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Established Camping

Smuggler's Den Campground

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from October 17, 2024 through May 25, 2025.

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Smuggler's Den Campground, near Southwest Harbor, Maine, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of comfort. With spacious sites surrounded by trees and grass, it’s perfect for setting up your tent or RV, and you’ll find easy hookups to make your stay hassle-free.

This campground boasts a pool for those hot days, along with clean and modern bathhouses that visitors rave about. One camper mentioned, “The bathhouse near us was large, modern, and extremely clean,” which is a big plus after a day of hiking or exploring. Plus, the camp store has essentials like firewood and ice, so you won’t have to venture far for your camping needs.

Located close to Acadia National Park, Smuggler's Den is an ideal base for hiking and enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Campers appreciate the convenience of being able to return to their site for a quick nap after a busy day in the park. As one reviewer put it, “Great campground. The only problem was kids running around during quiet hour,” which speaks to the family-friendly vibe here.

Whether you’re looking to relax by the campfire or dive into outdoor adventures, Smuggler's Den Campground has you covered. With a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of amenities, it’s a solid choice for your next camping trip.

Description

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!

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Location

Smuggler's Den Campground is located in Maine

Detail location of campground

Directions

From jct Hwy-198 & Hwy-102: Go 5 mi S on Hwy-102.

Address

20 Main Street
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679

Coordinates

44.30061832 N
68.32949382 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

20 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 30, 2024

Amazing campground

This campground is amazing. Great space, easy hookups, plenty of grass and trees. They have a pool, 2 bathhouses, laundry. Great location. The island is very beautiful.

Site117
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2023

Nice Quality and Convenient Campground

We had a great experience here. Our tent site was wooded and level, not too close to neighbors. Checkin was easy and staff was friendly. The bathhouse near us was large, modern, and extremely clean. Campground is close to Acadia and it was easy to head back for a nap when the park got too crazy busy.

Site151
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Casey L., October 11, 2023
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Casey L., October 11, 2023
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Casey L., October 11, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2021

Good camp ground

This is a nice campground but if your trying to visit Arcadia it can be a drive. The shower have hot water and bathroom were always stocked. It was very quiet even with it being very busy there. Campsites for tents we’re back to back and you were close with each other but was naturally divided

Site003
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by sam T., November 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by sam T., November 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by sam T., November 5, 2021
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2021

Family Friendly

The premium tent sites were large. The playground was great for the kids. The swimming pool was a highlight as well. The bathrooms and hot showers are dated and get crowded at times. Ice and wood for sale at the camp store was handy.

Site150
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2021

Maine camping

Great campground. The only problem was kids running around during quiet hour. Close to area attractions. Good hiking areas.

Site65
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Tom H., August 12, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2021

Clean and quiet- close to parks and touristy stuff

We really enjoyed our visit here. Sites were a little tight in some sections, but they were laid out so it wasn't too crowded.

Sites were grassy, level, and lots of shade. We loved the area too- Acadia is right there, and Bar Harbor was really fun. We hope to come back!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by John , July 12, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2020

Great spot to relax after long day of hiking

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.

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2019

Great Campground

Great campground. On the quiet side of the island. Island explorer bus stops at the campground for access to Bar Harbor and the rest of island. Great way to explore Acadia national park and Bar Harbor.

  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Charles B., July 3, 2019
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2019

The best

Very friendly and accommodating staff. Well run campground

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Not bad

Our site was 88 and it was great! Very big with room for rv, truck, and a wooden tent pad. Gravel and grass. Borrowed pot from office to cook lobster. Small laundry room. Convenient location!

Reviewed Nov. 6, 2018

Amazing little treasure!

A great Campground. Great staff and location and not to mention very reasonable rates. Testing sites are roomy and have options for Water and Electric hookups. Very short travel time to most of Acadia National Parks recreational locations. Overall I highly recommend.

