Leighton O.
Guide
GuideSeawall Campground — Acadia National Park
Campsites are very close together. Price is very reasonable though. Restrooms are very clean.
Camping near Salsbury Cove, ME
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Camping near Salsbury Cove, Maine spans wooded national park campgrounds and privately operated facilities, with tent and RV sites available across the region. Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground provide tent and RV sites within the national park boundaries, while privately operated facilities like Mount Desert Campground and Bar Harbor Campground offer additional amenities. Most campgrounds in this coastal region feature wooded sites with varying levels of privacy, and several accommodate both tent and RV camping. The Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park houses the newer Schoodic Woods Campground, providing a quieter alternative to the more heavily visited areas around Bar Harbor.
Seasonal operation significantly impacts camping availability in the region, with most facilities open from May through October. Blackwoods Campground operates from May 1 to October 31, while Seawall Campground has a shorter season from late May to early September. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer months when campgrounds regularly reach capacity. The area experiences cool, foggy mornings even in summer, with temperatures moderating throughout the day. Many campgrounds lack shower facilities, though some offer coin-operated options nearby. As one visitor noted, "Bathrooms here are plentiful and clean, but no shower facilities. Each bathroom building also has a very nice dishwashing station outside so we never had to wait to do camp dishes."
Campers consistently praise the natural setting and proximity to Acadia National Park's attractions. Sites on the Schoodic Peninsula receive particularly high ratings for their peaceful atmosphere compared to the busier Mount Desert Island locations. A visitor to Schoodic Woods Campground remarked, "If you're looking to connect with the wonders of Acadia and avoid the crowds, stay here! It was amazing and the lack of light pollution at night made the star-gazing spectacular!" Most campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, though hookup availability varies significantly between locations. Waterfront sites at Mount Desert Campground are especially sought after, offering views of Somes Sound. The proximity to hiking trails, coastal scenery, and the town of Bar Harbor makes this region particularly appealing for campers seeking both natural experiences and access to services.
Best Campgrounds near Salsbury Cove (124)
1. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park
"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."
"quiet, wooded, relatively secluded. good spot at 111 where we stayed. nice places for tents. private showers outside main camping area were a positive since none in camping area itself."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $60 / night
2. Mount Desert Campground
"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)."
3. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA
"This campground has beautiful tent sites along the waters edge."
"It 11 miles to Bar Harbor town proper and only 8.7 miles to the Hulls Cove Acadia National Park visitors center and the entrance to the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road."
4. Bar Harbor Campground
"We love the state parks and unorganized, off the beaten path camping. This is definitely not that!"
"This is a nice campground located close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $81 / night
5. Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $60 / night
6. Hadley's Point Campground
"**Campground Review: ** Hadley’s Point Campground is located on the north side of Mt Desert Island and just a short distance from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."
"There was a fire ring outside of the cabin and a picnic table. We purchased firewood at a stand close to the campground."
Check Availabilityfrom $29 - $90 / night
7. Schoodic Woods Campground — Acadia National Park
"Schoodic Loop Road -- less popular than the main park "Park Loop Road", provides access to gorgeous shore line views and more hiking trails, but RVs and trailers aren't allowed past the campground entrance"
"Although it is quite a ways off the beaten path, Schoodic Woods Campground is well worth the travel time. The campground is new, so it is sparkling clean."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $60 / night
8. Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort
"Some of the sites are very close to one another...we happened to get lucky with a site with more space. The proximity to Acadia and Bar Harbor was fantastic."
"Showers rooms are every other for social distance are clean and like bathrooms cleaned daily. It is a great convenience to Acadia Nat’l Park."
9. HTR Acadia
"My wife and I stayed at Somes Sound for 4 nights on our Maine honeymoon trip in July. We absolutely loved our stay. We set up at camp site 9. Incredible view of the sound/water."
"I showed up to Maine unprepared with a place to stay. Somes Sound View Campground was the only campground I could find in the area with availability."
10. Lamoine State Park Campground
"Lamoine State Park is a great option if you want to be close to Acadia but away from the crowds.
There are both tent and rv sites, which are intermingled in the campground.""Another awesome state park in Maine! We loved the location; so easy to get to Acadia National Park but well out of the fray. We had site 42: not right on the Frenchman Bay (a gorgeous thing!)"
