138 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The coastal peninsula of Castine, Maine serves as a practical base for camping throughout the Penobscot Bay and Acadia region. Campgrounds near Castine span from oceanfront tent sites and state park campgrounds to private RV resorts with full hookups, accommodating tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin or glamping accommodations. Within an hour's drive, campers will find everything from oceanfront sites at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground to more secluded options like Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss, a small private campground with just six sites set among blueberry fields. The proximity to both mainland coastal areas and island destinations makes Castine particularly well-positioned for those wanting to experience different parts of Maine's coastline.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with peak season running from late June through Labor Day weekend. Advance reservations are essential during summer months, particularly for waterfront sites and locations within Acadia National Park. As one camper noted about nearby Schoodic Woods Campground, "Make sure to book in advance as this is a popular place and fills up as soon as the reservations open." Weather conditions remain relatively mild during camping season, though coastal fog and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better connectivity at campgrounds closer to towns and more limited service in wooded or remote coastal areas.
Campers consistently praise the ocean views and coastal access available at many sites near Castine. A reviewer of Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss noted, "The land was quiet and peaceful - it is acres of blueberry fields, which create a special sense of being in nature." Facilities range from basic (many Acadia National Park campgrounds lack showers) to full-service RV parks with all amenities. The trade-off between convenience and tranquility is a common theme in reviews, with campgrounds farther from tourist centers generally offering more peaceful experiences. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer commonly spotted at campgrounds and coastal sites providing excellent bird watching. Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for kayaking, with several reviewers mentioning the proximity to boat launches and paddling areas.
"Direct access to Maine's rocky shore. Everything you need to be comfortable including hot showers and bathrooms cleaned three times a day."
"On our way out we had some trouble with our electric entry steps. Steve and another member of the community came and helped us out until we were able to rectify the problem."
from $14 - $168 / night
Check Availability"Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas. 9 out of 10 times I visit Camden (one of my favorite places in Maine), I stay at this campground."
"As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"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"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 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"You are close to Castine, Ellsworth, Blue Hill, Deer Isle and Stonington. "
"This location offers level sites, views of rolling blueberry fields, a picnic table, and other goodies from your host. Lakeisha really takes pride in this property, and it shows."
from $49 - $69 / night
Check Availability"Overall, this is a great little private RV park with awesome views (from some sites) and great access to the ocean. "
"This is a great location from which to explore Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor and towns of Belfast, Rockland and Camden."
"**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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RangerThis is a small campground off the beaten path, on a large lake (known locally as Webber “Pond”) with docks for swimming and boating. Many of the sites are reserved for the entire summer with permanent RVs. There are a cluster of closely spaced central sites that are available for others. The bathrooms were clean and showers warm. Fellow campers and sat were welcoming and friendly.
ScoutThis campground is fine, but there are no showers. The bathrooms are in good shape, and the sites are okay. They're decent size, but you're still not gonna have much privacy from your neighbor.
It's a busy campground. There are over 300 sites, and there are not a lot of services, as far as visitor services or anything like that. The amenities are very limited. You just have water at spigots and bathhouses without showers.
GuideTook our 20 foot travel trailer to Blackwoods for 9 nights to explore Acadia! The campground is clean and quiet! The spots are close but we had no issues with neighbors or quiet hours. They are a primitive campground, so no hookups. There are bathroom on every loop with toilets and water but if you need a shower there are coin showers just outside the campground. We truly loved our stay!
ScoutWe can't voice enough, what a great place this is and we will definitely come back
TravelerBeautiful waterfront, location with level lots and scenic views
GuideOur campsite was A2. It’s quite close to the road, so you can hear some traffic noise. The site itself feels fairly private, although you can see some of the neighboring campsites. That said, everyone has enough space, and we never felt like anyone was bothering each other. One thing to note is that you can’t park your car directly at the campsite. You’ll need to carry your gear about 16 feet from the parking spot, which wasn’t a big deal for us. A huge advantage of this site is its location. It’s only about a 2-minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and it’s also very close to the Gathering Place. Every morning from 7–10 AM they serve complimentary coffee and a variety of treats. I highly recommend the cinnamon rolls and cinnamon donuts, it’s absolutely delicious! Just get there early because by around 9 AM they’re usually gone. In the evenings (6–9 PM), they serve excellent ice cream. Firewood ($6 per bundle when we visited) and ice are also available for purchase. Another nice bonus is the free 24-hour Wi-Fi, and Verizon had excellent reception throughout the campground. The lake view from this section of the campground isn’t the best. If I came back, I would probably choose a site farther from the road, preferably closer to the water. The bathrooms and shower facilities are clean and have a charming rustic feel. Showers cost $1 for 5 minutes. There are plenty of staff members around, and they do an excellent job keeping the campground clean, organized, and well maintained. Definitely rent a kayak if you didn’t bring your own! A single kayak was $38 for 4 hours when we visited, and it’s absolutely worth it. The lake is beautiful and much larger than we expected, we paddled for 3.5 hours and still didn’t have enough time to explore everything!
