Cabin camping is an amazing way to experience Southwest Harbor, while still enjoying a little rustic luxury. Find the best cabin camping near Southwest Harbor. Each cabin rental offers quick access to one or more of Southwest Harbor's most popular destinations.
For Seawall campsites, 90 percent of campsites are released six months in advance on the first of each month at 10 am EST. The remaining 10 percent are released at 10 am 14 days ahead of a desired arrival date on a rolling basis. For example, if you plan to arrive on May 24, you can make an online reservation starting at 10 am EST Dec 1 from the first release or starting at 10 am EST on May 10 from the second release. All campsite reservations must be made through recreation.gov. 90% of campsites are available six months in advance, and released on a monthly basis as described above. 10% of campsites are available at 10:00 a.m. EST. fourteen (14) days in advance of the desired reservation date. Visitors are able to make same day reservations if campsites are available. All reservations must be made through recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made through the campground office or in-person.
From gentle walks along the rugged coastline, mountain hikes, tree lined carriage roads for biking and lakes for kayaking and canoeing, Acadia offers many opportunities to get outside and be active.Park rangers at Acadia offer a variety of programs to suit every interest and activity level. Programs include walks, talks, hikes, narrated boat cruises, bike rides and more. Kids age 6-12 love Acadia's Junior Ranger Program.A 27-mile, historic loop road system offers outstanding views of the park's ocean shoreline, coastal forests and mountain silhouettes.
Southwest Harbor is located on the west side of Mount Desert Island. The west side of the Island is considered the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island. All the sites at Seawall Campground are wooded and within a 10-minute walk to the ocean. There are many beautiful and quiet hiking trails on this side of the Island, as well as Echo Lake, a wonderful lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and picnics. Acadia is comprised of a cluster of islands on the Atlantic coast of Maine. Mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows and beaches are all found within roughly 50,000 acres comprising Acadia.
Acadia National Park is surrounded by scenic island harbors and quaint towns. Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut offer plenty of visitor services including restaurants, shops, museums, and tours. Please check with local Chambers of Commerce for more information.
No Shows If a camper does not check-in at the ranger station by 10:00am check-out time the day after the scheduled arrival date, their reservation will be cancelled, the camper will incur a $20.00 service fee, and forfeit the first night's camping fee. Making Changes to Your Reservation A $10.00 service fee will apply if you make any changes to your reservation. Cancelling Your Reservation If you cancel your reservation the day before or on the day of your scheduled arrival date, you will incur a $10.00 service fee and forfeit your first night's camping fee. If you cancel your reservation 2 or more days before your scheduled arrival date, you will only incur a $10.00 service fee. If you cancel a group campsite reservation within 7 full days before the scheduled arrival date, you will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Early Departures If you choose to check out of your campsite early, you must notify us in person at the Campground Ranger Station before 10:00am in order to receive a refund for your remaining nights. Please review Rules & Reservation Policies below for more information.
$22 - $60 / night
Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday makes the perfect base camp whenever you want to experience beach camping in Bar Harbor. You and your family can enjoy your trip on the island by staying at our KOA Campground, from its proximity to Acadia National Park to the local restaurants and shops.
At Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday, we offer many campsites to help you have the camping experiences you desire. You can stay at one of our RV Sites, Deluxe Cabins, Camping Cabins, Unique Accommodations, or Tent Sites.
For Schoodic Woods campsites, 90 percent of campsites are released six months in advance on the first of each month at 10 am EST. The remaining 10 percent are released at 10 am 14 days ahead of a desired arrival date on a rolling basis. For example, if you plan to arrive on May 24, you can make an online reservation starting at 10 am EST Dec 1 from the first release or starting at 10 am EST on May 10 from the second release. All campsite reservations must be made through recreation.gov. 90% of campsites are available six months in advance, and released on a monthly basis as described above. 10% of campsites are available at 10:00 a.m. EST. fourteen (14) days in advance of the desired reservation date. Visitors are able to make same day reservations if campsites are available. All reservations must be made through recreation.gov. Reservations cannot be made through the campground office or in-person. Schoodic Woods is located in breathtaking Acadia National Park on the Maine coast. Located on the Schoodic Peninsula, this campground is 1.5 miles (2.5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor. It is approximately 60-70 minutes from Bar Harbor and the main section of the park. Visitors venture to Acadia for its picturesque scenery, historic sites and recreational activities, including walking, hiking, biking and kayaking.
