A Lakeside Base Between Bangor and Acadia
Patten Pond Camping Resort sits on the shore of Patten Pond off Route 1 in Ellsworth, the crossroads town that nearly everyone passes through on the way onto Mount Desert Island. The location is the whole pitch here. You are about 35 minutes from downtown Bangor, a short drive from the shops and restaurants of Ellsworth, and close enough to Acadia National Park to make day trips without paying island campground rates or fighting for an island site.
The campground runs from mid-May through Columbus Day weekend and takes RVs, tents, and rents out rustic cabins. Sites include pull-throughs with full hookups for larger rigs, basic tent sites, and cabin units for people who want a roof without hauling gear. It is a developed resort-style operation rather than a wilderness campground, so expect a camp store, laundry, showers, Wi-Fi, and a recreation schedule rather than solitude.
On the Water
Patten Pond itself is the reason most people pick this campground over the chain motels in Ellsworth. There is a private sandy beach for swimming, a roped-off shallow area for kids, and a boat dock. The campground rents canoes, kayaks, and other small craft, so you can get on the water even if you arrived by car with no boat on the roof.
The pond is quiet enough for easy paddling and holds warmwater fish, so a morning on the water with a rod is an easy way to start the day before heading into the park.
Rocky beaches & streams
Day Trips From Camp
Use the campground as a hub. Acadia’s Hulls Cove entrance is roughly 30 to 40 minutes away depending on traffic, which is heavy on Route 3 in July and August. Ellsworth has groceries, gear, and the last real shopping before the island, so stock up on the way in. Other Downeast lakes like Green Lake and Phillips Lake are close by if you want a quieter swim away from camp.
Hit Acadia early. Leave the campground by 7 a.m. and you will be parked at a trailhead before the Route 3 backup forms in Trenton. Come back to the pond for an afternoon swim when the park is at its most crowded. You get the best of both and skip the worst traffic of the day.
When to Visit
Spring
Opens in mid-May. Cool nights, fewer crowds, and black flies through late May into June.
Summer
Warmest water and the full slate of activities. Also the busiest stretch, so book ahead for July and August.
Fall
Crisp air, fewer bugs, and easier Acadia access. The season winds down around Columbus Day weekend.
Winter
Closed. The campground does not operate in the off-season.
Packing List
Patten Pond Camping
- Reservation confirmation
- Swimsuit and towel for the beach
- Bug spray for spring and early summer
- Cooler stocked from Ellsworth groceries
- Camp chairs and a tarp
- Layers for cool Downeast nights
- Park pass or plan for Acadia day trips
Getting There
From Bangor, take Route 1A or I-395 to Route 1 toward Ellsworth; the campground is on Bucksport Road (Route 1) west of downtown Ellsworth, roughly 35 minutes from the city. From Portland, plan on about three and a half hours via I-95 to I-395 and Route 1A. Coming from the south, Patten Pond is on the Bangor side of Ellsworth, so you reach it before hitting the main Ellsworth strip and the Route 3 turn for Acadia.
FAQ
Is Patten Pond Camping Resort on a real lake?
Yes. Despite the name, Patten Pond is a sizable body of water with a swimming beach, a boat dock, and small-craft rentals at the campground.
How far is it from Acadia National Park?
Roughly 30 to 40 minutes to Acadia's Hulls Cove entrance, depending on Route 3 traffic onto Mount Desert Island, which is heavy in midsummer.
What kinds of sites are available?
RV sites with full hookups including pull-throughs for large rigs, tent sites, and rustic rental cabins.
When is the campground open?
Mid-May through Columbus Day weekend in mid-October. It is closed in winter.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, pets are welcome. Check the campground's current pet policy for leash rules and any breed or area restrictions when you book.
For other camping in the area, compare nearby Balsam Cove Campground on Toddy Pond in Orland.