GuideThis campground is only about 12 years old. It is clean, tidy, and well-kept. Sites in B loop are spacious and level. Every one is a pull-through. The sites are well spaced and very private. B loop has water and electric— A loop has smaller sites with electric only. There are no showers here, but the bathrooms are very clean. The dump station is easy to access and the flush hose has the best pressure we’ve experienced.
GuideDecided on Bass Harbor after considering the only available tent site at Seawall (very small and close to neighbors). The main area of Bass Harbor has lots of RV sites as well as a good number of nice looking tent sites. We stayed across the street from the office where there is a large wooded field for tents only. Very pretty sites with trees and dense mossy surroundings. Super easy, friendly staff, not busy - we were very happy with the site we selected and the whole experience in general. Plenty of deadwood around for a small fire; bathroom/showers/wash station clean and easily accessed. A little pricier than the national park options, but worth it to be away from the standard cookie cutter sites we saw elsewhere.
GuideFairly short walk-in to site H4 - very pretty, quiet, small and private site. Surrounded by trees/vegetation, with tent pad and picnic table. Basic, clean outhouse short walk away. Saw only one other couple, heard no one. Only drawback is no campfires allowed at these walk-in sites. We stayed one night. Considered a 2nd night in A-loop but not very appealing - sites were all pretty close to one another and fairly small.
Castine, Maine occupies a unique geographical position at the head of Penobscot Bay, where the Penobscot River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The peninsula sits at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 200 feet, creating varied camping terrain across the region. Campgrounds near Castine experience temperature variations of up to 30°F between day and night during peak summer months, so packing layers for any camping trip is essential.
Kayaking from waterfront sites: At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, paddlers have direct water access. "We kayaked from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," notes a visitor. The campground provides multiple launch points for those without waterfront sites.
Hiking accessible trails: Camden Hills State Park Campground offers numerous trails directly from the campground. A camper explains, "One of the real pluses of this park were the miles and miles of hiking trails just outside our doorstep." The park features both easy and challenging routes within walking distance of most sites.
Tide pool exploration: Many coastal campgrounds provide access to marine ecosystems during low tide. "At low tide you can do fun rock designs on the shore," mentions a Searsport Shores visitor. These intertidal zones offer opportunities to observe crabs, sea stars, and small fish trapped in rocky pools as the tide recedes.
Ocean proximity: Mount Desert Campground offers remarkable water access. "We could launch our kayaks directly from the site," shares one camper who stayed at a waterfront spot. Many sites are positioned specifically to maximize ocean views and water activities.
Evening programming: Several campgrounds organize community activities at night. A camper at Searsport Shores notes, "They have casual jam sessions every night around the bonfire (bring your instrument and they'll fit you in!)." These organized events create opportunities to meet fellow campers.
Rural character: Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss provides a distinctly agricultural setting. "The land was quiet and peaceful - it is acres of blueberry fields, which create a special sense of being in nature," explains one camper. This working landscape offers a different camping experience than wooded or oceanfront sites.
Shower availability varies: Most national park campgrounds like Blackwoods Campground lack shower facilities. As one camper points out, "The closest showers were around 10 minutes away and cost a decent amount." Bring quarters for pay showers at most facilities, typically costing $1-2 for a 5-minute shower.
Limited cell service: Coverage can drop significantly around peninsulas and in wooded areas. Many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi near their main offices only. One camper noted, "We didn't have reliable cell service" at a campsite near Castine, requiring trips to town for connectivity.
Weather volatility: Coastal fog can roll in quickly, reducing visibility and dropping temperatures by 10-15°F in minutes. Morning condensation is particularly heavy at oceanfront sites. Pack extra tarps and rainflys even during clear forecasts, as coastal weather patterns change rapidly.
Oceanfront activities: Seawall Campground offers excellent tide exploration options for children. A family notes, "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."
Animal encounters: Many campgrounds feature wildlife viewing opportunities. "We swam at their beach and saw a seal!" reports a family staying at Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls. Morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Recreation amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated family spaces. At Searsport Shores, one camper appreciated that "There is a rec room... a large but cozy place to hang out if/when it rains, with a fireplace and cozy couches." Having indoor options helps during inclement weather with children.
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds near Castine limit RV size. At Mount Desert Campground, "They limit occupants to RVs less than 20' in length and have about a 50/50 mix of tent campers and small RV campers." Always call ahead to confirm your specific RV can be accommodated.
Utility hookups: Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA provides varying hookup options. "Some rv sites are full hookup, some only electric and water, but there is a dump station onsite," explains one RVer. Water-electric sites typically cost $10-15 less per night than full hookup options.
Challenging terrain: The coastal topography creates navigation difficulties for larger vehicles. One RVer shares, "The sites are large however the terrain is difficult to navigate." Many campgrounds have narrow, winding access roads requiring careful maneuvering, particularly with trailers over 25 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Castine, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Castine, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Castine, ME and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Castine, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Castine, ME is Searsport Shores Ocean Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Castine, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Castine, ME.
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