Sargentville sits on Maine's rugged Penobscot Bay coastline, experiencing significant tidal changes of 10-12 feet that affect shoreline camping and water activities. The region maintains cooler summer temperatures than inland areas, with July averages around 70°F during the day and dropping to 50°F at night. Campgrounds near Sargentville generally operate from mid-May through mid-October, with highest occupancy during July and August.
What to do
Kayaking at high tide: West Bay Acadia RV Campground offers direct water access with an outdoor shower to rinse off after paddling. "There is a nice path leading to an overlook and down to the water which is tidal. There is a beautiful cleared spot at the waters edge with a swing so you can enjoy the view and watch the tides (and seals come and go)," reports one visitor.
Explore Schoodic Peninsula: Just 10 minutes from West Bay Acadia RV Campground is the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia National Park. "Just ten minutes away is the Schoodic Woods section of Acadia– a less busy and equally beautiful area of the National Park," notes a camper who appreciated the quieter alternative to the main park.
Visit Winter Harbor: Mainstay Cottages & RV Park provides convenient access to Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula. A visitor mentioned, "Steps away from the small ferry that goes to Bar Harbor and a few minutes to Schoodic Peninsula. Couple of nice restaurants close by."
Stargazing opportunities: Dark sky viewing is exceptional in this region. A West Bay Acadia visitor noted, "Campers are asked to turn outside lights off so there is no light noise to interfere with the beautiful sky full of stars, planets, and meteor showers."
What campers like
Privacy at smaller campgrounds: Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground in Stonington offers secluded sites. "This is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay," shares a visitor who appreciated the quiet atmosphere.
Waterfront views: Maine's coastal campgrounds offer premium water views. A guest at Narrows Too mentioned, "We chose one of the premium ocean front lots and it was beautiful. The view was incredible. We could watch cars driving up Cadillac Mountain from our camp chairs!"
Community gardens: Some campgrounds offer unique amenities like fresh produce. A West Bay Acadia camper noted, "We love the free community garden which has a wonderful selection of produce including strawberries, tomatillos, fresh herbs, beans, lettuces, etc. Feel free to pick whatever you will eat, just leave some for others."
Local seafood access: Timberland Acres RV Park provides convenient lobster options. "You can also get lobster from the camp store (cooked or live)," mentions a camper who appreciated this coastal Maine specialty without leaving the campground.
What you should know
Tide impacts water activities: Plan carefully when camping near the ocean. One camper at Narrows Too reported, "You will be left walking across muddy soft clam flats if you are not mindful of the 10-12 foot tides. There was a free ice cream social when we were there which had four different varieties and toppings and very filling."
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have issues with water systems. A camper at Mt Desert Narrows noted, "There is defined an issue with the water. When we turned in the tap the water ran brown."
Advance reservations essential: The best sites book early, especially waterfront locations. A Narrows Too visitor advised, "The waterfront sites ('300's' section) have great views but are very pricey. Some of the '800' and '600' section sites are cheaper than the 300's and still have partial water views."
Internet and connectivity challenges: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly between campgrounds. A Camden Hills RV Resort visitor reported, "Wifi was a service you had to pay for which is almost unheard of in today's campgrounds. Most campgrounds offer free wifi but this one only offered the wifi for a fee."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with amenities: Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort offers family-friendly features. One visitor reported, "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide. There is a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season."
Consider campground demographics: Not all parks cater to children. A visitor to Narrows Too noted, "I would primarily recommend this campsite for retirees and couples without children. The park doesn't offer many kid-friendly amenities beyond the pool, so families with young children might find it lacking in entertainment options."
Pack for temperature swings: Coastal Maine temperatures drop significantly at night, even in summer. One camper shared, "Be sure to go to Cadillac Mountain for a sunrise and bring warm clothes as the wind really whips up there."
Grocery shopping strategy: Save money by shopping in larger towns. A tip from one Mt Desert Narrows visitor: "Grab groceries in Ellsworth if you want to save $."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Pumpkin Patch RV Resort offers well-designed spaces for large rigs. A visitor noted, "Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night. There is a mix of sun and shade depending on what site you are in."
Watch for tree sap: Trees can damage RV roofs. A Camden Hills visitor reported, "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove."
Multiple sewer connection options: Some rv campgrounds near Sargentville offer flexible hookup configurations. At West Bay, "Most sites have two sewer hook-ups which is convenient because hook ups vary depending on RV type."
Consider road noise: Highway-adjacent sites can be noisy at some campgrounds. A Timberland Acres visitor advised, "The cheapest sites (the 100's and 200's) are near Route 3 which is a very busy road. Park staff is very accommodating and will let you move sites if you decide you prefer something different."