Drive Time
- 52 min from Bangor, ME
- 2 hrs 12 min from Lewiston, ME
- 2 hrs 49 min from Portland, ME
- 3 hrs 52 min from Manchester, NH
Recent Camping Photos near Salsbury Cove, ME
319 Photos of 124 Salsbury Cove Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Salsbury Cove, ME
737 Reviews of 124 Salsbury Cove Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendSchoodic Woods Campground — Acadia National Park
Quiet Side of Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is definitely one of our favorite National Parks and Schoodic Woods Campground adds to the awesome experience. This is the “Quiet Side” of Acadia which means way less crowds. The campground is divided into two loops A and B with campsites able to fit big-rigs to tents. Loop B has large pull-thru sites adequate to fit any size RV and has water and electric with sites being more open than Loop A. Loop A has a little more privacy between sites and does offer 30/50-amp electric but no water at the site. Many sites in Loop B are not level and we had a difficult time getting level in our site (B24). All the roads are paved and campsites are gravel with a large patio and fire pit and picnic table. Each loop has two bath houses, but be forewarned, there are NO showers in the campground (you have to drive to another campground nearby and pay for showers), nor is there a laundry facility. There are dish washing stations at the bathhouses with hot water. Park staff does a great job of keeping the bathrooms clean and camp hosts regularly clean campsites and fire pits. There is a hike-in tent section but, oddly, campfires (wood and charcoal) are not allowed but you can use butane. There is Wifi at bathrooms and Ranger Station. All sites have to be booked online and they will not make reservations at the ranger station.
We love this section of Acadia because there are far less crowds but you still have the beautiful coastline and plenty of hiking and biking opportunities. Hiking trails and the carriage roads are accessible right from the campground so you don’t have to drive anywhere. Frazier Point is a great place to launch a canoe or kayak, just be aware of the 10–12-foot tides and plan accordingly. The Musquito Harbor Brewery is a great place to go for pizza and beer after a morning exploring the park.
- Nancy W.Legend
Rest Ashore Cottages
Great waterfront getaway near the quiet side of Acadia National Park
If you are looking for a Maine coastal getaway in a beautiful location that is away from crowds, Rest Ashore Cottages are perfect. This property features ten relatively new cottages located right on a quiet bay along the beautiful Maine coast. Some are right on the water and others are set back a row but all have access to a private sandy and rocky beach. The cottages vary in bedrooms and size ranging from king beds to bunks and able to sleep up to six people. Cottages with bunks for kids provide toys and games for their enjoyment. Each cottage has an outdoor picnic table and BBQ grill. There is a shared fire pit and gathering area on the beach and multiple play areas for kids with digging equipment to keep them busy. Units are fully furnished with an array of kitchen appliances (some even have a dishwasher and washer/dryer) and include linens. Their website has a detailed description of what is included in each cottage and the sleeping arrangements. Their cancellation policy is great – if you cancel 30 days prior to arrival, you receive a one hundred percent refund.
The cottages are located a short drive to the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor, known as the “Quiet Side” of Acadia. Be forewarned, this is not the main section of Acadia near Bar Harbor on Mt. Desert Island. This section of the park does have plenty of hiking and biking opportunities with miles of carriage roads and trails and plenty of gorgeous views of the rocky coastline. There are also many great picnic areas and places to paddle and fish. A great place to visit is the Schoodic Institute Visitor Center that has lots of history and information about Acadia, the Maine coastline, and the research facility. If you want to visit Bar Harbor, there is a ferry from Winter Harbor that takes you across the bay on a 45-minute boat ride. If you don’t have a car, the Island Explorer (a free bus service) will take you around the park and over to Bar Harbor. There is a small grocery in Winter Harbor and plenty of restaurants within a 10-minute drive.
Daniel S.
TravelerCottonwood Camping & RV Park
Nice peaceful place to stay
Nice owner and staff, spotless and modern washrooms, great showers, fast WiFi... There is a lot to like about this place!
Veronica V.
ScoutTimberland Acres RV Park
Clean facilities. Laundry available for $2.50 for wash and $2.50 for dry. All hook ups worked for me. I stayed at spot 085, very close to bathrooms which was helpful. Friendly and helpful staff.
Thomas B.
RangerHolden Family Campground
Quiet and Pleasant
Spent a few days here in early October. Pleasant host, easy check-in, and quiet campground with full hookups. Minutes from the highway and an hour or so from Acadia.
- KKevin L.Traveler
Timberland Acres RV Park
Acadia Visit
This is a BIG campground with lots of amenities. Laundry, dog park, bath house, etc…. The size of the place makes using some of the amenities prohibitively—you could walk well over a quarter mile to get to the bath house. Generally a very clean location with easy access to the road to Acadia NP.
