Planning a trip to Acadia and feeling overwhelmed by the camping options? You’re not alone. Between the different islands, campground rules, and the popularity of the park, figuring out where (and how!) to camp can be a real headache.
That’s where I come in.
I’ve camped at several sites in and near Acadia National Park – from popular spots with ocean views to remote sites where I didn’t see another soul. I’ll tell you exactly what I liked (hello, sunrise at Schoodic Woods) and what I didn’t (some spots are way too cramped or noisy).
This guide is especially for you if you’re trying to decide between the different campgrounds in Acadia National Park, or wondering if you should camp inside the park at all.
Maybe you’re a first-time visitor who wants to stay somewhere scenic but not too rugged. Or maybe you’re a seasoned camper looking for the most peaceful spot to pitch your tent. Either way, you’ll find what you need here.
Quick preview? One of my favorite Acadia National Park camping options is Seawall Campground – fewer crowds, plenty of space, and it’s steps from the rocky coastline.
This isn’t just a dry list of campgrounds. I’ll walk you through the best choices for your style, your comfort level, and your adventure goals.
Let’s make sure your nights in Acadia are as unforgettable as your days.
Ready? Let’s get started.
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Table of Contents
Campsites in Acadia National Park
There are several campgrounds inside Acadia National Park run by the National Parks service.
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Guide to Acadia National Park Camping
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:
ℹ️ Drive-up tent, camper, and Acadia National Park RV camping sites
ℹ️ Reservations are recommended. Make reservations here
April 1-30 and October 21 – November 30:
ℹ️ A limited number of campsites are available for self-registration (weather permitting)
ℹ️ The available sites can fill up quickly.
ℹ️ Limited facilities (one or two restrooms and a water pump).
December – March:
ℹ️ Primitive walk-in camping only. A limited number of campsites.
ℹ️ 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).
ℹ️ Limited facilities (a portable toilet and hand water pump).
ℹ️ 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.
ℹ️ 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.
ℹ️ Open from the Wednesday before Memorial Day (which is the last Monday in May) until October 15th.
ℹ️ Walk-in tent sites; drive-up tent, camper, and RV sites.
ℹ️ No showers – there are showers a short drive away.
ℹ️ Reservations are recommended. Make reservations here.
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.
ℹ️ Open Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) to Columbus Day (the second Monday in October).
ℹ️ 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.
ℹ️ Reservations are recommended. Make reservations here.
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.
ℹ️ Open May 15 through October 15.
ℹ️ Five primitive sites. Maximum six persons per site.
ℹ️ Reservations essential. Make reservations here.
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.
Choosing a campground is a very important step in planning your trip to Acadia, and I hope this guide is helping.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one thing of many to decide and do. The thing that most people ask me about is how to put it all together into an itinerary that actually makes sense. They decide where to stay, but still worry about how to minimize the crowds, what to do – and when – and how to coordinate it all.
To help take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Acadia, I’ve created several super detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus, there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day options: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Acadia National Park.
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.
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.
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!)
If you’re planning to visit Acadia National Park, make your planning easy and stress free with a detailed itinerary. I have 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-day itineraries for Acadia that include all the park highlights, give you choices based on your preferred activity level, and take all the stress out of planning your trip.
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.
➡️➡️➡️ Camping Gear Reviews & Recommendations
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 choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Happy camping at Acadia National Park!
Additional Planning Resources for Acadia National Park
⭐ How to Plan A Trip To Acadia National Park
⭐ The Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park
⭐ 10 Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
⭐ Guide to the Acadia Cadillac Mountain Reservation System
⭐ Planning a Trip to Acadia National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ How Many Days in Acadia National Park?
⭐ The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: Complete Guide
⭐ The Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park
⭐ Visiting Acadia National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ How to Get To Acadia National Park
⭐ The Airport Nearest Acadia National Park
⭐ The Best Airports Near Acadia National Park
⭐ 12 Fun Facts About Acadia National Park
⭐ Best Books About Acadia National Park
⭐ Tips For Visiting Acadia National Park
⭐ The Best Airbnb 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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Guide to Acadia National Park Camping
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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