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Best Campgrounds near Swans Island, ME

659 Reviews

Swans Island, Maine and the surrounding coastal region provide a unique mix of mainland and island camping experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Bass Harbor Campground, located on nearby Mount Desert Island, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations within walking distance of Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Several campgrounds in the area feature amenities like showers, electricity, and water hookups, while others maintain a more rustic setting. The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) maintains numerous island campsites throughout the archipelago, creating opportunities for sea kayakers to explore remote island camping on Marshall Island, Saddleback Island, and other nearby locations.

Camping seasons in this coastal region typically run from May through October, with most campgrounds closing after Columbus Day due to harsh winter conditions. "Come prepared with fresh water and wag bags as there is no fresh water for filtering and no toilets on many of the islands," notes one experienced visitor about the MITA island sites. Road access varies significantly between mainland campgrounds with drive-in sites and the boat-in-only island camping options that require sea kayaking skills and proper equipment. Tidal fluctuations can dramatically affect landing possibilities, with some reviews mentioning tides of 9-14 vertical feet that make island access challenging at high tide. Cell coverage is limited on the islands and quieter areas of Mount Desert Island, requiring advance planning and safety precautions.

The camping experience near Swans Island combines coastal beauty with varied accommodation styles. Several visitors highlighted the exceptional stargazing opportunities on the islands, with one calling Marshall Island "some of the best stargazing spots we've ever seen." Tent sites at Bass Harbor Campground receive positive reviews for their wooded settings, though some mention the close proximity to neighboring campsites. Wildlife viewing, lighthouse access, and ocean vistas rank as top experiences. Campgrounds on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island like Bass Harbor provide a more peaceful alternative to the busier Bar Harbor area while still offering access to Acadia National Park. Island camping through MITA provides the most remote experience but requires additional preparation and sea kayaking expertise.

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Best Camping Sites Near Swans Island, Maine (103)

    1. Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park

    53 Reviews
    Bass Harbor, ME
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3600

    $22 - $60 / night

    "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."

    2. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    94 Reviews
    Seal Harbor, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3274

    $30 - $60 / night

    "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."

    "Super short walk down a path to the oceans edge complete with cliffs, rocks and waves!! Just really a lovely place to camp. Close to many other attractions in the park!"

    3. Mount Desert Campground

    37 Reviews
    Mount Desert, ME
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3710

    "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)."

    4. Bass Harbor Campground

    18 Reviews
    Bass Harbor, ME
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 327-5857

    "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"

    "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."

    5. Smuggler's Den Campground

    20 Reviews
    Southwest Harbor, ME
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 244-9033

    "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."

    6. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    36 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-3520

    "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."

    7. HTR Acadia

    16 Reviews
    Mount Desert, ME
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-3890

    "My wife and I stayed at Somes Sound for 4 nights on our Maine honeymoon trip in July. We absolutely loved our stay. We set up at camp site 9. Incredible view of the sound/water."

    "I showed up to Maine unprepared with a place to stay. Somes Sound View Campground was the only campground I could find in the area with availability."

    8. Quietside Campground

    7 Reviews
    Bernard, ME
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 244-0566

    "We will stay here again for sure, but if this is your only visit to Acadia you may want to stay on the other side of the island to have easier access to the park bus system."

    "It is a 5 minute drive to Acadia National Park, has free warm showers, flushable toilets and beautiful campsites. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the area."

    9. Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls

    11 Reviews
    Sedgwick, ME
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 359-5555

    $29 - $39 / night

    "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!"

    10. Bar Harbor Campground

    32 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-5185

    $60 - $81 / night

    "We love the state parks and unorganized, off the beaten path camping. This is definitely not that!"

    "This is a nice campground located close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."

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Recent Camping Photos near Swans Island, ME

398 Photos of 103 Swans Island Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Swans Island, ME

659 Reviews of 103 Swans Island Campgrounds

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Balsam Cove Campground

    Great place!

    We stayed here one night in September in a Tuesday. Quiet, very few people. Had a non electric site without water and paid the same price as the state park in Camden. This place had much nicer showers and bathrooms. Would return!

  • Mindie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Great stay

    The campground is beautiful. The sunsets amazing. We are so close to all the activities in the area. People are super friendly and the staff is helpful.

  • Jim S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Hadley's Point Campground

    Nice looking park ! clean

    Nice site one of the more expensive campgrounds in the area. Polite staff I asked if I could rinse off the front and back of Airstream as they have dusty roads here. The said no not even without soap. I asked no we are on a well. First time I was told no in two years of travel . Even in upscale parks most let you rinse the bugs off

    Not a real complaint just a note .

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Acadia Seashore Camping and Cabins

    Beautiful spot but...Meh...🤦🏼‍♀️

    So we got there & was escorted to our spot which seemed nice. It took awhile to get rid of them so we could get set up.

