Interested in RV campgrounds near Bar Harbor, Maine?
You’ve cruised to the right site because my family had the pleasure of camping outside of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, in our
Planning a trip to Bar Harbor can prove tricky if it’s your first time, which is why I’m here to help you out. After reading this blog, you’ll know everything about the Best RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Introduction to Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, Maine is a small town located on Mount Desert Island, a stunning island just off the mainland and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Mount Desert Island is also home to Acadia National Park, one of the most instagrammable national parks in the fall due to it’s colorful foliage and hiking destinations like along Jordan’s Pond or to the Harbor Head Lighthouse.
Free Shuttle Service on Mount Desert Island
One of my favorite things about RV camping in Bar Harbor is the free shuttle service called the Island Explorer that makes a big loop around Mount Desert Island, going from the northern campgrounds to Bar Harbor in the east, and then south to several stopping points like more RV campgrounds and Acadia National Park. Mount Desert Island is also a short drive away from the mainland and other beautiful parks like Lamoine State Park. All the Bar Harbor RV campsites are on the free shuttle route. If using the shuttle, tip the driver as a best practice.
Best Bar Harbor RV Campgrounds
Within this post, I’ll go into detail about the Best RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine. It’s worth noting that there are two types of RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine: privately-owned and park-owned, and that the majority of the camping resorts offer full hookup sites, tent sites, showers, bath houses, great views, and easy access to Acadia National Park.
If you just want to skip ahead to my personal favorite RV Campground in Bar Harbor, that would be Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort in Bar Harbor. This family- and pet-friendly RV resort stole our hearts.
RV Check-in and Check-out Times
RV check-in times are at 1pm. RV check-out times vary between 11p and 12p, so verify at your chosen campground.
Seasonal Park Closures
All can be booked online or by calling the office. Furthermore, because of the winter season, most of these parks are not open year round. Instead, they close around late October and reopen in the spring.
Free Wifi
All of the RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor offer free wifi in the common areas, and most sites have wifi; however, some of the more rural sites may have limited wifi connectivity.
Best RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine
1. Mount Desert Narrows in Bar Harbor
Skoolie-Friendly Editor’s Pick
- Location: 17 minutes from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Number of Sites: 258 (a mix of mostly RV sites, tent and camping)
- Site Types: Full service RV, RV (water, electric), Tent (water, electric), Primitive camping, Cabins
- Pet-friendly, kid-friendly
- Skoolie-friendly
- Free WiFi
- On the Route for the Free Island Explorer Shuttle
We stayed 9 nights at the Mount Desert Narrows campground, located on a northern cove on the Atlantic Ocean. It came recommended to us by friends in Georgetown, Maine and for good reason. It’s a short drive from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, and on the free shuttle route for easy exploring around Mount Desert Island. We quickly realized that this campground is great for kids, families and is pet-friendly.
My favorite experience at here was when a local drove in selling Maine wild blueberries pies from the back of his van. And no, I didn’t share much of that pie with my family – it was so good! My kids loved playing on the outdoor playground and the in-doors arcade.
This campground is part of the Thousand Trails network, though you don’t need a membership to book your stay. In the warmer months, you’ll get pool access, though the cooler months have the best leaf colors, in my opinion.
They offer RV sites of various sizes. We initially booked a Premium site at the front of the park and after a few days upgraded to a larger site closer to the waterfront. Both were beautiful spaces, though the seclusion on the upgraded site was nicer with little kids running around.
Amenities offered at Mount Desert Narrows campground in Bar Harbor, Maine
- Coin laundry
- Camp store
- Recreation room with arcade games
- Ocean-front walking trails
- Playground, heated pool
- Flat campsites with a picnic table
See the Virtual Tour
See the resort map
2. The Bar Harbor Campground
- Location: 10 minutes drive from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Number of Sites: 150 (80+ dedicated to RVs)
- Site Types: Full service RV, RV (water, electric), Tent (water, electric)
- Pet-friendly, kid-friendly
- Heated pool
- Free WiFi
- Cash only
- No advance bookings
- On the Route for the Free Island Explorer Shuttle
The Bar Harbor Campground is the closest RV park to the city of Bar Harbor and is a family-owned business. This RV Resort offers full service RV sites in an ocean-front, forested setting. Two unique features about this resort is that you cannot book ahead and it is cash only. Meaning, you’ve just got to roll up, choose your camp site, and pay at the front office.
