Campers visiting Seal Cove access Acadia National Park's western section, often called the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island. This area sees fewer tourists than Bar Harbor, with average summer temperatures of 70-75°F during peak camping season. Winter conditions typically close most facilities, with snow accumulation making camping impractical from November through April.
What to do
Hike from your campsite: Smuggler's Den Campground connects directly to park trails. "You can pick up trails right from the campground and walk to a great beach in Acadia National Park," notes Jennifer P. The campground makes an excellent base for accessing western Mount Desert Island hiking routes.
Kayak Somes Sound: Mount Desert Campground offers kayak rentals for exploring Maine's only fjord. "We rented double kayaks from the front office for 2 hours and kayaked Somes Sound - it was beautiful water & amazing exploring! A bit more difficult with the ocean currents vs lake kayaking," shares Whitney W. The protected waters make this suitable for intermediate paddlers.
Stargazing: The western side of Mount Desert Island has minimal light pollution. "Walk down to the beach just outside seawall on a clear night for some of the best stargazing you'll ever see," recommends Kyle R. from Seawall Campground. September and October offer the darkest skies when campgrounds are less crowded.
What campers like
Ocean proximity: Waterfront sites at Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA allow direct water access. "Beach front, able to swim and SUP right from the campsite. Amazing fire pit," describes John F. Many campers note the eastern shore locations catch spectacular sunrise views while western shore campsites provide sunset vistas.
Tent platforms: Many sites have wooden platforms to manage the rocky, uneven terrain. "Since the campground sits among the rocky and mountainous coast line, they have spent the time and money building leveled platforms for all the sites. Without the platforms, the campsites would be quite miserable," explains Melissa W. about Somes Sound View Campground. These platforms help keep tents dry during coastal rain.
Shuttle service: Public transportation connects campgrounds to park destinations. "The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30," notes Karla J.B. about Seawall Campground. The Island Explorer shuttle typically runs June through October with reduced schedules in shoulder seasons.
What you should know
Shower availability varies: Blackwoods Campground lacks on-site showers. "We had to drive offsite to showers, though," explains Roxanne R. Many campgrounds offer coin-operated showers costing $1-2 for 5-7 minutes of hot water.
Reservation systems differ: Bar Harbor Campground operates on a first-come basis. "No reservations taken so get there early to get his sites," advises Tammy H. Early morning arrivals (before 9am) offer the best chance at securing sites during peak summer season.
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty. "We didn't have reliable cell service," mentions Karla J.B. Western Mount Desert Island typically has weaker signal strength than the eastern side, with some campgrounds offering limited WiFi near registration offices.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Hadley's Point Campground offers swimming alternatives to ocean beaches. "The campground had a heated swimming pool," notes Brandy N. The pool provides safer swimming for children who might find ocean waters too cold or rough.
Crabbing activities: Mount Desert Campground offers simple wildlife interaction opportunities. "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!" shares Whitney W. This activity works best at low tide.
Painted rock hunts: Some campgrounds organize simple games. "If you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop. It's the simple things in life, right?" explains Melissa N. about Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA. These small activities help keep children engaged during downtime at camp.
Tips from RVers
Site selection limitations: Bass Harbor Campground restricts larger units. "Campers over 20 feet are not allowed. The sites are large however the terrain is difficult to navigate," explains Garrett D. Most campgrounds on the western side limit RV length to under 30 feet due to narrow roads and small sites.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds have on-site facilities. "There is NO dump station located at the campground however a few miles down the road, there is a campground that allows you to use theirs for a $20.00 fee," notes Garrett D. Pumping services at some campgrounds visit only on scheduled days for an additional fee.
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds limit generator usage hours. "There are no hookups and limited generator hours, but there is a dump site and water available to fill," explains Laura L. about Seawall Campground. Quiet hours typically restrict generator use before 8am and after 8pm.
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