The Best Camping In And Around Acadia National Park

Best Camping Options In And Around Acadia National Park

Camping is one of the best ways to experience Acadia National Park. It allows you to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature. The park’s diverse landscape offers a variety of camping options. I will go over what is the best camping in Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park is located on the east coast of the United States and only open for camping in the warmer months. I recommend planning a visit to New England and Acadia in early or late summer. The weather is better, in my opinion.

Additionally, camping in and around Acadia National Park is a budget-friendly option for those looking to explore the park without breaking the bank. With a range of campsites and amenities, there are options for every budget.

Acadia National Park itself only has four campgrounds! On Mount Desert Island you will find two of the campgrounds, Blackwoods Campground, located near the popular side of Acadia National Park, and Seawall Campground, located on the West side also referred to the quiet side of Acadia. Located on the Schoodic Peninsula, near Winter Harbor is Schoodic Woods Campground. This is the only campground in Acadia National Park that is on the mainland. Next up is the only campground that you cannot dive to. Located on Isle au Haut is Duck Harbor Campground. You will need to take the ferry boat which you would need to hop on in Stonington. While there is a fifth campground located at Wildwood Stables it is only for those traveling stock animals, so I won’t include it on this list. 

Around Acadia National Park you will find a wide variety of camping options. Whether you are going to tent camp or camp in your class a motorhome, you will find what you are looking for around Acadia. 

Campgrounds Inside Acadia National Park

The campgrounds located inside Acadia are great if you want to rough it. Duck Harbor Campground is the most primitive of them all and Schoodic Woods Campground is the one with the most amenities. I will give a brief overview of all four campgrounds and let you know what one I think is the best camping in Acadia National Park. All campground in Acadia National Park come with picnic tables and fire rings. 

Duck Harbor Campground

Duck Harbor Campground is the smallest and hardest campground to get to. Located on Isle au Haut you will need to take the mail ferry over from Stonington which is located on the peninsula before Mount Desert Island. This a great place to experience a part of Acadia National Park that very few visitors even think about. You will also get to experience one of Maine’s many small island communities. If you are looking for primitive sites and backcountry camping, this is as close as you will get in Acadia National Park. All the camping here are walk-in sites and tent camping only. You can make reservations here. 

Location: Isle au Haut 
Number of Sites: 5 tent sites
Electric Hookups: None
Group Sites: None
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes, seasonally
Toilet: Composting only- seasonally
Trash Collection: None
Food Storage Lockers: Yes, seasonally
Cell Reception: None
Internet: None
Camp Store: None
Dump Station: None

Schoodic Woods Campground

If you are looking to get away from the crowds and love to bike this is the place for you! Schoodic Woods Campground is located on the Schoodic Peninsula which is the peninsula after Mount Desert Island and the main part of Acadia National Park. In total you can enjoy 14.3 miles of bike trail and roadway to discover. You can also visit the Rockefeller Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall to wander through it’s incredible exhibits and learn more about the history of the park and Maine’s maritime. Make your campground reservations here.

Location: South of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula
Number of Sites: 89 total, 41 rv sites, 13 tent only, 35 tent or rv sites
Electric Hookups: Yes in 78 sites
Group Sites: Yes, 2
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes, seasonally
Toilet: Yes, vault and flush toilets, seasonally
Trash Collection: Yes, seasonally
Food Storage Lockers: None
Cell Reception: No
Internet: Yes, seasonally
Camp Store: No
Dump Station: Yes, seasonally

Blackwoods Campground- The Best Camping In Acadia National Park

This is my choice for best camping in Acadia National Park. Because this is one of the best campgrounds in the park it is also the most popular of the campgrounds. The island explorer shuttle bus stops at this campground from late June to mid October. The campground is located along Route 3 just south of Bar Harbor and is the closest campground in the park to Cadillac Mountain. If you are looking to hike the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail you can do so without having to drive anywhere! There is a trail running from Blackwood Campground to the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail head. 

All of the sites here are wooded, but in a 10-minute walk you can be oceanside along the Park Loop Road. The short walk gives you easy access to some fantastic ocean views. With a quick drive you can be in Downtown Bar Harbor which makes this the perfect place for your camping adventure. Make your reservations here. 

Location: Route 3 about 5 miles south of Bar Harbor
Number of Sites: 281 total, 60 rv only sites, 221 tent only sites
Electric Hookups: None
Group Sites: Yes, 4
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes, seasonally
Toilet: Yes, flush toilets seasonally
Trash Collection: None
Food Storage Lockers: None
Cell Reception: No
Internet: No
Camp Store: No
Dump Station: Yes, seasonally

Seawall Campground

If you are looking to explore the quiet side of Acadia National Park the Seawall Campground might be just the place for you! Seawall Campground is located just off route 102A around 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor. With a short drive you can be hiking in some of my favorite trails, like Beech Mountain, on the quiet side of Acadia National Park. This is the second most popular campgrounds in the Park and one the best places to enjoy a slower pace. It’s proximity to Bass Harbor Light House make it a great location for the west side of the island.

