Camping
The National Park Service maintains two campgrounds within Acadia National Park. Both are extremely popular; during July and August, expect both of them to fill up by early to mid-morning.
The more popular of the two is Blackwoods (tel. 207/288-3274), on the island's eastern side, with about 300 sites. To get there, follow Route 3 about 5 miles south out of Bar Harbor; bikers and pedestrians have easy access to the loop road from the campground via a short trail, and the Island Explorer bus stops here as well. This campground has no public showers or electrical hookups, but an enterprising business just outside the campground entrance provides clean showers for a modest fee. Camping fees at Blackwoods are $20 per night from May through October, $10 per site in April and November. Advance reservations can be made to Blackwoods by calling tel. 877/444-6777 between 10am and midnight (only until 10pm in winter), or by using a new reservations system online at www.recreation.gov. An Acadia pass is also required for campground entry.
The Seawall (tel. 207/244-3600) campground is located over on the quieter, western half of the island, near the tiny fishing village of Bass Harbor (one of the Island Explorer bus routes also has a stop here). Seawall has about 215 sites, and it's a good base for cyclists or those wishing to explore several short coastal hikes within easy striking distance. However, it's quite a ways from Bar Harbor and Sand Beach on the other side of the island; for families, it might not be the best choice. The campground is open mid-May through the end of September, but they do not take reservations. It's first-come, first-served all the way -- and the lines form early. In general, if you get here by 9 or 10am you're pretty much assured of a campsite, especially if you want a walk-in site.
Camping fees at Seawall are $14 to $20 per night, depending on whether you want to drive directly to your site, or can pack a tent in for a distance of up to 150 yards. There are also no electrical or water hookups here, and (as it is with Blackwoods) prior acquisition of an Acadia entrance pass is required to stay at the campground.
