Coastal camping near Deer Isle offers distinct seasonal experiences with temperatures ranging from 45-75°F during peak camping months. The region sees frequent coastal fog and afternoon sea breezes that influence camping conditions. Located along Maine's rocky Atlantic coastline, Deer Isle's campgrounds provide access to protected marine areas and the eastern edge of Acadia National Park.
What to do
Lighthouse exploration: 10-minute walk from Bass Harbor Campground to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. "Walking distance to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and that is just beautiful. Rarely is there ample parking at the light, so walking from your site has its advantages," notes Melissa N.
Kayaking Somes Sound: Launch directly from the waterfront sites at HTR Acadia for protected paddling. "The sites were equipped with hammock trees, fire rings, picnic tables, and even running water and electricity! One of the nights we heard a bunch of coyotes howling nearby which was pretty cool," reports Sam L.
Stargazing sessions: Find dark skies at Seawall Campground's Loop D sites. "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," suggests Kyle R.
Hiking Ship Harbor Trail: Walk directly from campsite to coastal trails. "Definitely check out ship harbor trail and the seawall, both very close and walking distance from the campground," recommends Laura L.
What campers like
Outdoor hot showers: Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls offers unique bathing facilities. "Campground was quiet with spaced out sites and had a really nice outdoor shower! Lori and staff were friendly and it was easy to call and book a spot," reports Grace B.
Quiet tent sections: Tent areas are typically separated from RVs at most campgrounds. "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," shares Melissa N.
Affordable yurt camping: Quietside Campground offers yurt and cabin options at budget rates. "My wife and I rented a 'hobbit' cabin for our anniversary for 3 nights at 50 dollars a night it was a great deal. The on site baths and showers were clean and maintained great," notes Micah B.
Level platform sites: Many campgrounds offer wooden platforms for tents. "We had a site with a wooden platform that was perfectly level. There was enough tree cover that we didn't get soaked during the rain," says Les R.
What you should know
First-come, first-served options: Some campgrounds don't take reservations. "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," explains Nancy W.
Off-season advantages: September camping brings fewer crowds. "I was worried when I decided to come to this part of Maine in the fall without reservations. It's early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point," shares Missy R.
Water access varies: Not all waterfront sites offer swimming areas. "The bottom part does not, however, have true water access for swimming or kayaking. The closest place for this the Camden City Park, which is 2.5 miles away," advises Heather C.
Limited cell service: Coverage is spotty throughout the region. "We didn't have reliable cell service. The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30," mentions Karla J. B.
Tips for camping with families
Island Explorer buses: Use the free shuttle service from Camden Hills State Park Campground. "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," shares Jenna L.
Hunt for painted rocks: Some campgrounds offer special activities for kids. "My daughter begs to camp here. As with any KOA they have lots of activities throughout the day for families, and a pool, but she loves the ice pop contest. If you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop," explains Melissa N.
Reserve cabins early: Yurt camping near Deer Isle, Maine fills quickly. "We stayed in the Potting Shed cabin for 3 nights. Bathroom was clean and had plenty of sinks, toilets and showers. Water was hot for showers and there was a nice dressing area," reports Cheryl K.
Bring quarters: Most shower facilities require coins. "Showers were ~2 miles away, open 4-7 pm and $1.50 for 2 minutes of water," notes Karla J. B.
Tips from RVers
Consider site location carefully: At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA, waterfront sites are premium. "Our waterfront site 344 was terrific - gorgeous view, and one of the larger waterfront spots. We could launch our kayaks directly from the site," shares Heather C.
Bring leveling blocks: Many sites are on uneven terrain. "Our site was on a hill but getting the camper in was easy. Water pressure was low, but the WiFi was awesome," notes TJ S.
Site selection system: Some campgrounds have unusual reservation systems. "Once you're in the park if you want a different site that has a better view or FHU's, the best thing to do is drive or walk around the section you are interested in and if you see someone packing up put a personal item," explains Nancy W.
Arrival timing matters: Mid-week arrivals find better availability. "I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy," advises Missy R.
