Mt Desert Island offers camping options for visitors to Bass Harbor, Maine, located near Acadia National Park's southwestern region. The island experiences significant tide fluctuations of 10-12 feet, affecting waterfront campsite access throughout the day. Peak season runs from late June through early September, with most campgrounds operating from mid-May through mid-October.
What to do
Kayaking at high tide: Campers staying at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort can rent kayaks and explore the shoreline, but must time their paddling around the tides. "The RV spots are a bit narrow, but have a nice firepit with grill and good picknick bench," notes a visitor who appreciated the lakefront views.
Visit Schoodic Peninsula: The less crowded section of Acadia National Park is just 5 minutes from Mainstay Cottages & RV Park in Winter Harbor. "If you're looking for a camp site close to Acadia without the crowd, look to MainStay in Winter Harbor. About an hours drive to the main Acadia but just 5 minutes to the Schoodic Peninsula," explains a camper who valued the quieter experience.
Dark sky stargazing: Some campgrounds away from Bar Harbor offer exceptional night sky viewing. "Recently added is a short nature trail and off leash dog park. The campground is a certified dark sky park. 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," reports a visitor to West Bay Acadia RV Campground.
What campers like
Proximity to local seafood: Several RV parks near Bass Harbor provide easy access to fresh lobster. "C-Ray Lobster offers a good lobster dinner in a casual atmosphere that is much less expensive than lobster pounds downtown Bar Harbor (and it is BYOB). Downeast Lobster Pound is our favorite place to buy lobster," shares a camper from Narrows Too Camping Resort.
Peaceful settings: Many campgrounds offer quiet alternatives to the busier Bar Harbor area. "If you are looking for pools and activities this is not the place for you. This is a no frills campground and is absolutely wonderful. It is quiet and so peaceful. We stayed is site U1 which was fantastic. Last site on the deadend road and was very secluded," notes a visitor to Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground.
Natural spaces: Campgrounds around Bass Harbor feature diverse landscapes. "This has to be one of the prettiest campsites we've stayed in. On the water, shaded. Serene," writes a camper who appreciated the setting at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort despite noting issues with hookups and facilities.
What you should know
Cell service and connectivity: Reliable internet access varies significantly by location. "Our Verizon phone got good reception and our hot spot worked well. The campground wi-fi was decent at our site but that depends on where you are in the park and what time of day you are using it," explains a camper at Pumpkin Patch RV Resort.
Facilities maintenance: Quality of bathrooms and amenities differs widely among campgrounds. "However, the bath houses are horrible. Badly in need of modernization and upkeep. Every morning the toilets were stopped up. The showers were mildewy. Uck. And there is defined an issue with the water. When we turned in the tap the water ran brown," reports a visitor who stayed at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort.
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities close by mid-October. "We stayed early in the season, before Memorial Day, and there were very few camp sites that were occupied. The site we chose was one of the premium ocean front lots and it was beautiful," notes a camper who visited Narrows Too Camping Resort during the shoulder season.
Tips for camping with families
Community activities: Some campgrounds organize social events. "I love this campsite. They have sites right on the water, a gift shop, pool, laundry, game room, free showers and the times that I've been there they've had weekly events like ice cream socials and an Elvis impersonator," shares a family who enjoyed the programming at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort.
Playground access: Not all rv parks near Bass Harbor include kid-focused amenities. "The location of this campsite couldn't be better. It's just a short drive from Acadia National Park, Ellsworth, and numerous other hikes and coastal attractions. However, I would primarily recommend this campsite for retirees and couples without children. The park doesn't offer many kid-friendly amenities beyond the pool," advises a visitor to Narrows Too Camping Resort.
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences beyond the campground. "The smaller island towns of Northwest Harbor and Southwest Harbor were more our style than the touristy Bar Harbor. Check out the farmers market in Northwest Harbor and the Common Ground Soup Kitchen in Southwest Harbor for hot delicious popovers," suggests a camper who appreciated the local culture.
Tips from RVers
Grocery planning: Save money by shopping strategically. "Tip: Grab groceries in Ellsworth if you want to save $. We were told by work campers that we could let our dog off-leash in one of the leach fields to throw a ball for her. Super cool," advises an RVer who stayed at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort.
Site selection priorities: Consider what matters most for your camping style. "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!" notes a camper who found their waterfront premium site at Mt Desert Narrows had limited views.
Timing your visit: The Bass Harbor region has distinct advantages during different seasons. "10-15 from downtown Bar Harbor and the gorgeous Acadia NP. We vacationed here for my birthday. We had full hookups with free WiFi and cable. The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide," reports a family who visited Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort in the off-season.