The Schoodic Peninsula provides numerous recreational activities without the congestion of Mount Desert Island. A six-mile (10 km), one-way loop road offers views of lighthouses, seabirds, and forested islands. Vehicle turnouts provide opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery. Stopping on the road and parking outside of designated pull-offs are prohibited. There are over eight miles of hiking trails on the Schoodic Peninsula and an additional eight miles of bike paths. Arey Cove Road leads to Schoodic Point, a windswept, rocky point providing spectacular views of Mount Desert Island.
Acadia is comprised of a cluster of islands on the Atlantic coast of Maine. Mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows and beaches are all found within roughly 50,000 acres comprising Acadia. At Schoodic Woods, all sites are wooded and within a 15-minute walk of the ocean.
Acadia National Park is surrounded by scenic island harbors and quaint towns. The Schoodic Institute is located near Schoodic Point and has an Education and Research Center supporting science and education initiatives throughout the park. Beautiful Lamoine State Park is just 21 miles from Acadia, with boating, fishing, and scenic views of Frenchman's Bay.
No Shows If a camper does not check-in at the ranger station by 10:00am check-out time the day after the scheduled arrival date, their reservation will be cancelled, the camper will incur a $20.00 service fee, and forfeit the first night's camping fee. Making Changes to Your Reservation A $10.00 service fee will apply if you make any changes to your reservation. Cancelling Your Reservation If you cancel your reservation the day before or on the day of your scheduled arrival date, you will incur a $10 service fee and forfeit your first night's camping fee. If you cancel your reservation 2 or more days before your scheduled arrival date, you will only incur a $10 service fee. If you cancel a group campsite reservation within 7 full days before the scheduled arrival date, you will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Early Departures If you choose to check out of your campsite early, you must notify us in person at the Campground Ranger Station before 10:00am in order to receive a refund for your remaining nights. Please review Rules & Reservation Policies below for more information.
$22 - $60 / night
Situated in a quiet location, just off of Route 3, Hadley's Point is a camper's haven. Take a quiet five minute walk to a public saltwater beach. Acadia National Park Visitor Center and entrance is just four miles, and downtown Bar Harbor is just an eight mile drive. Shuttle service is available on the Island Explorer buses daily from late June through Columbus Day.
Hadley's Point Campground offers grassy and wooded sites, each with its own fireplace and picnic table. Tent sites, water & electric (20-30-50 Amp), and full hookup campsites available. On-site honeywagon service is available.
$29 - $90 / night
Welcome to our 3rd-generation, family owned campground! With over 100 sites available (for tents, pop-ups, campers, RVs and weekly rentals!), we hope you'll take advantage of our hospitality and make our campground your home while you visit Mount Desert Island. Choose a site where you can relax in the shade of the trees or soak up the rays in a sunny lot. We are in an area where there are plenty of family-friendly activities, and are within walking distance to many of Acadia's hiking trails, and just a short drive to many of the island's best attractions. Start planning your vacation today, reserve your site at Smuggler's Den!
At Mt. Desert Narrows RV Resort you can pitch a tent, park your RV right on the water, or back up a bit and enjoy a panoramic ocean view from your very own spot at this coveted RV resort in Maine. Once you settle on the view, decide if you want to play onsite or off. Onsite Mt. Desert Narrows, you can enjoy our RV resort's many amenities and activities. Or venture out to see the sites and explore historic Bar Harbor and famous Acadia National Park, just a short drive from our RV resort in coastal Maine. Mt. Desert Narrows RV Resort offers a ton of resort style amenities and our friendly staff is ready to help you in any way they can. So come check us out at our RV resort in Maine, and have the trip of a lifetime!
Located on Mount Desert Island, HTR Acadia (formerly known as Somes Sound View Campground) is an idyllic, peaceful retreat on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. HTR Acadia is known for attracting adventurous, nature-loving campers, who appreciate spending their days next to the ocean surrounded by gorgeous woods. Our park is only a short drive from Downtown Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, so there is always something new to explore!
