Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Swans Island, ME

Bass Harbor Campground accommodates pets throughout their tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin options on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island. Pets can accompany campers to nearby Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, just a 10-15 minute walk from the campground. The facility maintains clean bathroom facilities, a heated pool, and dishwashing stations, with designated areas for tent camping across the main road that offer more privacy than the RV section. Seawall Campground and Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park also welcome pets with proper leashing. Sites at Bass Harbor are relatively close together with minimal privacy between neighbors, though the campground enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM for peaceful evenings. The campground includes a dedicated dog park and dog run area for exercising pets.

Dog-friendly hiking trails near these campgrounds include the Ship Harbor and Wonderland trails, both located less than a mile from Bass Harbor Campground with beautiful ocean views. The trails provide excellent exercise opportunities while exploring Acadia National Park with pets. Campers should note that firewood purchased at some campgrounds may not burn well, so bringing your own could be beneficial. During peak season, sites fill quickly and provide little privacy between neighbors. The quiet side of the island offers a different experience from the busier sections of Acadia, with fewer crowds but requires longer drives (25-30 minutes) to reach other park attractions. Southwest Harbor, the nearest town to Bass Harbor Campground, provides essential services including food, gas and supplies for both campers and their pets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Swans Island, Maine (63)

    1. Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park

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

    $30 - $60 / night

    "The campsites are primitive (no electricity, water or sewer) and there are no showers on site - there is a pay shower close by outside the park."

    "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."

    2. Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park

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

    $22 - $60 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Bass Harbor Campground

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

    "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"

    "First of all, fires and dogs are both totally fine! We go every year. It’s a short walk to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, on the quiet side of the island, and has clean accommodations."

    4. Smuggler's Den Campground

    21 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."

    5. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

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

    "They are mainly open in the evenings but also appear to serve lunch and breakfast on the weekends.  The camp store was well stocked also."

    "My cousins, my husband and our dog rented a deluxe cabin in September, and it was perfect."

    6. HTR Acadia

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

    "We decided to move around and camp in 3 locations to fully experience all that Acadia had to offer, but this easily became my favorite. And we have already booked a second trip only staying there!"

    "Close enough to Acadia National Park and BarHarbor for sightseeing, beach going, outdoor sports and hiking There are great restaurants and waterfront activities nearby."

    7. Quietside Campground

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

    "Nice owner and we paid less than for a comparable site at a Maine state park."

    "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."

    8. 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!"

    9. Bar Harbor Campground

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

    $60 - $81 / night

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

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

    10. Hadley's Point Campground

    29 Reviews
    Salsbury Cove, ME
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (207) 288-4808

    $29 - $90 / night

    "**Campground Review: ** Hadley’s Point Campground is located on the north side of Mt Desert Island and just a short distance from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park."

    "There was a fire ring outside of the cabin and a picnic table. We purchased firewood at a stand close to the campground."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Swans Island, ME

681 Reviews of 63 Swans Island Campgrounds


  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2019

    Hadley's Point Campground

    Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Hadley’s Point Campground

    **Campground Review: **

    Hadley’s Point Campground is located on the north side of Mt Desert Island and just a short distance from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Hadley’s Point is a large private campground that has tent, water& electric RV, and full hook up sites, as well as Cabins. The campground is broke up in to multiple loops (campground map can be found in my pictures) with some loops in open areas with little shade and sites close together, and other loops have more wooded sites that have some shade and privacy. All style sites include a picnic table and fire ring. 

    Reservations are site type, not site specific, so a little bit of a gamble. We were assigned site B27 on this visit. This site was partially shade depending on the time of day and very close to our neighbors. Other sites in the B loop did have more trees and more private, but they were full on this stay. Check-in was easy and the staff was very helpful in providing info and answering questions about the area. A host guides you to your site and assist you in positioning if needed. 

    The bathroom on B-loop does not have showers so we had to hike to other loops to shower. The Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The showers are metered and cost $0.50 per 7 minutes, so don’t forget your quarters! 

    Firewood and limited supplies were available at the office. There is a full grocery store about 10 minutes away. 

    We found good cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The campground did not have wi-fi. 

    The campground also has a heated pool, playground, and laundry. 

    With Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park close by, there is so much to do and see in the area. One of the best benefits of the area is that there is a free shuttle with multiple routes around the island, so you can leave the car and parking hassles behind and just shuttle everywhere. The Shuttle has a stop right on the campground and is dog friendly (on leash and if your dog is friendly). 

    Speaking of dog friendly, I’ve never been to an area that is so dog friendly. The campground staff was very forthcoming with dog friendly info and I have to mention Bark Harbor in downtown Bar Harbor. Bark Harbor is a pet store that bakes their own treats, has toys and gifts, and tons of info on dog friendly areas on the island. They have pre-printed lists of dog friendly hotels, restaurants, on and off leash hiking trails, and dog parks. Super friendly crew that keyed us into an off leash hiking area that our dogs loved! 

