The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Acadia National Park

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Sitting on the island on the Maine coast, Acadia National Park is a gem of the northeast.  Acadia National Park covers about half of Mount Desert Island and part of the Schoodic Peninsula.  The park is famed for its sunrises and coastal zones.  Camping in Acadia National Park lets you get a jump on the crowds and start exploring the park.

Here is everything you need to know about front-country camping in Acadia National Park.

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This post was originally published on 02 February 2019. It was updated to reflect the 2020 season on 23 November 2019.

Acadia National Park Camping

Things to Know about Acadia National Park

• Camping is available from May to October. Opening and closing dates vary by season. Click here to see the current opening and closing dates.
  • This is a change from years previously. Blackwoods Campground will be closed during the winter of 2019/2020. No word if this is a permanent change.
• Reservations are highly recommended.  From mid-June through mid-October all campgrounds are full or near capacity every night.  Walk-in space is non-existent.
• If driving a long RV, please note the bridge heights limits and size limit on the roads.  RV’s in the campsites are limited to 35 ft.
• Quiet Hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 10 am, and 4 pm to 8 p
• Most campsites can have up to 8 people.  There is space for two tents and two vehicles at the campsite (except for walk-in sites).  The campsite has a picnic table.
• Camp Fires are limited to fire grates. Please do NOT transport firewood. Buy it where you burn it. Please double-check the fire regulations and ensure your fire is completely out before going to bed.
• Store all food items in your car.  Please do NOT leave any food, utensils out, or any scented items.  This includes toothpaste, toothbrush, chapstick.  Pretty much put everything but what you are going to sleep in your car.  Acadia National Park campground have had issues with wildlife eating human food. Properly secure all items so no wildlife can get it

Further Reading – Five Books to Read Before Visiting Acadia

Getting to Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is accessible from I-95.  It is a 4.5-hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts to Acadia and a 1-hour drive from Bangor, Maine to Acadia.

If you would like to fly, you have two options.  You can fly into Boston’s Logan International Airport or Bangor International Airport and rent a car.  There are flights from Boston to the Hancock County Airport.  Hancock Airport is located 10 miles from Acadia National Park.  There are car rentals in Hancock and during the summer, you can save on the rental car and use Island Explorer Shuttle to get around the park.

Estimated Drive time to Acadia National Park

• Bangor, Maine – 1 hour
• Portland, Maine – 3 hours
• Boston, Massachusetts – 4.5 hours
• Providence, Rhode Island – 5.25 hours
• Hartford, Connecticut – 5.75 hours
• Burlington, Vermont – 6.5 hours
• New York City, New York – 7.5 hours

Where to camp in Acadia National Park?

Acadia Campground Map

Campgrounds in Acadia National Park

• Blackwoods Campground
• Seawall Campground
• Schoodic Woods Campground
• Duck Harbor Campground

Campgrounds near Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor Camping

• Mount Desert Campground
• Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA
• Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort
• Bar Harbor Campground
• Bar Harbor Woodlands KOA
• Hadley’s Point Campground

Southwest Harbor Camping

• Somes Sound View Campground
• Echo Lake Camp
• Smuggler’s Den Campground

Bass Harbor Camping

• Quietside Campground
• Bass Harbor Campground

Trenton Camping

• Narrows Too Camping Resort
• Timberland Acres RV Park

Camping Near Schoodic Peninsula

• Mountainview Campground
• Acadia East Campground

Isle au Haut Camping

• Old Quarry Campground

Acadia Campgrounds

** All Campground prices are valid as of 24 November 2019.

Blackwoods Campground

Blackwoods Campground is the largest of the Acadia Campground. The campground is located 5 miles south of Bar Harbor.  The campground is located along with the Park Loop Road and a few of the best hiking trails.

Seawall Campground

Seawall Campground is located on the western side of Mount Desert Island.  The campground is 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor and about 18 miles southwest of Bar Harbor.

Schoodic Woods Campground

Schoodic Woods is located on the Schoodic Peninsula and is separate from Mount Desert Island.   It is a 43-mile drive to Bar Harbor from Schoodic.  This campground is a spacious campground with space between each campsite. No campfires are allowed at the walk-in sites.

Duck Harbor Campground

Duck Harbor Campground is located on the rugged Isle au Haut. This small island is located off the coast of Stonington, Maine.  The site is only accessible by private boat and ferry.  Camping on the island is limited to once per year. These are primitive sites.  Party size is limited to six people.  Each site comes with a lean-to shelter with three-sides and roof and floor.  All tents must fit in the shelter.  The shelter is 8 feet deep and 12.5 feet wide.  You must carry in all supplies except firewood.  Dead and downed wood by be collected near the campground for a fire.

Help support National Park Obsessed

Get help planning your trip to Acadia National Park:

• National Parks of Maine
• All about Acadia National Park
• 5 Books to Read Before Visiting Acadia National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Acadia National Park