Blackwoods Campground is the most popular campground in Acadia National Park and, depending on who you ask, either the best campground in the park or the most overbooked. Both things can be true. It sits on the east side of Mount Desert Island, five minutes from the Park Loop Road and ten minutes from Sand Beach. For proximity to Acadia’s marquee attractions, nothing beats it.
The tradeoff is that everyone knows this, and getting a reservation during peak season requires planning, patience, and a fast internet connection on the day reservations open.
Here is everything you need to know to make Blackwoods work for you.
The Basics
Location: Route 3, about 5 miles south of Bar Harbor and 0.5 miles from the Park Loop Road entrance
Sites: 281 sites (mix of tent sites and sites that accommodate RVs up to 35 feet, no hookups)
Season: Open year-round, though only a portion of the campground operates in the off-season (typically late November through March) with limited services
Cost: $30/night (2026 rate). National park entrance fee also required ($35/vehicle, 7-day pass).
Facilities:
- Flush toilets (spring through fall)
- Cold-water spigots throughout the campground
- Dump station
- Amphitheater for ranger programs
- No showers (nearest public showers are in Bar Harbor)
- No hookups
- Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad
Reservations, How to Actually Get a Site
Blackwoods operates on a reservation system through Recreation.gov. During peak season (May through October), reservations are essentially required. Walk-up availability is rare to nonexistent in July and August.
Reservation window: Sites open 6 months in advance on a rolling basis. So a site for July 15 would open for booking on January 15.
The reality: Popular dates sell out within hours, sometimes minutes, of opening. Weekends in July and August are the hardest to book. Midweek stays in June and September are considerably easier.
Tips for securing a reservation:
- Know your dates. Have your exact arrival and departure dates ready before the booking window opens.
- Log in to Recreation.gov early. Be on the site, logged in, with your payment information saved before the clock strikes midnight Eastern time on the day your dates become available.
- Be flexible on sites. Do not hold out for one specific site, grab what is available and you can request a change later or at check-in if something opens up.
- Have backup dates. If your first-choice dates are gone, midweek stays or shoulder-season dates (late May, September, early October) often have availability.
- Check for cancellations. People cancel. Check Recreation.gov regularly in the weeks leading up to your trip. Cancellations are especially common 1-2 weeks before the date.
The single best strategy for getting a Blackwoods site is to target September. The crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day, the fall foliage is starting, the weather is still pleasant, and reservation pressure drops significantly. September is arguably the best month to visit Acadia overall.
Choosing the Best Site
Not all 281 sites are created equal. The campground is divided into loops labeled A through D, plus a few additional sections. Here is what to look for:
Best sites for privacy: Loops A and B tend to have more space between sites and thicker vegetation screening. Sites on the outer edges of loops, backing into the forest, are generally the most private.
Best sites for tents: Most tent-only sites are in Loop A and the walk-in section. These sites exclude RVs and generators, which means quieter neighbors.
Sites to avoid (if you can): Sites near the restroom buildings get more foot traffic. Sites along the campground road can feel exposed. Sites near the dump station are self-explanatory.
For families: Loop C has some larger, flatter sites that work well for families with kids. Proximity to the restrooms is a plus when small children are involved.
Walk-in sites: These require a short carry from the parking area (50-200 yards) and tend to be more secluded. If you are tent camping and do not mind carrying your gear, they are often the nicest sites in the campground.
Ask at check-in if any sites have become available due to cancellations or no-shows. The rangers will sometimes let you switch sites. The walk-in tent sites in the northern section of the campground are the ones few people find, more space, more trees, more privacy. Worth the short carry.
What to Expect
Noise level: Blackwoods is a large campground and it fills to capacity in summer. You will hear your neighbors. RV generators are allowed during limited hours. The tent-only sections are quieter but not silent. If you need true solitude, this is not the campground for you, consider Schoodic Woods or Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut instead.
Wildlife: Chipmunks are aggressive food-seekers. Raccoons work the campground at night. Store all food in your vehicle or a hard-sided container, no food in tents, no coolers left on picnic tables. Black bears are present on Mount Desert Island but rarely enter the campground.
Campfires: Allowed in designated fire rings only. Wood is available for purchase at the campground. Do not bring firewood from outside the area. It can carry invasive pests.
Showers: There are no showers at Blackwoods. The nearest public showers are at commercial facilities in Bar Harbor (about 10 minutes away).
Cell service: Spotty in the campground. You will get enough signal for basic texts and weather checks in most areas, but do not count on streaming video or making reliable phone calls.
Nearby Trails, Hike Right from Camp
Blackwoods’ greatest advantage is its location. You can reach several of Acadia’s best trailheads within a 5-10 minute drive, and a few on foot.
From the Campground
A connector trail links Blackwoods directly to the Park Loop Road, which gives you access to the following without driving:
- Gorham Mountain, a moderate 3.4-mile round trip with ocean views and the option to add the Cadillac Cliffs spur. The trailhead is a short walk or bike ride from camp.
- Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, the longest route up Cadillac but one of the most scenic, with views that build gradually as you gain elevation. Access from the Blackwoods area.
Short Drive (5-10 Minutes)
- Sand Beach, see our complete Sand Beach guide. Park early.
- Beehive Trail, iron-rung scramble up the cliff overlooking Sand Beach. Exciting, exposed, not for those afraid of heights.
- Great Head Trail, loop around the headland east of Sand Beach. Underrated views.
- Ocean Path, flat coastal walk from Sand Beach to Otter Point, past Thunder Hole.
