Camping options near Harborside, Maine concentrate along the coastline, taking advantage of the dramatic 10-12 foot tidal changes characteristic of the region. The Acadia area sees significant seasonal population fluctuations, with most campgrounds operating from mid-May through October. Winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing, making seasonal operation necessary for water-dependent facilities.
What to do
Explore Schoodic Peninsula: The less-crowded section of Acadia National Park is just 10 minutes from West Bay Acadia RV Campground. "Just ten minutes away is the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia– a less busy and equally beautiful area of the National Park. Plus, there are many nearby nature preserves and public lands that have great hiking."
Visit coastal towns: The communities surrounding Harborside offer distinctive shopping and dining options. "The smaller island towns of Northwest Harbor and Southwest Harbor were more our style than the touristy Bar Harbor. Check out the farmers market in Northwest Harbor and the Common Ground Soup Kitchen in Southwest Harbor for hot delicious popovers."
Paddle the waterways: Many campgrounds offer direct water access with tidal considerations. "The camp store rents two-person kayaks and canoes for a very reasonable price of ($10/hour and $5 for additional hours). However, you have about a four-hour window to paddle because of the tides."
Dark sky stargazing: The coastal region has minimal light pollution. "Another great thing about this park is that it is a certified dark sky park. Campers are asked to turn outside lights off so there is no light noise to interfere with the beautiful sky full of stars, planets, and meteor showers."
What campers like
Waterfront views: Oceanfront sites at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort provide direct water access. "This has to be one of the prettiest campsites we've stayed in. On the water, shaded. Serene." Many sites allow campers to observe the dramatic tidal changes characteristic of the Maine coast.
Community amenities: Campgrounds often feature organized social activities. "The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, BBQ feast, and cold beverages offered during Friday Happy Hours."
Fresh produce access: Some campgrounds maintain community gardens. "We love the free community garden which has a wonderful selection of produce including strawberries, tomatillos, fresh herbs, beans, lettuces, etc. Feel free to pick whatever you will eat, just leave some for others."
Convenience to attractions: Most rv sites near Harborside provide strategic access to key destinations. "Close to Acadia NP. Large number of LARGE (100' Plus) pull thru sites. Quite place. Wal Mart, Gas stations, Cell phone stores, Lobster pounds very close by."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most camping facilities near Harborside operate within strict seasonal windows. "The campground is surrounded by beautiful trees. A good location between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. The two women who run the front office are AMAZING! So sweet and helpful. I spent 5 nights here and would of stayed longer if they weren't closing for the season."
Dramatic tides: The coastal region experiences significant tidal shifts affecting water activities. "You will be left walking across muddy soft clam flats if you are not mindful of the 10-12 foot tides."
Limited amenities at some parks: Not all campgrounds offer full services. "Need to be self-contained as there's no amenities. Park is on the water and great views."
Variable site quality: Site conditions and layouts vary significantly between parks and within the same facility. "We got a site along the highway, and I was very unhappy there. The site isn't even in the main campground area. I would have stayed somewhere else if I knew that's where our site was located. No privacy and lots of road noise."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several RV parks near Harborside include swimming pools. "My son swam in the salt water pool and said he liked it. Roads are paved. Worked out perfectly for us."
Age-appropriate destination selection: Some campgrounds cater primarily to adults. "I would primarily recommend this campsite for retirees and couples without children. The park doesn't offer many kid-friendly amenities beyond the pool, so families with young children might find it lacking in entertainment options."
Activity planning: The region offers numerous family-friendly options. "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide. There is a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season."
Budget management: Strategic grocery shopping helps manage costs. "Tip: Grab groceries in Ellsworth if you want to save $."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Timberland Acres RV Park, understanding site layout improves the camping experience. "We had a nice pull through site with full hook ups. Most are pretty close to each other, ours was wider but faced another camper who faced us. It really didn't matter as we spent our time at Acadia and Bar Harbor."
Parking considerations: Tree cover affects satellite reception and can damage RVs. "The roads are gravel with potholes and campsites are grassy or dirt depending on if you are under a tree or a previous campers patio mat killed the grass. Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove."
Sewer hookup flexibility: Some RV parks around Harborside offer multiple connection points. "Most sites have two sewer hook-ups which is convenient because hook ups vary depending on RV type. Roads and campsites are gravel and all sites are level."
Water quality awareness: Water conditions vary between rv sites near Harborside. "The rust level is high in this campground so I didn't feel comfortable washing laundry."
