126 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Brooklin, Maine include established campgrounds and waterfront sites along the rugged Maine coastline. Oceanfront Camping at Reach Knolls in Brooklin provides tent and RV sites with ocean views, while nearby Acadia National Park offers multiple developed campgrounds including Blackwoods and Seawall. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering cabin rentals and glamping options. The area's proximity to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park makes it a strategic base for exploring Maine's coastal landscapes and recreational opportunities.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping in the Brooklin area, with most campgrounds operating from May through October. Winter conditions make off-season camping impractical in most locations. "The campground is new, so it is sparkling clean. The sites are good size, with enough distance between sites for privacy," noted one visitor about Schoodic Woods Campground in the Acadia system. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months, particularly for waterfront sites which fill quickly. Many campgrounds require advance booking through recreation.gov or private reservation systems. Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger coverage near towns and limited or no service in more remote camping areas.
Campers consistently praise the coastal views and natural setting of campgrounds in the Brooklin area. Several visitors mentioned the quiet atmosphere of camping on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island as a significant advantage compared to more crowded areas near Bar Harbor. The region's campgrounds typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water. Bathroom facilities range from rustic vault toilets to modern shower buildings depending on the campground. While some campgrounds like Mount Desert Campground offer amenities such as camp stores and ice cream, others maintain a more primitive experience. Proximity to hiking trails, kayaking opportunities, and scenic coastal drives represents a common highlight in camper reviews, with many noting the balance between natural setting and accessibility to local attractions.
"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"
"Beautiful, quiet location with views of the deer isle bridge and access to walking the beach. Owners are so nice and friendly and accommodating. Sites are mostly private and have space. Very clean."
"Site number 4 was great it was tucked away a bit yet still had a nearby bathroom and a 3 minute walk to the seashore which was beautiful!"
from $29 - $39 / 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."
"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"**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
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ScoutThis is our first campground... I'd say the bathrooms are clean and the campground itself is pretty spacious when it comes to parking which isn't what I saw with alor of others. We extended our stay because its been the staff and environment has been really nice. We have site 35 which has been secluded and nice. We are going to 11 which has a partial waterfront view but not super close to water.
GuideLocation/Location - near the major attractions with clearly marked trails to hike to Adventureland. Sites were small but separated nicely with trees and shrubs. Only 50% full week after Labor Day. Also, Forrest ranger education in amphitheater each evening. Great park and stay!
GuideBeautiful setting, huge sites, and hike and bike trails right from the campground. Would come again!
ScoutThis campground is wonderful and I highly recommend. Check-in was a breeze. There is ample room for multiple rigs to park during check-in. We reserved a golf cart for our stay as the campground is large. The golf cart was ready upon our check in. We were happy that we had it for the week we stayed.
There is a family fun zone with water slides, pools, mini golf, etc. It is small enough to easily keep watch over children, but large enough for them to have fun. There is a little cafe by the pools so parents can easily purchase food and treats without leaving the area.
We stayed in "D" Loop. It was very quiet there. There is space between the campsites and we didn't feel like we were crowded.
The entire campground was very clean. The bathroom/shower facilities and laundry are cleaned multiple times a day. The campsites and roads were groomed, level and very clean.
There were always plenty of staff working at any given time. All were very pleasant and helpful.
We will definitely stay at this campground again when in the area.
Scout15 minutes from Bangor, affordable, about $55/nite. We like it, quiet, clean w/ fun activities. Dog friendly
GuideStayed three nights and really everything was great. Site was close to the eastern bay and sunrise. Bathroom were old, rustic rustic, and a quarter to shower. Pool was nice and laundry facilities was actually really nice and lots of machines. Spent a very rainy day morning doing laundry. That’s what you do when it is racing cats and dogs, right? Location to Acadia and Bar Harbor just fine. Big benefit was the restaurant across the street, Lobster Pound! Yes, ear there at least once. Not cheap but great hot lobsters roll and lobster feast. Yum yum!
TravelerLet me start by saying, I’ve “camped” very few times in my life. We ended up here on a whim and I couldn’t have asked for more. The staff were friendly and informative. Even had a cookie for the dog. There were some items for sale as well as a few books about the history of the camp and the owners.
We were in spot 24. Three sides were surrounded by trees, bushes…nature…you get it. There was a picnic table and a fire pit. It was quiet, we didn’t hear the other campers. There are a few apple trees on the property that lended something to the vibe.
The views were incredible. The sunset and sunrise were so stunning I ran out of words to describe them.
The stars were so vibrant. With each passing hour more were revealed.
If I find myself in Maine needing a little reprieve, I’ll be returning.
ScoutLovely and peaceful property. Owners responsive; no contact check in. Would stay again if in the area
ScoutWe had a terrific stay at Blackwoods campground. It was very quiet throughout our stay despite being almost at capacity; other campers were respectful and friendly. The campsite and bathroom were clean, but bring your own hand soap! Friendly, frequently seen rangers and professional/informative check-in. Acadia is amazingly beautiful, with many hikes nearby and a free shuttle bus that can take you to several different spots throughout Acadia.
