Camping is the best way to experience Acadia. Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain hits different when you are already on the island and can be at the summit trailhead by 4:30 AM instead of driving from Ellsworth. But picking the right campground matters, some book out six months in advance, some are walk-in only, and one requires a boat to reach. Here are the eight best options inside and outside the park, and how to choose between them.
| Campground | Location | Price/Night | Sites | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwoods | MDI (park) | $36 | 281 | Required (Recreation.gov) |
| Schoodic Woods | Schoodic (park) | $36-$42 | 94 | Required (Recreation.gov) |
| Seawall | MDI (park) | $36 | 198 | Required (Recreation.gov) |
| Lamoine State Park | Lamoine | $35-$45 | 62 | Required (Maine.gov) |
| Bar Harbor Campground | Bar Harbor | $45-$75 | 300+ | Recommended |
| Mount Desert Campground | Somesville | $55-$85 | 150 | Required |
| Duck Harbor (Isle au Haut) | Isle au Haut (park) | $25 | 5 | Required (Recreation.gov) |
| Hermit Island | Phippsburg | $45-$70 | 275 | Required |
Inside the Park
1. Blackwoods Campground
Blackwoods is Acadia’s flagship campground and the most centrally located camp on Mount Desert Island. It sits on the east side of the island, a 10-minute drive from Bar Harbor and within biking distance of Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Ocean Path trailhead. The sites are set among mature spruce and birch trees, and while they are not huge, the forest cover provides decent privacy between neighbors.
The trade-off for this location is demand. Blackwoods fills up within minutes when reservations open on Recreation.gov, typically five months before the camping date. If you want a July or August site, set a calendar reminder and be online at 10 AM ET sharp on the opening day. Loops A and B are closest to the restrooms and amphitheater. Loop D offers the most seclusion.
Best for: First-time Acadia visitors who want to be close to everything
2. Schoodic Woods Campground
Schoodic Woods is Acadia’s newest campground and the only one on the Schoodic Peninsula, a 45-minute drive from Bar Harbor across the bay. It opened in 2015 and it shows, the sites are larger and more spread out than Blackwoods, the roads are wider, and every site has a well-graded tent pad. Some sites even have electric hookups and ocean views through the trees.
The Schoodic section of Acadia sees a fraction of the visitors that Mount Desert Island gets. You can hike Schoodic Head, bike the one-way loop road past Schoodic Point, and explore the tide pools without the crowds that pack the Park Loop Road in summer. The Island Explorer bus connects the campground to the Bar Harbor ferry terminal, so you can still access the main part of the park without driving.
Best for: Campers who want more space, less crowding, and modern amenities
3. Seawall Campground
Seawall sits on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island near Southwest Harbor, away from the Bar Harbor bustle. It is the most laid-back of Acadia’s three campgrounds, close to the Seawall Bog boardwalk, Ship Harbor Nature Trail, and Wonderland Trail, all of which are easy, family-friendly walks along the coast. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is a short drive away.
The campground has both drive-in and walk-in tent sites. The walk-in sites along the coast are the gems. They are more private, often have partial ocean views, and cost the same as the drive-in spots. Seawall is slightly easier to book than Blackwoods because it is farther from the popular east-side trails, but summer dates still go fast.
Best for: Families and campers who prefer the quieter west side of the island
Outside the Park
4. Lamoine State Park
Lamoine State Park is 20 minutes from Bar Harbor on the mainland side of the Mount Desert Narrows. The campground sits on a grassy bluff overlooking Frenchman Bay, and on a clear evening you can watch the sunset paint Cadillac Mountain pink across the water. The sites are open and grassy rather than forested, which means less privacy but better views.
This is the best fallback when the in-park campgrounds are full. It is quieter than the private campgrounds near Bar Harbor, significantly cheaper, and the drive into Acadia is easy. The park also has a boat launch, a pebbly beach, and decent clamming at low tide.
Best for: Budget campers and anyone who could not get a Blackwoods reservation
5. Bar Harbor Campground
Bar Harbor Campground is the closest private campground to downtown Bar Harbor, just a mile from the village. It has full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and cabin rentals. The sites are closer together than the park campgrounds, and you will hear your neighbors. But the convenience is real. You can walk to restaurants and shops, and the free Island Explorer bus stops at the entrance.
This is a solid choice if you want the social atmosphere of a busy campground with easy access to town. It is not wilderness camping, but it gets you on Mount Desert Island at a lower stress level than competing for NPS reservations.
