Maine has lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you prefer the coast or hunkering down among the pines further inland, there’s no shortage of ways to sleep outside. But, there’s one spot that might be the best of all. Acadia National Park is Maine’s only national park, but one is all you need when it’s this special. Located along a rocky coast, the views are second-to-none and the trails could keep you busy all year. Next time you have a hankering for a few nights under the stars, go all-out: do some camping in Acadia National Park in Maine. These camping spots are some of the best in the state!

1. Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort, Bar Harbor
1219 ME-3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
management / TripAdvisor
The best part about this wonderful campsite is its proximity to the ocean. Some of the sites are just a mere 100 yards away. There are lots of social activities for families, too.

Contact the campground at 877-570-2267 for more information, or click here.
2. Smuggler's Den Campground, Southwest Harbor
20 Main St, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662, USA
Smuggler's Den Campground / Facebook
Another longstanding, family run campground, this wonderful place has been around since 1969. Located in the forest off of Route 2 in Southwest Harbor, it's got spots for tents, campers, and RVs as well as rentable cabins. Echo Lake and the sandy beach is nearby, but you can also swim in their pool. Take the trails at the campsite for views over Somes Sound.

Contact the campground at 877-244-9033 for more information, or click here.
3. Blackwoods Campground, Otter Creek
Blackwoods Campground, 155 Blackwoods Drive, Otter Creek, ME 04660, USA
Author Photo
This camping spot is one of the most convenient on this list. It's about 5 miles south of Bar Harbor. While you can camp here all year, you'll need to pay their fee between early May and late October, which is when rangers are onsite. From here you can easily get to the Park Loop Road to cycle or over to Cadillac Mountain for some hiking. Also nearby is Otter Cliffs and Gorham Mountain. Make sure to check out the website for more information.
4. Schoodic Woods Campground, Schoodic Peninsula
54 Farview Dr, Winter Harbor, ME 04693, USA
les p / TripAdvisor
One of the newest campgrounds located in the park itself, this one can be found on the west side of the Peninsula about 3 miles from of Winter Harbor. There are more than 90 campsites here, ranging from accommodation for tents to RVs. There's easy access to the 1,600-acre section of the park that makes up the Schoodic Woods, including lots of hiking trails and biking paths. Learn more at the official National Park Service website.

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5. Hadley's Point Campground, Bar Harbor
33 Hadley Point Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Hadley's Point Campground / Facebook
On the north shore of Mount Desert Island, you'll find Hadley Point nestled between Eastern Bay and the Mount Desert Narrows. There's a wonderful sandy beach, as well as a huge pool that kids will love. If sleeping on the ground isn't your thing, you can rent a cabin as well. Learn more on the official website.
6. Mount Desert Campground, Mount Desert
516 Sound Dr, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA
Mount Desert Campground / Facebook
Located at the head of Somes Sound, this wonderful place has been family-owned since 1958! In addition to great amenities like hot showers and wifi, the location in the center of Mount Desert Island can't be beat. It's about 8 miles from Bar Harbor and just 5 miles from Northeast Harbor. There's also easy access to kayaking and boating on Somes Sound. Call 207-244-3710 for more information, or check out the official website.
7. Seawall Campground, near Southwest Harbor
668 Seawall Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, USA
momtipsfortraveling / TripAdvisor
Another campsite located directly in Acadia National Park, this one is open from late May through October. Nearby you'll find the Seawall Picnic Area where you can explore the natural seawall that forms a barrier between the land and the water. Head a few miles west to find the Wonderland and Ship Harbor trails as well as the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Get more information at Recreation.gov.
8. Quietside Campground & Cabins, Tremont
397 Tremont Rd, Bernard, ME 04612, USA
Quietside Campground & Cabins
If you're looking for peace and quiet, this is the spot for you. The quiet, secluded camping area feels just as remote as if you were wild camping. There are also cabins to rent. They're close to the ferry to Frenchboro and Swan’s islands, as well as trails on the Western and Beech mountains. Call 207-244-0566 for more information, or visit the website.

Only have a day? No worries! These are the 8 things you must do on a one-day trip to Acadia National Park!

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More to Explore

National Park to Visit in Maine

Tori Jane | January 23, 2022

What are the most popular state parks in Maine?  

Maine is home to an impressive 32 state parks, and it can be pretty hard to choose which ones to explore first. Of course, you could always start with the most beloved parks and work your way to the hidden gems; that’s how we’d prefer to do it! The most popular state park in Maine is Acadia National Park, which isn’t just popular in Maine – it's also one of the top ten most-visited National Parks in the United States! Sure, it’s not a state park, but trust us when we say it’s worth mentioning and worth visiting. Other popular and much-beloved state parks in Maine include Baxter State Park, which is located in the “heart” of the state and is home to our highest mountain (with an elevation of 5,268 feet). It’s perfect for hikers and lovers of nature to relax and unwind. Other favorites of ours include Two Lights State Park, in Cape Elizabeth, and Rangeley Lake State Park, both of which are particularly photogenic. Then, there are the hidden gem parks – you might want to check this list out for more information about those! 

What are some of the best hiking trails in Maine?  

According to our friends at AllTrails.com, there are more than 1600 amazing trails to explore in the great state of Maine. The most popular at the time of this writing is the Beehive Loop Trail, an invigorating 1.5-mile trek nestled within Acadia National Park. It’s challenging but trust us when we rave about its surreal beauty. Also at Acadia National Park, there’s the Jordan Pond Path Trail, which is a bit easier to navigate than the previously mentioned Beehive Loop. That one’s a little longer, coming in at just over three miles in length; it’s breathtaking all the same. We’re also fans of the legendary Gorham Mountain Loop, which is located in the same park.  

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