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Long before Acadia was a national park, long before Maine was a state in the Union, this coastal region of North America was populated by the Algonquian peoples, who hunted, fished and harvested the land for more than 12,000 years. As European immigrants settled the region, they recognized the natural beauty of Maine’s spectacular islands and coastline—all carved and sculpted by water, ice, and time. Many of the upper crust built vacation cottages in the area to enjoy its mountains and woods, lakes and wetlands. It was finally established as a national park in 1916, with the distinction of being the first national park east of the Mississippi. Today, Acadia is one of the most-visited parks in the United States, where millions of visitors come to the park each year for its outdoor recreation opportunities, abundant wildlife, and unparalleled scenery. Acadia’s Blackwoods Campground is the ideal base for all of your Acadia adventuring. Located in the southeast region of the park, approximately 90 minutes southeast of Bangor, it features more than 300 wooded tent-camping sites near Otter Point. The campground can also accommodate small RVs/trailers up to 35 feet, but hookups and utilities are not available. Some sites are ADA accessible. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, and all have access to potable water, restrooms and shower facilities; a dump station is located onsite. Dogs are welcome in the park, but must remain leashed, and are not permitted in buildings, on ranger-led programs, or on some trails. The campground is open from May through October. Campsites are $30/night; group sites are $60/night. Reservations are recommended, and can be made up to six months in advance. There is no shortage of things to do and see in Acadia National Park. One of the best ways to discover the park, and enjoy its stunning scenery is by taking a hike. More than 120 miles of trails, from short, family-friendly nature trails to long, strenuous mountain climbers, offer something for everyone. Bicycle and horseback riding on the park’s 45 miles of old carriage roads is another great way to see the park. Coastal areas offer plenty of swimming, paddling, and tidepooling opportunities, and anglers can fish for salmon, trout, perch and pickerel in many of the park’s freshwater lakes and ponds. Wildlife watchers can scan for some of the more than 300 species of birds known to inhabit the park, as well as a variety of small and large animals. And, of course, leaf-peeping is one of Adadia’s most popular pastimes, when the park’s woods are transformed into a kaleidoscope of autumn-colored trees.
Blackwoods Campground is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Bar Harbor on Route 3.
Season Dates: May 6 through October 16, 2022 (subject to change)
Reservations are available two months in advance. Reserve your site below or at www.recreation.gov
Camping Fees: (Paid at time of reservation, not at the campground)
Tent, camper, and motor home sites: $30
Group tent sites: $60
Note: Off-season and winter camping are not allowed at Blackwoods Campground. The front gates are closed until the campground reopens in spring.
Free, wheelchair-accessible Island Explorer shuttle buses make regular stops at campgrounds, carriage road entrances and many trailheads. Shuttle service is available from late June to mid-October.
The entrance to Blackwoods Campground is off of State Highway 3, six miles south of Bar Harbor. There is no entrance to the campground from Acadia National Park's Park Loop Rd.
The Park Loop Rd. has several low bridges and the majority of it is one way traffic; do not enter any entrances with a vehicle or equipment that is 10'4" or more.
If you do not have a reservation and hope to book a campsite in person at the ranger station, we can ONLY accept credit/debit cards. No cash/checks.
Park entrance fees are separate from campground fees. An entrance pass is required in the park and while staying in the campground. Acadia National Park charges the following entrance fees: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person. Visitors may purchase the Acadia National Park annual pass for $55. Buy your Acadia National Park pass online at www.recreation.gov
Blackwoods campsites are reservable up to 2 months in advance at 10:00am EDT. There are no first-come, first-serve sites. All campsites are by advanced reservation only.
This is probably the prettiest campground I've ever been to. The whole park is in a very quiet and well preserved pine forest by the coast and you really feel the peacefulness that you want when camping. Prices are reasonable, staff is friendly, and the location is very close to Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain, and other nice points of interest. I went tent camping here a few times and I loved every minute. There is a short walking trail that takes you directly from the camp to the coastline. At night the stars are absolutely incredible. Each camp site is good-sized and has a fire pit and a picnic table. The fire pits I've seen there also have a built-in metal grate that can be swung on or off the pit to place cooking pans, skillets, etc on.
The camp does have bathroom buildings at convenient points throughout, but no showers in the campground. For showers, there is an independent business just a minute or so up the road that has coin-operated shower facilities, and you can also buy firewood there.
This is one of our favorite campgrounds. We stayed in loop A and found it to be very private and beautiful. The short footpath to the ocean off the side of loop A is magical with the surrounding mossy green woods. Watching the waves roll into the craggy coastline was mesmerizing.