  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Marcus J., November 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Marcus J., November 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Marcus J., November 6, 2018
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2018

Second review, this time with an RV

Really loved this campground so we came back for a second go, this time with a travel trailer. Although the tent sites were large, the RV sites felt a little snug. Still great access to Acadia national Park and the pool and playground were great for family.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Customer appreciation night - luau!
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Erin S., October 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Erin S., October 8, 2018
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2018

A nice, large family campground on the quiet side

Great for all types of camping. We’ve stayed here in a tent. There is a great playground and a nice pool with slide. Hiking trails connect to the back of the campground for access to Beech Mtn and Echo Lake beach.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Erin S., October 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Erin S., October 8, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2018

Steal of a good time

Smuggles Den Is a great campground for tents as well as RV's. The entire place is very clean there is a wonderful pool, a playground, and lots of outdoor toys including basketball's available to campers. The staff is very nice and willing to help with anything. You can pick up trails right from the campground and walk to a great beach in Acadia National Park.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2018

Picturesque and shaded campsites

We were in a RV campsite, and the site was well-maintained with a platform for a small tent. There were ample trees to provide shade and privacy from neighboring RVs. The campground restrooms/showers were clean. The campstore has LIVE lobsters for sale! We didn't get a chance to cook one, maybe on our next visit! Well stocked for s'mores!

The playground had swings, and fun equipment, but I wish it had some trees around it to be shaded from the sun. The pool had warm water, which was a treat from the chilly summer Maine breeze.

Site72
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Kimberly H., July 19, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Private and Friendly!

the tent sites are very private. we felt safe and secure. it’s quiet and the staff was very friendly.

  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Melissa N., July 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Melissa N., July 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Melissa N., July 17, 2018
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 8, 2017

Great campground, great location!

This is a really nice, clean, well-maintained campground. They have everything, from rustic tent sites with mountain views, to a full hookup section that looks like a small-scale KOA. Camp store was well-stocked, playground and pool looked brand new, and the bath house, while old, was among the brightest and cleanest I’ve ever seen in a private campground. Very impressive, especially given the volume of campers staying there. They also had free hot showers, which apparently is a rarity on Mt. Desert Island. Coin-operated laundry room on-site, which was very convenient. Nice large dish washing sink on the outside of the bath house. The free Island Explorer shuttle bus also makes stops right at the office.

We stayed in site #16, right across from the office. Site was huge, fairly level, and well-shaded. Was kind of U-shaped. Easily fit our pop-up, TV, and screen house. Probably could have fit a tent and additional vehicle, as well. Perfect location for those traveling with small kids, as it was just a stone’s throw from both the bathhouse and playground.

Overall, this is a great campground, and an excellent “home base” from which to explore Acadia and Mt. Desert Island. Would not hesitate to return if we find ourselves up in Maine again.

Site16
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Jen V., September 8, 2017
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Jen V., September 8, 2017
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Jen V., September 8, 2017
  • (6) View All
Reviewed May. 11, 2017

Comfortable

The campground was older but very comfortable. The pool was clean, as was the entire place. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Bathroom facilities were dated but clean and adequate. Only complaint was tent sites far from bathrooms. But I would go again!

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2016

Great Campground

Amazing 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.

  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Seth W., September 17, 2016
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Seth W., September 17, 2016
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2016

Great visit

So first of all, this place looks like a mini KOA. It has all the things is usually stay away from because I like a little bit more primitive accomadations- less family style. I was apprehensive about staying here- but it was boiling down to our last option since we didn't make reservations anywhere else. Our host was very understanding about what we were looking for and found us the perfect site- on a dead end overlooking a mountain side. It had an awesome pit and a bunch of trees to hang our hammocks. There were nice hot showers a walk away and it was very private and quiet. We really did enjoy our stay here!

  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Molly G., September 7, 2016
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Molly G., September 7, 2016
  • Review photo of Smuggler's Den Campground by Molly G., September 7, 2016
  • (9) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Smuggler's Den Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Smuggler's Den Campground has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Smuggler's Den Campground?

    Smuggler's Den Campground allows vehicles up to 75 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Smuggler's Den Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Smuggler's Den Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Smuggler's Den Campground have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Smuggler's Den Campground does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Smuggler's Den Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.