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Best Campgrounds near Bar Harbor, ME

689 Reviews

Camping options near Bar Harbor, Maine range from established campgrounds to mixed-use facilities, with several located within Acadia National Park. Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground provide traditional tent and RV camping experiences within park boundaries, while Bar Harbor Campground offers waterfront views just outside the park. Mount Desert Campground and Schoodic Woods Campground accommodate tent, RV, and cabin camping with varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in the region feature fire rings, picnic tables, and communal toilet facilities, with some offering electric hookups for RVs.

Seasonal availability significantly impacts camping in the Bar Harbor region, with most facilities operating from May through October. The peak summer season brings higher occupancy rates and warmer temperatures. "This is a first come, first served campground. Show up early to get the best sites or grab whatever is available and look the next morning for who leaves the better sites," noted one visitor describing Bar Harbor Campground's no-reservation policy. Many campgrounds in the area operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months. Cash or check payment is common at several facilities, with limited credit card acceptance.

Campers frequently mention the ocean views as a highlight of their Bar Harbor camping experience. Several sites at Bar Harbor Campground offer views of Frenchman Bay, with wild blueberry picking available in mid-summer. A recent review noted, "We loved this campground! Views of ocean by the pool/playground and wild blueberries around the park." The Island Explorer shuttle bus provides transportation throughout the region, allowing campers to leave their vehicles behind while exploring Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. Proximity to hiking trails, carriage roads, and ocean access points makes the area particularly attractive for outdoor enthusiasts. While RV camping is widely available, tent campers may find some sites offer less privacy due to the developed nature of many campgrounds in this popular tourist destination.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bar Harbor, Maine (115)

    1. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    98 Reviews
    Seal Harbor, ME
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3274

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Great location being about not to far from Bar Harbor. Walking distance of the Park loop, if you would like to drive the loop, it is down the road a bit. Access to several different trails."

    "Blackwoods has a great location on mount desert island. 15 mins from bar harbor, ocean path trail, Jordan pond and top of cadilac mountain."

    2. Mount Desert Campground

    37 Reviews
    Mount Desert, ME
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3710

    "Campground within 15 minute drive from Bar Harbor and Park Loop Trail. Breathtaking views from the lake! We stayed in a platform site. It was better than expected.. we’ll be back for sure!"

    "Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest."

    3. Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park

    53 Reviews
    Bass Harbor, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3600

    $22 - $60 / night

    "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."

    "The grounds are a bit off the beaten path, away from Bar Harbor and the hot spots of Acadia National Park. However you won’t lack for things to do."

    4. Schoodic Woods Campground — Acadia National Park

    37 Reviews
    Winter Harbor, ME
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-1300

    $22 - $60 / night

    "made the decision to visit Acadia National Park, I blindly made a reservation for a site at one of the campgrounds, not really paying attention to where specifically in the park the campground was located"

    "It’s about an hours drive from the main/popular trails and Bar Harbor. We loved the sleepy and peaceful vibe of Winter Harbor."

    5. Bar Harbor Campground

    32 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-5185

    $60 - $81 / night

    "We love the state parks and unorganized, off the beaten path camping. This is definitely not that!"

    "We 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."

    6. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    37 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3520

    "Being in a prime location near a national park, it is both pricey and crowded."

    "This campground has beautiful tent sites along the waters edge."

    7. Hadley's Point Campground

    29 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-4808

    $29 - $90 / night

    "**Campground Review: ** Hadley’s Point Campground is located on the north side of Mt Desert Island and just a short distance from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."

    "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."

    8. Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort

    22 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Not far from Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor."

    "Some of the sites are very close to one another...we happened to get lucky with a site with more space. The proximity to Acadia and Bar Harbor was fantastic."

    9. Smuggler's Den Campground

    21 Reviews
    Southwest Harbor, ME
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 244-9033

    "Island explorer bus stops at the campground for access to Bar Harbor and the rest of island. Great way to explore Acadia national park and Bar Harbor."

    "Multiple sights with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. This campground has every possible kind of sight, RV, pop-up, tent, Cabin, Rustic Cabin, and tents on platforms."

