Campers seeking a campsite near Islesford, Maine must travel to Mount Desert Island or the mainland as Islesford itself has no established campgrounds. Located on Little Cranberry Island, Islesford is accessible only by ferry or private boat. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through April, making late spring through early fall the practical camping season for most visitors exploring camping options around Islesford.
What to do
Kayaking from waterfront sites: At Mount Desert Campground, campers can rent double kayaks for exploring Somes Sound. "We took our chances by swimming around them. We 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," shares Whitney W.
Hiking directly from camp: Smuggler's Den Campground connects to Acadia's trail system. "Hiking trails connect to the back of the campground for access to Beech Mtn and Echo Lake beach," notes Erin S., making it easy to explore without driving.
Stargazing at Seawall: The dark skies above Acadia offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. "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," reports Kyle R., highlighting an activity that requires no special equipment.
Ferry exploration: Take the ferry from Winter Harbor to explore different parts of the region. "Located at the Schoodic Institute is the Education and Research Center which offers interesting programs and has a visitor center. The town of Corea has a great waterside restaurant where you can sit outside and eat lobster while watching the boats go in and out," explains Nancy W.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Schoodic Woods Campground stands out for its newer infrastructure. "This campground is state of the art for the Park Service. Not only is this new Acadia campground wired for wifi and electric boxes, but the bathrooms are shockingly well-conceived. No showers, but excellent dish washing set-up," explains LoneCamper C.
Coastal wildlife watching: Sites with ocean access provide wildlife viewing opportunities. "We could launch our kayaks directly from the site. The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," states Heather C., describing the advantages of waterfront camping at Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
Platform tent sites: Many campgrounds address the rocky terrain with purpose-built platforms. "The sites all had a decent amount of privacy and trees between sites. It felt more comfortable and private than expected! D19 was a premium site with water & electricity. It was awesome," reports Whitney W. about Mount Desert Campground.
What you should know
Timing reservations: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "It is best to reserve online as this park fills up and very rarely has a walk-up site. The ranger station will not make reservations over the phone so don't bother calling," advises Nancy W. about Schoodic Woods Campground.
No-reservation options: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served systems. "This is a first come first serve campground. Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours," explains Celeste M. about Bar Harbor Campground, noting that "key note: sites are first come first serve and you must pay with cash or check. No credit cards are accepted."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "We didn't have reliable cell service. The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30," reports Karla J. B. about Seawall Campground.
Shower availability: Shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms have flush toilets and potable water but there are no showers or laundry facilities. There are some places in the nearby town of Winter Harbor that have shower facilities of which the ranger station has information on," notes Nancy W.
Tips for camping with families
Utilize campground activities: Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA organizes regular events for children. "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," shares Melissa N.
Crabbing from docks: At Mount Desert Campground, families can enjoy catching crabs. "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! We carefully swam to the small rock island next to the dock and collected sea snails," reports Whitney W.
Plan for insect protection: Bug intensity varies by season and location. "Just remember to bring a ton of bug repellent, or opt to go during the months where bugs are less mild," advises Kyle R. about Seawall Campground, while Rick C. warns about Schoodic: "No matter if you wear long sleeves and long pants, plus use bug spray, the mosquitos are vicious."
Use Island Explorer shuttle: The free shuttle service reduces parking hassles. "The shuttle has a bike rack so you can bring your bike and pets are allowed," notes Nancy W., making it easier to explore with children without the stress of finding parking.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions apply: Smuggler's Den Campground limits RV size. "Sites are not made for large RVs. They can fit smaller camper trailers and pop-ups, but that's about it. It actually adds to the campground ambience as it keeps things quiet and more of an outdoor camping experience," observes Whitney W.
Generator rules vary: Some campgrounds have strict generator policies. "My generator was not on. It was the 3 air-conditioners on the roof. Standard AC's from the factory. His body language was obvious that he did not believe me so I offered to show him where the generator was," recounts Rick C. about an interaction with rangers at Schoodic Woods.
Limited dump stations: Plan for potential wait times when dumping tanks. "There was only one dump station for Loop B. Each RV took about 15 minutes. If you are third in line, you will be waiting," warns Rick C. about Schoodic Woods Campground.
Full hookup availability: Research utility options before booking. "Although most of the campsites are designated for tents, there are some available for RV's. Sites have a decent amount of privacy so you don't feel like you are right on top of your neighbor," notes Nancy W., who also mentions that some sites have electric (20/30/50) and some have both electric and water.
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