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Searsport Shores Ocean Campground welcomes pets but requires them to remain on leash at all times and prohibits leaving animals unattended in RVs or vehicles. Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Castine provide accommodations ranging from tent sites to cabins, with varying amenities for four-legged companions. Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA features a dedicated dog park where pets can play off-leash, while Hadley's Point Campground offers a short quarter-mile walk to an off-leash dog-friendly beach perfect for sunset campfires after a day of hiking. Camden Hills State Park Campground permits pets at most sites with proper vaccination records. Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss allows dogs at all six of its primitive tent and RV sites, though the campground lacks hookups and requires campers to pack out waste.
Acadia National Park's Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds both accommodate pets on trails and in designated camping areas, though specific pet policies vary by season. The Island Explorer shuttle service running throughout Mount Desert Island welcomes leashed, friendly dogs aboard, eliminating parking concerns when visiting popular hiking destinations. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM to prevent excessive barking. The Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia offers less crowded pet-friendly hiking options approximately 45 minutes from Bar Harbor. Nearby towns provide veterinary services and pet supply stores, with Bar Harbor featuring Bark Harbor, a specialty pet shop that bakes their own treats and maintains pre-printed lists of dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, hiking trails, and dog parks throughout the region. Most campgrounds limit pets to two per site unless prior approval is obtained.
"Pet friendly BUT must be in leak at all times. Cannot be left alone in RV or vehicle. No sewer. Friendly atmosphere"
"beautiful campground with a lot of space for kids and/or dogs to run around, including a jungle gym, basketball court, volley ball, and a dog run. they have a garden of veggies, and flowers, a stage for"
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"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."
"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"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"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"Dogs are allowed. It is dry camping, with no hookups, and generators are not allowed. The owner had a picnic table set up with flower boxes in it, and there was a nice fire ring."
"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
Check Availability"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."
"This is a nice campground located close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."
from $60 - $81 / night
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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.
GuideThis is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay. The amenities are all well done, limited in scope. The result is a quiet atmosphere. Troy and his wife (the owners) are very friendly and helpful. Our AT&T reception was fine for streaming, internet access and calls. We did not use the laundry facilities and showers but they were clean and welcoming. And it is pet friendly. Located near Stonington, it is near the harbor, restaurants, a sand beach and the ferry to Isle au Haut. Opportunities for Kayaking, SUP’s and hiking abound here on a quiet island. Stonington has some great restaurants and is a quaint fishing village. The harbor is beautiful. And it is not far from busier areas like Blue Hill, Brooklin, Castine and a one hour ride from Mount Desert Island. What we enjoyed most was the lack of crowds and many places to just sit and enjoy the views.
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.
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!!
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
Castine sits at the tip of the Blue Hill Peninsula in Maine, with campgrounds located between 10-45 minutes away in neighboring coastal towns. The region experiences summer highs around 75°F and lows near 55°F, making July and August the peak camping months. Many campgrounds in this region provide waterfront camping with direct access to Penobscot Bay, the Eggemoggin Reach, and protected coves that offer kayaking opportunities.
Kayaking from campsites: At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, campers can launch directly from water-access areas. "My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves so much that we immediately booked the same site for a return trip in the fall. We went swimming at their beach and saw a seal!" shares Joe R. The nearby Blue Hill Peninsula offers protected paddling options in calm coves.
Wild blueberry picking: Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss provides unique camping with self-pick opportunities. "We stayed in campsite 2, where the land is open and flat... It is acres of blueberry fields, which create a special sense of being in nature," writes Heather C. The wild blueberry season typically runs from mid-July through August.
Hiking trails: Camden Hills State Park Campground offers direct access to hiking paths right from your campsite. "What we really liked was the convenient location to downtown Camden and other cute towns, there are hiking trails just outside your doorstep, and you are within five miles of a grocery, restaurants, attractions, etc," notes Nancy W. The park features over 30 miles of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels.
Ocean sunsets: Bar Harbor Campground has sites overlooking Frenchmen's Bay. "I first had a tent space facing the ocean $36. Next morning I found an electric and water spot $40 close by and moved," explains Celeste M. The campground's elevated position provides panoramic views across the bay toward the Porcupine Islands.
Private beaches: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground provides direct shoreline access. "The tent sites are completely separate from the RVs and are in the woods, beautifully maintained. The gardens, grounds and bathroom/laundry amenities that are offered are kept in beautiful clean condition," shares April W. The campground has a small rocky beach with tide pools for exploring during low tide.
Art and music programming: Some campgrounds offer cultural activities beyond typical outdoor recreation. "It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music. We got lucky and stayed on a lovely weekend in September that featured a small, intimate festival and workshop of fiddlers, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and guitars," describes Kathy L. about her Searsport Shores experience.
First-come, first-served policies: Many campgrounds have specific reservation systems. "This is a first come first serve campground. Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours," explains a reviewer about Bar Harbor Campground. Arrive early in the day (before noon) for the best site selection, especially during peak season.
Water-access camping: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Castine offer waterfront options. "Our waterfront site 344 was terrific - gorgeous view, and one of the larger waterfront spots. We could launch our kayaks directly from the site," reports Heather C. about Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA. Note that waterfront sites typically cost 25-40% more than standard sites.
Limited hookups: Several campgrounds offer primitive camping without full amenities. "It is dry camping, with no hookups, and generators are not allowed," mentions Heather C. about Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss. Many campgrounds operate on well water systems with conservation measures in place.
Swimming options: Pools provide controlled swimming environments for families with children. "Very family friendly camp, with lots of activities for kids. The camp store is large and well stocked," notes Meghan B. about Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA. Most campground pools operate from late June through early September, depending on weather conditions.
Playground amenities: Hadley's Point Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "The campground had a pool, hot showers and laundry that cost money, and a cute little office for all your information needs," shares Alison R. Many campgrounds in the region offer playgrounds suitable for different age groups.
Free transportation: The Island Explorer bus system connects campgrounds with nearby attractions. "The Island Explorer bus for Acadia National Park stops at the campground, so you have easy access without driving," explains Heather C. The shuttle typically operates from late June through mid-October with specific routes and schedules.
Site selection for larger rigs: Blackwoods Campground accommodates various vehicle sizes but requires planning. "Tent sites are all gravel so be sure you have a thick footprint to protect a delicate nylon floor," advises Sarah C. Many campgrounds have limited sites for RVs over 35 feet, so early reservations are recommended.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full sewer hookups. "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," notes Nancy W. about The Moorings Campground. Weekly rates typically provide better value than daily rates for extended stays.
Tight campground roads: Navigate carefully within older campgrounds. "The gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig," reports Nancy W. about Camden Hills State Park Campground. Some campgrounds recommend unhitching towed vehicles before proceeding to your site, especially in areas with limited turn-around space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Castine, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Castine, ME is Searsport Shores Ocean Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Castine, ME?
TheDyrt.com has all 84 dog-friendly camping locations near Castine, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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