There are so many different ways to enjoy Acadia National Park and where you stay has a big impact on your trip. If you travel with furry children, you know finding accommodations can be a problem. Fortunately, Acadia has many options: without fur children you can stay in one of the adorable BNB’s in downtown Bar Harbor (check back for my favorites), glamp at several locations or good ol’ fashion camp in one of Acadia’s 3 dog friendly campgrounds within the park. There are also, at least, 25 other campgrounds in and around Acadia that are all amazing options.
In my opinion, the best way to stay at Acadia is camping with the pups. Although, Thor admittedly prefers glamping. Imagine yourself waking up in a pine forest with that woodsy aroma and the bird’s chirping (squirrels too). Camping at Acadia can certainly be a magical experience at the right time of year and it will definitely enhance your trip to MDI (Mount Desert Island). Imagine coming back to your campsite after a long day of hiking and making s’mores in front of a campfire, admitted s’more addict here. Magic, right?
All three front country campgrounds are dog-friendly. These include Blackwoods, Seawall and Schoodic Woods. There is also “backcountry” camping at Duck Harbor campground, but it is not pet-friendly because it is located on Isle au Haut and is inaccessible to vehicles. If Duck Harbor sounds right up your alley there are 5 primitive sites available from May 15 – October 13. These are only available by advanced reservations and camping is permitted in designated sites only.
Location: By far the most centrally located campground in Acadia National Park, Blackwoods is only 5 miles south (15 min drive) of Bar Harbor on Route 3. It’s honestly the most ideal base for all of your Acadia adventures.
Conveniences: Each site is equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, and all have access to potable water and restrooms. There are also dump stations located onsite. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed, and are not permitted in buildings. Service dogs are an exception. There is also a limit of 4 dogs per campsite. Fee shower facilities and camping supply stores are located in the village of Otter Creek, 1/2 mile from the campground.
Blackwoods Campground.
Rates & Reservations: It is advised that during in-season camping (May 1 – October 20) that you make a reservation here. You can make reservations 6 months in advance. Campers need to check in with staff at ranger station upon arrival. $30.00 per regular campsite. $60.00 per group campsite. Prices are per night. Blackwoods is regularly full or near capacity during the high season.
Off-season camping from October 20 – November 10 is open weather permitting for a $15 fee per night. This is by cash or check only and it’s a limited number of campsites. These sites do tend to fill up quickly so make sure to have alternative plans.
Things To Do: Pretty much everything! Park Loop Road, a 27-mile, historic loop road system offers outstanding views of the park’s ocean shoreline, mountain silhouettes, and coastal forests. Enjoy a sunrise or sunset on Cadillac Mountain or go into Bar Harbor for a bite to eat and some shopping. Blackwoods is the ideal base camp for all of your Acadian adventures.
June 2019
Location: Located on Route 102A the “quiet side” of the island you will find Seawall Campground about 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor. The campground is approximately 18 miles from Bar Harbor and the park loop road. The campground is open from the Wednesday before Memorial Day through October 13th. With the exception of B-Loop and D-Loop that close on October 1st.
Conveniences: Each site is equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, and all have access to potable water and restrooms. There are also dump stations located onsite. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed, and are not permitted in buildings. Service dogs are an exception. There is also a limit of 4 dogs per campsite. Fee shower facilities and camping supply stores are located 1 mile from the campground.
Rates & Reservations: At Seawall there are no
Things To Do: All the sites at Seawall Campground are wooded and within a 10-minute walk to the ocean. There are many beautiful and quiet hiking trails on this side of the Island. The majority of this family-oriented campground’s sites are for small and large tents; some sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 ft. in length. However, maneuvering RVs in the campground can be very difficult. Seawall Campground was not designed to accommodate large RVs and trailers.
Location: Located on the Schoodic Peninsula, this campground is 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor. It is open from the Wednesday before Memorial Day through October 13th.
Conveniences: The majority of the sites are for tents; other sites can accommodate RVs and trailers. All sites (except for group sites and hike-in sites) have electric, and B-Loop sites have electric and water. Flush toilets, potable running water, and a dump station are provided, as are picnic tables and fire rings in each site. All campground roads are paved.Shower and laundry facilities are located in nearby Winter Harbor. Open fires (campfires) are strictly prohibited in all hike-in sites. Fire rings do not exist at these sites. All campsites at Schoodic Woods are ADA Accessible except for the hike-in sites.
Rates & Reservations: At Schoodic Woods Campground all sites are made by reservation and there are no first come, first serve campsites. Reservations can be made here.
Fee (per site, per night):
$22 hike-in tent sites (primitive),
$30 drive up tent/small RV (20 amp),
$36 RV with electric only sites (20/30/50 amp),
$40 RV with electric and water (20/30/50 amp),
$60 group tent sites
Things To Do: The Schoodic Peninsula offers many recreational activities without the congestion of Mount Desert Island. A six-mile, one-way loop road offers views of lighthouses, seabirds, and forested islands.Also, there are over eight miles of hiking trails on the Schoodic Peninsula and an additional eight miles of bike paths.
- An entrance pass is required when staying at any of these campgrounds. Acadia National Park charges $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person. Visitors may purchase the Acadia National Park annual pass for $55.
- Only two tents are allowed at each campsite. You will need to reserve another campsite if you are bringing more than two tents.
- Only one vehicle may park at each campsite. Overflow parking is available.
- Pay attention when booking your campsite on recreation.gov the descriptions will tell you if the site was meant for a tent, car camping, travel trailers or RV’s. The description will also tell you if the trees in your site will support hammocks. It’s very helpful!
- Pack up your food in hard-sided containers or in your vehicle when not at campsite and when going to sleep for the night. Birds, raccoons, and other animals are known to rummage through unattended food.
- No individual, in any capacity, may camp in Acadia National Park campgrounds for more than a combined total of 14 nights between the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend and Columbus Day; Camping is limited to 30 nights per calendar year.
- Do not bring firewood from more than 50 miles away. Help protect our forests from the spread of hidden, tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood from local vendors near the campground. There are so many places that sell firewood outside of the campgrounds. Stop on your way in or go back out for firewood after you set up camp.
- Pets are permitted and must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be six feet or less in length. Pets may not be left unattended for their safety and for the safety of other visitors and wildlife. Make sure to clean up after your pets at all times. We bring leads that we can wrap around the trees so that the boys have a little more freedom.
- Have the following reservation information handy when you arrive at the campground (primary occupant, site letter & number, and check-in date). Check-in time is after 12:00 pm and checkout is at 10 am. It’s also a good idea to have vaccination records for pets.
- If arriving after hours your name and site number will be posted at the ranger station. You must check in at the ranger station before 10:00am on the day after your scheduled arrival date.
- All camping equipment must fit on the campsite pad. This is tohelp vegetation grow around the campsites! Do not walk or set up camping gear off of the campsite pad. You are responsible for reviewing site details and booking a site that will accommodate your equipment. Blackwoods does not allow tree tents.
- Generally quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 6:00am. Sound travels easily between campsites. Remember to speak in a low voice during your stay.Most people are camping to get away from it all, respect that!
- If camping in the summer months make sure to bring bug spray. Black flies tend to be bad at Blackwoods and mosquitos are horrible at Seawall.
Camping at Acadia National Park is a must in my opinion! Even if it’s only for a few nights it’s worth it to experience Acadia in this way.
