Acadia National Park Camping: Comprehensive Guide

Acadia National Park is spread out over Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and the tiny Isle au Haut island – and you can camp on all of them.  Being surrounded by the woods, the sea and wildlife of this area is not only a way a great to save money, but also the perfect way to really enjoy and appreciate the incredible beauty of this special place.  

To help you plan your trip to Acadia, here are all the campgrounds in Acadia National Park and the surrounding area. 

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Guide to Acadia National Park Camping

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Campsites in Acadia National Park

There are several campgrounds inside Acadia National Park run by the National Parks service.

Campsites on Mount Desert Island

Blackwoods Campground, Acadia National Park

Due to its great location in the main section of the national park, the Blackwoods campground, Maine is arguably the best camping in Acadia National Park. It’s accessible from the main Park Loop Road (one of the most scenic drives in the US) and close to many of the major hiking trails in Acadia.

The campground is open all year round, but there are different seasons. It usually fills from mid-June to mid-October.

• May 1 – October 20:
  • Drive-up tent, camper, and Acadia National Park RV camping sites
  • Reservations are recommended. Make reservations here
• April 1-30 and October 21 – November 30:
  • A limited number of campsites are available for self-registration (weather permitting)
  • The available sites can fill up quickly.
  • Limited facilities (one or two restrooms and a water pump).
• December – March:
  • Primitive walk-in camping only. A limited number of campsites.
  • Permit required; obtain a camping permit from the Winter Visitor Center at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce or at dispatch at park headquarters (8:00 am – 4:30 pm daily).
  • Limited facilities (a portable toilet and hand water pump).
  • No cars; hike in from the campground entrance on Route 3, so the only option is tent camping. Acadia National Park is open, but many of the trails are closed at this time of year.
  • For more information, visit the national park’s Winter Camping page.

Seawall Campground, Acadia National Park

This is another of the best Acadia campgrounds and is also on Mount Desert Island. Its located on the southern peninsula of the island, not far from Bass Lighthouse.

• Open from the Wednesday before Memorial Day (which is the last Monday in May) until October 15^th.
• Walk-in tent sites; drive-up tent, camper, and RV sites.
• No showers – there are showers a short drive away.
• Reservations are recommended. Make reservations here.

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Campsites on Schoodic Peninsula

Schoodic Woods Campground, Acadia National Park

If you want to go camping in Acadia National Park, Maine, but prefer to be away from the crowds, then heading to the Schoodic Peninsula is a great option. It still has the same New England coastal beauty, but a lot fewer people.

• Open Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) to Columbus Day (the second Monday in October).
• Primitive hike-in tent sites, drive up tent/small RV (20 amp) sites, RV with electric only sites (20/30/50 amp), RV with electric and water (20/30/50 amp), group tent sites
• Reservations are recommended. Make reservations here.

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Campsites on Isle au Haut

Duck Harbor Campground, Acadia National Park

Isle au Haut is south east of Mount Desert Island, off the coast of Stonington, Maine. There are no cars, so if you want to stay in this part of Acadia National Park, tent camping is your only option.  There is a mail boat between the mainland and the island. This is not only the smallest of the Acadia National Park campgrounds, but also the most isolated.

• Open May 15 through October 15.
• Five primitive sites. Maximum six persons per site.
• Reservations essential. Make reservations here.

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Map of Acadia National Park campsites

So that you can see where all of the campgrounds are, here is a detailed map. The official national park campgrounds are green and the options for camping near Acadia are blue.

Click on the map and it will open in a new window. You will then be able to click on each one to see the name of the campground.

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Private Campgrounds Near Acadia National Park

There are plenty of private options for camping near Acadia National Park if you want to camp but can’t get into the national park’s campgrounds (or just prefer some of the additional amenities they offer. Many offer cabins as well as tent and/ or RV camping.

Campsites on Mount Desert Island

• Bar Harbor Campground: On the north shore of Mount Desert Island. It has ocean views and a heated outdoor swimming pool.
• Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA: On the northern tip of Mount Desert Island, just after the bridge from the mainland. It has RV sites, tent sites and cabins available.
• Bass Harbor Campground: A great location near the famous Bass Harbor lighthouse. In addition to traditional camping options, it has yurts to rent if you prefer glamping. Acadia National Park is nearby and there is a heated outdoor swimming pool and recreational facilities for the kids.
• Hadley’s Point Campground: On the north shore of Mount Desert Island. RV and tent sites and cabins. It has an outdoor pool and is a stone’s throw from a public salt water beach.
• Mount Desert Campground: It sits at the end of Somes Sound (and you can rent kayaks from them to get out on to the sound). Tent sites and RVs up to 20 feet (no dump station).
• Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort: On the north shore of Mount Desert Island. It has a swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, a billiards room and playground.
• Narrows Too Camping Resort: This is technically on the mainland, but is just across the bridge leading to Mount Desert Island. It has a swimming pool and picnic/ BBQ area.
• Quietside Campground & Cabins: If you’re looking for Acadia National Park camping cabins, then this is a good option, as they have regular camp sites and cabins available. The tent sites are all secluded, surrounded by woods and each one has a wooden platform, fire ring and picnic table. The RV sites fit vehicles up to 22 feet (there is no dump station).
• Smugglers Den Campground: A great location just north of Southwest Harbor offering tent and RV sites as well as cabins.
• Somes Sound View Campground: A great location right on Somes Sound with tent and RV sites and cabins. It also has a pool.

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Campsites on/ near Schoodic Peninsula

• MainStay Cottages and RV Park: Offers waterfront cabins and RV sites in Winter Harbor.
• Acadia East Campground: A self-service tent campground in the woods with primitive camping – there are no showers at the campgrounds (though there are some available a ten-minute drive away). Acadia, Maine ‘s Schoodic Peninsula section is also ten minutes away.
• Westbay Acadia RV Campground. There are several Acadia National Park RV campgrounds, but this one is next to a wildlife corridor and has a short path to the water. They also have sites suitable for big rigs.
• Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins. Located on US Route 1 and the water’s edge.

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Campsites near Isle au Haut

• Greenlaw’s RV Park and Campground. This Acadia, Maine camping ground isn’t on Isle au Haut, but is located on nearby Deer Isle. They have tent sites and full RV hookups. It’s just 2.5 miles from the largest lobster port in Maine, Stonington Harbor (where you can get cheap, fresh lobster!)

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Essential Camping Gear

In order to help you get the most out of your camping trip to Acadia National Park, I have reviewed and recommended some key camping gear. Be sure to read these well before you set out:

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Travel Insurance  

Never go camping without making sure you have adequate insurance. If you’re traveling domestically, your health insurance may cover you, but always check, as some insurance policies don’t offer out-of-state coverage. I always get travel insurance anyway because travel insurance also includes pre-trip cancellation, theft or damage of property and emergency repatriation in case I get injured out on a trail.

 A great insurance option is Travelex.  It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can swap this link for  either choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:

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Happy camping at Acadia National Park!  

What do you think is the best campground in Acadia National Park? Do you have a favorite site for camping? Acadia has many and I’d love to hear your favorite.  Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.    

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About the Author 

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