128 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Deer Isle, Maine span from established campgrounds to private seaside retreats. Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground in Stonington provides RV and tent camping with wooded and open sites, while Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls in Brooklin features tent sites, RV spaces, and glamping accommodations with ocean access. Other camping areas in the region include rustic island sites along the Maine Island Trail, which offers secluded tent camping on islands like Shivers Island and Buckle Island for experienced paddlers.
Access and reservation requirements vary substantially across Deer Isle camping destinations. Most established campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with peak visitation occurring during summer months when temperatures average 65-80°F. Many privately operated campgrounds require advance reservations, while the Maine Island Trail Association sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis for members. Island camping requires sea kayaking experience and preparation for changing weather conditions, including fog that can affect navigation. Cell coverage is limited on the islands and in some remote areas. A recent review highlighted that "landing at high tide is nearly impossible on Shivers and many other islands," an important consideration for paddlers planning island camping.
Waterfront access and ocean views consistently rank among the most valued features for campers in the Deer Isle region. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, campers appreciate the beach access, with one visitor noting they "went swimming at their beach and saw a seal." Sites with ocean views tend to be the most sought-after, with several campgrounds offering designated waterfront locations. The region's camping areas generally maintain a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, with many reviewers specifically mentioning the privacy of sites and tranquil settings. Campgrounds on the mainland provide varying levels of amenities, from basic outhouses to full shower facilities, while island camping requires complete self-sufficiency, including carrying all water and using wag bags for waste. The Deer Isle archipelago's camping experience centers on natural beauty, marine wildlife viewing, and stargazing opportunities away from light pollution.
"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"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."
"Really great views of the ocean and Deer Isle. Stayed at site 8 which had unobstructed views of ocean and close to path to beach. Def worth the visit"
from $29 - $39 / 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"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."
"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"
"My boyfriend and I drove all around looking for a camping place in the Bar Harbor area but nothing was open because it was the end of April."
"Esthetically it is a little rough around the edges, so as we pulled in our first impressions were not great. However, the site we were in was quite nice with enough room for 22' camper."
"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."
"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."
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
GuideThis is a nice very quiet campground. It is off the beaten path. The bathrooms were clean and the staff pleasant. It was well kept.
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.
Camping spots near Deer Isle, Maine vary from shaded forest settings to oceanfront locations with tide-influenced access. The coastal region sees frequent fog during summer mornings that typically burns off by midday, impacting visibility for island campers. Temperatures range from 45-60°F in May and September to 65-80°F during peak season in July and August.
Stargazing opportunities: At Seawall Campground, campers can experience exceptional night sky viewing just a short walk from their site. "A short walk across the street to the beach just outside seawall on a clear night for some of the best stargazing you'll ever see," notes Kyle R. The minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for viewing celestial features.
Kayaking from your campsite: At Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, waterfront sites allow direct water access for paddlers. "We could launch our kayaks directly from the site. The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," reports a visitor. Most waterfront sites require advance reservations, especially during July and August.
Hiking without driving: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access without needing transportation. At Smuggler's Den Campground, "Hiking trails connect to the back of the campground for access to Beech Mtn and Echo Lake beach," explains Erin S. This provides convenient day hiking options within walking distance of your tent or RV.
Wildlife observation: Marine wildlife sightings are common from waterfront camping areas. One visitor to Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls mentioned, "We went swimming at their beach and saw a seal!" Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities from shoreline camping sites.
Private wooded sites: Many campers value secluded spots with natural separation. At Mount Desert Campground, "The sites all had a decent amount of privacy and trees between sites. It felt more comfortable and private than expected!" according to Whitney W. Sites with natural buffers tend to fill quickly during peak season.
Campgrounds with direct water access: The ability to swim or paddle directly from camp ranks highly. One visitor to HTR Acadia noted, "Beautiful view of the water. Highly recommend the waterfront sites." These premium spots typically require reservations 6-12 months in advance.
Clean shower facilities: After outdoor activities, clean bathrooms matter to campers. Camden Hills State Park Campground provides "Excellent shower house" facilities according to visitors, with one camper noting, "Bathrooms were clean. We stayed in a pop-up camper. We had plenty of room for our camper."