With just a short walk, or as we say around here a hop skip and a jump down the road, you can be enjoying the popular Seawall Picnic Area and ocean front. The surrounding area also includes the popular Wonderland Trail and Ship Harbor Trail. Make your camping reservations here. 

Location: Route 102A south of Southwest Harbor
Number of Sites: 202 total, 59 rv only sites, 43 tent only sites, 100 combination sites
Electric Hookups: None
Group Sites: Yes, 5 
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes, seasonally
Toilet: Yes, flush toilets, seasonally
Trash Collection: Yes, seasonally
Food Storage Lockers: None
Cell Reception: No
Internet: No
Camp Store: No
Dump Station: Yes, seasonally

The four above mentioned campgrounds are the best camping in Acadia National Park and the only options for camping in the park itself. Peak season for Acadia is June into September so you will want to plan accordingly and make sure you have reservations. 

Best Campgrounds Around Acadia National Park

Because there are many small towns around and next to Acadia National Park, there are many campgrounds with a wide variety of amenities. And you know me, I really like a hot shower and electricity! If you are looking for some “luxury” amenities then the following campgrounds might be for you.

Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA

The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is located just after you enter Mount Desert Island. Not only is it located on the ocean it has a small beach for you to enjoy. It offers a variety of amenities form a playground for the kids to KampK9 for your four legged friends! If you are looking to get away from the crowds of downtown Bar Harbor then this is the place for you. The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is located about 10 miles from downtown Bar Harbor so you can either take the Island Explorer Shuttle or drive to get downtown. This campground is located about 8 miles from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and Acadia National Park Entrance. You can book here. 

Location: 136 County Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Sites: Everything from tent sites, tow behind, 5th wheel, class b, class a and cabins. 
Electric Hookups: Yes
Group Sites: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable Water: Yes
Toilet: Yes, flush toilets
Trash Collection: Yes
Food Storage Lockes: No
Cell Reception: Yes
Internet: Yes
Camp Store: Yes
Dump Station: Yes

Hadley’s Point Campground

Located on a quiet side street, this campground has a variety of camping options for you. Please note that this campground is not ocean front but it does have a heated swimming pool! You also have the option of wooded or field accommodations. They offer a playground, laundry, bathrooms and camp store. The campground is located 6 miles from downtown Bar Harbor and 4 miles from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. You can check out the campground here. 

Location: 33 Hadley Point Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Sites: Variety from tents to cabins and everything in between
Electric Hookups: Yes
Group Sites: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable Water: Yes
Toilet: Yes, flush toilets
Trash Collection: Yes
Food Storage Lockers: No
Cell Reception: Yes
Internet: Yes
Camp Store: Yes
Dump Station: Yes

Smuggler’s Den Campground

If you are looking for a smaller campground on the quiet side of the Island then look no further than Smuggler’ Den Campground. This campground is located in the West side of MDI a mile north of downtown Southwest Harbor. Alex and I absolutely love this part of Acadia National Park. Plus we like to be away from all the hustle and bustle of downtown Bar Harbor. This campground is also located 1/4 mile from the local grocery store, so if you forget something, it is just a stones throw away.

You are also just a 20 minutes walk to Echo Lake & Echo Beach, so no need to pack up the car and fight for a parking spot! Smuggler’s Den Campground offers a playground, swimming pool and basketball court. They also offer vacation rentals so if you want that campground feel but want to stay in a house you can! You can also rent a camper! That is what makes this the best camping option around Acadia National Park!!!! You can check them out here. 

Location: Route 102, 20 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Sites: Everything from tent to house rental
Electric Hookups: Yes
Group Sites: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable Water: Yes
Toilet: Yes, flush toilets
Trash Collection: Yes
Food Storage Lockers: No
Cell Reception: Yes
Internet: Yes
Camp Store: Yes
Dump Station: Yes

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Acadia National Park is truly one of the best destinations for camping in the United States. Whether you prefer rustic campsites or glamping in cabins, there are plenty of options available within and around the park. You can spend your days exploring the rugged coastline, hiking up the many mountains, or simply relaxing by the campfire under the starry sky.

So why wait? Start planning your trip to Acadia National Park now and experience the best camping adventure of your life. Whether you are a seasoned camper or new to the world of camping, Acadia National Park has something for everyone. 

Finally, don’t forget to follow Leave No Trace principles while camping in and around Acadia National Park to help preserve its natural beauty for future generations. This includes properly disposing of waste, respecting wildlife and their habitats, and leaving campsites cleaner than you found them. By doing so, we can all contribute to preserving this stunning park and ensure that it remains a top destination for camping for years to come.