Bass Harbor's camping options extend beyond Acadia National Park to include privately operated sites along the western side of Mount Desert Island. The area known locally as the "quiet side" typically experiences cooler temperatures than inland Maine, with summer highs averaging 75-80°F and overnight lows sometimes dropping to the upper 40s even in July. Most campgrounds in this region operate from mid-May through mid-October, with water systems winterized outside these dates.
What to do
Kayaking from the campground: Some facilities offer direct water access for launching kayaks, particularly at Mount Desert Campground where guests can rent equipment. One visitor noted, "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."
Hiking to nearby attractions: Bass Harbor Campground provides easy access to multiple hiking paths. A camper shared, "It's walking distance to the Bass Harbor Head Light, and that is just beautiful. Rarely is there ample parking at the light, so walking from your site has its advantages."
Stargazing opportunities: Seawall Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. According to a visitor, "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."
What campers like
Natural wildlife viewing: Campers at Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA appreciate the marine wildlife visible from waterfront sites. One review stated, "The next 5 nights we were at an 'Oceanfront' site, which was really great and worth the extra money to watch the seals, birds, and easy access for kayaking."
Heated swimming pools: Several campgrounds maintain pools for when ocean waters prove too cold. A guest at Smuggler's Den Campground mentioned, "They have everything, from rustic tent sites with mountain views, to a full hookup section that looks like a small-scale KOA. Camp store was well-stocked, playground and pool looked brand new."
Floating docks for recreation: Mount Desert Campground provides access to floating docks popular with families. A camper reported, "The BEST part of this campground for our family was Somes Sound and the floating docks. We purchased a crab bucket with net from the coffee shop one morning for around $10-12. It was well worth it as my kids crab gigged for HOURS off the docks every day!"
What you should know
Limited shower facilities: National Park campgrounds have restricted shower options. At Seawall Campground, "There isn't a shower facility at this campground. The markings for the sites could have been better. The site I stayed at (D2) wasn't marked well from the parking and the only marking was about 15 ft back in the woods."
Reservation challenges: Many popular sites book far in advance. At Mount Desert Campground, "If you want a waterfront campsite - good luck! They let the families book them year over year so it's hard to get an opening to reserve those sites."
Island transportation options: Free shuttle service connects many campgrounds. A Hadley's Point Campground visitor shared, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife activities for kids: Create simple exploration opportunities. A visitor to Mount Desert Campground noted, "We carefully swam to the small rock island next to the dock and collected sea snails. The water was cold but felt great when hot. Watch out for jelly fish!! We took our chances by swimming around them."
Playground access: Smuggler's Den Campground offers family-friendly amenities. As one camper described, "Camp store was well-stocked, playground and pool looked brand new, and the bath house, while old, was among the brightest and cleanest I've ever seen in a private campground."
Selecting family-oriented sites: Choose locations based on needs. A camper recommended, "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
Site selection considerations: Bass Harbor Campground accommodates various camping styles but with limitations. A visitor observed, "Very small campsites very close to each other. Absolutely no seclusion or privacy whatsoever. As this is generally my #1 feature in a campground, it was disappointing."
Navigating tight campground roads: Some facilities present challenges for larger rigs. At Bar Harbor Campground, "Roads in the park are paved but some corners can be a little tight for big-rigs, best to unhitch your tow car up front in case you have to back up."
Seasonal timing strategies: Visit during shoulder seasons for better availability. A camper at Bar Harbor Campground shared, "During the summer season this place is really busy but calms down when kids go back to school."
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