Camping sites near Hulls Cove, Maine offer varied terrain from shoreline settings to wooded areas across the northeastern portion of Mount Desert Island. With average summer highs reaching 75°F and evening lows dipping into the 50s, campers should pack layers even for midsummer visits. Coastal campgrounds often experience morning fog that burns off by midday, creating distinct microclimates throughout the day.
What to Do
Kayaking from waterfront sites: At Mount Desert Campground, campers can rent double kayaks to explore Somes Sound. "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," reports Whitney W.
Hike directly from camp: Trails connect to Smuggler's Den Campground for immediate access to hiking. "You can pick up trails right from the campground and walk to a great beach in Acadia National Park," notes Jennifer P. This allows campers to avoid parking hassles at popular trailheads.
Stargazing after dark: The Schoodic Peninsula section offers exceptional night sky viewing. "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," shares Kyle R. about Seawall Campground.
What Campers Like
Free shuttle transportation: The Island Explorer provides crucial transportation around Mount Desert Island. "The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30. There was really nothing to do at the campground except camp - no hikes or trails directly there," notes Karla J.B. about Seawall Campground.
Blueberry picking opportunities: Bar Harbor Campground offers unique seasonal foraging. "Mid July to Mid August free blueberries campside," highlights Tammy H. This makes for a popular activity with families during peak summer season.
Clean facilities despite high usage: Bathrooms at camping areas near Hulls Cove receive consistent maintenance. "Despite being a fully booked campground our stay was very enjoyable. It was quiet, other campers were respectful. The bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a designated dishwashing drain to keep animals away from the campsites," reports Dana S. about Blackwoods Campground.
What You Should Know
Tent platforms on uneven terrain: Some campgrounds build platforms to overcome rocky, sloped ground. "Since the campground sits among the rocky and mountainous coast line, they have spent the time and money building leveled platforms for all the sites. Without the platforms, the campsites would be quite miserable," explains Melissa W. about Mount Desert Campground.
First-come, first-served options: Hadley's Point Campground offers different booking approaches. "Great campground located on the water. Clean, hot showers ($1.00 for 5 minutes) a gathering place with free wi-fi, coffee and pastries for sale, kayaks for rent and many other amenities," reports Garrett D.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across camping areas. "WiFi was non-existent unless you got a site near the main office. Cellular reception was very mediocre. If you want to lose contact with family, friends, business... this is the place to go," notes Rick C. about Schoodic Woods Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Coin-operated shower planning: Most campgrounds charge for showers. "Bring quarters! You can definitely shower completely with one session of about 5 minutes (I believe)," advises Whitney W. about Mount Desert Campground. Collecting change before your trip prevents inconvenience.
Playground and pool combinations: Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA offers family-friendly amenities. "We vacationed here for my birthday. We had full hookups with free WiFi and cable. The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide," shares Kasey M.
Kid-friendly activities: Campground-organized events provide entertainment. "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," reports Melissa N.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions at scenic campgrounds: RV campers should check length limitations. "They limit occupants to RVs less than 20' in length and have about a 50/50 mix of tent campers and small RV campers," reports Danielle V. about Mount Desert Campground.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential waits at limited facilities. "There is one dump station for the whole campground and can get crowded near checkout time," advises Jae H. about Schoodic Woods Campground.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Bar Harbor Campground offers a unique site selection process. "Is a first come first serve campground. Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours. I first had a tent space facing the ocean $36. Very close to the Pool for one night. Next morning I found an electric and water spot $40 close by and moved," explains Celeste M.
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