Acadia Camping: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations, and Fees

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Acadia

In a nutshell: Acadia has four official NPS campgrounds with 577 sites in all. Two are on Mount Desert Island (Blackwoods and Seawall), one is on Schoodic Peninsula (Schoodic Woods), and one is on Isle au Haut (Duck Harbor, accessible by ferry only). Reservations are required through Recreation.gov for every site. During peak season, the best sites go in a matter of minutes.

Campgrounds in the park (4)

• Campground Blackwoods Campground recreation.gov · 281 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Seawall Campground recreation.gov · 202 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Schoodic Woods Campground recreation.gov · 89 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Duck Harbor Campground see NPS · 5 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Acadia?

Yes, and it's one of the most immersive ways to experience the park. Backcountry camping outside a designated site is strictly prohibited throughout Acadia. Rangers enforce the rule, and fines follow. That applies everywhere in the park, including Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut. The one exception is Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut, where five tent sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Outside these official sites, overnight camping isn't allowed.

Campgrounds in the Park

Four campgrounds, four different experiences. Here's what you need to know to choose.

Blackwoods Campground

About 5 miles south of Bar Harbor on Route 3, Blackwoods is the park's largest campground, with 281 sites. Of those, 221 are for tents and 60 are for RVs, with no hookups. Restrooms with water and a dump station are available on-site. Trails along the coast start right from the campground. It's open from early May through mid-October, and reservations are required through Recreation.gov. The fee is $30 per night.

Seawall Campground

On the island's quiet side, about 15.5 miles from Bar Harbor, Seawall has 202 sites. That includes 43 tent sites and 59 RV sites without hookups, with a maximum vehicle length of 20 feet. Seawall's shoreline and the trails around Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse are right nearby. It's open from late May through early October. The fee is $30 per night.

Schoodic Woods Campground

On Schoodic Peninsula, on the mainland and about an hour's drive from Bar Harbor, Schoodic Woods is the park's only campground with electrical hookups, available at 78 sites. It has 89 sites in all, including 41 for RVs, 13 tent sites, and 2 group sites. The restrooms are modern, Wi-Fi is available on-site, and bike paths start directly from the campground. It's also the least expensive NPS campground in the park, at $22 per night. It's open from late May through early October.

Duck Harbor Campground

On Isle au Haut, accessible only by ferry from Stonington, Maine, Duck Harbor is the park's most remote option. It has five tent-only sites with bear-resistant lockers, restrooms, and water. There is no electricity or dump station. Reservations are very limited and open on a set date each spring, so check Recreation.gov well in advance. The fee is $20 per night.

RV vs. Tent: Which Site Is Right for You

RVs can access three NPS campgrounds. Blackwoods accommodates up to 60 vehicles on drive-in sites, with no hookups. Seawall has 59 RV sites, also without hookups, and limits vehicle length to 20 feet. Schoodic Woods is the only campground with electrical hookups at the site, with 78 equipped sites, making it the best choice for larger setups. Duck Harbor is strictly for tents and lightweight gear.

One thing to know: during peak season, the park requires a vehicle reservation for Park Loop Road. Some roads on the island restrict large vehicles. Check the NPS website for current limits before you leave. Our Acadia RV Camping Guide covers driving restrictions and service areas around the park.

Camping Nearby: Private Campgrounds Outside the Park

When NPS campgrounds are full, private campgrounds around Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Island fill the gap, including Mount Desert Campground in Southwest Harbor, Wild Acadia Camping Resort, and other properties along Route 3. These sites generally offer more amenities, such as full hookups and Wi-Fi, at slightly higher rates. Our Acadia Lodging Overview covers every option, from campgrounds to hotels.

Backcountry Camping (Permit Required)

Acadia has only one official backcountry camping option: Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut. A paid reservation through Recreation.gov is required, and you can't simply show up without confirmation. The ferry trip from Stonington also needs to be planned well ahead of time. If you're looking for a more traditional wilderness experience, our Acadia Hiking Guide presents the park's trails by difficulty level.

How and When to Reserve a Campsite in Acadia

All reservations go through Recreation.gov. The booking window opens six months in advance, down to the day, for Blackwoods and Seawall. Schoodic Woods follows the same schedule. Duck Harbor uses a separate window that opens on a set date each spring. Check the campground's Recreation.gov page so you don't miss it.

Our advice is to log in to Recreation.gov at exactly 10 a.m. Eastern Time on opening day. In July and August, the best Blackwoods sites go in under ten minutes. If you miss the window, keep checking for cancellations, which become common starting in June. To choose the right time of year, see our guide to choosing the best season for Acadia, which covers campground openings, weather, and seasonal crowds.

Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Acadia?

NPS campground fees range from $20 to $30 per night, depending on the campground. Blackwoods and Seawall cost $30 per night. Schoodic Woods costs $22. Duck Harbor is the least expensive at $20, but the round-trip ferry from Stonington is an additional cost to include in your budget. Park admission, which is $35 per vehicle, and nonrefundable Recreation.gov reservation fees are added to those rates.

The America the Beautiful pass costs $80 per year and covers admission to all federal recreation sites. It pays for itself quickly if you visit several parks in the same year. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.

Camping Safety and Good Practices

The main nighttime challenge at Acadia isn't bears. It's raccoons. They're everywhere, bold, and very good at opening a cooler that hasn't been secured properly. Never leave food unattended on a trail or at your site. Store everything in your car's trunk or in the storage boxes available at some sites. Toothpaste, soap, and scented products follow the same rule.

Black bears live in Maine. Sightings remain rare in the park, but food storage rules apply everywhere. Duck Harbor provides bear-resistant lockers, so use them. Porcupines may chew on gear left outside, including shoes, ropes, and straps. Put everything away before bed.

In summer, thunderstorms can develop quickly along the Maine coast. Stay off summits and out of exposed areas when there's a warning. The summit of Cadillac Mountain sometimes closes temporarily during storms. Check NPS weather advisories before every outing. Our Acadia Weather Guide explains the coastal Maine climate in more detail.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

It depends on what matters most to you:

• Access to iconic trails and proximity to Bar Harbor: Blackwoods, without question.
• Quiet and an authentic atmosphere away from the crowds: Seawall, on the island's quiet side.
• An RV site with electrical hookups: Schoodic Woods, the only NPS campground that offers them.
• A remote experience and complete solitude: Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut. Reserve as soon as the booking window opens each spring.

For a four- to seven-night stay, which we recommend if you want to enjoy the park without rushing, combining Blackwoods and Seawall lets you experience two distinct sides of Acadia. To plan your visit, our Acadia Itinerary Guide offers one-, two-, and three-day options.

Frequently Asked Questions