Based on the nearly 5 star public Google reviews from 630+ past guests, the staff are friendly, campgrounds are clean, and the location is quiet yet close to everything on Mount Desert Island. For those that are mobility-impaired, there are sidewalks throughout the campground, which is a unique feature.
3. Mount Desert Narrows Too in Trenton, Maine
- Location: 19 minutes from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Number of Sites: 867 RV camp sites, 10 tiny home cabins
- Site Types: Full service RV, Cabins
- Pet-friendly, kid-friendly
- Free WiFi
- On the Route for the Free Island Explorer Shuttle
Though not technically located on Mount Desert Island, the Mt Desert Narrows Too is located just on the mainland in Trenton. This campground is part of the Thousand Trails network, though you don’t need a membership to book your stay. In the warmer months, you’ll get pool access, though the cooler months have the best leaf colors, in my opinion. If you want to explore more parks on the mainland, Narrows Too is in close proximity to Lamoine State Park and Schoodic Woods campground and park.
They offer RV sites of various sizes. We initially booked a Premium site at the front of the park and after a few days upgraded to a larger site closer to the waterfront. Both were beautiful spaces, though the seclusion on the upgraded site was nicer with little kids running around.
See the virtual tour
See the resort map
4. Mount Desert Campground in Acadia National Park
- Location: 19 minutes from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Part of the Acadia National Park Service
- Number of Sites: 150 RV camp sites
- Site Types: RV, tents
- Not pet-friendly during peak season
- Kid-friendly
- Free WiFi
- On the Route for the Free Island Explorer Shuttle
This is the only RV campground that is a owned and operated by the Acadia National Park service. The beauty of this park is that if you are truly here to visit the park, then you literally wake up every day in it with immediate proximity to top activities like Cadallac Mountain, Bass Harbor Head Light Station, . The park is also ocean-front, offering a floating dock that you can swim out too in the warmer months.
It’s worth noting that there is no septic dumping available on site (water and electric are available), and RVs are limited to 20 ft in length, which is a common standard for national parks.
See the resort map
5. Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA
- Location: 19 minutes from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Number of Sites: 426+ camp sites (¾ of them designated to RVs)
- Site Types: RV, tents, cabins
- Pet-friendly, kid-friendly
- Free WiFi
- On the Route for the Free Island Explorer Shuttle
The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is the only RV campground located on the westside of the island, which puts it in close proximity to the Bass Harbor Marsh, the largest living salt marsh on Mount Desert Island.
The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is also the largest RV resort in Bar Harbor, so it’s going to come with some crowds during the busy season. A perk to its large size though is that it is able to maintain plenty of activities, especially for children and families, meaning you don’t need to leave the park to have fun.
See the resort map
6. Hadley’s Point Campground
- Location: 14 minutes from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Number of Sites: 65 RV camp sites
- Site Types: RV, cabins
- Pet-friendly, kid-friendly
- Free WiFi
- On the Route for the Free Island Explorer Shuttle
Hadley’s Point Campground is a family-owned, small campground. You can tell from their website and public reviews that they value providing a great experience for guests, like including a list of seasonal activities in Bar Harbor and a Honey Wagon portable dumping station that they will bring to your campsite (for a surcharge), if your site doesn’t offer full hookups.
See the resort map
7. Timberland Acres RV Park in Trenton, Maine
- Location: 27 minutes from Bar Harbor, Maine
- Number of Sites: 70 RV camp sites
- Site Types: RV, cabins, tents
- Pet-friendly, kid-friendly
- Free WiFi
Timberland Acres RV Park in Trenton is a family-owned, small campground. They value longer term or extended stays over high turnover that you may otherwise get on Mount Desert Island during the busy season. They offer a relaxed atmosphere and are one of the more budget-friendly options, which is nice for an older audience, though families are welcome.
Though not directly on the free Island Explore shuttle route, you can access the shuttle if you park at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton.
See the resort map
Bonus: Private stay with Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome
Though there are currently no Bar Harbor, Maine stays listed on Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome (under the same ownership), these platforms are an affordable way to travel in your RV or camper around the country. In fact, we booked multiple stays with both booking platforms during our 6 month journey along the eastern coast of the USA. Harvest Hosts, which allows for a free overnight stay from its hosts who own or manage farms, wineries, breweries, etc. Boondockers Welcome connects non-business hosts to guests through their platform.
