Campgrounds near Acadia National Park range from coastal settings to wooded inland areas, with elevations from sea level to approximately 300 feet. The Downeast Maine climate brings average summer temperatures between 65-75°F with cooler nights, while late summer and early fall typically see decreased rainfall. Most RV campgrounds open from mid-May through mid-October, with some extending their season into November during mild years.
What to do
Kayaking from waterfront sites: Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort offers waterfront access for kayakers, though timing is important. "You will be left walking across muddy soft clam flats if you are not mindful of the 10-12 foot tides," notes a camper at Narrows Too Camping Resort.
Stargazing after dark: West Bay Acadia RV Campground is a certified dark sky park where "campers are asked to turn outside lights off so there is no light noise to interfere with the beautiful sky full of stars, planets, and meteor showers," according to a visitor's review.
Hiking the quieter side of Acadia: "Just ten minutes away is the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia—a less busy and equally beautiful area of the National Park," writes a camper at West Bay Acadia RV Campground. Many campgrounds also have on-site nature trails for quick morning walks.
What campers like
Waterfront views: "We got a waterfront lot but the brush is blocking most of view. The park is lovely and we look forward to what we discover!" reports a visitor at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort. Waterfront sites are typically more expensive but offer direct ocean or lake access.
Quiet locations away from crowds: "This has to be one of the prettiest campsites we've stayed in. On the water, shaded. Serene," notes a camper at Narrows Too, while another mentions "If you're looking for a camp site close to Acadia without the crowd, look to MainStay in Winter Harbor."
Full hookup convenience: Many campgrounds offer multiple hookup options. "Sites range in price from $125-165/night depending on the season (with possible additional charges for electricity usage)," explains a reviewer at West Bay, while sites at Mainstay Cottages & RV Park are described as "small but there are only 9 with full hook ups."
What you should know
Seasonal closure dates: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. Timberland Acres operates "Mid May to Mid Oct" while Narrows Too extends slightly longer with a season from "May 1 to October 22."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially for waterfront sites. "We were given a site along the highway, and I was very unhappy there. The site isn't even in the main campground area. I would have stayed somewhere else if I knew that's where our site was located," cautions a visitor at Narrows Too.
Varied bathroom facilities: Standards differ significantly between campgrounds. At Timberland Acres RV Park, "Showers & bathhouse was clean and showers were some of the best I've had on a campground. Good water pressure & hot," while at Narrows Too, one visitor noted "the bath houses are horrible. Badly in need of modernization and upkeep. Every morning the toilets were stopped up. The showers were mildewy."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Many campgrounds welcome pets but with varying accommodations. "The campground is VERY dog friendly! Lots of dogs being walked and on campsites," reports a visitor at Timberland Acres, while West Bay has "a short nature trail and off leash dog park."
Swimming options: Not all campgrounds have swimming facilities. "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide. There is a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season," mentions a visitor at Mt Desert Narrows.
Grocery shopping logistics: Plan ahead for supplies. "Grab groceries in Ellsworth if you want to save $," advises a camper at Greenlaws RV Park & Campground, with another adding that Stonington has "a hardware store, small grocery store, two places to get pizza and a few other shops scattered here or there."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully based on your priorities. "Sites in the Woodlands Section (and #18) have nice tall trees for shade; whereas, the others are in full sun," notes a camper at West Bay, while at Timberland Acres, "The larger rig sites in the back are more open with no tree cover."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water quality. "There is defined an issue with the water. When we turned in the tap the water ran brown," reports a visitor at Mt Desert Narrows.
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The Wi-Fi is so awesome that you are given free reign to stream, zoom, or surf without restrictions (in fact they pride themselves on their great Wi-Fi)," says a camper at West Bay, while others note that "WiFi is not good" at Mainstay Cottages & RV Park.