The Carsey family welcomes you to a Downeast camping experience. Our campground is on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island and only a 10 minute walk from Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Each of the 120 shady or wooded sites has a Fire-ring and Picnic Table. We offer our Campers: Clean Restrooms Free Hot Showers Electric & Water hookups Electric, Water, Sewer hookups Electric, Water & Sewer Pull-throughs 20, 30, 50 amp Sites RV Sites have Cable TV Camping Cabin rentals Group Tenting areas & Group Rates Seasonal Sites Heated Pool Playground Wi-Fi (Free!) Dump Station Camp Store Gift Shop Ice & Local Firewood Laundromat Dogrun Credit Cards accepted Enjoy mountains, woodland trails, spruce and birch forests and the pounding surf of the Atlantic as it crashes against miles of rocky shoreline. Windswept Acadia National Park features rugged headlands, tide pool critters and a variety of naturalist activities.
2020 Tripadvisor Hall of Fame! Park your big rig or rent a cozy cabin and enjoy the good life here at Narrows Too RV Resort! We offer all the amenities you need plus the ones you want at our all-inclusive RV resort in Maine. Once you have explored everything there is to do onsite at Narrows Too, take a day trip from the RV resort and go hiking in Maine's Acadia National Park or a stroll through historic Bar Harbor. While you're in Bar Harbor, check out the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor and enjoy the mountainside park, wild hiking trails, and beautiful formal gardens overlooking the sea. Love nature? Visit the Mount Desert Oceanarium and experience a lobster hatchery, a living salt marsh, and their whale exhibit. All of these exciting adventures are nearby Narrows Too RV Resort in Maine, just waiting for your arrival. Back at Narrows Too, we've created 200 brand new long and level full-service RV resort campsites, most with spectacular views of the ocean. Our great central location overlooking Mt. Desert Island makes Narrows Too a great place to set up camp; whether you want to stay onsite at the RV resort and relax with friends and family in coastal Maine, or you want to explore all that our amazing region has to offer. We can't wait to see you here! Love nature? Visit the Mount Desert Oceanarium and experience a lobster hatchery, a living salt marsh, and a whale exhibit. Traveling with a large group? Narrows Too is a great place for a rally, a reunion, a retreat. If your caravan has twenty-five people or more, call our Maine reservation office at (207) 288-8106 for special rates and all the details. Come for a few days...you'll want to stay for the season! All-Inclusive RV Resort in Maine Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Narrows Too Camping Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Guide
We are tent campers and it’s difficult to find a review on tent sites at many KOAs. We were at site 403 and had family in a camping cabin.
We loved our site. Lots of room for our very large tent! We even put up a hammock and had room to have family over for campfires and meals. Bathrooms were close by and were always clean. It was close enough to the ocean to have a lovely view but not so close that we were swarmed with mosquitoes.
Camp staff was fantastic and the stores were great. Loved exploring tide pools too!
Scout
our family of four (my Husband and I and our 2 boys) stayed in a camping cabin for 5 days at the end of June. The cabin contained a queen sized bed and a set of bunk beds. It also had a private bathroom with metered shower. 50 cents got you a hot, 7 minute shower, which was plenty of time! You need to supply your own linens and towels. Toilet paper, garbage bags and a broom/dustpan are supplied. There was a fire ring outside of the cabin and a picnic table. We purchased firewood at a stand close to the campground. We found the cabins to be spaced far enough apart that we had peace and quiet and privacy. If you had wanted to make friends with your neighbors, you could. We noticed lots of families with children staying in the cabins area. The campground itself had a heated swimming pool. Best of all, the campground was on the Island Explorer bus route, which is a series of busses that take you to different areas of Acadia National Park and into the surrounding towns. Once you arrive at the campground, you wouldn’t need to use your car again!
Guide
Since the campground is closing this fall to renovate I will focus mostly on what the park has to offer. Our family of four plus one pet was impressed with the transportation system provided by Acadia in partnership with L.L Bean. Free buses are pet-friendly which allowed for maximum exploration. Activities within walking distance from the campground included hiking, beach combing, and picnicking. Waking up to see the beautifully painted sky over the ocean at sunrise is well worth it! Rock climbing and various boat excursions were also available. Southwest Harbor neighbors the campground and has adorable coffee houses and restaurants. Also, be sure to seek out one of Ms. Frances' blueberry pies from the Quietside Cafe. Hoping renovations keep walk-in woodsy sites, but update bathrooms and maybe include showers, although a clean pay facility exists a mile towards Southwest Harbor. All together, the gorgeous geography, National Park Service and kind neighboring towns made tent-camping in Acadia an outstanding and affordable experience. This will not be our last visit!
