Want to explore Acadia National Park

[mikeysotp]

Any picks for campgrounds in the area? We have a 42 foot fifth wheel so not sure if that limits our options.

[rmac04401]

If you reserve early enough you should not have a problem. Choice would depend on what side of Bar Harbor you would like to be at. I like Hadley’s point campground. It’s been years since I have been camping there. There are lots of campgrounds to choose from. You can always stay outside of Bar Harbor if you don’t want to deal with all the tourist dependent on what time of year you plan on staying.

http://www.hadleyspoint.com/

This one is 4 miles from Acadia park entrance.

[merrykalia]

It's been 3-4 years since we were there, but we stayed at Narrows Too. It's right on the water, was very nice, outside of Bar Harbor, but there were shuttles, but we just drove in and did all the park had to offer.

[CentralMePistol]

I posted this in another discussion so a few pieces may sound out of place... I live in Maine about 2 hours from Acadia.... My Two Cents;

"I can't speak to the campground you have booked but I usually recommend the KOA Oceanside for those coming from away. It has sites on the water (I actually don't recommend those) and many with water views. Staying right on the water usually entails lots of wind coming off the water- I prefer to stay near the water. The KOA has reasonable prices and easy to maneuver sites. They are also very close to Bar Harbor downtown- with a bus service if you wanted.
These may be available at other campgrounds too. However, my wife and I have visited nearly every campground on the island to "check them out" (very nice staff who allowed us a drive through look on a visit last summer).
After visiting all the other campgrounds, we liked KOA the best for the prices.

*There are two KOA's in Bar Harbor. Oceanside and Woodlands. Stay at OCEANSIDE. Driving through Woodlands we noticed that there were many low lying areas that are probably wet year round... Likely many bugs here!

If you stay at Oceanside I encourage you to avoid sites 101-122, they are more or less a "field setup". Shoot for anything in the lower left section of the campground map. (I am assuming you will want full hookups.)"

[JayArras]

We and three other families are headed there this August. We'll be staying at Hadley's.

Your headline said "Explore". I highly recommend the book: Discover Acadia National Park put out by the Appalachian Mountain Club. It goes into great depth on the best hiking, biking and paddling treks you can take.

[mmangiarelli]

We stayed at Smugglers Den 2 years ago due to its central locale on the island. Nice place, quiet and big rig friendly.

[Linnemj]

Just a tip for visiting the park. If you can get going early you can drive to many of the popular locations like Thunder Hole or Jordan Pond. The parking lots get full after 8:30 AM. Otherwise take the free shuttle and save some aggravation.

Bring bikes if you can. There are wonderful carriage paths to bike on within the park.

It is one of our favorite National Parks! Enjoy!

[CGK]

We also like Smuggler's Den, and camp there every fall. Central location, privately owned by nice folks, close to Southwest Harbor/Echo Lake/Beech Mountain/Acadia Mountain/lots of other places. Our TV and TT measure 58' when hitched, and we have no issues getting in and out of the campground. We have also been to Hadley Point, Bar Harbor Campground (no advance reservations), Narrows Too and even Blackwoods in years past and with a variety of tents/pop-ups/TTs, and enjoyed all of them. Fabulous get-away for those who love outdoors activities, and possibly one of the "dog-friendliest" locations I've ever visited. Enjoy!

[DrLewie]

Don't miss the restaurant at Jordan Pond. We've gone to the park just for the popovers.

[BobHanke]

Stayed at Narrows Too in 2015. The shuttles are free, frequent and gets you to many places. Nice pool and clubhouse but very little shade.

[pobigboy]

We go to Acadia every year. We go Labor day and get an oceanside campground at Oceanside KOA. Sites 359 - 364 are right on the water and great locations for kayaking. The Mount Desert Narrows in usually fairly calm at this time of year and the kayaking is great. The attached pictures were taken last year from site 363.


Acadia has great carriage trails used only for carriages and biking (crushed stone, built 100 years ago and still in great shape).

This campground has a little cafe that sells a complete 2lbs Lobster dinner for $23.50 last year but the price goes up a little each year.
Alternatively, right across the bridge is Trenton Lobster Pound which made the top 10 list of drive ins on the travel channel last year.

Hiking is also great.
It is our favorite place in the country and we drive 1,000 miles to get there every year.

[Mmyoyo]

We just spent 10 days at the Bar Harbor campground last October. No one can make reservations. Must pay cash. The campground is huge, all kind of spots, views, no views, forest area, open areas. Has all facilities and hookups. This campground is about 3 miles from the national park on the main road going in.

[harleybiker]

Were there in fall of 2017, family owned, great view of water for some sites, cash or checks only, have ATM, no reservations, you get a map and go pick your own site, then report back on your selection. Would recommend them.

[campingbaba]

We have stayed at Narrows too 2 years in a row . Some of the sites are close together so look at the map before choosing one .You have to make your reservations as soon as possible. While your are there don’t miss Cadillac Mt. And the restaurant at Jordan’s Pond

[aeblank]

We're going and staying at Seawall in August. Does nobody like being primitive? Or see it as too far from town? Or both? Both are a draw for me/us.

[mikeysotp]

Thank you all for the replies. Been very busy since I posted this but going to look at the options now and hopefully get something booked today.

[mikeysotp]

Originally Posted by Mmyoyo

We just spent 10 days at the Bar Harbor campground last October. No one can make reservations. Must pay cash. The campground is huge, all kind of spots, views, no views, forest area, open areas. Has all facilities and hookups. This campground is about 3 miles from the national park on the main road going in.

So what are the chances of us heading up there with 3 campers in mid July and not getting sites? That would really suck. I'm a worrier, not sure how I will sleep between now and then if we choose to go there.

[rmac04401]

Another thought of you could not get in down there is stay in Bangor and do day trips to Bar Harbor. It’s only about an hour from Bar Harbor. I grew up and lived there for 30 years in Bangor

[lswartz]

Originally Posted by aeblank

We're going and staying at Seawall in August. Does nobody like being primitive? Or see it as too far from town? Or both? Both are a draw for me/us.

The OP is over 40 feet long & will not fit at Seawall. We like the Blackwoods but again 40+ feet is just too big.

Both are great campgrounds, just hard to get into during the summer. We make reservations 6 months in advance but we do get good sites. There are some that even my 21 foot TT won’t fit into.

[aeblank]

We're 23' and booked a week or two later than the 6mo window. Plenty available though. Was just curious of *no* mention of it. Seawall goes up to 34' maybe? I did a 21' limit site with a 23' at many glacier. Fit easily.