Outdoor showers: Some campgrounds feature unique shower options appreciated by campers. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, Chuck W. commented on "a great outdoor shower," while another visitor mentioned "two enclosed outdoor showers and one indoor shower. Hubby used the outdoor shower and thought it was great."
Limited services on Deer Isle: Stonington and surrounding areas have fewer amenities than larger towns. A visitor to Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground noted, "The area is remote, services are around but limited." Plan accordingly by bringing essential supplies.
Reservations essential for waterfront sites: Ocean-view sites book months ahead. At Mount Desert Campground, "If you want a waterfront campsite - good luck! They let the families book them year over year so it's hard to get an opening to reserve those sites," explains a recent camper.
Weather variability: Coastal weather can change quickly, requiring preparation. At Camden Hills State Park, one camper advised, "Bring your own water though," highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency regardless of facilities available.
Off-season availability improves: September offers better site selection with fewer crowds. "It's early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive and find plenty of vacant spots," reported a Camden Hills visitor.
Choose campgrounds with dedicated kids' areas: Facilities designed for children provide entertainment options. At Smuggler's Den Campground, "There is a great playground and a nice pool with slide. Hiking trails connect to the back of the campground for access to Beech Mtn and Echo Lake beach," notes a family camper.
Look for crabbing opportunities: Kids enjoy marine wildlife activities at waterfront sites. At Mount Desert Campground, "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!"
Find campgrounds with easy lighthouse access: Historic structures interest children and provide educational opportunities. Bass Harbor Campground provides convenient lighthouse access as "It's walking distance to the Bass Harbor Head Light, and that is just beautiful. Rarely is there ample parking at the light, so walking from your site has its advantages."
Consider beach proximity: Water access provides natural entertainment for children. At Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, one family noted, "Beach front, able to swim and SUP right from the campsite. Amazing fire pit." Sites with water access typically cost 20-30% more than standard sites.
Size restrictions at some campgrounds: Many Deer Isle area campgrounds limit RV length. At Mount Desert Campground, "Sites are not made for large RVs. They can fit smaller camper trailers and pop-ups, but that's about it," explains a visitor. Always confirm size limits before booking.
Water and power placement: Hookup locations vary by campground and may require extensions. At HTR Acadia, one RVer mentioned, "Our site has water and electric on the wrong side," highlighting the need to bring longer hoses and cords as backup.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. One RVer at Mount Desert Campground noted, "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."
Leveling considerations: Coastal terrain often means uneven sites. A visitor to Camden Hills State Park commented, "Our site was on a hill but getting the camper in was easy." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for most campgrounds in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds on Deer Isle, Maine?
Deer Isle offers a mix of mainland and island camping experiences. Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls is highly regarded for its quiet location, ocean views, and private sites with beach access. For adventurous campers, the Deer Isle Archipelago offers island camping through the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA). Marshall Island features beautiful wooded sites near Sand Cove with gorgeous beaches. Other excellent MITA options include Buckle Island, Wheat Island, and Saddleback Island, each offering unique coastal camping experiences. For those seeking mainland accommodations, there are also options near Stonington on the southern part of Deer Isle.
What amenities do Deer Isle campgrounds offer?
Amenities at Deer Isle campgrounds vary widely depending on the type of camping experience. Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss offers private campsites on open, flat land with plenty of space for camping setups. This private land camping provides a unique blueberry field setting with multiple sites offering different views and privacy levels. The island camping options through the Maine Island Trail Association like Wheat Island are more primitive, focusing on natural beauty rather than facilities. Mainland campgrounds typically provide basic amenities like clean restrooms, outdoor showers, and some offer water access. Most sites are well-maintained with good spacing between campers for privacy.
Can you RV camp on Deer Isle, Maine?
Yes, RV camping is available on Deer Isle, though options are more limited than tent camping. Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground near Stonington accommodates RVs with appropriate hookups and facilities. For a unique experience, Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss has flat, open land with ample room for RVs, particularly at site #2. When planning an RV trip to Deer Isle, consider that some areas of the island have narrow, winding roads that may be challenging for larger rigs. It's advisable to call ahead to confirm site dimensions and accessibility, especially during peak summer months when availability is limited.
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