Camping cabins near Hulls Cove, Maine provide convenient access to both Acadia National Park and coastal communities on Mount Desert Island. Located along the northeastern shore at approximately 20-30 feet above sea level, the Hulls Cove area experiences typical coastal Maine weather with summer highs around 75°F and frequent morning fog. Winter temperatures drop to the 20s, making most cabin rental options seasonal with primary availability from May through October.
What to do
Explore Schoodic Peninsula: The quieter mainland section of Acadia National Park offers a different experience than the main Mount Desert Island section. Schoodic Woods Campground features "six-mile loop that takes you along the beautiful rocky coast with views of lighthouses, islands, forests, and wetlands. An additional eight miles of carriage roads and four miles of hiking trails wind through the park," according to Nancy W.
Kayak the narrows: Launch directly from waterfront campsites when staying at certain properties. At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA, one camper noted "we could launch our kayaks directly from the site. (If you don't have a waterfront site, there are 2 water access areas that anyone can launch from)." Be aware of tidal changes, as another visitor mentioned: "You will be left walking across muddy soft clam flats if you are not mindful of the 10-12 foot tides."
Visit Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: Some cabin accommodations put you within walking distance of this iconic landmark. A visitor at Bass Harbor Campground mentioned it's a "10 min walk to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse" and another added that "the proximity to Ship Harbor and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse was great for catching sunrises and sunsets."
What campers like
Quiet side advantages: The western portion of Mount Desert Island offers a more relaxed experience. One camper at Smuggler's Den Campground appreciated that it's "a great campground. Great staff and location and not to mention very reasonable rates." Another visitor noted its "great access to Acadia national Park and the pool and playground were great for family."
Waterfront views: Many cabin campers value oceanfront settings. A visitor at HTR Acadia shared: "This campground was great. Beautiful view of the water. Highly recommend the waterfront sites. Some of the sites are small but the view makes up for it." Another camper highlighted the "gorgeous sunsets every night over the water" at their coastal campsite.
Shuttle access: The Island Explorer bus service stops at many campgrounds, eliminating parking hassles. At Hadley's Point, a visitor mentioned: "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."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most cabins require advance booking, especially during peak season. A visitor at Seawall Campground noted: "It is best to reserve online as this park fills up and very rarely has a walk-up site." For the best selection of sites, book 3-6 months in advance.
Basic supplies needed: While cabins provide shelter, guests typically need to bring personal items. According to a camper: "You need to supply your own linens and towels. Toilet paper, garbage bags and a broom/dustpan are supplied." Most cabin locations have fire rings but require guests to purchase firewood on-site or locally.
Off-season considerations: Weather restricts availability during winter months. A visitor noted most campgrounds operate "May 15 to Oct 15" with specific opening and closing dates varying slightly between properties. Shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October) offer fewer crowds but cooler temperatures and limited open businesses.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Smuggler's Den, a camper mentioned it "has a small camp store, a heated pool and children's pool, large home style gas grills with picnic area, horseshoe pits, a large playground for children and a large field for anything from badminton to football."
Kid-friendly activities: Some locations organize special events for younger visitors. A parent staying at Mt Desert Narrows shared: "They have weekly events like ice cream socials and an Elvis impersonator." Another family at Narrows Too appreciated that "the kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide."
Bathroom proximity: When booking cabin accommodations with children, consider facilities location. A family staying at Hadley's Point noted their "site was just a stone's throw from both the bathhouse and playground," making it convenient for families with small children who need frequent bathroom trips.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV cabins vary significantly in size and privacy. A visitor at Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA observed: "Although the tent sites were large, the RV sites felt a little snug" while another mentioned sites "339-342 were literally bumper to bumper." Request specific site numbers when making reservations.
Island transportation options: The Island Explorer shuttle service eliminates driving and parking hassles. One RVer recommended: "The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30." The shuttle accommodates bikes and dogs, allowing for multimodal exploration.
Water considerations: Several campgrounds have rustic water systems. One RVer noted: "When we turned in the tap the water ran brown" and another mentioned: "The rust level is high in this campground so I didn't feel comfortable washing laundry." Consider bringing drinking water if sensitive to mineral content.
