For those who want to experience Acadia National Park, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping offers the perfect opportunity to explore Acadia National Park and stay off the beaten path. These scenic and easy to access Maine glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
For Seawall campsites, 90 percent of campsites are released six months in advance on the first of each month at 10 am EST. The remaining 10 percent are released at 10 am 14 days ahead of a desired arrival date on a rolling basis. For example, if you plan to arrive on May 24, you can make an online reservation starting at 10 am EST Dec 1 from the first release or starting at 10 am EST on May 10 from the second release. All campsite reservations must be made through recreation.gov. 90% of campsites are available six months in advance, and released on a monthly basis as described above. 10% of campsites are available at 10:00 a.m. EST. fourteen (14) days in advance of the desired reservation date. Visitors are able to make same day reservations if campsites are available. All reservations must be made through recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made through the campground office or in-person.
From gentle walks along the rugged coastline, mountain hikes, tree lined carriage roads for biking and lakes for kayaking and canoeing, Acadia offers many opportunities to get outside and be active.Park rangers at Acadia offer a variety of programs to suit every interest and activity level. Programs include walks, talks, hikes, narrated boat cruises, bike rides and more. Kids age 6-12 love Acadia's Junior Ranger Program.A 27-mile, historic loop road system offers outstanding views of the park's ocean shoreline, coastal forests and mountain silhouettes.
Southwest Harbor is located on the west side of Mount Desert Island. The west side of the Island is considered the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island. All the sites at Seawall Campground are wooded and within a 10-minute walk to the ocean. There are many beautiful and quiet hiking trails on this side of the Island, as well as Echo Lake, a wonderful lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and picnics. Acadia is comprised of a cluster of islands on the Atlantic coast of Maine. Mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows and beaches are all found within roughly 50,000 acres comprising Acadia.
Acadia National Park is surrounded by scenic island harbors and quaint towns. Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut offer plenty of visitor services including restaurants, shops, museums, and tours. Please check with local Chambers of Commerce for more information.
No Shows If a camper does not check-in at the ranger station by 10:00am check-out time the day after the scheduled arrival date, their reservation will be cancelled, the camper will incur a $20.00 service fee, and forfeit the first night's camping fee. Making Changes to Your Reservation A $10.00 service fee will apply if you make any changes to your reservation. Cancelling Your Reservation If you cancel your reservation the day before or on the day of your scheduled arrival date, you will incur a $10.00 service fee and forfeit your first night's camping fee. If you cancel your reservation 2 or more days before your scheduled arrival date, you will only incur a $10.00 service fee. If you cancel a group campsite reservation within 7 full days before the scheduled arrival date, you will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Early Departures If you choose to check out of your campsite early, you must notify us in person at the Campground Ranger Station before 10:00am in order to receive a refund for your remaining nights. Please review Rules & Reservation Policies below for more information.
$22 - $60 / night
Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday makes the perfect base camp whenever you want to experience beach camping in Bar Harbor. You and your family can enjoy your trip on the island by staying at our KOA Campground, from its proximity to Acadia National Park to the local restaurants and shops.
At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday, we offer many campsites to help you have the camping experiences you desire. You can stay at one of our RV Sites, Deluxe Cabins, Camping Cabins, Unique Accommodations, or Tent Sites.
Bar Harbor Campground is the Closest Campground to the town of Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and other points of interest. We offer quality camping, at affordable prices and we accommodate the smallest tent to the largest RV. This quiet, family owned campground, open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, is perfect for families of all sizes. We are a family owned campground, and our focus is on making your stay a great one. We do things a little differently here. Most noticeable may be the fact that we don't accept advanced reservations. When you arrive, we give you a detailed map of the grounds, and invite you to drive through and pick the site that really suits your likes and needs. Find your spot, get set up, then come and see us in the office. As you can see from the map below, we offer everything you might need for memorable stay, and with Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park close by, we're the perfect choice. Make sure and check our policies page to familiarize yourself with the campground rules. Please note that we do not accept credit cards, but we do take checks, and we have an ATM located in the office.