Guide
Great campground. Staff is helpful, sites are clean. Definitely a tent friendly place. 90% of the sites are well shaded, and most have plenty of room. Do your research not all the sites here are created equal. Proximity to Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor, and all the great things to do in the area is perfect. Great pool and other facilities. Found this place because the State Parks closed camping due to Covid, what a great find. We will definitely be back.
Legend
Love the location of this park. You are just a few miles from the bridge that takes you to Mt. Desert Island where you have Acadia National Park (NP) and the towns of Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and a few other quaint little towns at your fingertips. But, drive the other way and you will get to explore Ellsworth, Blue Hill, Surry, Schoodic Peninsula and much more.
This area has so much to offer - the highlight being Acadia NP. Here, hundreds of trails and gorgeous views abound. Trails range from easy to strenuous with some taking you on a nice walk around a lake or pond where others guide you along steep ledges and up with ladders and rungs. Be aware that hiking during or after a rain can be quite treacherous because of slippery footing. The island is known for their granite and rock faces that are common on the trails which can be very slippery. I advise walking or biking a carriage road (which is crushed gravel) when the ground is wet to avoid slipping. The carriage roads are amazing for biking and walking and link 46 miles of the park. If you like to kayak, there are plenty of free public boat ramps – Long Pond, Eagle Lake, and Jordan Pond being some of the prettiest. Many of these water bodies are off limits to swimming as they are the public water supply but personal watercraft are allowed. Fishing with a state license is permitted in many of the lakes and ponds. Many were stocked years ago but I never had any luck catching in the few lakes I fished.
The shoulder season here is the best time to come. Preferably in the spring before mid-June or the fall when the leaves are changing color. Not all businesses and restaurants will be open before mid-June but you will have far less crowds than in the busy summer months. During the summer season, there is a free shuttle taking you (and bikes and dogs) to various locations throughout the island and within the park. If you are planning on hiking some of the popular trails (like Precipice, Dorr Mountain, Cadillac Mountain, and the Beehive) definitely take the shuttle. The parking lots are really small and you will not find a spot. Be sure to go to Cadillac Mountain for a sunrise and bring warm clothes as the wind really whips up there. Fall is a beautiful time to visit but be aware that many cruise ships frequent Bar Harbor. Some days will find over 6,000 cruise ship passengers and staff flooded into the downtown. Hiking amongst the fall colors is beautiful but we made sure to go early to avoid the crowds.
The smaller island towns of Northwest Harbor and Southwest Harbor were more our style than the touristy Bar Harbor. Check out the farmers market in Northwest Harbor and the Common Ground Soup Kitchen in Southwest Harbor for hot delicious popovers. C-Ray Lobster offers a good lobster dinner in a casual atmosphere that is much less expensive than lobster pounds downtown Bar Harbor (and it is BYOB). Downeast Lobster Pound is our favorite place to buy lobster. We would buy them live and steam them at our campsite or you can have them cook them (for a nominal fee) and eat there or take them to go.
The campground has some 200 sites for RVs and cabins and cottages for rent but they DO NOT allow tents. Prices range from the $30’s to over $100 depending on where you want to camp. 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. 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. (Be aware the park charges an additional $4/night resort fee on sites that are booked less than 30 days.) All sites have full-hookup and cable. The wifi was hit or miss. All sites and patios are gravel with some grass between them.
There is a swimming pool, horseshoes, volleyball, laundry, and bathrooms. The bathrooms and showers were cleaned daily and in good condition when we were there. (The bathroom nearest the entrance is the newest and gets the least amount of use and was always clean.) There is a kayak/canoe rental in the park which was nice but there is no designated parking there so we had to take the car back to our site. The camp store rents two-person kayaks and canoes for a very reasonable price of ($10/hour and $5 for additional hours). However, you have about a four-hour window to paddle because of the tides. 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. There is no off-leash dog park but we were told by work campers that we could let our dog off-leash in one of the leach fields to throw a ball for her. Super cool.