Best for: RV campers and visitors who want walkable access to Bar Harbor
The Island Explorer bus system is free and runs throughout Mount Desert Island from late June through Columbus Day. It serves all three park campgrounds, Bar Harbor, Jordan Pond, and many trailheads. Use it instead of driving, parking at popular trailheads fills up by 8 AM in July and August.
6. Mount Desert Campground
Mount Desert Campground in Somesville sits at the head of Somes Sound, the only fjord on the U.S. East Coast. Some waterfront sites put you 30 feet from the water, and the views down the sound toward the open ocean are stunning. The campground is well-maintained and feels more upscale than the park campgrounds. They have a camp store, kayak rentals, and a canoe launch right on the sound.
The location splits the difference between the east and west sides of the island, making it a good base for exploring both. It is privately owned and pricier than the NPS campgrounds, but the waterfront sites are genuinely special. Book early, repeat visitors claim their favorite sites a year in advance.
Best for: Kayakers, waterfront seekers, and campers willing to pay more for a prime location
Campsite mosquito-free zone
Remote and Nearby
7. Duck Harbor Campground, Isle au Haut
Duck Harbor is the most remote campground associated with Acadia and one of the most unique camping experiences in Maine. You reach it via the Isle au Haut mailboat from Stonington, a 45-minute ferry ride that drops you at a dock with no road connection to the campground. From there, it is a 4-mile hike to the five lean-to shelters at Duck Harbor.
The island’s southern half belongs to Acadia National Park, with trails threading through spruce forest and along dramatic sea cliffs. You will likely have the trails to yourself. The campground has a hand-pump well, pit toilets, and nothing else. No showers, no store, no electricity. Only five groups can camp at a time, and permits open May 1 on Recreation.gov. This is camping for people who want to earn it.
Best for: Experienced backpackers seeking solitude and wild coastline
8. Hermit Island
Hermit Island is not near Acadia. It is about 2.5 hours southwest, on a small peninsula in Phippsburg near the mouth of the Kennebec River. But it is worth mentioning because it is one of the best campgrounds in Maine, period. The 275 sites are spread across a private island connected to the mainland by a short road, with sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and wooded trails.
Several sites sit directly on the beach. You fall asleep to waves. The island has a small store and kayak rentals, but no Wi-Fi, no hookups, and no televisions. It books up a year in advance for July and August. If Acadia is full and you are flexible on location, Hermit Island is an outstanding alternative.
Best for: Beach camping, families, and anyone who values natural beauty over proximity to Acadia
Reservation Tips
Book early. Acadia’s park campgrounds open on Recreation.gov on a rolling basis, typically five months before the camping date. July and August sites sell out within minutes of opening. Set alerts and be online right when reservations open.
Have backup dates. Midweek arrivals (Tuesday, Wednesday) are easier to book than Friday or Saturday starts. Shoulder season, late May, June, and September, is significantly easier to get and often offers better weather with fewer bugs and crowds.
Check for cancellations. People cancel. Check Recreation.gov frequently in the weeks before your trip, especially on Monday mornings when weekend plans change. Third-party alert services like Campnab can notify you when specific sites open up.
Consider the quiet side. If Blackwoods is full, Seawall is often still available. If all park campgrounds are booked, Lamoine State Park is a fraction of the price of private campgrounds and only 20 minutes from the park entrance.
When do Acadia campground reservations open?
Reservations for Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods open on Recreation.gov on a rolling basis, typically five months before the camping date. The exact opening schedule is posted on the Acadia NPS website each spring. Peak summer dates sell out within minutes of opening, set a reminder and have your Recreation.gov account ready in advance.
Can I camp anywhere in Acadia National Park?
No. Backcountry and dispersed camping are not allowed in Acadia. You must camp in a designated campground. The three NPS campgrounds are Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods on the mainland side. Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut requires a separate permit and ferry access.
What is the cheapest camping near Acadia?
Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut is $25 per night but requires a ferry. On Mount Desert Island, the three NPS campgrounds (Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic Woods) are $36 per night for a basic tent site. Lamoine State Park on the mainland is $35 to $45 depending on the site type. All are significantly cheaper than private campgrounds in the Bar Harbor area, which typically start at $45 and go up to $85 or more.
Do I need a car if I am camping in Acadia?
Not necessarily. The free Island Explorer bus system runs from late June through Columbus Day and connects all three park campgrounds, Bar Harbor, and major trailheads. You can explore most of the park by bus and on foot. However, if you are camping at Lamoine State Park or want to explore the Schoodic Peninsula from Mount Desert Island, a car makes logistics much easier.