Acadia NP, camping suggestions??

janetpowell · 08-27-2009, 02:53 PM

Fred and I will be heading to Main the middle of September. We are going to spend a couple days exploring Acadia NP. Anyone have suggestions for camping? We could bring our generator and dry camp if there is a campground worthwhile. I saw SeaWall campground near the coast....anyone ever stay there? I also thought I had read somewhere that there is a limit to where we can pull the trailer due to the bridges...again anyone know? Thanks!!

DF5.4 · 08-27-2009, 06:30 PM

We went to Acadia last year and the year before. We stayed at the KOA right as you get on the island. They have two parts. A seaside and woodlands. Seaside was on the water but it was crowded. The woodlands was about a mile away and it was quieter. We stayed at the woodlands both times. Then we used the free shuttle buses to go pretty much everywhere.

purplesuebug · 08-27-2009, 09:22 PM

If you like seclusion, check out this link http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=1207

We stayed here for a week and loved it. It's a little ways back to Acadia but definately away from the crowds. Take Care, Marshall

janetpowell · 08-28-2009, 05:06 AM

Seclusion sounds like our kind of place, thanks! is it actually in the Park? we want to do a bit of biking on the Carriage roads. thanks!!

**Tweety** · 08-28-2009, 11:14 AM

We were there 2 years ago and stayed at Hadley's Point Campground. Now that we have more experience with dry camping we'd stay at the Park campground. We drove through the National Park's Blackwoods Campground. It looked like nice big sites, but is dry camping only. I think that was the place that the showers aren't even in the campground. You have to drive a mile to a pay shower. I recommend getting a National Geographic Topo Map. We rode lots of carriage roads. The ride near the visitor center wasn't nearly as scenic as the one I'll describe next, and was crowded. (although in Sept. I'm sure the crowds will be less) For the ride we took with solitude and views you would park at a lot down Rt 198 on the east side of Somes Sound at the first parking lot on the LEFT just past Upper Hadlock Pond. The pond is big - you can't miss it. You can access the carriage trails from this lot. We then rode a circle over to the west side of Jordan Pond & back to the truck. We rode in a counter clockwise direction, which turned out to be a good decision as far as terrain goes. It was July and we had fresh wild blueberries along with gorgeous views of the sound - probably the most amazing bicycling we've ever done. (although I love the Virginia Creeper too) If memory serves me it was about 11 miles. Jordan Pond House is on the trail, but we packed our lunch. We only saw one other couple for the first half of the ride. It was awesome. Enjoy

Steve Collins · 08-28-2009, 12:36 PM

We visited Maine in 2000. Part of our stay was at www.whisperingpinesmaine.com which I think is one of the nicest private campgrounds I've ever camped in. Large, private sites are very level. While it is right on US Route 1, the road noise is not a problem.

If memory serves, it was about 40 minutes to Bar Harbor and just a bit further into Acadia NP. It's also a short day trip to either Deer Isle Peninsula or Bangor.

We'd go back there without any hesitation.

The drive up through VT and NH on the Green Mountain Scenic Highway is a worthwhile route. We went up that way and came back via I-95 to Massachusets and then west back into NY State. I would not do I-95 again, at least the southern part into MA. We way preferred traveling on US 1 even with the slower speeds and many towns and villages along the way.

**Tweety** · 08-28-2009, 01:04 PM

LOL Steve...we went up RT 1 and came back I95 and TOTALLY agree with you ! We thought 95 would be faster but since 1 is so scenic, and 95 was SO boring it seemed longer taking 95. We stopped at a little diner on the way up 1 (on the recommendation of a local we met in a random campground in MA) and had a piece of 4 berry pie that was to die for. If I think of the name of it I'll post it.
Found it ! Moody's Diner, on Rt. 1 just north of Nobleboro, ME on the right hand side heading north. Lunch wasn't too shabby either.

janetpowell · 08-28-2009, 02:28 PM

I knew I would get good suggestions! We were thinking about dry camping, with our generator.....of course!

jsms264 · 08-29-2009, 07:19 AM

We were there in August 2006, the weather was perfect, the kids were at a great age, and it was beautiful!!!! I rate it as our best trip as a family. We stayed at Mt. Desert Narrows II Campground, on Rt. 3 when you first get on the island. It's a private campground, very nice, full hookup, and most of the sites have a view of the bay. We did like it, but we tried to move into Blackwoods because it we georgous, but it was all booked up for the entire time we were there. I think there is a bike trail through Blackwoods too? If you can get through your time time there without hook-ups I highly recommend! We also drove through the other state park campgound (I dont recall the name, but there are only two), and it too was very nice, although not as nice a Blackwoods, in my opinion.

There is soooo much to do in Acadia NP, especially if you like to be active when you camp. The carriage trails are a must, and a must on a bike, absolutly beautiful. If you dont ride very often some areas can be a little hilly. My wife and kids wouldnt/couldnt ride the whole thing but I did all the trails. I think there is 48 miles of trails??? dont quote me on that, but quite a few miles.

I dont recall any bridge problems.

Here's a few sample pics I took for a visual aid....

This is a shot (the only one I could find) of not really our campsite but a pic from our site looking out to the bay.

I dont recall where this was taken, but we were exploring the island and there was a road side trail we walked and after about 1/2 mile it brought us out to this opening and then onto a boulder beach on the ocean.

Lighthouse...a must see!

Pic from the carriage trail.

Pic from the carriage trail (sorry my bike got in the way).

Pic from the carriage trail.

Pic from either Northeast Bay or Bar Harbor.

janetpowell · 08-29-2009, 07:28 AM

You are getting us quite excited to go! We will check out Blackwoods campground, hopefully there are openings. We will be there during the week, so the crowds should be less. We will also change our route, as we were planning on going up 95. We would rather slow down and have a nicer drive with a view. Again thanks!
Now, how are we going to adapt from the weather in Virginia to the weather in Maine???

Poppy & Nana · 08-29-2009, 10:00 AM

Bring "cold" weather clothes?

janetpowell · 08-29-2009, 01:20 PM

So I guess we won't be swimming at the beach?? hehehe

264SRinPA · 08-29-2009, 08:03 PM

Probably wouldn't want to swim even in the middle of summer. We were there a few years ago over the 4th of July week. We were told it was the hottest they could remember. We arrived around 9pm and it was still 101 deg. Most of the week was around that temperature and the sign at the only sand beach in Acadia said the water temperature was 54 degrees. Made things hard for site seeing as hi air temps and cold water temps made lots of fog. Glad we decided not to tent camp and opted to rent a cottage with a/c.

janetpowell · 10-10-2009, 08:11 PM

Fred and I had a great time in Acadia! We stayed at Bass Harbor Campground on the "Quietside" of the island. We could walk to the lighthouse, and did several times. The campground was great!!! Mainly because of the people. We rode the carriage roads and hiked. It was far more beautiful that anticipated. The only problem was we didn't stay long enough.....but we will return another time.