Camping in Acadia NP

By Staff Posted on Nature

There are two park campgrounds on Mount Desert Island and a much smaller campground on Isle au Haut. In summer, both Blackwoods and Seawall have rest rooms with cold running water but no showers. Both campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long. Each has a dump station but no utility hookups.
Blackwoods Campground. This is the only park campground open year-round. The sites are in a heavily wooded area; a footpath leads down to the rocky shore not far away. Facilities from December to April are limited to picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, and a hand pump for water. 30 sites for vans and pop-ups. Reservations should be made at least several months ahead. Mid-June-mid-Sept.: Winter rates vary.

Seawall Campground. Across the street from the oceanfront Seawall Picnic Area, this campground is first-come, first-served from mid-May until late September and closed the rest of the year. The walk-in sites provide more privacy than the other wooded sites, although all are attractive. Arrive here as early in the morning as possible; campsites are in high demand. Station hours are from 8:30 to 8. Rte. 102A, 4 mi south of Southwest Harbor, tent sites, 104 walk-in tent sites, and 45 RV sites. Drive-up sites $20; walk-in sites $14.

Duck Harbor Campground. On remote Isle au Haut, campers may stay in one of five lean-tos at Duck Harbor Campground. It's near the water and has picnic tables, fire rings, a hand pump for drinking water, and a pit toilet. Reserve in person at the park headquarters or by mail. The fee is $25; from mid-June to mid-September the maximum stay is three nights; from mid-May to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October the maximum stay is five nights. The campground is closed from mid-October to mid-May.

Near the Park

Bass Harbor Campground. A half mile from the Bass Harbor lighthouse, this quiet spot has some wooded sites, and amenities include a laundromat, a playground, a heated pool, and hookups. Cabin and camper rentals are available, as are sites for large motor homes. Rte. 102A, Bass Harbor, 04653, tent sites, 40 RV sites. Heated pool, laundry, playground. Rates: $24-$39 nightly for two adults. Closed Oct. 15-May 15.

Narrows Too Camping Resort. This spot on the water has 19 tent sites in a field and 120 RV sites, some with ocean views. Facilities include a heated pool, minigolf, basketball, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, laundromat, heated showers, car rentals, hookups, a dumping station, water electric sewers and a shuttle-bus service into Bar Harbor. Make reservations at one month ahead for the summer. Rte. 3 about 10 mi northwest of Bar Harbor, Trenton, 04605, 139 tent and RV sites. Pool, laundromat, car rentals, hookups, dump station. $20-$60 (more for a third adult or more than two children). Closed mid-Oct.-Memorial Day weekend.  

Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort. Down the road from Narrows Too Camping Resort, this campground offers 25 acres for tent and RV camping. Amenities include a pool, a playground, video games and a pool table, canoe rentals, basketball courts, a small movie theater, and an enclosed entertainment pavilion where bands, storytellers, and other entertainers perform. Telephone and cable hookups are available. Rte. 3, RR 1, Bar Harbor, 04609, tent and RV sites. Pool, playground, video games and pool table, canoe rental, basketball, movie theater. Sites cost $22-$55. Reservations advised. Closed Nov.-Apr.