The park was clean and staff friendly and very helpful. There are some brochure racks in a community building and laundry and the office has a variety of maps for the island and will let you look through some hiking guide books as well as restaurant menus. We would definitely come back here again. The only downside is that it is a little pricier than other parks but the location is ideal.
GuideWe stayed at the tent walk in sites (D25) The sites are close together but otherwise, well maintained. There are two wheelbarrows usually loated near the bathroom to help move gear as many of the sites are walk in.
Back behind D25 area there is a path that leads to the RV sites (which are even closer together). On that path is a mound o free firewood to take an armfull each day. But I would bring firewood as a backup as it sometimes is empty.
No showers at the campground, but there is a store just up the road towards Southwest Harbor. They have hot showers *bring quarters) and most camping items you may have forgotten or broken.
The seawall area also gets very good sunrise and sunset views out on the rocks. There are a bunch of day use sites out there with fire rings, so you can cook on the wall at sunset.
There's also a lot of good hiking you can get to on that side of the island without going all the way back to the main park.
You can buy your park pass at the ranger station when you check in so you don't need to go to the main gate or visitor center to get one.
LegendFamous Seawall Campground is divided into four loops. I can only review loops A & B where I have stayed…although I did look quickly at loop C which has a parking lot configuration and doesn’t have the character of loops A & B which are in the woods. Stay at Seawall if you can possibly do so. It’s unique.
Loop A has a few sites that have been closed this season and hopefully they will open next year. Site A-1 is hands down the closest to the ocean by just a bit…a very easy walk and a good level site medium size. I would vouch for sites A-4 ADA; A-18; A-20; A-28; A-33; A-36; A-37; A-38 which seem nicer and flatter than others. Sites 24 & 25 are configured for adjoining families or friends without being group sites. A-10 & A-12 are very small sites. Firepits are generous in size.
In loop B the best sites are generally on the outer, not the inside of the ring. Firepits are also large in this loop.There is one bathroom without showers, but it has been rebuilt or remodeled. There is no soap or hand dryer but the main thing is that the bathroom is very clean and modern as well as easily accessible from al points in the loop. Some of the sites inside the roadbed are adjacent to standing water which surely is a mosquito hazard. It gets swampy on the inside of the ring during rains…B-2, B-4, B-6 might flood. Best sites in loop B are: B-1 highest in elevation; B-8 excellent privacy; B-13; B-26 & B-27. Spacious sites B-8; B-26; B-27 have the most privacy. B-15 & B-16 are meant to work well for adjoining parties. Site 22 is well set into the woods. Sites B-5, B-4, B-6; B-24 are small - of these B-24 is the best. Site B-2 is not private at all.
Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor are the closest villages. Don’t forget to scout out the view from the upper town dock on Clark Point Road on the way to Beal’s restaurant. Look for a narrow lane to the dock--- great harbor view there…of the working harbor.
The most reliable area wifi is in Southwest Harbor village behind the town’s library (near the village public restrooms which are badly maintained.) On any given afternoon one can find the vehicles of Seawall campers parked behind the library using the wifi…this continues into the night, at least in summer.
Seawall has no wifi reception at all and no shower facilities. Nor any soap dispensers in the bathrooms.
What it does have is location, location, location--- steps from the ocean. It’s a stone beach as with so many in Maine, not a sand beach; but, there are plenty of picnic tables and endless tide pools to explore.
Guide
This is the first campground we have stayed at that has ATV trail access, horse friendly camping, full hookups, pull through sites, tent camping, tent rentals, teepee rentals, "tiny bird cabin", and a tree house.
A must see!
Guide
Cute little single yurt-style cabin! Lovely for a romantic little ocean side get-away!