    Pro Tip: A short ¼ mile walk from the campground is an off leash dog friendly beach that you can also launch your kayak or canoe from or have a sunset beach campfire. We really enjoys this beach after a long day of hiking all around the national park. 

    With all the outdoor activities of the national park, kayak and boat cruises in the ocean, lobster, lobster, lobster, you’ll need a full week to explore this island. Hadley’s Point made it a perfect place for us to take it all in.

    **---------------------------- **

    **Product Review: **

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, I tested the Morsel Spork. This spork from Morel is very handy to have in your gear list. We are teardrop campers, so our space is limited. Everything has to have a purpose and be compact. Items like the Morsel Spork, that serves multiple functions, fit right into our needs. We purchased both the mini and the XL. Both are the same (spork on one end, spoon/scraper on the other end), but the XL is a little longer. We found this very functional for regular eating from plates or bowls, or eating directly from food packets. I also found the scraper spoon side useful in cleaning out our french press carafe. Easy to clean, easy to use, comes in multiple colors, and happy to have it a part of our camping equipment.

  • MJ B.
    Jun. 19, 2024

    Bass Harbor Campground

    Hidden Gem When Visiting Acadia National Park

    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!

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2017

    Moorings Campground

    Love the Ocean Access and Views

    Overall, this is a great little private RV park with awesome views (from some sites) and great access to the ocean. The park is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Belfast (a sweet little Maine town) which offers plenty to do and see. Plus, you are just five miles from the cute town of Searsport which houses the wonderful Penobscot Marine Museum and two miles from Moose Point State Park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and more gorgeous views.

    The park offers a variety of sites (44 total) depending on if you want oceanfront, ocean view, or a pull-thru. All sites have electric (50 or 30 amp), water, cable and wifi. The five pull-thru sites also include sewer. A mobile sewer pump-out service is available for guests staying one week or longer and there is a dump station. Roads and sites are gravel with grass patios and level. All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. Our Verizon 4G phone and Hotspot worked great but we mostly used the free wifi which worked very well.

    Park amenities include private ocean access, horseshoes, playground, laundry, showers/bathrooms, free coffee in the morning, free weekend papers delivered to your site, free donuts on Sunday mornings, and a restaurant on-site. The park organizes a lot of group activities including pot lucks, lobster shore dinners, and free wine and beer during Friday Happy Hours. The laundry has two wash machines/dryers and was clean and tidy.

    The Moorings is in a great location. It is just a few miles from downtown Belfast where you will find restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, a movie theater, art galleries, historic museums/sites, and plenty of water-related activities. Grocery stores and fuel stations are within a few miles of the RV Park. Just a mere 20 miles away is the popular coastal town of Camden.   

    What we liked about this park is the town of Belfast and how close the RV park is to downtown. Also, the parks small size and friendly people make this an enjoyable place to stay. We like the fact that they had social activities (like free happy hour and donuts) that bring people together. The ocean access in this park is great! A short set of stairs takes you down to the water which is great for exploring, launching kayaks, and letting the dog run/swim when the tide is out. 

    The biggest downside for us was the price and lack of sewer and 50 amp at some sites. Our site was $66/night for a FHU (50 amp) pull-thru on the hill in the front of the park without much in the way of a water view. Premier oceanfront sites (with no sewer and 30 amps) are $72/night during high season. That being said, there are not too many options for campgrounds in the Belfast area and we really did like staying here. 

    From a dog owners perspective this park gets mixed reviews. The rules ask that dogs be on a 4’ or less lease, you may only have two pets (unless you get prior approval), they must do their business in one small area and are not allowed on most grassy areas throughout the park. We make a consorted effort not too let our dog pee or poop in others yards but we don’t always have control over where that happens. We did like the fact that you could take them down to the ocean to play in the water and on the beach when the tide was out. Within two miles of the RV park is Moose Point State Park with a few miles of hiking trails, picnic area and water access (a daily use fee is charged). Downtown Belfast does have a fenced off-leash 1.4 – acre dog park with water for dogs and benches for owners.

  • D
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA

    Great KOA!

    My family and I stayed at this KOA this past week. It was agreat experience! That staff was awesome and over the top accommodating. We had a pull through site with full hook up right across from the on site Lobster Trap Cafe. The site was spacious and comfortable. The whole campground was neat and clean. Staff members pick up trash throughout the day at all of the sites. The Lobster Trap had a good menu, and great customer service. They are mainly open in the evenings but also appear to serve lunch and breakfast on the weekends. 

    The camp store was well stocked also. There is also an island shuttle bus stop right at the entrance to the campground. There is a gas station and take out restaurant ( Island Take Out) right across from the entrance as well. There was a nice dog park as well. Cell service with AT&T was great. Cell service with T-Mobile was spotty. We did not try the campground wifi. The only down side to the trip was gnats and mosquitos, but that was all over the island and no fault of the KOA. This was one of the best KOA's we have visited and we will definitely stay there again when we visit Acadia.