$44 - $68 / night
Situated in a quiet location, just off of Route 3, Hadley's Point is a camper's haven. Take a quiet five minute walk to a public saltwater beach. Acadia National Park Visitor Center and entrance is just four miles, and downtown Bar Harbor is just an eight mile drive. Shuttle service is available on the Island Explorer buses daily from late June through Columbus Day.
Hadley's Point Campground offers grassy and wooded sites, each with its own fireplace and picnic table. Tent sites, water & electric (20-30-50 Amp), and full hookup campsites available. On-site honeywagon service is available.
$29 - $90 / night
Located on Mount Desert Island, HTR Acadia (formerly known as Somes Sound View Campground) is an idyllic, peaceful retreat on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. HTR Acadia is known for attracting adventurous, nature-loving campers, who appreciate spending their days next to the ocean surrounded by gorgeous woods. Our park is only a short drive from Downtown Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, so there is always something new to explore!
The Carsey family welcomes you to a Downeast camping experience. Our campground is on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island and only a 10 minute walk from Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Each of the 120 shady or wooded sites has a Fire-ring and Picnic Table. We offer our Campers: Clean Restrooms Free Hot Showers Electric & Water hookups Electric, Water, Sewer hookups Electric, Water & Sewer Pull-throughs 20, 30, 50 amp Sites RV Sites have Cable TV Camping Cabin rentals Group Tenting areas & Group Rates Seasonal Sites Heated Pool Playground Wi-Fi (Free!) Dump Station Camp Store Gift Shop Ice & Local Firewood Laundromat Dogrun Credit Cards accepted Enjoy mountains, woodland trails, spruce and birch forests and the pounding surf of the Atlantic as it crashes against miles of rocky shoreline. Windswept Acadia National Park features rugged headlands, tide pool critters and a variety of naturalist activities.
Quietside Campground's unusual campground sites are meant for people to enjoy the experience of camping in its simplest form — yet comfortably and with some conveniences. Visiting campers are immersed in the wild, coastal Maine natural surroundings from natural indigenous foliage to native birds and wildlife. Your vacation with us is truly a breath of fresh Maine air! In keeping with the new nationwide philosophy of "No Child Left Inside," we encourage a nature based, "green" atmosphere at Quietside. Enjoy the stars while sitting by the fire without bright lights. Listen to and observe the many birds around the campground. We have a full complement of outdoor books and information in the campground office. There are many programs in the area to encourage children as well as adults to head outside.
$29 - $39 / night
$25 - $45 / night
Scout
Very friendly staff, very open to our changing plans. Nice peaceful lake view and access. Location was a good 45 min drive from Acadia National Park, longer than we anticipated. Drive got old after a couple days.
Traveler
If you're looking to get away from all the "noise" of the side of the island that Acadia National Park is on, this is your spot. It's still only 25 minutes or so to Acadia National Park but is extremely quiet and secluded. The campsites are a little close together but there is still privacy. The other benefit was it is away from Bar Harbor lights so we saw soo many stars!
Guide
Due to covid19, it’s impossible to reserve the campsite in Acadia National Park. This campsite is outside of NP but it’s really close and easy to access everywhere. Very quite and nice place to enjoy the beautiful summertime. Also, the ocean is just in the campsite, even though the water is really cold but we saw few dolphins and seals, we had a great time here. It will definitely be recommended to the people who come to Acadia National Park.
Guide
campground is right on the ocean! very clean facilities. close to Acadia National Park
Guide
Cheap price for a campsite close to Acadia National Park. You can use a tent, camper, or a pull behind/pop up. It has electric outlets, bathroom facilities, showers, and it even has a swimming pool.
Traveler
This campground is great. It has friendly and accommodating staff, clean ground and beautiful views and access to the water (great for sunsets). In addition, this campground is close to everything Acadia National Park has to offer. I highly recommend this campground.
LegendDon’t like making reservations? We hate them, too. This is the only campground on Mt. Desert Island near Acadia National Park that is first come, first served. But, come early! Great campsites, lots of options for both tents and RV’s, clean bathrooms, 50 cent showers, dishwashing sinks, and a playground for the kiddos.
