Acadia National Park camping areas near Islesford, Maine offer coastal island experiences with temperatures ranging from 40-80°F in summer months. The region's campgrounds sit at low elevations averaging 100-200 feet above sea level, with many sites providing direct water access for kayaking and paddleboarding. Camping facilities range from primitive hike-in sites to full hookup RV areas with varying degrees of tree cover.
What to do
Explore lesser-visited trails: Schoodic Peninsula section provides quieter hiking with fewer crowds than the main park areas. "Driving the one way loop is a joy compared to the loop road on Mount Desert... one feels that you almost have the park to yourself," notes a visitor at Schoodic Woods Campground. The area features six miles of coastal trails and additional carriage roads.
Kayak from your campsite: Waterfront sites at many campgrounds allow direct water access. At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA, campers report "Beach front, able to swim and SUP right from the campsite." Some sites also offer protected water access into Mt. Desert Narrows.
Stargaze from shoreline areas: The region offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. According to campers at Seawall Campground, "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."
What campers like
Free shuttle transportation: The Island Explorer bus connects most dog friendly campgrounds near Islesford to park attractions. "The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30," explains a camper at Seawall. Another visitor at Hadley's Point Campground appreciates that "the campground was on the Island Explorer bus route, which is a series of busses that take you to different areas of Acadia National Park and into the surrounding towns."
Campground cleanliness: Many visitors note the exceptional upkeep. A Bass Harbor Campground guest shared, "The bathhouse was fine, and there's a dishwash station right outside of the bathhouse." Another camper at Smuggler's Den Campground found "the bath house, while old, was among the brightest and cleanest I've ever seen in a private campground."
Site privacy levels: Campgrounds offer varying degrees of isolation. At Schoodic Woods, "Sites are generally private and well-cared for." Conversely, at Bass Harbor Campground, some report "Very small campsites very close to each other. Absolutely no seclusion or privacy whatsoever."
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate on first-come systems. "Bar Harbor Campground is a first come first serve campground. Show up find an empty spot. Pay for it and it's yours," explains a camper. Meanwhile, Schoodic Woods is described as "a tough Campground to get into. Reservations are almost a must."
Shower facilities and costs: Most campgrounds offer showers, but some charge fees. "Showers were ~2 miles away, open 4-7 pm and $1.50 for 2 minutes of water," notes a Seawall Campground visitor. At Bar Harbor Campground, "clean showers near by that cost 25¢ for 5 minutes."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies by location. "We didn't have reliable cell service," reports one camper at Seawall. At Schoodic Woods, another notes, "WiFi was non-existent unless you got a site near the main office. Cellular reception was very mediocre."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Islesford offer swimming pools. "They have a great playground and a nice pool with slide," shares a Smuggler's Den visitor. Similarly, at HTR Acadia, reviews mention "Great pool and other facilities."
Kid-oriented activities: Organized events keep children engaged. "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," explains a parent who camped at Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA.
Playground options: Many campgrounds feature play areas. A family at Hadley's Point Campground appreciated "a heated swimming pool. Best of all, the campground was on the Island Explorer bus route, which is a series of busses that take you to different areas of Acadia National Park and into the surrounding towns. Once you arrive at the campground, you wouldn't need to use your car again!"
Tips from RVers
RV site size considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA, "The 339-342 sites were literally bumper to bumper." Meanwhile, at HTR Acadia (formerly Somes Sound View), some visitors found good privacy: "Most of the campsites are quite nice, with decent amounts of privacy."
Hookup options: Electric and water availability differs by campground and specific site. At Schoodic Woods, "All sites have electric (20/30/50) and some have electric and water only reflected in cheaper prices." Sites with hookups typically cost $36-$40, while tent sites run $22-$30.
Limited dump stations: Plan for potential wait times when emptying tanks. A visitor to Schoodic Woods noted "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."