Best Campgrounds near Salsbury Cove, ME

Camping options near Salsbury Cove, Maine primarily center around Acadia National Park, with several established campgrounds offering a range of accommodations. 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 Camping Sites Near Salsbury Cove, Maine (117)

    1. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    98 Reviews
    Seal Harbor, ME
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3274

    $30 - $60 / night

    "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."

    2. Mount Desert Campground

    37 Reviews
    Mount Desert, ME
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3710

    "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

    37 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3520

    "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

    32 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-5185

    $60 - $81 / night

    "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."

    5. Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park

    53 Reviews
    Bass Harbor, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3600

    $22 - $60 / night

    "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."

    6. Hadley's Point Campground

    29 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-4808

    $29 - $90 / night

    "**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."

    7. Schoodic Woods Campground — Acadia National Park

    37 Reviews
    Winter Harbor, ME
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-1300

    $22 - $60 / night

    "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."

    8. Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort

    22 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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. Smuggler's Den Campground

    21 Reviews
    Southwest Harbor, ME
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 244-9033

    "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."

    10. HTR Acadia

    17 Reviews
    Mount Desert, ME
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3890

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Salsbury Cove, ME

689 Reviews of 117 Salsbury Cove Campgrounds


  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Machias Rips Campsite

    Nice enough

    There are about 5 spots. Some are rough and not super flat, but it's pretty and the river is right there. You can hear the highway but it's not too bad. Only real negative for me was nowhere to really walk my dogs, nothing even close to a trail nearby. Just the highway.

  • Missy R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Camden Hills State Park Campground

    Autumn in Maine

    Camden Hills is an ideal camping location. Sites are spacious, they have a variety of trails, and the town of Camden is charming.

    Beware of weekend campers. I had no problem getting a first come first serve spot on Wednesday, but by Friday, it was busy.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

    Fun Fall Stay

    Stayed here in October, the week before they shut down for the season. Staff was friendly and super helpful. Snowmobile trails behind the campground lead to a walking path that connects the high school and elementary school for a pleasant walk in the woods.

  • Missy R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Camden Hills State Park Campground

    Fall at Camden Hills State Park Campground

    I was worried when I decided to come to this part of Maine in the fall without reservations. It’s early October, and I learned that Maine State Parks are first come first serve at this point. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive and find plenty of vacant spots.

    The campground is large, and most of the sites are on the larger side. They tend to be nestled into the woods with plenty of trees, dividing the sites. Though some of the smaller RV sites are more compact.

    It’s a great location, close to Camden, Maine, and not far from other attractions.

    I’m here in 2025 and they are doing work on their water system so none of their water is potable

  • Yung H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Good spot but wood is rough

    I love the spot but all the wood is from outside the campgrounds. Its not so “dry” more like just chopped and bundled had to tend to it for over a hour+ just to get enough dry to keep the fire going. But overall a very nice quite camprground.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Machias River Camp off Route 9

    My favorite spot in Maine!!

    Super cool mixed use land with established campsites. 6 or 7 in total I think. Right on Machias river. Great ATT service.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Megunticook Campground

    Watch out for their prices

    Online the prices was 40$ for a tent site. We didn’t need water or electric just a spot to sleep for the night. I called to reserve cause the website wasn’t very easy to work with and the man on the phone said 76$ but couldn’t explain costs and was rude with the “you’ll not find another spot for this cheap!” Which we did. For less than half that cost. So watch out on prices and the extra charges.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    So lucky!

    We tried staying here in the summer a few years back and it filled up weeks ahead of time. We got lucky this trip and got one spot open same day. Got here super late and was surrounded by other campers but the trees all around gave us privacy and everyone was super quiet so no disruptive folks like so many campgrounds. The bathrooms don’t have showers of course but they are so clean it was a great thing from other sites pit toilets. If you’re in Acadia this is the spot!


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?

According to TheDyrt.com, Salsbury Cove, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Salsbury Cove, ME and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

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 98 reviews.

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.