No biking/hiking trails from the campground to the park, but it makes for an easy place to retreat to if you are visiting Acadia National Park and/or Bar Harbor. It’s beyond BUSY during the summer, but the fall is much less crowded and truly gorgeous! The Island Explorer bus makes a stop at this campground, so you can leave your car behind and enjoy the park on bike/foot.
Everything you need for camping can be found in Ellsworth or Bar Harbor, located a few miles in either direction from this campground.
Scout
Quietside Campground is the best place to stay in the area. It is a 5 minute drive to Acadia National Park, has free warm showers, flushable toilets and beautiful campsites. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the area. I’ve extended my stay here and will be coming back.
RangerLoved how close this campground is to Acadia National Park! Nice campground with nice facilities. It’s first come first serve and they only take check or cash. They do have an atm on site. Quarter op showers, laundry on site as well. The spots are decent size, not much for privacy.
GuideWe staid here while visiting Acadia National Park. It’s outside the park, but not too far. While it was very crowded when we were there, we had a spot directly on the water which made it feel more private. The sunsets were absolutely gorgeous. Great bathrooms/showers, and the WiFi worked pretty well.
Scout
The campsite has a nice pond attached, it also has apartments with bathrooms as well as small cottages with out bathrooms. It is a full service RV campsite so that is always convenient. We went at the end of September to visit Acadia National Park and the foliage was Beautiful! It wasn't even at it's peak. The campsite is surrounded by beautiful trees.
ScoutBeautiful views, friendly people clean and quiet. Lots of outdoor activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Close enough to Acadia National Park and BarHarbor for sightseeing, beach going, outdoor sports and hiking There are great restaurants and waterfront activities nearby. It’s great for families but quiet and relaxing enough for a romantic getaway. This campground is dog friendly and immaculately maintained. Strict and safe policies during the pandemic made this a comforting vacation option.
TravelerWe had a great experience staying at the Bar Harbor campground and exploring the Acadia National Park. I think this campground is the closest to Bar Harbor.
They don't allow reservations. There are few spots with views but those were all taken when we got there.
The campground is very quiet. It can get windy at nights (visited in June). Lots of stars to peek at during nights next to your campfire.
ScoutAbsolutely love this campground located on the Mount desert island side of Acadia national park. Amazing seawall directly outside of campground and sound of the ocean can be heard from sites. We stayed in a tent but was located around RV section. Strict generator use only from 8 am-8 pm minimally so very peaceful at night. Bathrooms are very clean. Only downside of shower need you have to go outside of campground to local.pay shower but very clean.
GuideGreat campground. Staff is helpful, sites are clean. Definitely a tent friendly place. 90% of the sites are well shaded, and most have plenty of room. Do your research not all the sites here are created equal. Proximity to Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor, and all the great things to do in the area is perfect. Great pool and other facilities. Found this place because the State Parks closed camping due to Covid, what a great find. We will definitely be back.
GuideWe loved this site as a place to explore Acadia National park from. Definitely check out ship harbor trail and the seawall, both very close and walking distance from the campground. There is also a shuttlebus that runs from the campground all day, which will take you all the way to bar harbor and throughout the island and park. There are no hookups and limited generator hours, but there is a dump site and water available to fill. There are toilets but no showers at the grounds.
Guide
My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon to Acadia National Park! We stayed in a small cabin and it was perfect for our stay. Weather was a bit cold when we were there (October 2018), but there was a space heater. Had space to prepare food as well as a microwave, fire pit, and grill for use. The showers and bathroom were well maintained and close to the cabins. Walking distance to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and other National Park hiking trails. We loved it and look forward returning for another trip!
GuideAnother awesome state park in Maine! We loved the location; so easy to get to Acadia National Park but well out of the fray. We had site 42: not right on the Frenchman Bay (a gorgeous thing!) but we could see it. Foggy mornings felt almost like rain -- but it usually burned off by 10am. Be sure to visit Seal Cove Farm nearby for their delicious goat cheese pizza/specialties and cool environment and, of course, trek around Acadia -- as amazing as is promised.
