Mount Desert Island's western shoreline offers camping near Southwest Harbor, Maine with coastal access to Acadia National Park. The region's spruce forests provide natural shade in summer when temperatures average 75-80°F. Most camping options sit within 3 miles of town, providing a quieter alternative to the busier eastern side of the island.
What to do
Hike directly from camp: Smuggler's Den Campground connects to Acadia National Park trails. "Hiking trails connect to the back of the campground for access to Beech Mtn and Echo Lake beach," notes Erin S. The campground's mountain views provide a scenic backdrop for your stay.
Kayak in protected waters: Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA offers direct water access for paddling. "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. Waterfront sites provide launch points or use the two communal water access areas.
Catch sunrise at Bass Harbor Lighthouse: Bass Harbor Campground sits within walking distance of this iconic landmark. "It's walking distance to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and that is just beautiful. Rarely is there ample parking at the light, so walking from your site has its advantages," according to Melissa N. The lighthouse offers excellent sunrise and sunset photography opportunities.
What campers like
Free transportation: Blackwoods Campground provides shuttle access throughout the island. "We were able to walk to the shuttle pickup and ride it to all stops in the park, and to Bar Harbor. It was so convenient," shares Roxanne R. The Island Explorer stops at multiple campgrounds, reducing parking concerns.
Platform tent sites: Mount Desert Campground features wooden platforms for tents, ideal for comfort during wet weather. "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. The platforms provide flat, elevated sleeping areas on uneven terrain.
Swimming options: Some campgrounds maintain pools while others offer natural swimming. "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," writes Whitney W. about Mount Desert Campground.
What you should know
Shower arrangements vary: Many campgrounds charge for showers. At Bar Harbor Campground, "showers are 25 cents/5 minutes" according to Nancy W. Seawall Campground has no on-site showers - "The shower house is located in a separate facility about a mile from the campground entrance," notes Ashlee L.
Reservation systems differ: While most campgrounds take advance bookings, Bar Harbor Campground operates differently. "This campground does not take reservations so you can pick whatever open site you want and if you want to extend your stay, you can. When you arrive, you get a map, find an empty site, get set-up and then go back to the office to register," explains Nancy W.
Site privacy varies dramatically: HTR Acadia (formerly Somes Sound View) offers more secluded options. "Most of the campsites are quite nice, with decent amounts of privacy," reports Thomas R., though he warns "don't expect to get a water front spot unless you reserve well in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Consider the quiet side: Families seeking less crowded experiences prefer Southwest Harbor. "We have a tiny trailer that fits in a tent site. The site was adequate and not as close to the neighbors as I feared. The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30," writes Karla J.B. about Seawall Campground.
Look for activities beyond hiking: Bass Harbor Campground offers a pool for kids who need breaks from hiking. "It has a pool, which my daughter loved but I much preferred going down the road to the lake to swim," shares Melissa N. Many campgrounds provide playgrounds as alternatives to hiking.
Pack quarters for showers: Most campground shower facilities require coins. "Showers were coin operated for warm water. Bring quarters! You can definitely shower completely with one session of about 5 minutes," advises Whitney W. about Mount Desert Campground. Plan ahead with sufficient coins for your stay.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many campgrounds have size restrictions. Mount Desert Campground limits "occupants to RVs less than 20' in length and have about a 50/50 mix of tent campers and small RV campers," according to Danielle V. Some sites have tight turns that challenge larger rigs.
Consider hookup locations: At some campgrounds, utilities may be positioned awkwardly. "Our site has water and electric on the wrong side," notes Rita about HTR Acadia. Bring extension cords and longer water hoses to accommodate unusual setups.
Generator restrictions exist: Schoodic Woods Campground enforces strict generator policies. "Why would I be running my generator if I was hooked up to 50AMP service," explains Rick C. after a misunderstanding with staff. Check each campground's specific rules regarding generator use before arrival.
