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Bass Harbor Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations within walking distance of Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Dogs are welcome at both the tent sites and cabins, with multiple reviewers noting the campground's dog-friendly atmosphere and convenient dog walking areas nearby. The tent sites feature fire pits and picnic tables, while shower facilities remain clean and well-maintained. Pets must be leashed throughout the campground, though several campers have mentioned seeing local campground dogs roaming freely. The campground maintains grassy areas suitable for pet exercise, and bathrooms are stocked with waste disposal options. The pet-friendly policy extends to all accommodation types including their small cabins that many find perfect for camping with dogs during cooler weather.
Hiking trails near Bass Harbor Campground provide excellent options for dog owners seeking outdoor adventures. Two beautiful hiking paths—Ship Harbor and Wonderland—lie just 0.7 miles from the campground, both offering scenic ocean views and pet-friendly terrain. While on the quieter side of Mount Desert Island, this location provides a peaceful alternative to the more crowded sections of Acadia National Park. Nearby Quietside Campground also welcomes pets with spacious sites offering more privacy for those camping with dogs. The campground's rustic cabins accept pets for a reasonable fee, and the grounds feature clean bathroom facilities with warm showers. Most sites throughout the area implement a standard quiet hours policy from 10 PM to 7 AM, helping ensure barking doesn't disturb neighboring campers. Southwest Harbor, just a short drive away, offers pet supply options and veterinary services if needed during your stay.
"The campsites are primitive (no electricity, water or sewer) and there are no showers on site - there is a pay shower close by outside the park."
"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."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Our family of four plus one pet was impressed with the transportation system provided by Acadia in partnership with L.L Bean. Free buses are pet-friendly which allowed for maximum exploration."
"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."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"They are mainly open in the evenings but also appear to serve lunch and breakfast on the weekends. The camp store was well stocked also."
"My cousins, my husband and our dog rented a deluxe cabin in September, and it was perfect."
"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."
"are in a pinch, a cute gift shop for the Bass Harbor Lighthhouse (bring your lighthouse passport with you to get stamped here), have coffee/muffins in the morning, washrooms were very clean, laundry, dog"
"Decided on Bass Harbor after considering the only available tent site at Seawall (very small and close to neighbors)."
"This is a nice campground located close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."
"We love the state parks and unorganized, off the beaten path camping. This is definitely not that!"
from $60 - $81 / night
Check Availability"We decided to move around and camp in 3 locations to fully experience all that Acadia had to offer, but this easily became my favorite. And we have already booked a second trip only staying there!"
"Close enough to Acadia National Park and BarHarbor for sightseeing, beach going, outdoor sports and hiking There are great restaurants and waterfront activities nearby."
"**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"
"Very dog friendly and everyone seemed very responsible as far as no barking and picking up after their pets. At night we drove over to Fraser Point and took amazing photos of the northern lights."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Pet friendly. They gave us a site under low hanging branches that were too low for our 5th wheel. They had no problem changing us to accommodate our rig! Very kind staff! 🙂"
"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."
ScoutStayed Here for one night after picking up a new travel trailer nearby. The staff and campers were all very friendly and welcoming. Much of the population consists of seasonal campers with huge RVs and Motor Homes. It’s very adult oriented, super quiet, and super clean. There are nice little walking trails and a small fenced in dog park where dogs can play. Would definitely stay here again if in the area!
Legend**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. Hadley’s Point is a large private campground that has tent, water& electric RV, and full hook up sites, as well as Cabins. The campground is broke up in to multiple loops (campground map can be found in my pictures) with some loops in open areas with little shade and sites close together, and other loops have more wooded sites that have some shade and privacy. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring.
Reservations are site type, not site specific, so a little bit of a gamble. We were assigned site B27 on this visit. This site was partially shade depending on the time of day and very close to our neighbors. Other sites in the B loop did have more trees and more private, but they were full on this stay. Check-in was easy and the staff was very helpful in providing info and answering questions about the area. A host guides you to your site and assist you in positioning if needed.
The bathroom on B-loop does not have showers so we had to hike to other loops to shower. The Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The showers are metered and cost $0.50 per 7 minutes, so don’t forget your quarters!
Firewood and limited supplies were available at the office. There is a full grocery store about 10 minutes away.
We found good cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The campground did not have wi-fi.
The campground also has a heated pool, playground, and laundry.
With Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park close by, there is so much to do and see in the area. One of the best benefits of the area is that there is a free shuttle with multiple routes around the island, so you can leave the car and parking hassles behind and just shuttle everywhere. The Shuttle has a stop right on the campground and is dog friendly (on leash and if your dog is friendly).