Guide
We stayed at this campground unexpectedly as two places I was looking at would not accept reservations less than 24 hours in advance. They had availability, offered wooded tent spots, and were affordable as some campgrounds anymore are charging an arm and leg to camp. When we arrived, the girls in the office were super sweet. They had the essentials needed if you are in a pinch, a cute gift shop for the Bass Harbor Lighthhouse (bring your lighthouse passport with you to get stamped here), have coffee/muffins in the morning, washrooms were very clean, laundry, dog park, dog run, small rec center, and pool. Tent sites are nicely wooded and spaced out, so you are not on top of one another. Quiet hours are between 10 PM and 7 AM, and it was so nice to camp in peace and quiet with others wanting the same thing. There are homes close by, but they are fenced off and really are out of sight, so it's not really an issue. The Bass Harbor Lighthhouse is literally 500 feet away. We could hear the bouy ding from our campsite. There are two beautiful hiking trails .7 miles away from the campgrounds: Ship Harbor and Wonderland, that bring you to beautiful ocean views. One of the Acadia Park entrances is 5 minutes away. Southwest Harbor is a short ride away to grab an ice cream or a nice dinner. There is a brand new mini golf center further down the road that is amazing!! The Acadia Mountain trail is not far nor is the Cranberry Island Ferry. This was a prime location to see another side of Bar Harbor, see beautiful sites and avoid the crowds of downtown Bar Harbor. So happy I stumbled across this campground by accident. I would highly recommend and will definitely return!
TravelerThis is a national park campsite. First impressions, really good!
When you enter you pass by a ranger booth to register, etc. Definitely grab the campground map! Why? Because you are given a free handful of wood and the map will show you where to pick it up. We didn’t realize until later and bought some on the way in. Don’t be us.
We stayed in D loop, which are all walk-up. Some are closer to the parking lot than others. Ours was D84. It had a pretty good sized space, and plenty of good area for our tent. Had a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate you could place over for cooking, if so inclined.
The bathrooms. We noticed they were cleaned every morning, and we stayed during the weekend. During the day of course they can get somewhat dirty but nothing crazy. No showers. Water spouts were ample and spread across the campground. They also had a dish washing station in the bathroom building, in a separate room. Trash bins were also right in the parking lot.
The space itself was kind of close to our neighbors but not like we were on top of each other. Everyone was courteous and the noise level was fine. Seemed like around 10/11, everyone went to bed and it was very quiet.
The campground location itself. It’s actually kind of great. It is not right next to the actual park, in a not heavily trafficked area. As a result, it’s peaceful. And you have the town of Southwest Harbor right next to it. You actually have to drive through it to get here. It’s got some shops and restaurants but a lot less people than Bar Harbor. It took us ~25 min to get to the other side and to the park itself.
The only con. Mosquitoes. Everywhere. All the time. The fire will scare them off or fry em, but no fire = you become a delicious blood flavored snack bar. Bring bug spray!
ScoutMy cousins, my husband and our dog rented a deluxe cabin in September, and it was perfect. The cabin provided all of the amenities of a home including linens, dishes, cookware, heat, a/c and even cable tv. Outside we had a small deck with a grill and a fire pit on the ground. It was the perfect place for our group of six to retire at the end of a day of hiking.
The cabin we stayed in was not secluded in any way. Our neighbors were right next to us on all sides, but it wasn't a problem for us at all. Just something to keep in mind if you're looking for a more rustic experience.
Traveler
Hidden gem. Rustic, quiet and affordable. Super friendly owners. Cabins are awesome!
RangerTypically, a KOA wouldn’t have been my first choice. They tend to be campy and incredibly dense-if I wanted to feel like I was “camping in the ‘burbs” I’d go and tent out at my parents’ backyard. I was pleasantly surprised, however, with Bar Harbor/Woodlands KOA!
Having only planned my Maine getaway only three weeks prior, I was without many choices. I caught a lucky break with this KOA. The grounds provided a comfortable, yet affordable option, while being within close proximity to Bar Harbor, Acadia, and all the amenities Mount Desert Island has to offer.
My site, 735, was wooded and while denser than most state or federal parks I venture to, provided the shade and privacy I enjoy when camping. The facilities were clean and updated- which was actually a nice change for me! Much of the programming was of course geared toward kids and family. One such event included a family-friendly “hayride” that embarked at dusk in search of the infamous “bigfoot”. I got the biggest kick out of the 6 foot cryptid running at me while cleaning dishes.
I also need to give a shout-out to the friendly and helpful staff, who assisted me in a pinch when my car battery died! Kindness is never forgotten!
