As someone who defines camping as sleeping with the windows open, I knew I wasn’t the right person to tell you about the best campgrounds near Acadia National Park. However, I know someone who is.
And that’s Lara Clevenger who writes the On a Permanent Vacation blog. She has a great blog post on the best camping near Maine’s Acadia National Park and gave me permission to reprint her article here.
This notion of taking a day trip (or a trip for a couple of days) in Maine fits with this blog’s new feature about day trips in Maine. I wanted to include this information in case, during your time in Maine, you want to head up to Acadia. Now onto Lara’s recommendations.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock.
Visiting Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park in Maine boasts stunning views of the Atlantic coastline, rocky beaches and lush forests. With over 47,000 acres to explore, visitors can hike, bike, kayak and camp in the great outdoors.
Regarding the best campgrounds near Acadia National Park, several options are available. The park offers five campgrounds, each with unique features and amenities. Additionally, several private campgrounds in the surrounding area offer a range of camping experiences, from rustic tent sites to full-service RV sites.
Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot in the woods or a family-friendly campground with activities for all ages, there’s a camping option for everyone near Acadia National Park.
If you’re looking for more campgrounds near the water, don’t miss Anchor Down RV Resort and Guist Creek Marina and Campground, and read this post about Camping Near Antelope Canyon for more.
Finally, it’s important to point out these campgrounds near Acadia, because of this important National Parks Service warning: There is no backcountry camping, “out-of-bounds” camping, overnight parking, or winter camping allowed anywhere in Acadia.
So, if you’re interested in winter beach camping, you’ll have to go elsewhere.
Campgrounds inside Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. It is located on the coast of Maine, known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife and numerous outdoor activities. Camping is a great way to experience all the park has to offer and there are several camping sites available inside the park.
Below find campgrounds that are located inside Acadia National Park. In other words, if you want to go camping at Acadia National Park, these are the places to target.
Blackwoods Campground
Blackwoods Campground is the largest and most popular camping site inside Acadia National Park. It is located near Bar Harbor and offers easy access to many of the park’s main attractions. The sites at Blackwoods Campground are divided into three loops: A, B and C.
Blackwoods Campground. Photo credit: Adobe Stock.
Seawall Campground
Seawall Campground is a smaller and quieter camping site inside Acadia National Park. It is located on the park’s western side, near Southwest Harbor. The campground has 62 sites, and it is open from May to October.
The sites at Seawall Campground are divided into two loops: A and B. Loop A is located near the ocean and offers stunning sunset views. Loop B is located in a wooded area, offering more privacy and shade.
Schoodic Woods Campground
Schoodic Woods Campground is a serene and scenic camping destination located within the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park in Maine. This campground is located three miles southeast of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. It is approximately 60 to 70 minutes from Bar Harbor and other areas of Mount Desert Island.
This area of Acadia National Park features breathtaking rocky coastlines, pristine forests and stunning ocean views. It offers numerous hiking and biking trails that showcase the area’s natural beauty.
Visitors can explore the Schoodic Loop Road, a scenic six-mile drive that provides access to various viewpoints, picnic areas and trailheads. The area is known for its peaceful ambiance and abundant wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Duck Harbour Campground
Duck Harbor Campground is situated on the remote Isle au Haut, accessible exclusively by mailboat from the mainland. To reach Isle au Haut, visitors can take a ferry from Stonington as no car ferries are available. The ferry provides transportation to the town landing and allows visitors to access the campground and explore the island’s natural beauty.
Wildwood Stables Campground
Wildwood Stables Campground is only open to visitors with stock animals.
Campgrounds near Acadia National Park
If you can’t get a camping site in one of the campgrounds located inside the park, don’t worry; there are other options.
Below are campgrounds located outside Acadia National Park, but still close to the park.
Mount Desert Campground
Mount Desert Campground is a picturesque camping destination nestled on the eastern coast of Mount Desert Island in Maine. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, this campground offers a serene and peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.
Located just a short drive to Acadia National Park, campers have easy access to the park’s magnificent landscapes, including towering granite peaks, pristine lakes and a rugged coastline.
Mount Desert Island is also known for its charming coastal towns, picturesque harbors and fresh seafood, providing campers with plenty of opportunities to explore and indulge in the local culture.
Bar Harbor Campground
Bar Harbor Campground is a popular camping destination near the scenic coastal town of Bar Harbor, Maine. Situated on Mount Desert Island, this campground offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by the beauty of Acadia National Park.
Bar Harbor is also known for its charming shops, art galleries, restaurants and bustling waterfront, and is a great day trip from Portland, Maine. Visitors can explore the town’s historic sites, take boat tours or indulge in fresh seafood delicacies.
Narrows Too Camping Resort
Narrows Too Camping Resort is a premier camping destination located in Trenton, Maine, just a short distance from the picturesque town of Bar Harbor and the renowned Acadia National Park.
Situated along the scenic Frenchman Bay shores, this camping resort offers a range of amenities and recreational activities. The resort features spacious RV sites with full hook-ups, cozy cabins and tent sites for different camping preferences.
One of the highlights of Narrows Too Camping Resort is its proximity to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Visitors can enjoy delicious seafood, explore the town’s art galleries or take a stroll along the waterfront.
Here is an RV camping checklist to help you prepare for your trip.
Hadley’s Point Campground
Hadley’s Point Campground is a charming camping destination in Bar Harbor, Maine, offering a tranquil retreat surrounded by natural beauty. Located near the entrance of Acadia National Park, this campground provides easy access to the park’s breathtaking landscapes and outdoor recreational activities.
Just a short drive away, campers can easily explore Acadia’s extensive trail system, including popular hikes like Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond Path and Precipice Trail. The park also offers opportunities for biking, wildlife viewing, kayaking and scenic drives along the Park Loop Road.
Cadillac Mountain. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock.
When planning your trip to Acadia National Park, it is important to book your camping site well in advance, especially during peak season. Each of these camping sites offers a unique experience, so choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences for your outdoor adventure in Acadia National Park.
Finally, if you’d like to camp at other national parks along the East Coast, here are tips for camping at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Acadia is Maine’s Only National Park
Acadia National Park is Maine’s only national park. And, believe it or not, Maine isn’t the only state with just one National Park.
Here is a list of the other states and U.S. territoris with only one national park, plus what that park is. And, if I’ve got recommendations to make on what to do in those parks, I’ve included that info, too.
- Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park
- Indiana: Indiana Dunes National Park
- Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park
- Michigan: Isle Royale National Park
- Minnesota: Voyageurs National Park
- Missouri: Gateway Arch National Park
- Montana: Glacier National Park (here are some great things to do in Glacier National Park)
- Nevada: Great Basin National Park
- North Carolina: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Oregon: Crater Lake National Park
- South Carolina: Congaree National Park
- Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Virginia: Shenandoah National Park
- West Virginia: New River Gorge National Park
- American Samoa: National Park of American Samoa
- United States Virgin Islands, St. John: Virgin Islands National Park