116 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bernard, Maine provides access to several established campgrounds within Acadia National Park and surrounding areas. Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground are two National Park Service options with tent and RV sites, while private operations like Mount Desert Campground, Smuggler's Den, and Bass Harbor Campground offer additional amenities. The campground landscape includes a mix of waterfront sites, wooded settings, and both primitive and developed facilities. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate tents and RVs, with several also offering cabin rentals and some featuring glamping options or yurts, particularly at Bass Harbor Campground and HTR Acadia.
Seasonal operation significantly affects camping availability, with most facilities open from May through October. Blackwoods operates May 1 to October 31, while Seawall has a shorter season from May 25 to September 5. Advance reservations are essential during peak summer months, especially for waterfront sites and holiday weekends. The National Park campgrounds typically require reservations 60 days in advance and fill quickly. Facilities vary considerably between locations - National Park campgrounds lack showers but provide toilets and drinking water, while private campgrounds offer more amenities including electric hookups, showers, and camp stores. A camper noted, "Schoodic Woods Campground is well worth the travel time. The campground is new, so it is sparkling clean. The sites are good size, with enough distance between sites for privacy."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with Mount Desert Campground earning particular praise for its location on Somes Sound. Campers report varying levels of privacy between sites, with Schoodic Woods offering more spacious and secluded options compared to the denser layouts at Blackwoods and Seawall. Several reviews mention the excellent hiking opportunities directly accessible from campgrounds. One visitor described Mount Desert Campground as "just as beautiful and spectacular as the actual Acadia National Park," noting that "each site had its own privacy - that was our favorite part - you felt like it was just you and nature, but in reality you were surrounded by people." The proximity to Acadia National Park's attractions represents a major draw, though campgrounds on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island offer a more peaceful experience away from the crowds of Bar Harbor.
"Close proximity to Bar Harbor and a lot of the main attractions of the national park. Showers are just outside of the entrance to the campground, coin operated."
"quiet, wooded, relatively secluded. good spot at 111 where we stayed. nice places for tents. private showers outside main camping area were a positive since none in camping area itself."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This campground is quiet, walking distance to the ocean. Family oriented. There are however, no showers. Most of the walk in campsites are only steps away from the parking lot."
"We stayed at the tent walk in sites (D25) The sites are close together but otherwise, well maintained."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest."
"Our site was right next to a potable water spigot, and within easy walking distance to a bathroom building which includes full plumbing and metered showers (4 quarters for 5 minutes)."
"This campground has beautiful tent sites along the waters edge."
"It 11 miles to Bar Harbor town proper and only 8.7 miles to the Hulls Cove Acadia National Park visitors center and the entrance to the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road."
"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."
"It has all the things is usually stay away from because I like a little bit more primitive accomadations- less family style."
"Decided on Bass Harbor after considering the only available tent site at Seawall (very small and close to neighbors)."
"Tent campers have a much prettier space than RV, as with most campgrounds, and they have a lot across the main road which is perfect for tent camping. if you have multiple sites for large gatherings you"
"We love the state parks and unorganized, off the beaten path camping. This is definitely not that!"
"This is a nice campground located close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."
from $60 - $81 / night
Check Availability"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."
"I showed up to Maine unprepared with a place to stay. Somes Sound View Campground was the only campground I could find in the area with availability."
"**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."
"There was a fire ring outside of the cabin and a picnic table. We purchased firewood at a stand close to the campground."
from $29 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Schoodic Loop Road -- less popular than the main park "Park Loop Road", provides access to gorgeous shore line views and more hiking trails, but RVs and trailers aren't allowed past the campground entrance"
"Although it is quite a ways off the beaten path, Schoodic Woods Campground is well worth the travel time. The campground is new, so it is sparkling clean."
from $22 - $60 / night
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TravelerWe stayed one night. Standard Maine camp - neighbors 20’ away on three sides.
Price is $25-$70.
This is a good spot if you’re visiting Jonesport or Cherryfield.
Staff is very friendly.
TravelerWent end of Aug/Early Sept. We stayed in spot WE 8 which neighbors a small creek and forest around most of it. Space was smaller and requires leveling but was perfect for our 20ft Camp Trailer.
TravelerThe campground is on the banks of Lake Superior with a great beach.
GuideRecreation.gov campground with a fee. No showers but everything else is great. Good location plenty of water and dump stations. In the woods but very close to the ocean
ScoutIts a great location, easy access. The local free bus comes right to the park entrance if you dont want to drive to Bar Harbour and goes to many other locations in Acadia National Park
ScoutAwesome place. Clean bathrooms and super helpful people. It is right beside the road so you do hear traffic fairly often. Other than that would totally recommend :)
ScoutKids were in bed in our camper. Wanted to watch a replay of a sporting event on our outside tv and a staff member told us no tvs or music after 10pm. The TV volume was extremely low and was bothering nobody. I could hear multiple crying children in the distance over the low volume of my tv but the staff didn’t knock on their camper doors and tell them no crying after 10pm. Apparently adults can’t be respectful adults and enjoy themselves for an hour when their kids go to bed. Will never come back to this place.
