Acadia National Park spans over 49,000 acres on Maine's Mount Desert Island, where the terrain ranges from rocky beaches to dense woodland elevations reaching 1,530 feet at Cadillac Mountain. The park experiences average summer temperatures between 45°F and 90°F, with peak camping season running from late May through October. While many visitors focus on the eastern side of the island, several dog friendly campgrounds in Acadia National Park are scattered throughout the less crowded western portion.
What to do
Biking on carriage roads: The park offers 45 miles of gravel carriage roads accessible from multiple campgrounds. "I've stayed at Schoodic Woods several times, both with just a few people and with whole groups and every time it has been fantastic... This didn't stop us from biking the carriage trails or taking the free shuttle out to Bar Harbor and exploring there," notes a camper at Schoodic Woods Campground.
Stargazing at Seawall Beach: A short walk from Seawall Campground provides exceptional night sky viewing. "For stargazers, the short walk across the street to the beach will give you some unbelievable views of the milky way when the night is at peak darkness," shares a reviewer from Seawall Campground.
Kayaking from oceanfront sites: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for personal watercraft. At Bar Harbor KOA, "The KOA staff were very friendly and helpful, the facilities were very clean, and the store was well-stocked. We could launch our kayaks directly from the site. If you don't have a waterfront site, there are 2 water access areas that anyone can launch from."
Exploring tide pools: Low tide reveals marine ecosystems perfect for morning exploration. "We stayed with a group of four and we had a great time! The site was quiet and had plenty of room between camps," reports a visitor at Seawall, where nearby tide pools are accessible during morning low tides.
What campers like
Free shuttle transportation: The Island Explorer bus connects campgrounds to park attractions and nearby towns. At Bar Harbor Campground, "There is the Island Explorer (free) shuttle that have various routes and stops on Mount Desert Island and Acadia NP. The shuttle stops at the campground so you can hitch a ride downtown or to the park and not have to worry about parking. The shuttle has a bike rack so you can bring your bike and pets are allowed."
Clean facilities without crowds: The quieter campgrounds maintain high standards while offering more space. "Despite being a fully booked campground our stay was very enjoyable. It was quiet, other campers were respectful. The bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a designated dishwashing drain to keep animals away from the campsites. Best part though was the lack of biting flies and mosquitoes!" reports a Blackwoods visitor.
Private tent sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options for tent campers. "We stayed here as a family for our first time in Acadia- it was awesome! Lots of cool trails to explore within the campground and lots of privacy! Facilities were clean and it was very dog friendly," says a camper at Blackwoods Campground.
Waterfront campsite options: Several campgrounds offer premium sites with ocean views. At Somes Sound View Campground, a visitor notes, "This campground was great. Beautiful view of the water. Highly recommend the waterfront sites. Some of the sites are small but the view makes up for it."
What you should know
Site reservation strategies: Some campgrounds don't take reservations and operate on a first-come basis. At Bar Harbor Campground, "The campground does not take reservations so you can pick whatever open site you want and if you want to extend your stay, you can. When you arrive, you get a map, find an empty site, get set-up and then go back to the office to register."
Shower facilities vary significantly: While some campgrounds offer free hot showers, others have pay facilities or none at all. "The bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a designated dishwashing drain to keep animals away from the campsites," notes a Blackwoods visitor, while at Schoodic Woods, "Running water, flush toilets, flat gravel at the site, firing picnic tables tons of hiking close by lots to do."
Off-season availability: Several pet-friendly Acadia campgrounds offer extended seasons. "We tried staying here in the summer a few years back and it filled up weeks ahead of time. We got lucky this trip and got one spot open same day. Got here super late and was surrounded by other campers but the trees all around gave us privacy and everyone was super quiet."
Bug preparation: Insect conditions vary by location and season. At Schoodic Woods Campground, one camper warns, "Mosquitos, Mosquitos, Mosquitos... No matter if you wear long sleeves and long pants, plus use bug spray, the mosquitos are vicious. Between gnats and mosquitos, sitting outside to eat is nearly impossible."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Hadley's Point Campground, "The campground was clean and beautiful. We were able to walk to the shuttle pickup and ride it to all stops in the park, and to Bar Harbor. It was so convenient! The campground felt safe with Park Rangers walking around."
Swimming options: Pools provide an alternative to ocean swimming. "We have a tiny trailer that fits in a tent site. But when reserving online, being unfamiliar with the campground, we were prompted to enter the total length of trailer + vehicle. That put us in loop C with huge RVs much closer together than the other loops. That being said, we still got to stay in Acadia," notes a camper at Seawall Campground.
Kid-friendly campground activities: Organized events keep children engaged. At Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, a parent shares, "my daughter begs to camp here. As with any KOA they have lots of activities throughout the day for families, and a pool, but she loves the ice pop contest. if you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop."
Site selection for families: Corner and end sites often provide more play space. At Smuggler's Den Campground, "We stayed in site #16, right across from the office. Site was huge, fairly level, and well-shaded. Was kind of U-shaped. Easily fit our pop-up, TV, and screen house. Perfect location for those traveling with small kids, as it was just a stone's throw from both the bathhouse and playground."
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup availability: Not all sites offer complete services. At Mt. Desert Narrows, "Not all sites have full hookup and we were told that one of the dump stations worked, but as we were leaving, we realized it didn't."
Generator restrictions: Different campgrounds have varying policies on generator use. "The rules are extremely enforced. My left tire on the car was 6 inches on the grass... the rangers left a violation notice on my car," warns an RVer at Schoodic Woods, where generators are also strictly prohibited.
Pull-through accessibility: Some campgrounds have limited navigational space. At Hadley's Point, "We reserved a full hook up (back in), and were directed by an employee to our site. We incurred damage to our vehicle relying on the eyes/directions of an employee. The sites are very close together, some are shaded, some not."
Site leveling considerations: Many campsites require adjustment for RVs. "The site was easy to get into, and reasonably level. Lots of shade, and a steady breeze off the water," reports a visitor to Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort.
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