If you and your loved ones find yourself out in this neck of the woods or planning your own Maine getaway, this is not a bad stop! As a tent camper who enjoys that “woodsy” wilderness feel, I recommend sites 624, 701, 702, 707, 710, 715, and 735. 710 is arguably the best site on the grounds, and 624 provided a combination of solitude and convenience with its “camp kitchen” fixture.
You also have your choice of cabins, classic and deluxe, campers, “glamper” tents and group sites.
TravelerStayed here in the weekend I proposed, to my now wife. Excellent hiking. Sweet tiny cabins
GuideMy husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon to Acadia National Park! We stayed in a small cabin and it was perfect for our stay. Weather was a bit cold when we were there (October 2018), but there was a space heater. Had space to prepare food as well as a microwave, fire pit, and grill for use. The showers and bathroom were well maintained and close to the cabins. Walking distance to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and other National Park hiking trails. We loved it and look forward returning for another trip!
TravelerSeawall Campground is the quieter of the two main island campgrounds in Acadia National Park and as a campground experience, for us, the middle experience of the three in quality.
This is a very quiet campground that tends to attract quieter and more respectful campers, and a larger percentage of tent campers than the other two locations. Sites are close together and densely wooded. Privacy is a bit of a lottery here. While campsites are deep and set off the road, some of them open up to each other at the rear points of each site, providing the illusion of privacy toward the road but much less privacy in reality. Others are very private and would feel as if you had no neighbors at all.
For privacy concerns, avoid the interior campsites however possible: They are completely open not only to one another, but the restroom trails actually go through the middle of many of these campsites, meaning you can expect foot traffic within a few yards of your site at all hours of the day. The exterior loops are the way to go here.
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INTERNET: Of the three campgrounds at Acadia National Park, internet here was the most challenging. We were able to find a spot in our campsite that allowed Starlink to work with 23% obstructions. That is far too high a percentage of obstructions for use without intermittent down time rendering it unusable for video chats, streaming, and other related work, though it's good enough for quick tasks if you don't mind frequent drops in service. T-Mobile and Verizon did not provide any service here.
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MAJOR PROS: Welcome 2 the Quiet Side! That's the sign that a nearby roadside business flashes at you as you enter the Seawall camping area, and it is accurate. Seawall Campground is very quiet compared with its sister site Blackwoods on the other side of the island. So quiet, in fact, that you can hear the ocean breeze and the crash of waves from the exterior campsites during quiet hours. A very pleasant way to sleep.
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Like Blackwoods, the restrooms at Seawall are dated and about half of them were out of order during our stay. The lack of internet is frustrating for full-timers who might need it for work or use it more heavily for recreation while traveling, but there are several roadside pull-offs with spectacular ocean views, as well as the Seawall Picnic area just outside the campground, where Starlink will work flawlessly. But cell service is basically a no-go here, at least for T-Mobile and Verizon.
Many other reviewers have reported seeing Moose near or in the campground here. No such luck for us, but we did see dozens of deer (big and small) in this location; by far the most wildlife of any of the three Acadia campgrounds.
There are several nice and easy hikes nearby, but all the hikes in this area are very heavily trafficked from dawn on, seemingly every day.
Seawall is a 30-40 minute drive to the main attractions at Acadia, putting it behind Blackwoods but ahead of Schoodic Woods for convenience.
The nearby town of Southwest Harbor is smaller and less busy than Bar Harbor on the other side of the island, but provides access to all necessary provisions. Ellsworth, where you'll find the nearest Wal Mart, Home Depot, and several restaurants, is about 35 minutes away.
Like Schoodic Woods and Blackwoods, Seawall does not host any campground showers, but there are privately owned and highly-rated pay showers about 1 mile outside the campground that run about $3 for 5 minutes of hot water in private stalls. This is also a place to grab ice and vending snacks.
Overall, Seawall is a good-but-not-great campground with dated facilities and variable privacy depending on your site selection. Minus points for lack of internet access and older amenities, plus points for living up to its name as the "quiet" side of the main Acadia Island. This would not be my first choice for camping in Acadia National Park (that'd go to Schoodic), but is an excellent middle ground for those who still want peace-and-quiet and don't mind a bit of a drive to the main attractions, without having to make that drive an all day, gas guzzling affair.
