Seasonal RV camping near Swanville, Maine offers access to both coastal and inland Maine experiences. Located in Waldo County, Swanville sits at approximately 272 feet above sea level with Belfast Bay and Penobscot Bay to the east. Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October, with temperatures ranging from 45-75°F during camping season.
What to do
Kayaking at patten pond: Visitors to Patten Pond Camping Resort can rent kayaks at the small beach area for water activities. "There is a small beach at the lake where you can swim and kayak (for rent). People at the office are very nice, polite and accommodating," noted one camper.
Visit Winter Harbor: The Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park is accessible from Mainstay Cottages & RV Park. "About an hours drive to the main Acadia but just 5 minutes to the Schoodic Peninsula," writes one reviewer. The less-crowded section offers similar coastal beauty without Bar Harbor's crowds.
Explore Belfast's waterfront: Within 10 miles of Swanville, Belfast offers shopping, dining, and coastal activities. "We love shopping at the Co-op, eating pizza at Meanwhile in Belfast, lobster at Young's Lobster Pound, and lunch at Chase's Daily," mentions a reviewer about activities while staying at Moorings Campground.
What campers like
Ocean access: Many campgrounds offer water access with varying amenities. "This campground is right on the water. The bathrooms were clean and the campground was well maintained. Its in a very convenient location to Acadia," reports a camper about Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort.
Quiet setting with privacy: Greenlaw's RV Park & Campground offers secluded sites in a peaceful environment. "This is a small, wooded campground with large private sites. They are working to improve the campground everyday," mentions one reviewer. Another notes, "If you are looking for pools and activities this is not the place for you. This is a no frills campground and is absolutely wonderful. It is quiet and so peaceful."
Fall foliage opportunities: September and October visitors experience spectacular autumn colors. "We went at the end of September to visit Acadia National Park and the foliage was Beautiful! It wasn't even at its peak. The campsite is surrounded by beautiful trees," reports a camper at Patten Pond Camping Resort.
What you should know
Tide considerations: Coastal campgrounds experience significant tidal changes. "While the tide is out it's just an area of mud, muck, and rocks. We couldn't even kayak because the tide is that dramatic," warns a visitor about Narrows Too Camping Resort.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have reported water problems. A reviewer at Narrows Too noted, "There is defined an issue with the water. When we turned in the tap the water ran brown."
Site spacing varies significantly: Pumpkin Patch RV Resort offers more spacious sites than many coastal options. "There is pretty good space between sites so you don't feel cramped or right on top of your neighbor. Most sites are level and there are long pull thrus so you don't have to unhitch if you are only staying one night," reports a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Limited kid-friendly options: Not all campgrounds cater to children. "I would primarily recommend this campsite for retirees and couples without children. The park doesn't offer many kid-friendly amenities beyond the pool, so families with young children might find it lacking in entertainment options," notes one visitor about Narrows Too Camping Resort.
Check playground availability: Mt Desert Narrows includes kid-focused amenities. "The kids loved playing on the playground and going down to the water at low tide. There is a kayak launch as well, and pool, but both were closed since we came in at the end of season," explains a family camper.
Consider grocery locations: Food costs vary significantly between towns. "Grab groceries in Ellsworth if you want to save $. 10-15 from downtown Bar Harbor and the gorgeous Acadia NP," advises a camper at Mt Desert Narrows.
Tips from RVers
Tree clearance challenges: Camden Hills RV Resort presents navigation challenges for larger rigs. "Lots of tall pine trees provide shade but also make it a little difficult to navigate the roads. We had to go pretty slow to avoid hitting tree branches. Parking under the pines also meant a lot of sap on our roof which was a bear to remove," shares an RVer.
Site leveling considerations: Uneven sites can be problematic at some campgrounds. "Luckily our site was level but some are not very level and would have been a problem for us," notes a camper at Camden Hills RV Resort.
Internet connectivity options: WiFi quality varies dramatically between parks. "Our Verizon phone got good reception and our hot spot worked well. The campground wi-fi was decent at our site but that depends on where you are in the park and what time of day you are using it," explains a camper at Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, while another campground charges extra for WiFi access.
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