stars wheeling overhead, our fire pits become something genuinely magical.
We provide the firewood, the s'mores kits, and the Adirondack chairs. You provide the company. There's no schedule, no programming—just the crackle of flames and the kind of conversation that only happens when screens are put away and there's nothing to do but be together.
Bundle up in layers, bring a blanket to share, and watch the sparks drift up toward the pines. On clear nights, the stargazing here rivals anywhere in New England—with minimal light pollution, you'll see constellations you forgot existed. On cloudy nights, the fire itself becomes the show, and the intimacy of being wrapped in darkness together has its own particular romance.
After the fire dies down, wander back to your cabin, cheeks flushed from the cold, hands intertwined. That's the feeling we're after.
Couples Activities: Adventures Worth Sharing
A romantic getaway doesn't have to mean staying in bed all day—though that's certainly an option. The MidCoast in winter offers genuine adventures for couples who want to share something beyond a nice dinner.
Wine Tasting at Cellardoor Winery
Five minutes from camp, Cellardoor Winery offers tastings in their beautiful barn venue year-round. The space is warm, the wines are excellent (try the Viognier or the Gewürztraminer for something distinctive), and there's a nice intimacy to exploring a tasting menu together. They often host special Valentine's events—check their calendar for pairings and live music.
Snowshoeing at Camden Hills State Park
Just fifteen minutes from Camp DeForest, Camden Hills State Park transforms into a winter wonderland. The Multi-Use Trail and Frohock Mountain Loop offer moderate snowshoeing with rewarding ocean views. There's something about moving through a silent, snow-covered forest with someone you love—the shared effort, the quiet beauty, the feeling of being slightly adventurous together. We even rent snowshoes right at Camp!
Art & Culture
The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland houses one of the finest collections of American art in the country, including an entire building dedicated to the Wyeth family. Wandering through galleries together, sharing what moves you, discovering shared tastes—it's a different kind of intimacy. The Center for Maine Contemporary Art offers a more modern perspective in a stunning building.
Couples Massage & Spa
For couples who want to fully unwind, the Opal Spa at Samoset Resort in Rockport offers side-by-side massage treatments with ocean views. Book ahead for Valentine's weekend—their couples packages fill quickly. Closer to camp, Camden Maine Massage Therapy provides excellent individual treatments in a more intimate setting.
Winter Lighthouse Tours
The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is a mile-long walk along a granite breakwater into Rockland Harbor. In winter, you'll likely have it to yourselves—just the two of you, the waves, and one of Maine's most photographed lighthouses. Dress warmly and take your time. The walk itself is the destination.
Romantic Dining: Where to Eat
The MidCoast offers exceptional dining that ranges from white-tablecloth elegance to cozy neighborhood spots. Here's where we'd send you:
For the Ultimate Splurge
Natalie's at Camden Harbour Inn is the MidCoast's crown jewel of fine dining. The seasonal tasting menu showcases Maine ingredients with French technique, and the harbor views are spectacular. This is for the couple who wants an occasion—reservations essential.
Primo in Rockland is a James Beard Award-winning destination. Chef Melissa Kelly's farm-to-table approach is legendary, with many ingredients coming from their own on-site gardens. The rustic Italian-Mediterranean menu changes with the seasons, and the warmth of the space—especially in winter—makes for an unforgettable evening.
For Intimate & Cozy
Francine Bistro in Camden is exactly what a romantic bistro should be: candlelit, French-inspired, and just small enough to feel like a secret. The duck confit is a standout, and their wine list is thoughtfully curated.
Nina June in Rockport brings Mediterranean flavors to Maine's coast. The harbor views complement a menu that celebrates fresh, simple preparations. Their cocktail program is excellent—try one of their house creations before dinner.
In Good Company in Rockland is a wine bar that also happens to serve exceptional small plates. The atmosphere is relaxed and sophisticated, perfect for couples who want to linger over a bottle and share several dishes.
For Something Different
Dos Gatos Gastropub in Belfast serves excellent craft cocktails alongside Spanish and Mexican-inspired dishes. The vibe is lively but not overwhelming—great for couples who want flavor and fun without the formality.
Darby's Restaurant in Belfast occupies a beautiful historic building and serves comfort food done exceptionally well. It's the kind of place where you can share a bottle of wine over meatloaf that somehow feels romantic.
Sweet Extras: Bakeries & Coffee
Start your morning right at The Place in Lincolnville—a beloved local bakery just minutes from camp. Their pastries are made fresh daily, and there's something perfect about sharing a warm scone before a day of exploration.
In Camden, Laugh Loud Smile Big serves excellent coffee in a cheerful atmosphere. Zoot Coffee is another local favorite with a cozy vibe. In Rockland, Rock City Coffee roasts their own beans and makes an excellent stop before museum visits.
Planning Your Valentine's Escape
February Events Worth Knowing
US National Toboggan Championships (February 6-8, 2026) — The wildest winter event in Maine happens right here at Camden Snow Bowl, just minutes from camp. Teams race vintage wooden toboggans down a 400-foot chute onto frozen Hosmer Pond. It's quirky, uniquely Maine, and surprisingly romantic in a we're-doing-something-completely-different kind of way.
Belfast Ice Festival (late February) — Ice sculptures, winter activities, and the kind of small-town celebration that makes you fall in love with Maine all over again.
A Sample Weekend Itinerary
Friday: Arrive at Camp DeForest and settle into your cabin. Take a slow stroll around the property as the sun sets. Light your first fire together, make s'mores, and let the quiet settle in. No agenda tonight—just being here.
Saturday: Pastries and coffee from The Place, then snowshoeing at Camden Hills (or wine tasting at Cellardoor if you prefer). Afternoon spa treatment if you've booked one. For Valentine's dinner, your choice of romantic destinations—we'd lean toward Francine or Natalie's (or book our Getaway and enjoy a five course meal at Camp!). End the night by the fire.
Sunday: Sleep in. Make coffee in your cabin. Walk the Breakwater Lighthouse together. Brunch in Camden before one more afternoon by the fire. Leave when you're ready—or not at all.
The Real Romance
Here's what we've learned from hosting couples at Camp DeForest: the most romantic moments aren't the ones you plan. They're the unexpected quiet of a morning with nowhere to be. The way firelight catches in someone's eyes. The warmth of a cabin after a cold walk. The feeling of being somewhere that asks nothing of you except to be present with each other.
Valentine's Day has become complicated—overbooked restaurants, obligatory roses, the pressure to perform romance on demand. But it doesn't have to be that way.
At Camp DeForest, we offer something simpler: a place to escape together. Cozy cabins, crackling fires, and the kind of quiet that makes room for connection. Whether you've been together three months or thirty years, the MidCoast in February has a way of stripping away everything but what matters.
Pack layers. Bring your favorite person. Leave the rest behind.
Life is good in the woods—especially in love.