Harborside, Maine sits on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay where rocky coastline meets dense forest at elevations ranging from sea level to 200 feet. The climate brings warm summer days averaging 75°F and cool nights around 55°F, creating ideal conditions for tent camping from June through September. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, limiting most campground operations to the May-October season.
What to do
Hiking to ocean viewpoints: Walk to Bass Harbor Lighthouse from Bass Harbor Campground for spectacular sunset photography. "It's a short walk to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, on the quiet side of the island, and has clean accommodations," notes Ashley S. The lighthouse trail is accessible year-round and requires minimal hiking equipment.
Kayaking with wildlife: Launch directly from the shore at HTR Acadia to paddle among local marine life. One visitor shared, "Great campground. We stayed right by the water and it was just breath taking." The campground offers direct ocean access without needing portage equipment.
Mountain summit drives: Travel the vehicle-accessible road up Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park Campground for panoramic bay views. "Driving the tour road to the summit of Mt. Battie (elevation 800') is a must and the views are spectacular (especially for watching the sunrise)," explains Nancy W. The park gate opens at 5:30am during summer months.
What campers like
Private wooded tent sites: Tent campers appreciate the separation from RV areas at several coastal campgrounds. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, "Sites are mostly private and have space. Very clean," according to Jillian B. Most tent sites accommodate up to 6 people and one vehicle.
Rock collecting shorelines: The rocky beaches provide hours of natural entertainment. At Seawall Campground, "The night was clear, the stars out, and the sounds of the Atlantic nearby made a superb camping experience. With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding!" writes Steve M. Tide pools are most accessible 1-2 hours before low tide.
Seasonal wildflowers and blueberries: Several campgrounds feature natural berry patches during mid-summer. At Bar Harbor Campground, "Blueberry fields free to pick July to August. Pay showers. No reservations though," mentions Tammy H. Bringing small containers for collecting berries is recommended.
What you should know
No-reservation policies: Some campgrounds operate on first-come systems without advance booking. "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. Arriving before 11am on weekdays increases chances of securing preferred sites.
Limited shower facilities: Many campgrounds have restricted shower access or pay facilities. At Seawall Campground, "The fact that the closest showers were around 10 minutes away and cost a decent amount was a little disappointing but livable." Most pay showers cost $1.50-2.00 for 4-5 minutes.
Cell service variability: Coverage varies dramatically across the region. Camden Hills reports "The Verizon signal on our phone and wifi on our hotspot were strong," while other campgrounds have minimal reception. Most visitor centers and libraries offer free Wi-Fi during operating hours.
Tips for camping with families
Shuttle transportation options: Avoid parking hassles by using public transportation. At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA, "The Island Explorer bus for Acadia National Park stops at the campground, so you have easy access without driving, if desired." The free shuttle runs June-October with stops at major trailheads and beaches.
Youth-friendly rope swings: Kids enjoy simple camp recreation areas. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, Joe R. mentions "The Anaconda of a rope swing near the office is a must. So is watching the sunset from the chairs overlooking the channel." The swing is suitable for children ages 6 and up.
Educational ranger programs: National Park campgrounds offer daily learning activities. Seawall Campground provides "lovely ranger led activities that seemed like a great selling point." Most programs run 30-60 minutes and require no advance registration.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: Some campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles better than others. At Hadley's Point Campground, "There are very close together, some are shaded, some not. Our sewer dump was 3 ft or less from the neighbors fire pit," notes one RVer. Request specific site dimensions when booking.
Yurt camping alternatives: For those seeking yurt camping near Harborside, Maine without hauling an RV, several campgrounds offer permanent structures. Hadley's Point and HTR Acadia include yurt accommodations with beds and basic furniture. Yurt rentals typically range from $65-95 per night depending on season and amenities.
Dump station access: Not all sites offer full hookups. At Camden Hills, "Approximately half the sites have water and 30/50 amp electric and the others are no hookups. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground." Most dump stations charge $5-10 for non-campers.