Speaking of dog friendly, I’ve never been to an area that is so dog friendly. The campground staff was very forthcoming with dog friendly info and I have to mention Bark Harbor in downtown Bar Harbor. Bark Harbor is a pet store that bakes their own treats, has toys and gifts, and tons of info on dog friendly areas on the island. They have pre-printed lists of dog friendly hotels, restaurants, on and off leash hiking trails, and dog parks. Super friendly crew that keyed us into an off leash hiking area that our dogs loved!
Pro Tip: A short ¼ mile walk from the campground is an off leash dog friendly beach that you can also launch your kayak or canoe from or have a sunset beach campfire. We really enjoys this beach after a long day of hiking all around the national park.
With all the outdoor activities of the national park, kayak and boat cruises in the ocean, lobster, lobster, lobster, you’ll need a full week to explore this island. Hadley’s Point made it a perfect place for us to take it all in.
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**Product Review: **
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I tested the Morsel Spork. This spork from Morel is very handy to have in your gear list. We are teardrop campers, so our space is limited. Everything has to have a purpose and be compact. Items like the Morsel Spork, that serves multiple functions, fit right into our needs. We purchased both the mini and the XL. Both are the same (spork on one end, spoon/scraper on the other end), but the XL is a little longer. We found this very functional for regular eating from plates or bowls, or eating directly from food packets. I also found the scraper spoon side useful in cleaning out our french press carafe. Easy to clean, easy to use, comes in multiple colors, and happy to have it a part of our camping equipment.
GuideWe stayed at this campground unexpectedly as two places I was looking at would not accept reservations less than 24 hours in advance. They had availability, offered wooded tent spots, and were affordable as some campgrounds anymore are charging an arm and leg to camp. When we arrived, the girls in the office were super sweet. They had the essentials needed if you are in a pinch, a cute gift shop for the Bass Harbor Lighthhouse (bring your lighthouse passport with you to get stamped here), have coffee/muffins in the morning, washrooms were very clean, laundry, dog park, dog run, small rec center, and pool. Tent sites are nicely wooded and spaced out, so you are not on top of one another. Quiet hours are between 10 PM and 7 AM, and it was so nice to camp in peace and quiet with others wanting the same thing. There are homes close by, but they are fenced off and really are out of sight, so it's not really an issue. The Bass Harbor Lighthhouse is literally 500 feet away. We could hear the bouy ding from our campsite. There are two beautiful hiking trails .7 miles away from the campgrounds: Ship Harbor and Wonderland, that bring you to beautiful ocean views. One of the Acadia Park entrances is 5 minutes away. Southwest Harbor is a short ride away to grab an ice cream or a nice dinner. There is a brand new mini golf center further down the road that is amazing!! The Acadia Mountain trail is not far nor is the Cranberry Island Ferry. This was a prime location to see another side of Bar Harbor, see beautiful sites and avoid the crowds of downtown Bar Harbor. So happy I stumbled across this campground by accident. I would highly recommend and will definitely return!
LegendOverall, this is a great little private RV park with awesome views (from some sites) and great access to the ocean. The park is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Belfast (a sweet little Maine town) which offers plenty to do and see. Plus, you are just five miles from the cute town of Searsport which houses the wonderful Penobscot Marine Museum and two miles from Moose Point State Park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and more gorgeous views.
The park offers a variety of sites (44 total) depending on if you want oceanfront, ocean view, or a pull-thru. All sites have electric (50 or 30 amp), water, cable and wifi. The five pull-thru sites also include sewer. A mobile sewer pump-out service is available for guests staying one week or longer and there is a dump station. Roads and sites are gravel with grass patios and level. All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. Our Verizon 4G phone and Hotspot worked great but we mostly used the free wifi which worked very well.
Park amenities include private ocean access, horseshoes, playground, laundry, showers/bathrooms, free coffee in the morning, free weekend papers delivered to your site, free donuts on Sunday mornings, and a restaurant on-site. The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, and free wine and beer during Friday Happy Hours. The laundry has two wash machines/dryers and was clean and tidy.
The Moorings is in a great location. It is just a few miles from downtown Belfast where you will find restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, a movie theater, art galleries, historic museums/sites, and plenty of water-related activities. Grocery stores and fuel stations are within a few miles of the RV Park. Just a mere 20 miles away is the popular coastal town of Camden.
What we liked about this park is the town of Belfast and how close the RV park is to downtown. Also, the parks small size and friendly people make this an enjoyable place to stay. We like the fact that they had social activities (like free happy hour and donuts) that bring people together. The ocean access in this park is great! A short set of stairs takes you down to the water which is great for exploring, launching kayaks, and letting the dog run/swim when the tide is out.