Camping sites near Brooklin, Maine occupy a unique peninsula jutting into Penobscot Bay, with rocky coastlines and wooded inland areas ranging from 0 to 300 feet above sea level. Summer water temperatures rarely exceed 60°F even during July and August, creating a distinct microclimate that keeps inland camping areas cooler than many coastal Maine locations. Most campgrounds in the region don't accept reservations until mid-April due to frost conditions.
Kayaking from campsites: At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls in Brooklin, campers can launch directly from the water access areas. "Kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," notes one visitor who stayed at a waterfront site.
Exploring tide pools: Waterfront camping provides opportunities to observe marine life at low tide. "With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding," reports a visitor at Seawall Campground, which is accessible within a 40-minute drive from Brooklin.
Crab catching: Many coastal campsites have docks where children can engage in simple fishing activities. At Mount Desert Campground, one family 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!"
Stargazing opportunities: The low light pollution provides exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Seawall notes, "A 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."
Local lobster access: Many coastal campgrounds have arrangements with local lobstermen. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, one reviewer appreciated "getting fresh lobster from the local lobster man that lives on the grounds, they even supply you with a pot to boil them!"
Morning coffee options: Several campgrounds offer coffee services for those who don't want to brew their own. At Mount Desert Campground, campers enjoy the "Gathering Place" where you can get "fresh ground local coffee every morning and local Giffords ice cream at night." Another visitor specifically mentioned enjoying "cold brew coffee in the morning" as "a nice treat while camping."
Outdoor showers: Unique to coastal Maine camping, outdoor shower facilities are often preferred by seasoned campers. "Hubby used the outdoor shower and thought it was great," noted a visitor to Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, while another camper called their "really nice outdoor shower" a standout feature.
Less crowded swimming spots: Alternatives to popular beaches are prized by regular visitors. As one Mount Desert Campground camper shared, "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!"
Limited shower availability: Many campgrounds have restricted shower hours or pay systems. At Bar Harbor Campground, "showers are 25 cents/5 minutes," while other locations have specific operational hours: "Showers were ~2 miles away, open 4-7 pm and $1.50 for 2 minutes of water."
No-reservation policies: Unlike most camping destinations, some campgrounds operate on first-come systems. 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." The system works differently than most: "When you arrive, you get a map, find an empty site, get set-up and then go back to the office to register."
Site allocation methods: At campgrounds requiring reservations, understanding the system is crucial. "You reserve a type of site, and then for an additional fee can reserve a specific site, if desired," explains a camper who stayed at Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
Seasonal blueberry picking: If camping between mid-July and mid-August, some campgrounds offer unique foraging opportunities. Bar Harbor Campground features "blueberry fields free to pick July to August," making it a unique seasonal attraction.
Pool availability: Several campgrounds maintain pools as alternatives to ocean swimming. Smuggler's Den Campground offers "a great playground and a nice pool with slide," according to a visitor, while another mentioned that the "playground and pool looked brand new."
Campsite layout considerations: Family groups should research site configurations before booking. At Smuggler's Den, "site #16, right across from the office" was noted as "perfect location for those traveling with small kids, as it was just a stone's throw from both the bathhouse and playground."
Ice cream options: Kids appreciate evening treats after a day of activities. Mount Desert Campground has a gathering spot offering "local Giffords ice cream at night," while Bar Harbor KOA features an ice pop treasure hunt: "If you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop. It's the simple things in life, right?"
Biking infrastructure: Many campgrounds have child-friendly biking areas. At Mount Desert Campground, "kids ride their bikes everywhere. I'd say kids get to be just the right amount of feral here. It's a safe, quiet and fun park."
Size restrictions: Many coastal Maine campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. Mount Desert Campground "limits occupants to RVs less than 20' in length and have about a 50/50 mix of tent campers and small RV campers." As one visitor noted, "Campers over 20 feet are not allowed. The sites are large however the terrain is difficult to navigate."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with hookups have dump stations. At Mount Desert Campground, "There is NO dump station located at the campground however a few miles down the road, there is a campground that allows you to use theirs for a $20.00 fee."
Campground navigation challenges: Tight turns can be problematic for larger rigs. At Hadley's Point Campground, one RVer "incurred damage to our vehicle relying on the eyes/directions of an employee" during site placement, warning that "the sites are very close together, some are shaded, some not."
Site-finding strategies: For campgrounds without reservations, timing is everything. At Bar Harbor Campground, veterans advise to "come in early morning and wait for others to leave to grab the best sites. Or grab whatever is available and look the next morning for who leaves the better sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Brooklin, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Brooklin, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Brooklin, ME and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Brooklin, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Brooklin, ME is Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 102 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Brooklin, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Brooklin, ME.
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