Situated within an hour's drive of Acadia National Park, Bangor's surrounding camping areas stretch from inland ponds to coastal settings. Many campgrounds remain open from May through October, with seasonal closures typically happening after Columbus Day. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer, with nighttime lows sometimes dipping into the 40s.
What to do
Kayaking at Branch Lake: Launch directly from your campsite at Branch Lake Camping area where the 26.5-mile perimeter lake offers excellent paddling opportunities. "At low tide you can do fun rock designs on the shore... we had loons come in close to our site. Saw an Eagle too," noted one visitor who enjoyed wildlife viewing from their waterfront site.
Explore Bar Harbor: Located about 45 minutes from many Bangor area campgrounds, Bar Harbor provides shopping, dining and coastal activities. "Close to Belfast and the Fort Knox," mentions a camper from Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, highlighting the proximity to regional attractions.
Island Explorer Bus Access: Skip driving and parking hassles by using the free shuttle service. "The campground is on the Island Explorer bus loop, which is the bus that takes you all around Mount Desert Island, to Acadia, and Bar Harbor. We used the bus almost every day, and it was super helpful because you do not want to try and find parking in Acadia in the peak season," explains a visitor who stayed near Bar Harbor.
What campers like
Private woodsy tent sites: Many campgrounds separate tent camping areas from RV sections for a more natural experience. At Hadley's Point Campground, campers appreciate the layout: "It felt a bit secluded from our neighbors thanks to the trees, but we could sometimes easily hear the neighbors to the back of us." The natural buffer creates a more secluded camping experience.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance remains a priority at most Bangor area campgrounds. "The showers are nice and hot, it's quiet here at night, and it's such a chill atmosphere," reported a first-time camper at Paul Bunyan Campground who extended their trip from one night to a week due to the positive experience.
Lake and ocean access: Waterfront campsites allow for immediate water activities. "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)," explains a camper about their Bar Harbor KOA experience. Many campgrounds provide boat rentals for those without equipment.
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Some campgrounds have tight spacing while others offer more room. At Parks Pond Campground, a visitor noted: "Nice long term campers, incredibly clean bath house and the owners were so wonderful... They have two wading areas, playground, sand box, laundry and arcade as well as a general store for extras you may have forgotten."
Tent restrictions may apply: Some campgrounds limit tent sizes or quantities. Check before arriving with oversized equipment. Several campgrounds near Bangor enforce a 10x10 maximum tent footprint per site.
Internet connectivity varies: Some campgrounds charge for WiFi access. "Only real disappointment was lack of cell coverage for AT&T and if you want internet you must buy a package. Upside to purchased package - there are very little slow downs. Just be sure to only use the number of devices you purchased. We paid $69 for 3 devices for 30 days," noted a camper at Pleasant Hill Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Many campgrounds offer organized family events throughout the season. "We did the pancake breakfast for donation, crafts, and wagon ride during the day as well as enjoyed the well kept pool. The kids loved the playground and the ice cream window," shared a visitor about their experience at Bangor Holden KOA.
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Kid-friendly amenities make family camping easier. One camper at Searsport Shores noted the campground has "a jungle gym, basketball court, volleyball, and a dog run. They have a garden of veggies, and flowers, a stage for entertainment... they have goats here!"
Consider cabin options for easier family trips: Yurt camping near Bangor, Maine provides an alternative for families not ready for tent camping. "The cabin contained a queen sized bed and a set of bunk beds. It also had a private bathroom with metered shower. 50 cents got you a hot, 7 minute shower, which was plenty of time!" reported a family who stayed in a cabin at Hadley's Point.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal site availability: For larger RVs, sites with full hookups fill quickly during peak season. Book well ahead for summer weekends. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)" sites are available at Bangor Holden KOA and other campgrounds around Bangor.
Consider proximity to bathhouses: RV sites without sewer connections benefit from being near facilities. "Quick walk to bathrooms & showers, which are very clean. Held lots of activities over the weekend, busy crowd," observed a Labor Day weekend camper.
Site leveling requirements: Terrain varies across campgrounds. "We were put on a shared site that had a pull thru in the middle of the two sites. Small site and not private," noted one RVer about their experience, while another mentioned, "our site was level and easy to back into" at a different campground.