- Precipice Trail, the most famous (and most vertical) iron-rung trail in Acadia. Closed during peregrine falcon nesting season (usually April through mid-August).
- Jordan Pond Path, flat, mostly boardwalk loop around Jordan Pond. Pair it with popovers at the Jordan Pond House.
Worth the Drive (15-30 Minutes)
- Acadia Mountain, moderate hike on the west side of MDI with views over Somes Sound, the only fjord on the US Atlantic coast.
- Penobscot Mountain and Sargent Mountain, the quiet side of Acadia. Less crowded, equally beautiful.
- Beech Cliff Trail, ladder trail with views over Echo Lake. A less crowded alternative to the Beehive.
- Schoodic Head Trail on the Schoodic Peninsula, about 45 minutes from Blackwoods, but worth the drive for a different perspective on Acadia.
Day Trip Ideas from Blackwoods
Day 1: The Classics
Morning: Drive to Sand Beach early. Hike the Beehive or Great Head. Swim (or wade) at the beach.
Afternoon: Walk the Ocean Path to Thunder Hole and Otter Point. Drive the rest of the Park Loop Road.
Evening: Watch sunset from Cadillac Mountain (check if a vehicle reservation is required. It is during summer sunrise hours, and sometimes sunset).
Day 2: The Quiet Side
Morning: Hike Acadia Mountain or Flying Mountain on the west side of MDI.
Afternoon: Swim at Echo Lake (warmer than the ocean). Explore Southwest Harbor for lunch.
Evening: Ranger program at the Blackwoods amphitheater or campfire at your site.
Day 3: Water Day
Morning: Rent kayaks and paddle around the islands near Bar Harbor.
Afternoon: Bike the carriage roads, the network of crushed-stone roads through the interior of the park is one of Acadia’s best features.
Evening: Lobster dinner in Bar Harbor.
Day 4: Beyond MDI
Take the day to explore outside Acadia. Options:
- Drive to Schoodic Peninsula for the only part of Acadia on the mainland
- Ferry to the Cranberry Islands
- Drive Downeast to Roque Bluffs or the Bold Coast Trail
For a detailed multi-day plan, see our 3-day Acadia itinerary.
Blackwoods vs. Seawall, Which Should You Choose?
Acadia has two main campgrounds on Mount Desert Island: Blackwoods on the east side and Seawall on the west (quiet) side. Here is how they compare:
| Blackwoods | Seawall | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | East side, near Bar Harbor | West side, near Southwest Harbor |
| Sites | 281 | 198 |
| Reservation | Required in season | Mix of reservation and first-come |
| Proximity to Park Loop Road | 5 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Proximity to Bar Harbor | 10 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Proximity to Echo Lake | 20 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Crowd level | Higher | Lower |
| Ocean access | Close to Sand Beach | Close to Seawall and Ship Harbor |
| Best for | First-time visitors, access to everything | Return visitors, quieter experience |
Bottom line: Blackwoods is the better base if this is your first Acadia trip and you want to be close to the iconic attractions. Seawall is the better choice if you value quiet, prefer the west side of the island, or could not get a Blackwoods reservation.
For even more camping options near Acadia, including private campgrounds and backcountry sites, see our camping near Acadia guide.
Practical Tips
Grocery runs: The nearest full grocery store is in Bar Harbor (Hannaford, about 10 minutes north). Stock up before you settle into camp.
Ice: Available at the campground and at stores in Bar Harbor.
Firewood: Buy it at the campground or from local vendors. Do not transport firewood from other regions, emerald ash borer and other invasive species are a real threat to Maine’s forests.
Quiet hours: 10 PM to 6 AM. Enforced by rangers who have heard every excuse.
Rainy days: They happen. Acadia gets about 50 inches of rain per year. Have a tarp for your cooking area, a good book, and a plan for rainy-day activities in Bar Harbor (museums, restaurants, shopping, the Criterion Theatre).
Bugs: Mosquitoes can be significant in the campground, especially in the wooded interior sites during June and July. Bring repellent. See our dealing with mosquitoes guide for strategies.
Leaving no trace: Pack out all trash. Blackwoods has dumpsters, but everything between your site and the dumpster is your responsibility. Do not leave food scraps on the ground.
How far in advance should I book Blackwoods Campground?
Reservations open 6 months in advance on a rolling basis through Recreation.gov. For peak season (July-August weekends), you should book on the day your dates become available. June and September dates are easier to get. Check for cancellations regularly if your preferred dates are sold out.
Are there showers at Blackwoods Campground?
No. Blackwoods has flush toilets and cold-water spigots but no showers. The nearest public showers are at commercial facilities in Bar Harbor, about 10 minutes away.
Can I have a campfire at Blackwoods?
Yes, campfires are allowed in the designated fire rings at each site. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground. Do not bring firewood from outside the area. Check current fire conditions, during dry periods, fire bans may be in effect.
Is Blackwoods Campground open year-round?
Yes, Blackwoods is open year-round, but only a portion of the campground operates in winter (roughly late November through March) with limited services, vault toilets instead of flush toilets, no water spigots, and reduced fees.
How close is Blackwoods to Bar Harbor?
Blackwoods is about 5 miles south of Bar Harbor, which is roughly a 10-minute drive. You can also bike into town via Route 3 or the Park Loop Road.
Is Blackwoods or Seawall better?
Blackwoods is better for first-time visitors who want easy access to Sand Beach, the Park Loop Road, and Bar Harbor. Seawall is better for return visitors who prefer the quieter west side of the island, or anyone who could not get a Blackwoods reservation. Seawall has some first-come, first-served sites, which Blackwoods does not.