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The Stonington, Maine area provides camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote island sites. Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground offers tent and RV sites with full hookups in Stonington proper, while Shivers Island at Settlement Quarry Preserve provides primitive boat-in camping for more adventurous visitors. The region's coastal geography creates unique opportunities for island camping along the Maine Island Trail, a 200-island network accessible primarily by sea kayak. Several campgrounds within an hour's drive include Seawall and Blackwoods in Acadia National Park, offering a mix of tent, RV, and in some cases, cabin accommodations with varying levels of amenities.
Road conditions and seasonal availability significantly impact camping in the Stonington region. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, closing during harsh winter months. As one visitor noted, "This is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay." Island camping requires additional planning for tides, which can vary 9-14 vertical feet, potentially making landings impossible at high tide. Cell service varies throughout the area, with stronger reception in established campgrounds and limited to no service on remote islands. Visitors planning to camp on islands should prepare for self-sufficient stays, including carrying in all supplies and water, and using wag bags for human waste as required by land management agencies.
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and tranquility of the Stonington area as primary attractions. The coastal campsites offer stunning views of the working harbor and surrounding islands, making them popular choices for those seeking authentic Maine camping experiences. A visitor to Shivers Island described it as having "a deep, rocky shore, it's the perfect place to make dinner, watch the sunrise or set, and star gaze with no city lights or trees to obstruct your view." Many campgrounds in the region offer water views or direct water access, though these premium sites typically fill quickly during peak season. The proximity to Isle au Haut (part of Acadia National Park) provides additional recreational opportunities for campers based in Stonington, with ferry service available from the harbor. Visitors seeking quieter alternatives to the more crowded Mount Desert Island section of Acadia often prefer camping in this area.
"This campground is quiet, walking distance to the ocean. Family oriented. There are however, no showers. Most of the walk in campsites are only steps away from the parking lot."
"We stayed at the tent walk in sites (D25) The sites are close together but otherwise, well maintained."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Close proximity to Bar Harbor and a lot of the main attractions of the national park. Showers are just outside of the entrance to the campground, coin operated."
"quiet, wooded, relatively secluded. good spot at 111 where we stayed. nice places for tents. private showers outside main camping area were a positive since none in camping area itself."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful, quiet location with views of the deer isle bridge and access to walking the beach. Owners are so nice and friendly and accommodating. Sites are mostly private and have space. Very clean."
"Site number 4 was great it was tucked away a bit yet still had a nearby bathroom and a 3 minute walk to the seashore which was beautiful!"
from $29 - $39 / night
Check Availability"Camden Hills SP is a no contest campground if you are visiting Camden and surrounding MidCoast areas. 9 out of 10 times I visit Camden (one of my favorite places in Maine), I stay at this campground."
"As with all real estate, location, location ! The camp is well situated amongst many Maine towns all of which are worth a visit to."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"My boyfriend and I drove all around looking for a camping place in the Bar Harbor area but nothing was open because it was the end of April."
"Located near Stonington, it is near the harbor, restaurants, a sand beach and the ferry to Isle au Haut. Opportunities for Kayaking, SUP’s and hiking abound here on a quiet island."
"Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest."
"Our site was right next to a potable water spigot, and within easy walking distance to a bathroom building which includes full plumbing and metered showers (4 quarters for 5 minutes)."
"Decided on Bass Harbor after considering the only available tent site at Seawall (very small and close to neighbors)."
"Tent campers have a much prettier space than RV, as with most campgrounds, and they have a lot across the main road which is perfect for tent camping. if you have multiple sites for large gatherings you"
"This campground has beautiful tent sites along the waters edge."
"It 11 miles to Bar Harbor town proper and only 8.7 miles to the Hulls Cove Acadia National Park visitors center and the entrance to the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road."
"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."
"It has all the things is usually stay away from because I like a little bit more primitive accomadations- less family style."
GuideLocation/Location - near the major attractions with clearly marked trails to hike to Adventureland. Sites were small but separated nicely with trees and shrubs. Only 50% full week after Labor Day. Also, Forrest ranger education in amphitheater each evening. Great park and stay!
GuideBeautiful setting, huge sites, and hike and bike trails right from the campground. Would come again!
ScoutThis campground is wonderful and I highly recommend. Check-in was a breeze. There is ample room for multiple rigs to park during check-in. We reserved a golf cart for our stay as the campground is large. The golf cart was ready upon our check in. We were happy that we had it for the week we stayed.
