A Full-Service Base for Acadia
The Bar Harbor / Woodlands KOA is a wooded campground on Mount Desert Island, set off Route 102 on the Town Hill side of the island near the gateway to Acadia National Park. It is the full-service, reservations-friendly counterpart to the island’s more old-school campgrounds: roughly 105 sites with cabins, RV sites, and tent sites, hookups, a heated pool, and a camp store. If you want a comfortable, predictable base for exploring Acadia with an RV or a family, this is built for that.
It is worth separating this place from the nearby Bar Harbor Campground, which is a different operation entirely. That campground takes no advance reservations and no credit cards and sits over on the Route 3 side. The Woodlands KOA is the opposite in feel: you reserve ahead, you get hookups and amenities, and the layout is geared toward RVs and families who want services on site. Choose the KOA when you want convenience and a sure spot; choose the other when you want first-come simplicity.
Sites & Amenities
The KOA offers the standard three-tier mix: cabins, RV sites with 30 and 50 amp service in both back-in and pull-through layouts, and tent sites. The maximum RV length is around 40 feet. On-site amenities include a heated pool, a convenience store, bike rentals, restrooms and showers, and a dump station. Rates vary by site type and season, so book direct through KOA.
The biggest practical perk is transit. The Island Explorer shuttle, Acadia’s free propane bus system, stops at the campground, so you can leave the car parked and ride into the park. With a National Park pass, the bus is free, and it reaches most destinations in Acadia plus the villages around the island.
Use the Island Explorer instead of driving into the park. Acadia’s lots fill early and parking near the popular trailheads is a daily headache in summer. The shuttle stop right at the campground means you can skip all of it, and riding the bus is genuinely one of the easier ways to see the park.
Getting There
The campground is at 1453 Route 102 in Bar Harbor. After crossing the bridge onto Mount Desert Island, bear right onto Route 102 toward Town Hill; the KOA is on the left a little over a mile in. From Bangor it is about an hour east on Route 1A and Route 3; from Portland it is roughly three and a quarter hours. Cell service on this part of the island can be spotty, so download maps and park information ahead of time.
When to Visit
Spring
The campground and the park are quieter in late spring, though some Acadia facilities and the full shuttle schedule are not yet running.
Summer
Peak season. Full amenities, the Island Explorer running, and long days for the park. Book well ahead.
Fall
Acadia foliage peaks in early to mid-October with thinner crowds and crisp days. A standout time on MDI.
Winter
The KOA is seasonal and closed in the off-season, and most of Acadia's services shut down. Confirm dates when booking.
Summer is busiest, but fall on Mount Desert Island is the local favorite: cooler, less crowded, and lit up with color.
Packing List
Acadia KOA Trip
- Camp or RV gear suited to your site type
- Cooler for park picnics
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Layers for cool coastal nights and fog
- America the Beautiful or Acadia park pass
- Daypack and water for park hikes
- Island Explorer schedule (downloaded)
FAQ
How is this different from Bar Harbor Campground?
The Woodlands KOA is a full-service, reservations-friendly campground with hookups, cabins, a pool, and a store. Bar Harbor Campground is a separate first-come operation that takes no advance reservations and no credit cards.
Can I get to Acadia without driving?
Yes. The free Island Explorer shuttle stops at the campground and reaches most of Acadia plus the island villages. With a park pass, the bus is free.
What site types are available?
Cabins, RV sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups in back-in and pull-through layouts, and tent sites. Maximum RV length is about 40 feet.
Is there a pool?
Yes, a heated pool, along with a camp store, bike rentals, restrooms, showers, and a dump station.
What does it cost?
Rates vary by site type and season. Book direct through KOA for current pricing and availability.
This is one of many ways to camp near the park. Compare it with the first-come Bar Harbor Campground and plan your days around Acadia National Park.
