RV Camping in Acadia National Park

Ancient glaciers and the relentless powers of water sculpted the land that is now Acadia National Park. They did an exquisite job! Dramatic craggy cliffs and cobblestone beaches line the convoluted shoreline, while fingers of Atlantic water penetrate to the island’s heart. Forests of spruce and fir cover the land that is not marsh or meadow. Majestic bald mountains stand against the northeastern Maine sky. Acadia National Park offers an awe-inspiring landscape of mountain and sea, with many ponds and lakes to decorate her idyllic scenery. Maybe this is why she draws more visitors per acre than any other national park!

About the Park

Looking much like a lobster hanging from Maine’s beautiful and rugged coast, Mount Desert Island contains most of Acadia’s 46,000-acre park. The park is about 165 miles north of Portland, Maine, and 47 miles east of Bangor. Take State Route (SR) 1 north along the coast from Portland to Ellsworth, then SR 3 on to the Hulls Cove entrance. Coming from Bangor, take U.S. 1 east to SR 3. Also, The Cat ferry runs between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Bar Harbor, Maine, mid-June to September.

Acadia National Park is comprised of lands donated by private citizens. As a result, the park is a collection of land plots entwined with small private communities and quaint fishing villages. This mixture of private and public acreage provides a very unique aspect that is unlike any other national park in America. Acadia has four park entrances — three on SR 3 and one on SR 233. It has three excellent and very informative Visitor Centers.

There are 26 mountains in the park, many deep freshwater lakes and ponds (Jordan Pond is 150 feet deep), and a wide assortment of fascinating plants and animals. Cadillac Mountain is the highest mountain in the park at 1,530 feet and provides a gorgeous scenic view.

Other sections of Acadia include the Isle au Haut (2,728 acres), with dramatic rugged beauty and limited access, and the very tip of Schoodic Peninsula (2,194 acres). The Schoodic portion is located off SR 186 near Winter Harbor, Maine, and is the only portion of the park on the mainland.

Park Attractions and Activities

Relaxation is a popular pastime at Acadia National Park, given the fresh sea air. However, there are plenty of exciting activities and attractions. Two great scenic drives tour areas in the park. The Park Loop Road meanders through the heart of the park on Mount Desert Island. For a less-traveled drive, SR 186 on Schoodic Peninsula supplies a wonderful six miles of windswept granite coastline. A one-mile drive off SR 186 leads to Schoodic Head Mountain Outlook and a gorgeous view of Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island across the way.

There are 45 miles of picturesque Carriage Roads on Mount Desert Island. These special byways were developed and donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. They are reserved for biking, hiking and horseback riding -— no autos allowed! The smooth gravel roads wind around mountains and through valleys and cross 16 stone-faced rustic bridges. The Wildwood Stables will arrange carriage tours and even offers a horse camp.

Acadia has 120 miles of trails for some great hiking and walking. They range from easy walks, such as Jordan Point Nature Trail, to strenuous, as is Beehive Trail along Frenchman Bay. The trails follow shoreline, pass through deep woods and climb to mountain summits. There is no overnight backpacking allowed in the park. On Isle au Haut, there are 18 miles of trails and five lean-to shelters for overnight stays.

The Robert Abbe Museum of Native American Culture is one of a number of excellent museums in the area. Other park activities include fishing, guided nature walks and boat cruises. Swimming is allowed at Cold Sand Beach and Echo Lake Beach.

Park Campgrounds and Facilities

Acadia National Park provides two large campgrounds on Mount Desert Island. Blackwoods Campground (320 sites) is located on SR 3 about five miles south of Bar Harbor. It has some back-ins, restrooms, water and a dump station. Seawall Campground (214 sites) is on SR 102A four miles south of Southwest Harbor. It offers 42 pull-thrus, restrooms, water and dump station. No reservations accepted. Both campgrounds are situated in woods and only a 10-minute walk from the ocean. Also, showers and a small store are within one-half mile of both. During peak summer months, campers often wait in line for a campsite.

Group camping (5 sites) for formal organizations is available by reservation only. You must write the park for a group camp reservation form.

Area Private RV Parks and Campgrounds

You will find many quality private RV parks scattered throughout Mount Desert Island. In Bar Harbor, the Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort has oceanfront sites, full-hookups, laundry, and much more. The Smugglers Den Campground supplies full-hookups, heated pool, playground, and more. Located in Trenton, the Narrows Too Camping Resort has similar amenities.

Area Attractions and Activities

There are so many different and enjoyable things to do and see around Acadia National Park that all can’t be mentioned here. Many of the activities in the park are also available in local towns and villages. There are a number of picturesque old Lighthouses in the vicinity. Boat cruises can be chartered for fishing or sightseeing. The area’s small communities, such as Bar Harbor and Deer Isle-Stonington have great restaurants and quaint shops. Downeast Acadia, as the region is known, is simply a fabulous area to tour and vacation!

Acadia is the only national park in the Northeastern United States. Compared to America’s western national parks, it is rather small in size. However, no park in America can match Acadia’s unique natural beauty and rugged coastal personality. It’s a sure bet for a summer camping vacation!