One of the country’s top 10 most-visited national parks in 2013, according to the National Parks Conservation Association, Acadia National Park on Maine’s rugged Atlantic shore has attracted nature lovers, artists and outdoors enthusiasts for more than a century. The most adventurous choose to really rough it at the park’s two main campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, Blackwoods and Seawall. Both give you a respite amid coastal pines, where the bracing sea breezes whistle through the boughs. Camping in Acadia is an inexpensive way to envelop yourself in the wilderness -- but reserve early, because this popular park gets busy during the summer months.
Blackwoods Campground, located on Route 3 about 5 miles south of the resort town of Bar Harbor, is open year-round. This site is convenient for campers who want to dine or shop in town during the day, and then enjoy a quiet night under the stars. Blackwoods has a wooded setting with campsites surrounded by dense forests. Seawall Campground lies on the other side of Somes Sound, the large fjord that nearly bisects Mount Desert Island, about 4 miles south of the village of Southwest Harbor on Route 102A. The campground gets its name from the stone barrier that separates the campsites from the frothy Atlantic surf. Seawall is open from May through September.
Blackwoods charges varying fees depending on the time of year. Reservations are a good idea during the May-to-October high season, which also incurs a higher per-night fee. April and November offer shoulder-season rates, and campers can self-register. During winter, campsites are free, but guests must obtain a permit from park headquarters. At Seawall, reservations are recommended for the entire season. Per-night fees are slightly higher for drive-up sites compared to walk-in sites.
"Primitive" is the operative word at Acadia’s accommodations. During winter at Blackwoods, facilities are limited to hand-pumped water and a portable toilet, and campers must hike in to their spots because park roads are closed for the season. This site offers restrooms with running water in the high and shoulder seasons. At Blackwoods and Seawall during spring, summer and fall, amenities include showers for a small fee and evening campfire programs but no hookups or utilities. Both campgrounds are on the Island Explorer Shuttle Bus route.
A small number of sites at Blackwoods and Seawall are reserved for groups of up to 15 people. Each comes with a picnic table, grills and campfire rings, while shared drinking water and restrooms are available on site. Advance reservations are required for group spots. All campers must abide by the park’s rules for campsite occupancy, pet regulations, local firewood use and fire safety, and natural resource protection.