There is a family fun zone with water slides, pools, mini golf, etc. It is small enough to easily keep watch over children, but large enough for them to have fun. There is a little cafe by the pools so parents can easily purchase food and treats without leaving the area.
We stayed in "D" Loop. It was very quiet there. There is space between the campsites and we didn't feel like we were crowded.
The entire campground was very clean. The bathroom/shower facilities and laundry are cleaned multiple times a day. The campsites and roads were groomed, level and very clean.
There were always plenty of staff working at any given time. All were very pleasant and helpful.
We will definitely stay at this campground again when in the area.
Scout15 minutes from Bangor, affordable, about $55/nite. We like it, quiet, clean w/ fun activities. Dog friendly
GuideStayed three nights and really everything was great. Site was close to the eastern bay and sunrise. Bathroom were old, rustic rustic, and a quarter to shower. Pool was nice and laundry facilities was actually really nice and lots of machines. Spent a very rainy day morning doing laundry. That’s what you do when it is racing cats and dogs, right? Location to Acadia and Bar Harbor just fine. Big benefit was the restaurant across the street, Lobster Pound! Yes, ear there at least once. Not cheap but great hot lobsters roll and lobster feast. Yum yum!
TravelerLet me start by saying, I’ve “camped” very few times in my life. We ended up here on a whim and I couldn’t have asked for more. The staff were friendly and informative. Even had a cookie for the dog. There were some items for sale as well as a few books about the history of the camp and the owners.
We were in spot 24. Three sides were surrounded by trees, bushes…nature…you get it. There was a picnic table and a fire pit. It was quiet, we didn’t hear the other campers. There are a few apple trees on the property that lended something to the vibe.
The views were incredible. The sunset and sunrise were so stunning I ran out of words to describe them.
The stars were so vibrant. With each passing hour more were revealed.
If I find myself in Maine needing a little reprieve, I’ll be returning.
ScoutLovely and peaceful property. Owners responsive; no contact check in. Would stay again if in the area
ScoutWe had a terrific stay at Blackwoods campground. It was very quiet throughout our stay despite being almost at capacity; other campers were respectful and friendly. The campsite and bathroom were clean, but bring your own hand soap! Friendly, frequently seen rangers and professional/informative check-in. Acadia is amazingly beautiful, with many hikes nearby and a free shuttle bus that can take you to several different spots throughout Acadia.
TravelerWent end of Aug/Early Sept. We stayed in spot WE 8 which neighbors a small creek and forest around most of it. Space was smaller and requires leveling but was perfect for our 20ft Camp Trailer.
Camping near Stonington, Maine offers coastal exploration opportunities from both established sites and remote islands. The region sits at the southern tip of Deer Isle, with an average elevation of just 30 feet above sea level, creating dramatic tidal shifts that campers must monitor when planning water activities. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-75°F, with mornings often shrouded in dense coastal fog that can persist until midday.
Kayak to remote islands: Access the Maine Island Trail from Shivers Island — Settlement Quarry Preserve, where experienced paddlers can explore the Deer Isle Archipelago. "With a deep, rocky shore, it's the perfect place to make dinner, watch the sunrise or set, and star gaze with no city lights or trees to obstruct your view," notes Shari G., who recommends preparing for significant tides that make "landing at high tide nearly impossible on Shivers."
Hike nearby mountains: The Camden Hills trail system at Camden Hills State Park Campground offers multiple difficulty levels about an hour's drive from Stonington. "There are hiking trails just outside your doorstep, and you are within five miles of a grocery, restaurants, attractions," reports Nancy W., while another camper adds that the park "has direct access to Mount Megunticook, and Mount Battie, and offers easy to advanced hikes."
Explore working harbors: Visit the fishing docks early morning (4-6AM) to watch lobster boats heading out. One visitor to Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground noted the proximity to authentic maritime culture: "Located near Stonington, it is near the harbor, restaurants, a sand beach and the ferry to Isle au Haut. Opportunities for Kayaking, SUP's and hiking abound here on a quiet island."
Privacy between sites: At Greenlaw's, campers appreciate the spacious layout. "This is a wonderful campground with sites with lots of privacy. We stayed for a month and were very happy with our stay," shares Bob W., adding that "the amenities are all well done, limited in scope. The result is a quiet atmosphere."