Bathrooms, showers and scullery sinks were kept super clean (we're usually rustic campground campers, so these were quite the bonus!), and Christine, the ranger who checked us in, was really friendly and helpful for area tips and suggestions. Loved our experience here.
LegendThis is one of three Acadia National Park campgrounds that allow dogs. I prefer Seawall to the others because the sites are more private and spaced a bit further apart. The campground is well maintained and quiet with clean facilities. There is a day-use accessible beachfront across the road for hiking, swimming, picnics and lobster bakes. Great place to spend a weekend in the Acadia woods and at the beach with your pups!
Ranger tips: Seawall campground does not have showers so plan accordingly. Check their website for the most updated trail closures.
RangerThis is a great place to stay if you are exploring Acadia National Park, especially late in the season as I was because a lot of the other campgrounds are closed by mid-October. This friendly site is just a stones throw from the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse right off Highway 102A. Nice campsites even though they are a little close together, but what campsites aren't? Lots of options here from big rigs to tents to cabins. Nice play area for the kids, a laundry, recreation room and large, clean facilities. There are campsites on both sides of the highway.
Scout
I’ve gone to this campground for YEARS! The owners are very down to earth people and want everyone to feel welcomed. Haven’t been able to camp here the last 2 years but we are doing a family trip and going back later this summer!
Very convenient location on the island, also this campground is one of the stops for the Island Explorer to come pick you up. Close to Acadia National Park and Downtown Bar Harbor.
Also heard they just extended their WiFi so you can post all your awesome photos during your stay to make everyone jealous they aren’t there!
LegendWe love the state parks and unorganized, off the beaten path camping. This is definitely not that! However, for easy access to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, the Bar Harbor Campground is a pretty good place to park.
The sites are small and semi-private, flat, well maintained, and you have a choice of water, electric, and even sewer or dry. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are 3 buildings with flush toilets and showers (coin operated) and plenty of hot water. There is a pool, a laundromat, a game room, and a main office. Nearby are restaurants and mini-golf.
Key note: sites are first come first serve and you must pay with cash or check. No credit cards are accepted.
So if you want to be close to the action, don't want to make a reservation, have some cash, and are not looking for a "wilderness" camping experience, the Bar Harbor Campground is a good option.
ScoutQuietside campground's worst feature is it is about a half hour to the major areas of Acadia National Park. Other then that the campground is a very nice, basic campground. There are two bath house with hot water and showers and flushing toilets. In addition, there are a couple port-a-pots. The sites are pretty private. We have stayed several times, for tent sites 30, 29, 25, and 26 are probably your best bets. There is a common room with an old pool table, some chairs, and WiFi. Campwood and ice are reasonably priced. The owner is super nice and helpful. We will stay here again for sure, but if this is your only visit to Acadia you may want to stay on the other side of the island to have easier access to the park bus system.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground. Well maintained and right on the water. We loved taking our dogs by the water at low tide. We stayed in site 121. There wasn't any trees, just an open area. This was pull thru, full hook up site. This campground did have the Island Shuttle stop. This is help to get around Bar Harbor or to Acadia when you do not have a car or do not want to take one; however we did not use this amenity. If we were to go back, we would pick the water side sites for the views but they do not have sewer hookups. It was a little bit of a drive to Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor but it was worth the drive. Gorgeous area! Very pet friendly.
GuideYou should know that the view is not an ocean view. This campgrounds view is a bay view. The beach is a rocky small beach. Good for the kids to go exploring but you wouldn't want to swim in it. We stayed for 6 nights at this KOA as we used it as a basecamp to tour Bar Harbor and Acadia National park. Instead of bringing our camper we actually stayed in the cabins this time. They were air conditioned. You didn't need the air for how hot it was but it was humid and loud. Seemed like every few days this KOA had campers depart and another crew came in. Where we were was in the middle of it all. The employees were very nice and helpful to get information and maps. The store was great. Had lots of supplies in case you forgot and pretty good prices.
TravelerSeawall Campground is the quieter of the two main island campgrounds in Acadia National Park and as a campground experience, for us, the middle experience of the three in quality.