    10. HTR Acadia

    17 Reviews
    Mount Desert, ME
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3890

    "My wife and I stayed at Somes Sound for 4 nights on our Maine honeymoon trip in July. We absolutely loved our stay. We set up at camp site 9. Incredible view of the sound/water."

    "Close to Bar Harbor as well as many areas of the park. They have a clean bathhouse, swimming pool, waterfront with a dock for reading or fishing or just watching the sun rise."

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Recent Camping Photos near Bar Harbor, ME

365 Photos of 115 Bar Harbor Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bar Harbor, ME

689 Reviews of 115 Bar Harbor Campgrounds

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Machias Rips Campsite

    Nice enough

    There are about 5 spots. Some are rough and not super flat, but it's pretty and the river is right there. You can hear the highway but it's not too bad. Only real negative for me was nowhere to really walk my dogs, nothing even close to a trail nearby. Just the highway.

  • Missy R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Camden Hills State Park Campground

    Autumn in Maine

    Camden Hills is an ideal camping location. Sites are spacious, they have a variety of trails, and the town of Camden is charming.

    Beware of weekend campers. I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

    Fun Fall Stay

    Stayed here in October, the week before they shut down for the season. Staff was friendly and super helpful. Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods.

  • Missy R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Camden Hills State Park Campground

    Fall at Camden Hills State Park Campground

    I was worried when I decided to come to this part of Maine in the fall without reservations. It’s early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive and find plenty of vacant spots.

    The campground is large, and most of the sites are on the larger side. They tend to be nestled into the woods with plenty of trees, dividing the sites. Though some of the smaller RV sites are more compact.

    It’s a great location, close to Camden, Maine, and not far from other attractions.

    I’m here in 2025 and they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable

  • Yung H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Good spot but wood is rough

    I love the spot but all the wood is from outside the campgrounds. Its not so “dry” more like just chopped and bundled had to tend to it for over a hour+ just to get enough dry to keep the fire going. But overall a very nice quite camprground.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Machias River Camp off Route 9

    My favorite spot in Maine!!

    Super cool mixed use land with established campsites. 6 or 7 in total I think. Right on Machias river. Great ATT service.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Megunticook Campground

    Watch out for their prices

    Online the prices was 40$ for a tent site. We didn’t need water or electric just a spot to sleep for the night. I called to reserve cause the website wasn’t very easy to work with and the man on the phone said 76$ but couldn’t explain costs and was rude with the “you’ll not find another spot for this cheap!” Which we did. For less than half that cost. So watch out on prices and the extra charges.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    So lucky!

    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 so no disruptive folks like so many campgrounds. The bathrooms don’t have showers of course but they are so clean it was a great thing from other sites pit toilets. If you’re in Acadia this is the spot!

Guide to Bar Harbor

The Acadia National Park region near Bar Harbor, Maine ranges in elevation from sea level to 1,530 feet at Cadillac Mountain, creating diverse camping microclimates. Summer temperatures average 75°F during the day but drop to 55°F at night, requiring campers to pack layers. The granite-based soil throughout the region drains quickly after rain, helping campsites dry faster than more clay-based areas.

What to do

Hiking from your campsite: At Blackwoods Campground, trails connect directly to the park's larger network. "Hiked across Cadillac Mtn and walked south and right back to camp. Sites were very gravely for tents and not level," notes one camper, highlighting the direct trail access despite challenging tent sites.

Kayaking in Somes Sound: Waterfront campsites at Mount Desert Campground offer water access. "We rented double kayaks from the front office for 2 hours and kayaked Somes Sound - it was beautiful water & amazing exploring! A bit more difficult with the ocean currents vs lake kayaking, so keep that in mind with kids," reports a visitor. The rental office provides life vests and basic instruction.

Winter Harbor exploring: The quieter Schoodic Peninsula section offers less crowded trails. "Located at the Schoodic Institute is the Education and Research Center which offers interesting programs and has a visitor center. The town of Corea has a great waterside restaurant where you can sit outside and eat lobster while watching the boats go in and out," shares a visitor.

