The Insider’s Acadia Base Camp
Lamoine State Park is a 55-acre oceanfront park on Frenchman Bay, directly across the water from Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. The park’s 62 campsites look out over the bay to Cadillac Mountain, the Porcupine Islands, and the iconic MDI skyline. It is the view that millions of visitors pay to see from the Acadia side, but from Lamoine, you see it from your campsite, and you booked it without the six-month-in-advance panic that Acadia campgrounds require.
Lamoine has become the go-to alternative for experienced Acadia visitors who have grown tired of the reservation scramble at Blackwoods and Seawall. The state park is managed by Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands, not the National Park Service, which means reservations open on a different (and less competitive) schedule. The campground is smaller and quieter than Acadia’s campgrounds, with hot showers and ocean views that neither Blackwoods nor Seawall can match.
The park sits on a gravel beach peninsula that extends into Frenchman Bay. The water is cold but swimmable, and the beach is a beautiful place to watch the sunset light up Cadillac Mountain’s granite face. Bar Harbor is a 20-minute drive over the Trenton Bridge. Ellsworth, with its full range of services, is 15 minutes west.
The Campground
The 62 sites are arranged in two loops, an upper loop on a wooded hillside and a lower loop closer to the waterfront. Lower-loop sites with bay views are the most desirable and offer direct sightlines to Mount Desert Island across the water. Upper-loop sites are more shaded and private, set back in the forest.
The campground has flush toilets, hot showers (a significant advantage over Acadia’s campgrounds, which have none), and potable water. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There are no hookups, but a dump station is available. Sites accommodate tents, pop-up campers, and small to medium RVs.
A boat launch provides access to Frenchman Bay for kayaks, canoes, and small motorboats. The gravel beach is accessible from the lower campground loop and is a popular spot for wading, beachcombing, and watching the activity on the bay, lobster boats, sailboats, and the occasional cruise ship anchored off Bar Harbor.
The lower-loop waterfront sites sell out fast but are not as competitive as Acadia campgrounds. Book two to three months in advance for summer weekends. The view of Cadillac Mountain from these sites at sunrise, when the sun hits the granite summit, is one of the best views on the Downeast coast.
Things to Do
Acadia National Park is the obvious day-trip destination. Drive 20 minutes over the Trenton Bridge to Bar Harbor and pick up the Island Explorer shuttle, or drive directly to any trailhead in the park. The Park Loop Road, Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, and all of Acadia’s trails are within 30-45 minutes of your Lamoine campsite. You get all the benefits of staying near Acadia with none of the campground-related stress.
Kayaking on Frenchman Bay from the Lamoine boat launch is excellent. Paddle toward the Porcupine Islands, a group of forested islands between Lamoine and Bar Harbor, for sheltered water and good bird watching. Seals haul out on the rocks around the islands, and on calm days the paddling is outstanding. For more protected paddling, Taunton Bay north of the park offers flat water and marsh-edge bird watching.
Lamoine Beach itself is a worthwhile destination. The gravel and sand beach faces south across the bay, catching the afternoon sun. The water is cold but tolerable by August. Beachcombing at low tide turns up sea glass, shells, and the occasional piece of sea pottery. The tidal range here is about 10 feet, exposing rocky areas and tide pools at low tide.
Frenchman Bay water temperature rarely exceeds the mid-50s even in August. Swimming is refreshing but brief. Hypothermia is a real risk for extended water exposure. Kayakers should always wear a PFD and dress for immersion, not air temperature.
When to Go
Spring
Opens mid-May. Cool and foggy but uncrowded. Good bird migration season on the bay.
Summer
July and August are prime season. Warmest weather, all Acadia facilities open, and the best bay conditions for kayaking.
Fall
September and October bring foliage on MDI visible across the bay, fewer crowds, and crisp camping weather.
Winter
Campground closes mid-October. Day-use area may remain accessible.
Getting There
From Ellsworth, take Route 1/Route 3 east toward Bar Harbor. Before crossing the Trenton Bridge to MDI, turn right onto Route 184 and follow it about 8 miles to Lamoine State Park. The park is well-signed from Route 184.
From Bangor, take Route 1A east to Ellsworth, then follow the directions above. Total drive is about 50 minutes. From Portland, take I-295 to Route 1 north to Ellsworth. Total drive is approximately three hours.
Lamoine is perfectly positioned for a two-park strategy. Use it as your base and split your days between Acadia on MDI and the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia. The Schoodic entrance is about 40 minutes east of Lamoine, and you will find dramatic coastline with a fraction of the MDI crowds. This approach lets you see more of Acadia in a single trip.
Lamoine State Park Packing List
- Tent with quality rainfly (bay fog is common)
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Camp stove and cookware
- Kayak or canoe for bay exploration
- Life jacket and dry bags
- Binoculars for island and wildlife viewing
- Acadia National Park pass (buy at any park entrance)
- Rain jacket and warm layers
- Beach towel for wading
- Camera for Cadillac Mountain sunrise views
FAQ
How far is Lamoine from Acadia National Park?
Bar Harbor is about 20 minutes by car over the Trenton Bridge. The nearest Acadia trailheads are 25-30 minutes away. It is close enough for easy day trips but far enough to avoid the MDI traffic.
Do I need an Acadia park pass if I stay at Lamoine?
Lamoine is a Maine state park and does not require an Acadia pass. However, if you plan to visit Acadia (which you should), you will need a separate pass, available at any park entrance or online.
Are there showers?
Yes, hot showers are available at Lamoine, which is a significant advantage over the Acadia campgrounds (Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic Woods) that have none.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes. Dogs are allowed at Lamoine on a leash. They are also allowed on most Acadia trails but not on ladder trails or Sand Beach in summer.
Is Lamoine easier to book than Acadia campgrounds?
Significantly. Lamoine reservations open through the Maine state park system on February 1 and are less competitive than Acadia's Recreation.gov bookings. You can often find summer availability well into spring.
