110 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Isle au Haut, Maine offers a mix of camping experiences from remote island sites to established campgrounds. Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut itself provides tent-only camping within Acadia National Park, accessible primarily by boat. The surrounding region includes several developed campgrounds like Seawall and Blackwoods on Mount Desert Island, as well as private options such as Greenlaw's RV Park near Stonington, which serves as a gateway to Isle au Haut via ferry.
Reservations are essential for Duck Harbor Campground, which operates from May 15 to October 15 and has extremely limited availability. According to one visitor, "Perfect island for exploring the close-by Isle au Haut, a remote section of Acadia National Park, but very hard to get reservations at Duck Harbor Campground." Most camping in the region requires advance planning, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity. The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) maintains several island camping areas in the Deer Isle Archipelago near Isle au Haut, though these primitive sites require membership and proper preparation. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and many island sites have no fresh water sources or facilities, requiring campers to bring all supplies.
The coastal camping experience near Isle au Haut features stunning ocean views and wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers consistently mention the pristine natural setting and stargazing as highlights. Several visitors noted the unique experience of island camping, with one describing "a gorgeous view of the sun setting and full moon rising" from their site. The mainland campgrounds provide more amenities, with Seawall and Blackwoods offering tent and RV sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails. Private campgrounds in the region typically provide additional services like showers, electrical hookups, and camp stores. The quiet atmosphere of the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park offers an alternative to the more crowded Mount Desert Island campgrounds while still providing access to similar coastal landscapes.
"This campground is quiet, walking distance to the ocean. Family oriented. There are however, no showers. Most of the walk in campsites are only steps away from the parking lot."
"We stayed at the tent walk in sites (D25) The sites are close together but otherwise, well maintained."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"If we had visited during the summer, we would have stayed elsewhere, like on Isle Au Haut or Seawall Campground. The campground itself is what you’d expect at most national parks."
"Close proximity to Bar Harbor and a lot of the main attractions of the national park. Showers are just outside of the entrance to the campground, coin operated."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Located near Stonington, it is near the harbor, restaurants, a sand beach and the ferry to Isle au Haut. Opportunities for Kayaking, SUP’s and hiking abound here on a quiet island."
"My boyfriend and I drove all around looking for a camping place in the Bar Harbor area but nothing was open because it was the end of April."
"Decided on Bass Harbor after considering the only available tent site at Seawall (very small and close to neighbors)."
"Tent campers have a much prettier space than RV, as with most campgrounds, and they have a lot across the main road which is perfect for tent camping. if you have multiple sites for large gatherings you"
"Beautiful, quiet location with views of the deer isle bridge and access to walking the beach. Owners are so nice and friendly and accommodating. Sites are mostly private and have space. Very clean."
"Site number 4 was great it was tucked away a bit yet still had a nearby bathroom and a 3 minute walk to the seashore which was beautiful!"
from $29 - $39 / night
Check Availability"Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas. 9 out of 10 times I visit Camden (one of my favorite places in Maine), I stay at this campground."
"As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest."
"Our site was right next to a potable water spigot, and within easy walking distance to a bathroom building which includes full plumbing and metered showers (4 quarters for 5 minutes)."
"Multiple sights with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. This campground has every possible kind of sight, RV, pop-up, tent, Cabin, Rustic Cabin, and tents on platforms."
"It has all the things is usually stay away from because I like a little bit more primitive accomadations- less family style."
"Camping on in the Duck Harbor Campground is nearly the stuff of legends. "
"You need to bring everything with you (except water) on the mailboat and then walk on a short distance to one of 5 campsites. It is a great place to just get away."
from $20 / night
Check Availability
GuideTook our 20 foot travel trailer to Blackwoods for 9 nights to explore Acadia! The campground is clean and quiet! The spots are close but we had no issues with neighbors or quiet hours. They are a primitive campground, so no hookups. There are bathroom on every loop with toilets and water but if you need a shower there are coin showers just outside the campground. We truly loved our stay!
ScoutWe can't voice enough, what a great place this is and we will definitely come back
TravelerBeautiful waterfront, location with level lots and scenic views
GuideThis is a nice very quiet campground. It is off the beaten path. The bathrooms were clean and the staff pleasant. It was well kept.
GuideOur campsite was A2. It’s quite close to the road, so you can hear some traffic noise. The site itself feels fairly private, although you can see some of the neighboring campsites. That said, everyone has enough space, and we never felt like anyone was bothering each other. One thing to note is that you can’t park your car directly at the campsite. You’ll need to carry your gear about 16 feet from the parking spot, which wasn’t a big deal for us. A huge advantage of this site is its location. It’s only about a 2-minute walk to the bathrooms and showers, and it’s also very close to the Gathering Place. Every morning from 7–10 AM they serve complimentary coffee and a variety of treats. I highly recommend the cinnamon rolls and cinnamon donuts, it’s absolutely delicious! Just get there early because by around 9 AM they’re usually gone. In the evenings (6–9 PM), they serve excellent ice cream. Firewood ($6 per bundle when we visited) and ice are also available for purchase. Another nice bonus is the free 24-hour Wi-Fi, and Verizon had excellent reception throughout the campground. The lake view from this section of the campground isn’t the best. If I came back, I would probably choose a site farther from the road, preferably closer to the water. The bathrooms and shower facilities are clean and have a charming rustic feel. Showers cost $1 for 5 minutes. There are plenty of staff members around, and they do an excellent job keeping the campground clean, organized, and well maintained. Definitely rent a kayak if you didn’t bring your own! A single kayak was $38 for 4 hours when we visited, and it’s absolutely worth it. The lake is beautiful and much larger than we expected, we paddled for 3.5 hours and still didn’t have enough time to explore everything!