Read more about the Harvest Hosts platform in this blog.
Bar Harbor Travel Tips
Visiting Bar Harbor, Maine is such a treat and has to be in the top 5 of places we traveled to on our easy coast
If you’re curious about what we did on our trip to Bar Harbor, then check out our Bar Harbor, Maine Travel Itinery here.
FAQ to the Best RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine
How many Bar Harbor, Maine RV Campground sites are there?
In my research, I have located seven RV campgrounds and camp resorts resulting in about 1,300 RV campground sites within a 30-minute radius of the city of Bar Harbor, Maine. Nearly all of the RV resorts and campgrounds are kid-friendly and all are pet-friendly (depending on the time of year). There are other RV campgrounds available further out, but I think a 30-minute drive is reasonable to get from your RV campground to Bar Harbor, Maine.
What’s the best RV campground in Bar Harbor, Maine?
In my opinion, the best Bar Harbor, Maine RV Campground is the Mount Desert Narrows Campground. Our family camped there for nine days, and we found the campground to be affordable, peaceful, and in close proximity to Bar Harbor, Maine. My second choice would be the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA because of all the family-friendly activities available on site. When traveling with young children, we find that the all-inclusive resorts tend to make our lives a little bit easier after long days of travel.
Is there WiFi at RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine?
Yes, all RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine offer Wi-Fi internet. Speeds may vary though depending on the campsite, so call ahead to find out if you’ll be getting high-speed internet during your stay.
How much do RV Campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine cost?
On the low end, you’ll find RV campgrounds at $40 per night. On the high end, you’ll find RV sites at $80 per night or more. The RV campgrounds may offer fewer or more amenities for that price. A number of these campgrounds offer weekly and monthly discounts for extended stays.
Can you pay for Bar Harbor RV Campgrounds with a credit card?
In most cases, you can pay for RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine with a credit card. This is the preferred and only payment option, especially if you are booking online. The Bar Harbor Campground is the only RV park in the list above that is cash only.
Is there a skoolie -friendly RV campground in Bar Harbor, Maine?
Yes! Our family personally stayed at the Mount Desert Narrows Campground. Our family camped there for nine days in our
It’s worth noting that there may be more skoolie-friendly campgrounds available on Bar Harbor, especially with the smaller, family-owned locations.
The state and national parks tend to be
Are there pet-friendly RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine?
Yes! All of the RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine are pet-friendly year-round. The exception being Mount Desert Campground in Acadia National Park is not pet-friendly during the busy season. Pets are required to be vaccinated and walking on a short leash within the campground. Some danger breeds may also have restrictions, so call ahead before you book a site.
Where is Bar Harbor, Maine?
Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, an island off the coast of Maine. It’s located about 20 miles south of Ellsworth, the closest major city, and 1.5 hours away from Bangor, where the closest internation airport is.
What’s the best way to get from the mainland to Bar Harbor, Maine?
One way to travel to Bar Harbor, Maine from the mainland by car is take the bridge from Trenton on the mainland onto Mount Desert Island. Once on the island, you’ll drive 12 miles on ME-3 to Bar Harbor.
Is it safe to drive to Bar Harbor?
Yes, Bar Harbor, Maine is a safe place to drive. The town is small, so you will often be on a two-lane road with limited amount of traffic. Be wary of pedestrians crossing the street, since the town is walkable.
Is there parking in Bar Harbor, Maine?
Yes, there is parking for RVs and smaller vehicles on the outskirts of the city. It’s worth mentioning that you may be able to take the free, seasonal shuttle called the the Island Explorer that runs around Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park directly from your RV campground.
Is there a Bar Harbor, Maine Airport?
There is a also small airport called Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) on Mount Desert Island, and that is the closest airport to Acadia National Park. The free Island Explorer shuttle has a direct route to the local Bar Harbor Airport.
What airport do you fly into to visit Bar Harbor?
If planning to fly to the area when visiting Bar Harbor, the closest major airport called Bangor International Airport (BGR) is located 50 miles away in Bangor. There is a also small airport called Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) on Mount Desert Island, and that is the closest airport to Acadia National Park. The free Island Explorer shuttle has a direct route to the local Bar Harbor Airport.