Oceanfront views: Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls in nearby Brooklin offers waterfront campsites with direct ocean access. "Site number 4 was great it was tucked away a bit yet still had a nearby bathroom and a 3 minute walk to the seashore which was beautiful," reports Andrew B., who recommends getting "fresh lobster from the local lobster man that lives on the grounds, they even supply you with a pot to boil them!"
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution around Stonington creates exceptional night viewing conditions. Kyle R. at Seawall Campground notes that "for stargazers, the short walk across the street to the beach will give you some unbelievable views of the milky way when the night is at peak darkness."
Limited services: The Stonington region has minimal facilities compared to tourist-heavy areas. A reviewer of Mount Desert Campground warns: "Showers were ~2 miles away, open 4-7 pm and $1.50 for 2 minutes of water." Pack accordingly with sufficient supplies.
Weather variability: Coastal Maine weather shifts rapidly, with frequent fog banks reducing visibility. "I would advise making reservations if you want to stay over a weekend or during the summer season as this park really fills up," advises a Camden Hills State Park visitor, noting that inclement weather can limit outdoor activities.
Island camping regulations: When island camping, strict leave-no-trace policies apply. For Shivers Island, "you are required to use Wag Bags instead of digging a cat hole to dispose of human waste," explains Shari G., adding that "since all of the islands are first-come, first-served, have a back-up plan for camping on another island."
Look for campgrounds with built-in activities: Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA offers structured recreation for children. "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. If you find a painted rock and bring it to the office you get a free ice pop," explains Melissa N.
Choose sites with easy water access: Mount Desert Campground offers floating docks that kids enjoy. "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!" shares Whitney W.
Pack for variable temperatures: Maine coastal mornings often start at 50°F and reach 75°F by afternoon. "The night was clear, the stars out, and the sounds of the Atlantic nearby made a superb camping experience. With coastal hikes so close, sunrise hikes and exploring the tide pools were outstanding!" notes Steve M. from Seawall Campground.
Size restrictions apply: Many campgrounds near Stonington limit RV length. Ian R. at Greenlaw's notes: "This is a small, wooded campground with large private sites. The upper sites where we are have a great view of the sky for Starlink users." Most waterfront sites accommodate smaller units under 25 feet.
Satellite reception challenges: Dense tree coverage impacts connectivity. At Camden Hills State Park, "There is no cable and satellite can be difficult due to trees. There are nine sites (55-63) located in an open field that may be able to pick up satellite. Our antenna found one major network and a few PBS stations."
Off-season advantages: Visiting in September-October reduces crowds. "We arrived just a few days after the park opened for the season so the campground was especially quiet," notes one Camden Hills visitor, while Coffee&Camping T. adds that at Greenlaw's, "once your reservation is made reservations are on the honor system that you show up. No prepayment was required."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Stonington, Maine camping areas?
Camping areas near Stonington offer varying amenities depending on the location. Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground provides private sites with good AT&T reception, well-maintained facilities, and a quiet atmosphere. While amenities are limited in scope, they're thoughtfully designed for a peaceful experience. For those seeking island camping, Saddleback Island on the Maine Island Trail offers free primitive camping spots and beaches maintained by the Maine Island Trail Association. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic facilities like toilets and water access, but amenities tend to be simpler than in more developed areas, emphasizing Stonington's natural beauty and tranquil setting.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Stonington, Maine?
The prime camping season in Stonington runs from late spring through early fall (May-October), with July and August offering the warmest temperatures and busiest conditions. Duck Harbor Campground in nearby Acadia National Park operates during this peak season, with its limited sites requiring advance reservations. Some visitors prefer the shoulder seasons of late May-June or September-early October when Schoodic Woods Campground and other area facilities are less crowded but still operational. Late April can be challenging as many campgrounds haven't opened for the season yet. Fall brings spectacular foliage but cooler temperatures, while winters are generally too harsh for most camping experiences in the region.
Where can I find campgrounds near Stonington, Maine?
Several campgrounds are available within driving distance of Stonington. Mount Desert Campground offers immaculate grounds and bathroom facilities on Somes Sound. For RV travelers, Mainstay Cottages & RV Park in nearby Winter Harbor provides small sites with great views and is close to a ferry that goes to Bar Harbor. For a more primitive experience, coastal islands accessible by kayak offer unique camping opportunities. The Deer Isle archipelago includes numerous camping spots managed by the Maine Island Trail Association. Within a longer but reasonable drive, you can also reach Acadia National Park's campgrounds including Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods.
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