The biggest downside for us was the price and lack of sewer and 50 amp at some sites. Our site was $66/night for a FHU (50 amp) pull-thru on the hill in the front of the park without much in the way of a water view. Premier oceanfront sites (with no sewer and 30 amps) are $72/night during high season. That being said, there are not too many options for campgrounds in the Belfast area and we really did like staying here.
From a dog owners perspective this park gets mixed reviews. The rules ask that dogs be on a 4’ or less lease, you may only have two pets (unless you get prior approval), they must do their business in one small area and are not allowed on most grassy areas throughout the park. We make a consorted effort not too let our dog pee or poop in others yards but we don’t always have control over where that happens. We did like the fact that you could take them down to the ocean to play in the water and on the beach when the tide was out. Within two miles of the RV park is Moose Point State Park with a few miles of hiking trails, picnic area and water access (a daily use fee is charged). Downtown Belfast does have a fenced off-leash 1.4 – acre dog park with water for dogs and benches for owners.
GuideMy family and I stayed at this KOA this past week. It was agreat experience! That staff was awesome and over the top accommodating. We had a pull through site with full hook up right across from the on site Lobster Trap Cafe. The site was spacious and comfortable. The whole campground was neat and clean. Staff members pick up trash throughout the day at all of the sites. The Lobster Trap had a good menu, and great customer service. They are mainly open in the evenings but also appear to serve lunch and breakfast on the weekends.
The camp store was well stocked also. There is also an island shuttle bus stop right at the entrance to the campground. There is a gas station and take out restaurant ( Island Take Out) right across from the entrance as well. There was a nice dog park as well. Cell service with AT&T was great. Cell service with T-Mobile was spotty. We did not try the campground wifi. The only down side to the trip was gnats and mosquitos, but that was all over the island and no fault of the KOA. This was one of the best KOA's we have visited and we will definitely stay there again when we visit Acadia.
GuideWe camped for years and years at Mount Desert Campground with our four children and my Sister-in-Law and her two sons. The kids are all grown now and are taking their own camping trips to this amazing place. It is a family run campground with immaculate grounds and bathroom facilities on Somes Sound in Mt. Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest. There are so many activities and amenities just minutes from this lovely campground but, if you choose to stay put...you will not be disappointed. There are lovely camp roads to walk, run, or bike. Fresh air to breathe, an epic long dock to catch and release crabs near, kayak or canoe rentals, and so much more. The Camp store has wonderful provisions including homemade bear claws in the am to enjoy with coffee or tea. It is above and beyond a family favorite place to camp in Maine.
GuideHadley's Point is a private campground just outside Acadia National Park. This campground prides itself on being family-friendly and welcoming to pets.
Children are allowed to bike throughout the campground until dusk. While we stayed, there was a campground-wide Fourth of July bike parade. The kids loved it.
Pets are welcome but cannot be abandoned in the motorhome when you leave. Plan to take your pet with you everywhere.
Hadley's Point offers laundry facilities, showers, a heated pool, cornhole, and shuffleboard. While the pool is heated, it is not hot -- or even very warm. But this is Maine we are talking about, and I'm sure that the water was warmer than it would otherwise have been.
The campground is primarily designed to accommodate RVs and motorhomes. The large fields and open lots for RVs provide ample parking and the campground offered electricity as well as other hookups.
Cute cabins offer cozy sleeping (but no running water) for visitors without tents or RVs.
We brought our tent and felt a little like second-class citizens at this RV-focused campground. The tent sites were tiny. Our large van, tent, and screened-in pavilion covered the entire site, leaving very little walking space. Our site also lacked trees for shade and hammocks.
Worse yet, the campground has an infestation of Black-Legged Deer Ticks -- the ticks responsible for Lyme disease. We found two on our son during our stay. I hope they treat for these ticks soon because it poses a huge risk to their campers.
There is a lot of potential for this campground but they need to spray the grounds for ticks and create more comfortable sites. They could be awesome if they shifted their focus from trying to fit as many people as possible to creating a comfortable camping experience for all.
Pros:
- Heated pool
- Bathrooms cleaned regularly
- Laundry
- Good price
- Good location
- Playground
- Kid and pet friendly
- Island Explorer Bus stops at the campground
Cons:
- Cramped sites
- Ticks
- Crowded
TravelerPerfect pet friendly campground near Acadia but far enough away from it all. Friendly staff, peaceful nature setting on the water, and starry nights. Clean bathrooms and large campsites. Couldn’t have asked for more. Great also if you love kayaking or paddling!!