GuideThis campground is only about 12 years old. It is clean, tidy, and well-kept. Sites in B loop are spacious and level. Every one is a pull-through. The sites are well spaced and very private. B loop has water and electric— A loop has smaller sites with electric only. There are no showers here, but the bathrooms are very clean. The dump station is easy to access and the flush hose has the best pressure we’ve experienced.
GuideDecided on Bass Harbor after considering the only available tent site at Seawall (very small and close to neighbors). The main area of Bass Harbor has lots of RV sites as well as a good number of nice looking tent sites. We stayed across the street from the office where there is a large wooded field for tents only. Very pretty sites with trees and dense mossy surroundings. Super easy, friendly staff, not busy - we were very happy with the site we selected and the whole experience in general. Plenty of deadwood around for a small fire; bathroom/showers/wash station clean and easily accessed. A little pricier than the national park options, but worth it to be away from the standard cookie cutter sites we saw elsewhere.
GuideFairly short walk-in to site H4 - very pretty, quiet, small and private site. Surrounded by trees/vegetation, with tent pad and picnic table. Basic, clean outhouse short walk away. Saw only one other couple, heard no one. Only drawback is no campfires allowed at these walk-in sites. We stayed one night. Considered a 2nd night in A-loop but not very appealing - sites were all pretty close to one another and fairly small.
ScoutHad wood and ice available for purchase, chill atmosphere, clean bathrooms, wonderful experience.
Isle au Haut is a remote 12.7-square-mile island located about 7 miles from the mainland in Knox County, Maine. The island experiences significant tidal changes of 9-12 vertical feet, creating challenging landing conditions for boats at high tide. Temperatures typically range from the mid-30s to mid-70s Fahrenheit throughout camping season, with fog frequently rolling in without warning.
Kayaking Somes Sound: Rent double kayaks from Mount Desert Campground for water exploration. "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.
Stargazing without light pollution: Head to the beach areas at night for exceptional celestial views. "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," according to Kyle R. at Seawall Campground.
Tide pool exploration: Low tide reveals marine ecosystems along rocky shores. "With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding!" shares Steve M.
Crabbing from docks: Purchase simple equipment for hours of entertainment. "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!" reports a Mount Desert Campground visitor.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced, wooded sites. At Greenlaw's RV Park, "This is a small, wooded campground with large private sites. They are working to improve the campground everyday," explains Ian R.
Ocean views: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. At Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls, site 8 offers "unobstructed views of ocean and close to path to beach," according to Grace B.
Rustic experience: Duck Harbor provides a primitive camping experience while maintaining basic necessities. "You need to bring everything with you (except water) on the mailboat and then walk on a short distance to one of 5 campsites. It is a great place to just get away," shares Patricia P.
Fresh seafood: Local lobster is often available directly at campgrounds. One camper at Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls recommends "getting fresh lobster from the local lobster man that lives on the grounds, they even supply you with a pot to boil them!"
Reservation requirements: Planning well ahead is essential for most sites. For Duck Harbor Campground, "if you don't go online within 10 minutes of opening day, April 1st, at 10 am EST, you will miss your chance to stay here for the whole year," warns Shari G.
Limited facilities: Many island sites have minimal amenities. "The camping spot is simple and similar to most backcountry sites: a flat space to pitch your small tent, no toilet, no drinking water, no picnic table, and no reservations possible," notes a reviewer describing Shivers Island.
Pay showers: Most campgrounds charge for shower use. At Blackwoods Campground, "Showers were around 10 minutes away and cost a decent amount was a little disappointing but livable," reports Maggie K.
Transportation logistics: The Isle au Haut mailboat from Stonington is the primary access method for Duck Harbor. Patricia P. notes: "The mailboat only goes to the campground from late June to late September; otherwise a 5 mile walk from town."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Smuggler's Den Campground, "There is a wonderful pool, a playground, and lots of outdoor toys including basketball's available to campers," says Jennifer P.
Site location strategy: Request sites near bathrooms when traveling with children. One camper recommends, "Perfect location for those traveling with small kids, as it was just a stone's throw from both the bathhouse and playground."
Swimming options: Fresh and saltwater swimming are available. "We went swimming at their beach and saw a seal!" shares Michael K. about Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls.
Kid-friendly hiking: Several trails are suitable for younger hikers. "Camp store was well-stocked, playground and pool looked brand new, and the bath house, while old, was among the brightest and cleanest I've ever seen in a private campground," notes Jen V.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds limit RV length. "Sites are not made for large RVs. They can fit smaller camper trailers and pop-ups, but that's about it," explains a Mount Desert visitor.
Hook-up options: Research site utilities before booking. At Camden Hills State Park, "Approximately, half the sites have water and 30/50 amp electric and the others are no hookups," according to a reviewer.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer this service. "There is NO dump station located at the campground however a few miles down the road, there is a campground that allows you to use theirs for a $20.00 fee," advises Garrett D.
Road navigation: Island roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Although the park accommodates larger RV's, there are a limited number of sites for those over 35 feet and the gravel roads are easy to navigate in a big rig," shares a Camden Hills State Park camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Isle au Haut, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Isle au Haut, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 110 campgrounds and RV parks near Isle au Haut, ME and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Isle au Haut, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Isle au Haut, ME is Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Isle au Haut, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Isle au Haut, ME.
Keep Exploring