    We got everything set and we have a mat we put down. Well, the grass is like straw & we were not allowed to have the mat on their dead grass??

    In our spot, for 6 nights, we had no shade at all!!! All these nice ocean front ones that were there we assigned to people there for 2-3 days! Wth!!!

    Their honey wagon waa broke down so we had to pull everything in to empty our grey water.

    I went and asked about how much the laundry machines were and 30 mins later it was a little painful. You have to sign up to do laundry and schedule your time. Ok, well I did 2 loads for $14 and my hours was up and one load was not completely dry. She explained that ONE TIME some families got their clothes mixed up as they were all trying to leave at one morning. So, instead of them looking at this as an exception, they put this sign up system in place. So, complete overreaction and changed every other's experience in the future.

    As our neighbor described it as a RIDGED HOA. The kind that worry about everything you do and don't do.

  • M
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Meguniticook by the Sea Campground

    Overpriced!

    Corporations are buying up the private campgrounds and charging ridiculous prices. The three around Campden, ME have 4 day minimums making the most basic RV site $ 225 to $260 per stay.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Great choice

    The Campground offers basically everything that’s needed for a good experience. There are kids amenities and activities, there’s a shop inside of the campground with a little of everything you might need. We rented a site next to the ocean, and it was great!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Best camp views of 2025 season

    I’m always appreciative when booking KOA. This site did not disappoint. Tricky parking but wonderful to have the views to myself and one other neighbor. Beach front, able to swim and SUP right from the campsite. Amazing fire pit. Bathrooms are far, and only 3 showers, one was down. But they were clean. Overall will book again.

  • Clean Slate D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Mount Desert Campground

    The best Campground in Maine

    This place is the perfect mix of feeling like you're rustic camping on the water with decent amenities. Not many RV's will fit so, mostly tent camping. Un-level sites have platforms to put your tent on. The office even has hammer and nails for you to use to secure everything. Fresh ground local coffee every morning and local Giffords ice cream at night at their "Gathering Place". Kids ride their bikes everywhere. I'd say kids get to be just the right amount of feral here. It's a safe, quiet and fun park. Best you'll find on MDI and in Maine. It's one of our top in the USA, to be honest.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

    Clean, quiet, beautiful

    Despite being a fully booked campground our stay was very enjoyable. It was quiet, other campers were respectful. The bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a designated dishwashing drain to keep animals away from the campsites. Best part though was the lack of biting flies and mosquitoes!

Guide to Swans Island

Camping near Swans Island, Maine, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, including those at Acadia National Park. One camper mentioned, "I love that the southern ridge trailhead for Cadillac mountain leaves from the campgrounds and connects to a bunch of other trails."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Seawall Campground noted, "We did see dozens of deer... by far the most wildlife of any of the three Acadia campgrounds."
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the rocky beaches for tidal pool exploration. A reviewer at Mount Desert Campground shared, "There is a rocky beach just across the road for exploring tidal pools."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. One reviewer at Blackwoods Campground said, "Well maintained campground with clean bathrooms right in the heart of the park."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful setting. A visitor at Seawall Campground remarked, "The best thing about this campground is the total darkness and silence at night."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often mention the generous spacing between sites. A reviewer at Schoodic Woods Campground stated, "The sites are carefully designed so that although you might hear your neighbor you likely will not see them."

What you should know:

  • No Showers at Some Campgrounds: Be prepared for limited shower facilities. A camper at Schoodic Woods Campground noted, "There are no showers, but you can wash up in the bathhouse."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A visitor at Bar Harbor Campground mentioned, "No reservations and an awesome shuttle system- our favorite things about staying here."
  • Limited Cell Service: Expect spotty cell service in some areas. A reviewer at Seawall Campground said, "T-Mobile and Verizon did not provide any service here."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Look for campgrounds with pools and playgrounds. A camper at Smuggler's Den Campground noted, "The playground was great for the kids. The swimming pool was a highlight as well."
  • Easy Access to Attractions: Choose a campground close to local attractions. A visitor at Hadley's Point Campground mentioned, "The free bus stops here so you can have a car-free park experience."
  • Quiet Hours: Be mindful of quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good night's sleep. A reviewer at Smuggler's Den Campground said, "The only problem was kids running around during quiet hour."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Schoodic Woods Campground advised, "Choose your site carefully if you have a large rig."
  • Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A visitor at Mount Desert Campground mentioned, "There is a dump station onsite."
  • Leveling Gear: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. A reviewer at Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort noted, "Most spots are on uneven to very uneven ground, come prepared with whatever method you have to level out your setup."

Camping around Swans Island, Maine, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of activities and beautiful scenery to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Swans Island, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, Swans Island, ME offers a wide range of camping options, with 103 campgrounds and RV parks near Swans Island, ME and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Swans Island, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Swans Island, ME is Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Swans Island, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Swans Island, ME.

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