ScoutThis app states that you can’t reserve ahead but you can. We didn’t and were still able to stay ( we just moved to another site mid stay) campgrounds are clean. Staff is very friendly. The wild blueberries on the grounds are delicious and in abundance. Both sites were pull though and easy to get level on. Bar Harbor is about 20 min away. We have our tri-glide with us and it was easy to get around the grounds and state. PSA for travelers the lobster spot across the street is delicious and will serve a hot lobster roll. We learned that the “Maine” way is served cold even if it says hot. lol it’s the butter that warm unless you ask for hot lobster.
ScoutVery quiet,clean and very nice peaple easy parking and set up , all gravel level camping spot
The Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park offers several camping spots near Bernard, Maine for visitors seeking a quieter alternative to the main park area. Located on the western side of Mount Desert Island at an elevation of approximately 150 feet, Bernard provides convenient access to both the "quiet side" of Acadia and the more developed eastern section. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-75°F with foggy mornings common in June and July, creating unique camping conditions across the region's mix of wooded and waterfront sites.
Hike directly from camp: At Blackwoods Campground, trails connect directly to the broader park network. "We were able to walk to the shuttle pickup and ride it to all stops in the park, and to Bar Harbor. It was so convenient! We had to drive offsite to showers, though," explains Roxanne R., highlighting the accessibility despite some facility limitations.
Explore Ship Harbor Trail: Seawall Campground puts you within walking distance of this popular coastal trail. "Definitely check out ship harbor trail and the seawall, both very close and walking distance from the campground. There is also a shuttlebus that runs from the campground all day," advises Laura L., who appreciated the convenient location.
Kayak Somes Sound: Water access makes Mount Desert Campground perfect for paddling. "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," notes Whitney W., emphasizing both the beauty and challenges of ocean kayaking.
Private wooded sites: Tent campers appreciate the seclusion at Smuggler's Den Campground. "Our host was very understanding about what we were looking for and found us the perfect site- on a dead end overlooking a mountain side. It had an awesome pit and a bunch of trees to hang our hammocks," shares Molly G., who found privacy despite initial concerns about the campground's amenities.
Waterfront camping: The ocean proximity is a major draw for many visitors. "My waterfront site 344 was terrific - gorgeous view, and one of the larger waterfront spots. We could launch our kayaks directly from the site. The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Nartows," reports Heather C. from Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, though noting that waterfront sites get crowded at sunset.
Stargazing access: The dark skies create perfect viewing conditions. "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," explains Kyle R. from Seawall Campground, showing how natural features enhance the camping experience beyond daytime activities.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others don't. "The Bar Harbor Campground is a first come first serve campground. Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours," explains Celeste M., detailing how the unusual system lets you upgrade sites during your stay if better ones become available.
Shower facilities: Most national park campgrounds lack showers. "The bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a designated dishwashing drain to keep animals away from the campsites. Best part though was the lack of biting flies and mosquitoes!" shares Dana S. about Blackwoods, highlighting the trade-off between basic facilities and other benefits.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping experience significantly. "Bathrooms are clean but some showers don't have moveable shower head and that's tricky depending on your height. Hot h2o though and great water pressure," notes audra H., addressing practical concerns beyond just campground amenities.
Pool access: HTR Acadia (formerly Somes Sound View Campground) offers swimming options beyond natural waters. "Great campground. Staff is helpful, sites are clean. Definitely a tent friendly place. 90% of the sites are well shaded, and most have plenty of room. Great pool and other facilities," writes IAN P., emphasizing the family-friendly amenities.
Wildlife watching: Kids enjoy the natural entertainment options. "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!" Whitney W. shares about Mount Desert Campground, describing an inexpensive activity that kept children entertained.
Transportation options: The Island Explorer shuttle system makes getting around with kids easier. "The Island Explorer bus for Acadia National Park stops at the campground, so you have easy access without driving, if desired," mentions Heather C., noting the convenience for families wanting to avoid parking hassles.
Site selection guidance: RVers should research carefully before booking. "We have a tiny trailer that fits in a tent site. But when reserving online, being unfamiliar with the campground, we were prompted to enter the total length of trailer + vehicle. That put us in loop C with huge RVs much closer together than the other loops," cautions Karla J. B. from Seawall Campground.
Hookup limitations: Full services aren't available at all campgrounds. "Sites are not made for large RVs. They can fit smaller camper trailers and pop-ups, but that's about it. It actually adds to the campground ambience as it keeps things quiet and more of an outdoor camping experience!" explains Whitney W., noting how this restriction actually improves the camping atmosphere.
Leveling considerations: Many sites require preparation. "All sights are decently leveled having some slight grades for drainage so no sights are flooded," notes Seth W. about Smuggler's Den, providing practical information about site engineering that affects RV setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bernard, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bernard, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Bernard, ME and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bernard, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bernard, ME is Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 100 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bernard, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Bernard, ME.
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