Camping spots near Hancock, Maine provide access to rocky beaches and inland waterways, including Somes Sound, the only true fjord on the U.S. East Coast. The region experiences significant tidal fluctuations, with differences of up to 11 feet between high and low tide affecting water access at certain campgrounds. Most camping facilities operate from mid-May through mid-October when average daily temperatures range from 45°F to 75°F.
What to do
Kayaking in Somes Sound: Visitors at Mount Desert Campground can rent kayaks and explore the protected waterway. "We rented double kayaks from the front office for 2 hours and kayaked Somes Sound - it was beautiful water & amazing exploring! A bit more difficult with the ocean currents vs lake kayaking, so keep that in mind with kids," notes Whitney W.
Tide pool exploration: The low tide reveals marine habitats within walking distance of several campgrounds. At Seawall Campground, campers have direct access to natural formations. "With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding!" shares Steve M.
Winter Harbor excursions: The quieter Schoodic Peninsula section offers less crowded alternatives to Bar Harbor. A camper at Schoodic Woods described the experience: "Surrounding the campground are miles of biking and hiking trails that are easily accessible from your campsite. There is a six-mile loop that takes you along the beautiful rocky coast with views of lighthouses, islands, forests, and wetlands."
Crabbing from floating docks: Children enjoy catching marine life at some waterfront locations. "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!" explains a Mount Desert Campground visitor.
What campers like
Less crowded camping options: Areas outside Mount Desert Island provide quieter alternatives. "Lamoine State Park is a great option if you want to be close to Acadia but away from the crowds," notes Heather C. from Lamoine State Park Campground.
Convenient shuttle service: The Island Explorer bus connects many campgrounds to park attractions. At Hadley's Point 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, and it was super helpful because you do not want to try and find parking in Acadia in the peak season," explains Jenna L.
Waterfront camping: Sites along the water offer special experiences unavailable at inland locations. "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 a Bar Harbor KOA visitor.
Quality bathroom facilities: Clean facilities matter to campers, with notable variations between campgrounds. "The bathrooms are amazing. Built with wood and lots of ventilation, the open air prevents them from getting musty or moldy. Bathrooms have outlets (or at least the women's do). They are very clean and well kept," reports Melissa W. about Mount Desert Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing strategy: Some campgrounds fill extremely quickly. For Mount Desert Campground, "I woke up at 5am to reserve a site months in advance for the '24 camping season," explains a camper, while for waterfront sites, "They let the families book them year over year so it's hard to get an opening to reserve those sites."
Shower facilities vary: Many campgrounds charge for showers or lack them entirely. Seawall Campground has "restrooms in the campground, but no shower houses. The shower house is located in a separate facility about a mile from the campground entrance... the showers in the separate facility up the road are expensive."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically by location. One Seawall Campground visitor noted: "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."
Bug preparedness: Insects can be problematic in wooded areas. A Schoodic Woods camper advised: "No matter if you wear long sleeves and long pants, plus use bug spray, the mosquitos are vicious. Between gnats and mosquitos, sitting outside to eat is nearly impossible."
Tips for camping with families
Campground layout considerations: Some facilities are better designed for children than others. "The sites were very close together, no privacy. But it was a big RV Park, close to Acadia, hot showers, playground with views of the bay. Not all bad," notes Ashley J. about Bar Harbor Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Certain campgrounds offer specific activities for children. "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.
Child safety considerations: Campground terrain varies in suitability for young children. "The grounds are kept in immaculate shape. It's away from Bar Harbor but close enough to go visit. We liked going to the Winter Harbor area to hike and ride bikes," reports Lawrence P. about Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins.
Local family attractions: Sites beyond the national park appeal to families. "The owners were so incredibly nice and helpful! They not only surprised our girls with picks of their own antique dolls on arrival but they gave us their own brochure with hidden gems all around the area," shares Balon N. about Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds limit RV sizes. 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," explains Danielle V.
Dump station access: Limited facilities can create bottlenecks. "There was only one dump station for Loop B. Each RV took about 15 minutes. If you are third in line, you will be waiting," notes Rick C. about Schoodic Woods.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Lamoine State Park, "Many sites are not flat and require significant leveling if in an rv. Some sites have more buffer than others, but in general I would not say that there is great privacy between sites."
Water quality issues: Some locations have water concerns. A Mt. Desert Narrows visitor reported: "There is definitely an issue with the water. When we turned in the tap the water ran brown."
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