Russ

Russ Island includes 37 acres of open meadows, spruce forest and granite quarries. The views of surrounding islands from the open hilltops are some of the finest on the coast. A pleasant day hike follows the trail from the eastern landing up the hills and then over to the western bluffs. Camping is allowed only at the northeastern end of the island. The campsite can be accessed by a set of stone steps just north of a large boulder, and faces south toward the many islands of Merchant Row.

The Harvey Island (as Russ was formerly known) Granite Company began in the 1880s and was owned by the Thurlow brothers and operated by a father and son with the last name Eaton. The island supplied the granite for the towers supporting the cables on the Brooklyn Bridge.

[Maine Coast Heritage Trust](https://www.mcht.org/) purchased Russ from the [Chewonki Foundation](https://chewonki.org/) in 2024 which in turn had purchased Russ Island from the [Island Institute](https://www.islandinstitute.org/) in 2006. A conservation easement was put in place by MCHT that guarantees public use and conservation of the island in perpetuity, and is a result of collaboration by Chewonki, MCHT and MITA.

Russ receives widespread use by cruising yachts and schooner groups as well as visitors from the Deer Isle community. Organized groups wishing to camp are asked to email MCHT at stewardship@mcht.org prior to visiting.