Traveler
we stayed here last year on our vacation to maine,we actually made a wrong turn,ended up getting there very late,they left the key for us to find and were very hospitable the entire visit. we stayed for 2 days,ready to go back again,we stayed in a cabin,it was very clean...the park was very quiet and they had all the supplies we needed... excellent campground!!
Traveler
Great camp ground all the host we’re great and pleasant. We sleep in a tent the first year, site was good size with good fire place placement. The second time we rented a cabin. Clean and hey it was very clean and comfortable.
LegendSites were spaced out enough for privacy. We had a site with a wooden platform that was perfectly level. There was a enough tree cover that we didn't get soaked during the rain. We went tent camping, but they had some very nice looking cabins on the grounds.
ScoutAmazing campground. Staff is extremely friendly. Campground has a small camp store, a heated pool and children's pool, large home style gas grills with picnic area, horseshoe pits, a large playground for children and a large field for anything from badminton to football. 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. All sights are decently leveled having some slight grades for drainage so no sights are flooded. Camp store has firewood, ice and other essentials including live lobsters. Campground is extremely close to Acadia Nation Park and does have access to a few parts of the park within walking distance. Local brewery and Winery within a 15 minute drive of the camp ground. There is a local grocery store and ice cream shop within walking distance of the campground. Downtown Bar Harbor is only a 25 minute drive away.
TravelerMy wife and I rented a "hobbit" cabin for our anniversary for 3 nights at 50 dollars a night it was a great deal. The on site baths and showers were clean and maintained great. There is trash site easily gotten to, they sell on site many camping necessaries and fire wood. We loved our time there and look forward to returning next year
ScoutStayed in one of their cabins out of season and really enjoyed it. Not far from the best Acadia hiking (like 20 minutes), has a nice view of the ocean, and the campground is well maintained and clean and everyone is very friendly. Would stay again. Tip: Don’t buy their firewood ($8), there’s tons of bundles being sold on the side of the road for half the price and double the wood!
TravelerWe stayed early in the season, before Memorial Day, and there were very few camp sites that were occupied. The site we chose was 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! The manager was friendly and let us explore the unoccupied sites/cabins. WiFi worked fine. Very close to take-out seafood....steamed lobsters and fried clams!
Traveler
We stayed May--October 31 2018 ( spouse is a Travel Nurse) It is a great place to stay, quiet and they have events during holidays ( fireworks, food truck and live music) This is a family owned & operated campground, they are very helpful and accommodating to their long staying RV'ers. Full hookups and they also offer tent campers, and have 1 cabin. Shower house and laundry onsite. There is a pond and also a swimming pool and playground, also a little store in the office.
RangerThis is a great place to stay if you are exploring Acadia National Park, especially late in the season as I was because a lot of the other campgrounds are closed by mid-October. This friendly site is just a stones throw from the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse right off Highway 102A. Nice campsites even though they are a little close together, but what campsites aren't? Lots of options here from big rigs to tents to cabins. Nice play area for the kids, a laundry, recreation room and large, clean facilities. There are campsites on both sides of the highway.
Legend
The sites here are nicely wooded and have a decent amount of separation between most of them BUT the campground is located too close to the road and, with the exception of sites 84-87 and cabins 8-10, you will hear road noise in your site. Options are 10 rustic cabins, tent sites, partial and FHU sites.
The bathhouse was very clean and there are both outdoor and indoor showers; both looked nice although we did not use them.
I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me:
*$30 site lock to ensure you get the site you want when you reserve. I took a chance and was able to get the site I reserved without paying this fee
*$4 weather guarantee (allows you to cancel due to inclement weather). I didn’t bother with this one
*7.95 if you need to hook up to WiFi. We were able to use our own portable WiFi
*$10 to use the dump station (we found another place that charged $5)
Aside from the fees and proximity to the road, this is a nice campground with a host of amenities: pool (which I was surprised was still open on October 1), horseshoes, laundry, dishwashing sink, a playground, and trash pick-up at your site. There is also a path to the shore with picnic tables, and chairs. Repairs to the sea wall are in progress so caution was recommended.
Cabin camping near Southwest Harbor, Maine offers a serene escape into nature, with access to beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Southwest Harbor, ME is Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
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