  • Laurie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2022

    Mount Desert Campground

    A Place To Visit For Generations

    We camped for years and years at Mount Desert Campground with our four children and my Sister-in-Law and her two sons. The kids are all grown now and are taking their own camping trips to this amazing place. It is a family run campground with immaculate grounds and bathroom facilities on Somes Sound in Mt. Desert, Maine which is right next to the fabulous town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Forest. There are so many activities and amenities just minutes from this lovely campground but, if you choose to stay put...you will not be disappointed. There are lovely camp roads to walk, run, or bike. Fresh air to breathe, an epic long dock to catch and release crabs near, kayak or canoe rentals, and so much more. The Camp store has wonderful provisions including homemade bear claws in the am to enjoy with coffee or tea. It is above and beyond a family favorite place to camp in Maine.

  • Jacquelin P.
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Old Quarry Ocean Adventures (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

    Perfect pet friendly campground near Acadia but far enough away

    Perfect pet friendly campground near Acadia but far enough away from it all. Friendly staff, peaceful nature setting on the water, and starry nights. Clean bathrooms and large campsites. Couldn’t have asked for more. Great also if you love kayaking or paddling!!

  • Rebecca T.
    Jul. 11, 2021

    Hadley's Point Campground

    Pet and family friendly campground BUT crowded and crawling with ticks

    Hadley's Point is a private campground just outside Acadia National Park. This campground prides itself on being family-friendly and welcoming to pets.

    Children are allowed to bike throughout the campground until dusk. While we stayed, there was a campground-wide Fourth of July bike parade. The kids loved it. 

    Pets are welcome but cannot be abandoned in the motorhome when you leave. Plan to take your pet with you everywhere.

    Hadley's Point offers laundry facilities, showers, a heated pool, cornhole, and shuffleboard. While the pool is heated, it is not hot -- or even very warm. But this is Maine we are talking about, and I'm sure that the water was warmer than it would otherwise have been. 

    The campground is primarily designed to accommodate RVs and motorhomes. The large fields and open lots for RVs provide ample parking and the campground offered electricity as well as other hookups. 

    Cute cabins offer cozy sleeping (but no running water) for visitors without tents or RVs. 

    We brought our tent and felt a little like second-class citizens at this RV-focused campground. The tent sites were tiny. Our large van, tent, and screened-in pavilion covered the entire site, leaving very little walking space. Our site also lacked trees for shade and hammocks. 

    Worse yet, the campground has an infestation of Black-Legged Deer Ticks -- the ticks responsible for Lyme disease. We found two on our son during our stay. I hope they treat for these ticks soon because it poses a huge risk to their campers. 

    There is a lot of potential for this campground but they need to spray the grounds for ticks and create more comfortable sites. They could be awesome if they shifted their focus from trying to fit as many people as possible to creating a comfortable camping experience for all. 

    Pros:

    - Heated pool

    - Bathrooms cleaned regularly

    - Laundry

    - Good price

    - Good location

    - Playground

    - Kid and pet friendly

    - Island Explorer Bus stops at the campground

    Cons:

    - Cramped sites

    - Ticks

    - Crowded

  • K
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Lamoine State Park Campground

    Nice tent sites

    Great place to camp outside the crazy tourist packed Acadia but only a 25 minute drive to the park. Very nice sites, flush toilets and showers. I got a lake view site but also forested sites available. Pet friendly camping. Would definitely go back!

  • Sarah H.
    Jul. 23, 2016

    Seawall Campground — Acadia National Park

    Acadia is Amazing!

    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 to Swans Island

Bass Harbor Campground's pet-friendly environment welcomes campers traveling with dogs on the western side of Mount Desert Island. The campground offers wooded tent sites, RV spaces with hookups, and cabins that accommodate pets, all within walking distance of Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Several camping options near Swans Island maintain clean facilities with hot showers, dishwashing stations, and well-maintained bathrooms. Smuggler's Den Campground and Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA extend their pet-friendly policies to tent campers, RV travelers, and cabin guests. Campground amenities typically include picnic tables, fire pits, and drinking water stations throughout the grounds. Sites at Bass Harbor Campground feature reasonable spacing in the tent camping section while maintaining dog-friendly policies. Many guests appreciate the quiet atmosphere during enforced quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM when camping with pets.

Hiking trails near these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog exercise, with Ship Harbor and Wonderland trails offering ocean views just 0.7 miles from Bass Harbor Campground. Dogs must remain leashed within Acadia National Park boundaries and on most public trails. The less crowded "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island provides a more relaxed atmosphere for campers with pets compared to the busier Bar Harbor area. Many campgrounds feature dedicated dog areas, including Hadley's Point Campground which maintains pet-friendly accommodations across tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. The island's shuttle service stops at several campgrounds, including Bass Harbor, allowing visitors with pets to access various parts of the island without driving. When exploring Maine's coastal islands by sea kayak, pet owners should note that dogs must be comfortable in watercraft and prepared for landing on rocky shores with significant tidal changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Swans Island, ME?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Swans Island, ME is Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 98 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Swans Island, ME?

TheDyrt.com has all 63 dog-friendly camping locations near Swans Island, ME, with real photos and reviews from campers.