This is a very quiet campground that tends to attract quieter and more respectful campers, and a larger percentage of tent campers than the other two locations. Sites are close together and densely wooded. Privacy is a bit of a lottery here. While campsites are deep and set off the road, some of them open up to each other at the rear points of each site, providing the illusion of privacy toward the road but much less privacy in reality. Others are very private and would feel as if you had no neighbors at all.
For privacy concerns, avoid the interior campsites however possible: They are completely open not only to one another, but the restroom trails actually go through the middle of many of these campsites, meaning you can expect foot traffic within a few yards of your site at all hours of the day. The exterior loops are the way to go here.
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INTERNET: Of the three campgrounds at Acadia National Park, internet here was the most challenging. We were able to find a spot in our campsite that allowed Starlink to work with 23% obstructions. That is far too high a percentage of obstructions for use without intermittent down time rendering it unusable for video chats, streaming, and other related work, though it's good enough for quick tasks if you don't mind frequent drops in service. T-Mobile and Verizon did not provide any service here.
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MAJOR PROS: Welcome 2 the Quiet Side! That's the sign that a nearby roadside business flashes at you as you enter the Seawall camping area, and it is accurate. Seawall Campground is very quiet compared with its sister site Blackwoods on the other side of the island. So quiet, in fact, that you can hear the ocean breeze and the crash of waves from the exterior campsites during quiet hours. A very pleasant way to sleep.
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Like Blackwoods, the restrooms at Seawall are dated and about half of them were out of order during our stay. The lack of internet is frustrating for full-timers who might need it for work or use it more heavily for recreation while traveling, but there are several roadside pull-offs with spectacular ocean views, as well as the Seawall Picnic area just outside the campground, where Starlink will work flawlessly. But cell service is basically a no-go here, at least for T-Mobile and Verizon.
Many other reviewers have reported seeing Moose near or in the campground here. No such luck for us, but we did see dozens of deer (big and small) in this location; by far the most wildlife of any of the three Acadia campgrounds.
There are several nice and easy hikes nearby, but all the hikes in this area are very heavily trafficked from dawn on, seemingly every day.
Seawall is a 30-40 minute drive to the main attractions at Acadia, putting it behind Blackwoods but ahead of Schoodic Woods for convenience.
The nearby town of Southwest Harbor is smaller and less busy than Bar Harbor on the other side of the island, but provides access to all necessary provisions. Ellsworth, where you'll find the nearest Wal Mart, Home Depot, and several restaurants, is about 35 minutes away.
Like Schoodic Woods and Blackwoods, Seawall does not host any campground showers, but there are privately owned and highly-rated pay showers about 1 mile outside the campground that run about $3 for 5 minutes of hot water in private stalls. This is also a place to grab ice and vending snacks.
Overall, Seawall is a good-but-not-great campground with dated facilities and variable privacy depending on your site selection. Minus points for lack of internet access and older amenities, plus points for living up to its name as the "quiet" side of the main Acadia Island. This would not be my first choice for camping in Acadia National Park (that'd go to Schoodic), but is an excellent middle ground for those who still want peace-and-quiet and don't mind a bit of a drive to the main attractions, without having to make that drive an all day, gas guzzling affair.
LegendNice campsites, lots of options for both tents and RV’s, clean bathrooms, 50 cent showers, laundry room, a pool, and a playground for the kiddos. There is no dishwashing facility though, which seemed odd given all the other amenities. The campground staff are very sweet people.
No biking/hiking trails from the campground to the park, but it makes for an easy place to retreat to if you are visiting Acadia National Park and/or Bar Harbor. It’s beyond BUSY during the summer, but the fall is much less crowded and truly gorgeous! We cycled on the carriage roads, paddled in Frenchman's Bay, and hiked a few trails in Acadia -- all in a few days of camping here.
The Island Explorer bus makes a stop at this campground, so you can leave your car behind and enjoy the park on bike/foot. Everything you need for camping can be found in Ellsworth or Bar Harbor, located a few miles in either direction from this campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Acadia National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Acadia National Park is Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Acadia National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 glamping camping locations near Acadia National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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