- KKaren M.Guide
Mount Desert Campground
Amazing site
This has been our favorite site yet! We at C54 which is apparently the best site. We have a roof top tent and the site had power and water. It is a “corner lot”! It has so much room and is right near the bathroom and showers. You are in the woods and there is a beautiful lake with kayak rentals right on site. The staff was so kind and helpful. We felt they were truly happy we were there.
Dana M.GuideLamoine State Park Campground
Great Find!
Nice state campground. Older style restrooms and showers but clean. We got a beautiful site looking out at the bay. We will likely extend our already booked 2 night stay.
Guide to Salsbury Cove
Camping near Salsbury Cove, Maine offers visitors close proximity to Acadia National Park's less-traveled trails and coves. The area sits at roughly 100 feet above sea level, with the surrounding terrain characterized by pine forests and rocky coastlines. Morning fog frequently blankets campsites through June and early July, creating cooler morning temperatures that typically range 10-15°F below daytime highs.
What to do
Tide pool exploration at Schoodic Peninsula: The Schoodic section of Acadia provides excellent tide pooling opportunities with fewer crowds. "The night was clear, the stars out, and the sounds of the Atlantic nearby made a superb camping experience. With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding!" notes a visitor to Seawall Campground.
Kayak Somes Sound: Launch directly from waterfront sites to explore the only fjord on the eastern seaboard. "We got a great plot right on the water which was great to wake up to and watch the sunsets on. Located in the center of the island, which makes all the spots in Acadia easy to access," shares a camper at Mount Desert Campground.
Mountain biking on carriage roads: Access miles of car-free gravel paths perfect for cycling. "I've stayed here several times, both with just a few people and with whole groups and every time it has been fantastic. The last time we stayed and it happened to rain a couple of times over our five day trip. This didn't stop us from biking the carriage trails," reports a Blackwoods Campground visitor.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The Schoodic Peninsula offers exceptional stargazing due to minimal light pollution. "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," notes a camper at Schoodic Woods Campground.
Access to Island Explorer shuttle: The free shuttle service connects campgrounds with park attractions and towns. "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. Two days in a row our car battery didn't start, so one of the staff came with a battery pack to help us," explains a visitor to Hadley's Point Campground.
Wild blueberry picking: Mid-July through August offers wild blueberry harvesting at certain campgrounds. "Mid July to Mid August free blueberries campside," mentions a camper at Bar Harbor Campground, highlighting this seasonal perk for visitors.
What you should know
Reservations essential for waterfront sites: Prime waterfront spots book months in advance. "If you want a waterfront campsite - good luck! They let the families book them year over year so it's hard to get an opening to reserve those sites," explains a camper at Mount Desert Campground.
Insect protection necessary: Mosquitoes can be particularly challenging in wooded areas. "Amazing campground, but bring bug spray! This was my second time going to Seawall campground, I had such a great experience last year I wanted to go back! Just remember to bring a ton of bug repellent, or opt to go during the months where bugs are less mild," advises a camper.
Pay showers at many locations: Shower facilities often require quarters. "The showers are coin operated for warm water. Bring quarters! You can definitely shower completely with one session of about 5 minutes," notes a visitor to Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Platform tent sites for more comfort: Several campgrounds offer raised platforms for tent camping. "Many options to stop for firewood on the road to the campground. 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," shares a Blackwoods Campground visitor.
Campgrounds with fishing opportunities: Some locations offer kid-friendly fishing spots. "The BEST part of this campground for our family was Somes Sound and the floating docks. 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.
Playgrounds and pools: Some of the best places to camp near Salsbury Cove, Maine include family-friendly amenities. "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," notes a Schoodic Woods visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access at some locations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "This is a tough Campground to get into. Reservations are almost a must. These sites have power and water. Dump station nearby in the park," shares a Schoodic Woods Campground visitor.
First-come sites for flexibility: Bar Harbor Campground offers no-reservation camping popular with RVers. "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. After 4 days and my tanks were full. I found a full hook with sewer $46 and moved for the next week," explains a camper.
Island power considerations: Many campgrounds have electrical limitations. "All sites have electric (20/30/50) and some have electric and water only reflected in cheaper prices. $22 hike-in tent sites (primitive), $30 drive up tent/small RV (20 amp), $36 RV with electric only sites (20/30/50 amp), $40 RV with electric and water (20/30/50 amp)," notes a visitor to Schoodic Woods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Salsbury Cove, ME?
What camping is available near Salsbury Cove, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, Salsbury Cove, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Salsbury Cove, ME and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Salsbury Cove, ME?
Which is the most popular campground near Salsbury Cove, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Salsbury Cove, ME is Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 104 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Salsbury Cove, ME?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Salsbury Cove, ME?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Salsbury Cove, ME.
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