Do you need a raincoat in Bar Harbor?
It depends on the weather conditions and if you’re doing any boating activities. If you plan on participating in water activities like whale watching in the Atlantic Ocean, then purchasing a rain slicker is recommended. Here are the rain coats that I recommend.
COOFANDY Men's Long Rain Jacket with Hood Waterproof Lightweight Active Raincoat (Pat1, Medium)
▶︎ Shop Now: Water Shoes (Premium)
I also recommend that you purchase a waterproof phone holder and key float. one of the fastest ways to ruin your vacation is by getting locked out of your vehicle or hotel, and having no way to communicate that because he lost your phone as well! as a mom, I prefer something that allows me to carry everything in one place while also being waterproof. that’s why I recommend one of these fanny packs or bum bags.
Remember to check out my travel itinerary to Bar Harbor, Maine, for tips on what to do when you’re in the area.
Is Bar Harbor, Maine in Acadia National Park?
No – The town of Bar Harbor, Maine is located on the northeast portion of Mount Desert Island, an island located in the Atlantic Ocean off the mainland. Acadia National Park is located further south on the island, and is not located in Bar Harbor.
What is the best month to visit Bar Harbor, Maine?
I believe the best time to visit Bar Harbor, Maine is in the fall season. That’s when the town’s tree foliage comes alive with festive colors. You’ll also experience cooler temperatures while avoiding the summer crowds.
Do I need a travel insurance to travel to Maine?
YES — Travel insurance takes stress of your shoulders before and during trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. You’re covered with short-term health insurance in event an emergency happens. A basic travel insurance policy with Travel Insurance Master costs between $5-10 USD per day.
Can you drink the water in Bar Harbor, Maine campgrounds?
No — You’ll want to buy a filtered water bottle, which cleans your drinking water before ingestion so you don’t get an upset belly from the water in Bar Harbor, Maine. Many of these campgrounds get their drinking water supply from well water, and every RV campground varies on how often their well is treated for bacteria and parasites. I personally use this metal Brita Insulated Water Bottle with Straw and Filter.
Do you need a car in Bar Harbor, Maine?
You’ll need a car to get to Mount Desert Island, but once on the island you can use the free shuttle called the Island Explorer to get around. If you’ve booked a stay in the heart of Bar Harbor, and don’t plan on leaving the village, then you won’t need a car since everything else is reachable by foot.
Do Uber or Taxi services run in Bar Harbor, ME?
Yes – Car share services like Uber and Lyft are available in Bar Harbor, Maine. You’ll just need to download the respective apps to see who is available to pick you up. There are a few taxi services available like Bar Harbor Coastal Cab & Tours and Y&P Taxi Services.
What’s the best way to book my Bar Harbor, Maine accommodations?
To book the recommendations that I’ve provided when visiting Bar Harbor, Maine, either visit the RV Campground website or call the RV Resort directly.
Need additional information on Bar Harbor, Maine?
The official Bar Harbor website provides a lot of great information, like using the town’s visitor-guiding wayfinding signs. If there was anything not covered in this article, I’m sure you’ll find it on their site.
Final Thoughts: Best RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine
As you can see, there are quite a few RV campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine and quite a few more available on Mount Desert Island as well as off the island. These sites range in price (economical to high), location, and amenities (resort-style to simple).
If you love being in nature and experiencing unique places like whale-watching, hiking to Cadillac Mountain and Jordan’s Pond, and chowing down on lobster with popovers, then you’ll love a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine.
I hope this guide to the Best RV Campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine thoroughly answered your questions. Leave a comment below with your thoughts and points of view.
If you liked this blog, then check out these others:
- 7+ Surprising Day Trips from Bar Harbor
- Bar Harbor, Maine: Magical Cottages
- Best RV campgrounds in Helen, Georgia
- RV Travel to the Florida Keys
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Thank you for sharing this article!
Thanks for reading, Anna!
Great article! Love Bar Harbor 🙂
Thanks. It’s probably one of my top 5 places to visit.
Great article, thanks for sharing. It would be amazing to visit some of these campsites in autumn!
Thanks, Kitti. I hope you get to visit some of them one day!
I always go to campsites in my travels to save costs and to be in nature more. Thanks for sharing these beautiful campsites in Bar Harbor. You’ve also answered common questions that I always ask when looking for a campsite. Thank you!
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