GuideGreat place to camp outside the crazy tourist packed Acadia but only a 25 minute drive to the park. Very nice sites, flush toilets and showers. I got a lake view site but also forested sites available. Pet friendly camping. Would definitely go back!
Acadia National Park dominates camping options near Bernard, Maine, with the town positioned on the western side of Mount Desert Island, often called the "quieter side" compared to Bar Harbor. Winter temperatures typically range from 10-30°F, with summer averages between 60-80°F. Most campgrounds near Bernard operate seasonally from May through October, with mid-June through August representing peak camping season when advance reservations are essential.
Hiking at Schoodic Peninsula: Take the less crowded route to experience Acadia at Schoodic Woods Campground, which connects to miles of coastal trails. "Easy access to trails and bike paths. Easy nightly ranger programs," reports Michelle H., who found the campground's location ideal for accessing multiple trail options without the crowds of the main park.
Kayaking from waterfront sites: Launch directly from your campsite at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort during high tide. The campground features "a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season," notes Kasey M., who found water access convenient for impromptu paddling sessions.
Stargazing at low-light locations: Some campgrounds offer exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. Kyle R. recommends: "Walk down to the beach just outside seawall on a clear night for some of the best stargazing you'll ever see." The minimal light pollution in this area makes for dramatic Milky Way viewing, particularly during new moon phases.
Clean shower facilities: Unlike the national park campgrounds which lack showers, Smuggler's Den Campground provides free hot shower facilities. Jen V. shares that "the bath house, while old, was among the brightest and cleanest I've ever seen in a private campground. Very impressive, especially given the volume of campers staying there. They also had free hot showers, which apparently is a rarity on Mt. Desert Island."
Island Explorer bus access: Many campgrounds connect to the free island shuttle system. At Hadley's Point Campground, Jenna L. found this particularly useful: "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."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Bernard: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with designated exercise areas. Seth W. notes that Smuggler's Den provides "every possible kind of sight, RV, pop-up, tent, Cabin, Rustic Cabin, and tents on platforms" while maintaining pet-friendly policies throughout the property. Most campgrounds require leashes and proper waste disposal.
Reservation limitations: Some campgrounds don't take advance bookings. One camper explains: "The Bar Harbor Campground does not take reservations so you can pick whatever open site you want and if you want to extend your stay, you can. When you arrive, you get a map, find an empty site, get set-up and then go back to the office to register."
Waterfront site limitations: Waterfront camping often comes with space constraints. A camper at HTR Acadia observed: "Although the campground is on the water, don't expect to get a water front spot unless you reserve well in advance, even during the week. There are probably about 5 campsites actually on the water, maybe another 8 or 10 have water views of some sort."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes and biting flies can be intense in certain areas. Kyle R. warns: "Just remember to bring a ton of bug repellent, or opt to go during the months where bugs are less mild." Late May through June typically sees the heaviest insect activity, with conditions improving by mid-July.
Pool amenities for kids: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities that children particularly enjoy. At Bass Harbor Campground, Melissa N. found "it has a pool, which my daughter loved but I much preferred going down the road to the lake to swim. It's walking distance to the Bass Harbor Head Light, and that is just beautiful."
Playground facilities: Kid-friendly amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. Seth W. notes that Smuggler's Den provides "a large playground for children and a large field for anything from badminton to football." These common areas give children space to play while allowing parents to socialize with neighboring campers.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities provide family learning opportunities. Michelle H. mentions "great nightly ranger programs" at Schoodic Woods Campground that engage children with local wildlife and ecology information. These programs typically run 30-60 minutes and are designed for all ages.
Dump station timing: Plan your departure carefully to avoid long waits. One RVer at Schoodic Woods observed: "There was only one dump station for Loop B. Each RV took about 15 minutes. If you are third in line, you will be waiting." This is especially important during peak checkout times around 10-11am.
Site selection considerations: Not all waterfront sites accommodate larger rigs. At Mt. Desert Narrows, one camper noted: "The RV spots are a bit narrow, but have a nice firepit with grill and good picknick bench!" Sites with both water views and adequate size for larger RVs typically book months in advance.
Hook-up variations: Water quality and hook-up types differ between campgrounds. A camper at Mt. Desert Narrows reported: "When we turned in the tap the water ran brown" and "Come to find out none of the oceanfront sites have sewer." Some campgrounds offer pump-out service for an additional fee on specific days of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bernard, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bernard, ME is Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 98 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bernard, ME?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near Bernard, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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