Pet friendly camping near Sorrento, Maine offers diverse options within a 30-minute drive of Acadia National Park. This coastal region sits where the Schoodic Peninsula meets Mount Desert Island, with ocean temperatures averaging 50-60°F even in summer months. Campgrounds typically operate from mid-May through mid-October, with peak blackfly and mosquito activity occurring in June.
What to do
**Sunrise hikes: Access Schoodic Head trail early morning for spectacular views. At Schoodic Woods Campground, "trails wind through the park" where you can experience "amazing coastal scenery, quaint towns, and a peaceful campground in one of America's top 10 parks without the crowds and craziness of Bar Harbor," according to Nancy W.
**Kayaking from campsites: Launch directly from waterfront spots. At Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, sites provide "ocean (bay) view with steps to beach" and "easy access for kayaking" where you can "watch the seals, birds" according to Meghan B., who stayed at an oceanfront site.
**Tide pool exploration: Visit during low tide for marine life viewing. "We could launch our kayaks directly from the site... The kayaking from the park is very good, with protected access into Mt. Desert Narrows," reports Heather C., who enjoyed the waterfront sites at Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA.
**Winter Harbor excursions: Find less crowded coastal access points. "The town of Winter Harbor is located two miles from the park and a ferry dock which takes you to Mt. Desert Island," mentions Nancy W. from Schoodic Woods, noting the "ferry provides free transportation between various locations."
What campers like
**Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathrooms. At Lamoine State Park, "the bathrooms and showers are cleaned regularly and the price for camping is great," says Shelby L. The park represents "the way most Maine state parks should operate... showers were surprisingly good and often cleaned," adds LoneCamper C.
**Island Explorer shuttle access: Free transportation to key locations. At Bar Harbor Campground, "the shuttle has a bike rack so you can bring your bike and pets are allowed," notes Nancy W. Another camper mentions it's "a free shuttle that runs from the campground all day, which will take you all the way to Bar Harbor and throughout the island and park."
**Quiet camping areas: Less crowded alternatives to main Acadia sites. "Lamoine State Park is a great option if you want to be close to Acadia but away from the crowds," writes Heather C., who appreciated that "the day use area is lovely, as is the launch area."
**Oceanfront camping options: Direct water access from sites. At Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins, "Spot 18 is perfect! The view is spectacular" according to Jordan K. Another camper notes, "Our waterfront site 344 was terrific - gorgeous view, and one of the larger waterfront spots."
What you should know
**First-come campground logistics: Some locations don't take reservations. Bar Harbor Campground operates uniquely: "You arrive, find an empty spot, get set-up and then go back to the office to register... Once you're in the park if you want a different site... drive around and if you see someone packing up put a personal item, then head to the office," explains Nancy W.
**Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds charge for showers. At Blackwoods Campground, "there isn't a shower facility at this campground. The markings for the sites could have been better," notes Chuck Y., who stayed at site D2.
**Campsite terrain variations: Some spots require leveling. At Lamoine State Park, "many sites are not flat and require significant leveling if in an RV. Some sites have more buffer than others, but in general I would not say that there is great privacy between sites," explains Heather C.
**Seasonal crowds: Visit timing affects experience. One camper noted Schoodic Woods "is a tough campground to get into. Reservations are almost a must," while others mentioned that "this place is really busy but calms down when kids go back to school."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Select campgrounds with kid-friendly facilities. Lamoine State Park has "a playground on the way to the ocean view!" according to Shelby L., making it easy to entertain children between beach visits.
**Protected swimming areas: Find gentle water access points. At HTR Acadia, "the views were breathtaking" and there's "a pool and other facilities" that make it family-friendly according to IAN P.
**Kid-friendly activities: Look for campground programming. Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA delivers "a very family friendly camp, with lots of activities for kids," according to Heather C. Another camper mentions "my daughter begs to camp here. As with any KOA they have lots of activities throughout the day for families, and a pool, but she loves the ice pop contest."
**Tent camping privacy: Choose wooded sites for quiet. At Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins, "the grounds are kept in immaculate shape," and the owners "not only surprised our girls with picks of their own antique dolls on arrival but they gave us their own brochure with hidden gems all around the area," according to Balon N.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup availability: Water and electric access varies. At Schoodic Woods, "sites have power and water. Dump station nearby in the park," reports Dennis A., who appreciated the "beautiful new Visitor Center" and noted there are "many things to do in the area, and great seafood."
**Campground navigation: Some parks have tight corners. At Bar Harbor Campground, "roads in the park are paved but some corners can be a little tight for big-rigs, best to unhitch your tow car up front in case you have to back up," advises Nancy W.
**Dump station timing: Plan for potential lines. Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort has "only one dump station for Loop B. Each RV took about 15 minutes. If you are third in line, you will be waiting," according to Rick C.
**Site selection for larger rigs: Verify size compatibility. At Lamoine State Park, "RV's seem to be up higher on the hill while tents prevail lower down," notes LoneCamper C. Consider that "some RV sites are full hookup, some only electric and water, but there is a dump station onsite" at many campgrounds.