What campers like

Wild blueberry picking: Campers at Bar Harbor Campground enjoy seasonal foraging. "Great campground. No reservations taken so get there early to get his sites," mentions one reviewer, while another states, "Mid July to Mid August free blueberries campside." The wild blueberries grow naturally throughout the campground and are available for guests to pick.

Platform tent sites: Many campgrounds offer wooden platforms to keep tents dry and level. "The campground has amazing water sites right on the water with great views but these sites are pretty close together and hard to get since the campground is first come, first served," notes a reviewer about Bar Harbor Campground. Platform sites help with the rocky, uneven terrain common in the region.

Clean facilities: "The bathrooms were clean and the campground was well maintained. Our site wasn't raked before arrival and there were lots of leaves and debris on the site. We camped here in late May 2019 so maybe they were still working on cleaning up after the winter," explains a visitor to Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort.

What you should know

No reservation options: Some campgrounds operate strictly first-come, first-served. "This is a first come first serve campground. Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours. I first had a tent space facing the ocean $36. Very close to the Pool for one night. Next morning I found an electric and water spot $40 close by and moved," explains a Bar Harbor Campground visitor.

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across the area. "WiFi was non-existent unless you got a site near the main office. Cellular reception was very mediocre. If you want to lose contact with family, friends, business... this is the place to go," notes a camper at Schoodic Woods Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Bar Harbor, Maine?

Bar Harbor offers excellent camping options both near town and throughout Mount Desert Island. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park is highly regarded for its prime location just 15 minutes from Bar Harbor with easy access to popular attractions like Ocean Path Trail and Cadillac Mountain. Mount Desert Campground is another top choice with breathtaking lake views and clean facilities, located within a 15-minute drive to Bar Harbor. Other excellent options include Hadley's Point on the north side of the island and Bar Harbor Campground. For those seeking a quieter experience away from crowds, consider campgrounds on the island's western side like Seawall or Bass Harbor.

What are the typical rates for campgrounds in Bar Harbor?

Campground rates in Bar Harbor vary based on amenities, location, and season. National Park campgrounds like Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park are typically more affordable, ranging from $30-40 per night for standard tent sites. Private campgrounds offer a wider range of prices. Hadley's Point Campground provides tent, water & electric RV, and full hookup sites at varying price points. Most private campgrounds charge $35-50 for basic tent sites, $45-65 for water/electric sites, and $55-90 for full hookup RV sites. Premium waterfront or specialty sites often command higher rates. During peak season (July-August), expect prices to be at their highest, while shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October) offer better values.

Are there oceanfront or beach camping options in Bar Harbor?

Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park offers a serene oceanfront camping experience on the southwestern side of Mount Desert Island. While it's about 25 minutes from the main section of Acadia, it provides a picturesque coastal setting with more seclusion than campgrounds closer to Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA is another option providing waterfront views and coastal access. Though true beach camping is limited in the immediate Bar Harbor area, many campgrounds offer water views or quick access to shorelines. The oceanfront camping options typically fill quickly during peak season, so advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for prime waterfront sites.

Are there family-friendly camping options in Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor excels at family-friendly camping options. Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins provides a welcoming family atmosphere with immaculately maintained grounds. The owners make guests feel like family, and while it's slightly removed from Bar Harbor, it offers good access to Winter Harbor for hiking and cycling. Bass Harbor Campground is another excellent family option on the quieter side of Mount Desert Island. Many families return to Mount Desert Campground year after year, creating traditions across generations. Most campgrounds in the area offer amenities families appreciate, including clean bathrooms, showers, and proximity to family-friendly activities in Acadia National Park and surrounding communities.

What types of RV accommodations are available in Bar Harbor?

Timberland Acres RV Park offers dedicated RV sites with amenities including a camp store with basic supplies. The park provides various hookup options but campers should be aware of potential noise from the water pump system at certain sites. Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground is another excellent option for RVers, though it's a bit further from Bar Harbor. Most RV parks in the area offer water, electric, and sewer hookups, with some providing cable TV and WiFi. Many accommodate big rigs, though road access on some parts of Mount Desert Island can be challenging for larger vehicles. Reservations are essential during peak season as RV sites throughout the Bar Harbor area fill quickly.

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