Acadia National Park is a rich landscape, home to picturesque mountains, lush woodlands, sparkling lakes, and sandy ocean shores. In just 65 square miles, you will find islands ripe for exploration, mountain peaks with remarkable views, and tons of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages!

Don't wait a moment longer! This article has everything you need to know about RV camping in Acadia National Park so you can start planning your trip!

Table of Contents

• Acadia National Park Facts
• Best Acadia National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds
• Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park for RV Camping
• Things to Do in Acadia National Park
• Tips on Visiting Acadia National Park
• RV Rental for Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Facts

With 47,633 acres of land on the Atlantic coast, there are many incredible sights to see and areas to explore in Acadia National Park. Take a walk through its rich history and natural wonders as we explore some fun Acadia National Park facts!

• The first inhabitants of the park were Native American settlers nearly 5,000 years ago.

• Most of the park sits on Mount Desert Island, which was first discovered in 1604 by a French explorer.

• At 1,500 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the East Coast’s tallest mountain.

• The area became a national park in 1919, making it the oldest American national park east of the Mississippi River.

• The name of the park comes from an explorer who passed by the area in 1524. The shoreline reminded him of an area of Greece called Acadia.

• There are 26 mountains and 26 lakes and ponds in the park.

• There are about 120 miles of hiking trails in the park.

• There are about 40 different mammal species and 338 bird species in the park.

• Jordan Pond is the deepest lake in the park, reaching 150 feet deep.

• About 20% of the park is classified as wetlands. At least one rare plant species grows at each of these wetland areas.

• Thunder Hole is a unique rock formation in the park that makes a thundering sound whenever waves roll in and shoot air and water up through the cavern.

• Acadia is one of the most dog-friendly national parks.

Best Acadia National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds

Photo Credit: Instagram User @sreecharan42

Are you ready to take a vacation from your busy life? RV camping in Acadia National Park is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with nature, relaxing by the beach. Check out these RV campgrounds in Acadia National Park to get started!

Schoodic Woods Campground

Amenities: Open May through October, the Schoodic Woods Campground is a short 15-minute walk from the ocean. It has electric, potable running water, flush toilets, a dump station, and picnic tables. Acadia’s Island Explorer shuttle buses provide a free service between this campground, park destinations, and the local communities. Additionally, just one and a half miles from the campground are a grocery store, laundry facility, supply stores, and showers.

More information: Schoodic Woods Campground

Blackwoods Campground

Amenities: Though this campsite only has a few RV sites, campers at Blackwoods Campground have access to flush toilets, running water, a dump station, picnic tables, and fire rings. Roads leading to this campground are conveniently paved, and visitors have access to Acadia’s Island Explorer. This site is open May through October and is a short 10-minute walk from the ocean.

More information: Blackwoods Campground

Seawall Campground

Amenities: Seawall Campground can fit RVs up to 35 feet long, though maneuvering the RVs into the campground can be challenging. So be sure that before you make a reservation, you know if your RV can fit. Flush toilets, running water, a dump station, picnic tables, and fire rings are available. Free showers and camping supply stores are just one mile away. This campground is open between May and October.

More information: Seawall Campground

Bar Harbor Campground

Amenities: When it comes to RV camping near Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor Campground is the place to go. This campground is the closest RV park to the national park that has 30 and 50 AMP. Additionally, this campsite has a heated pool, clean bathrooms, hot showers, and a fantastic ocean view. Whether you have a small RV or a large one, Bar Harbor can accommodate it all! If you are camping during the off-season, this site is open year-round.

Capacity: 300 tent, RV, and group sites

More information: Bar Harbor Campground

Smuggler’s Den Campground

Amenities: Smuggler’s Den Campground is one of the best RV parks near Acadia National Park. The full-hookup, back-in, and pull-through sites have 20, 30, and 50 AMP with water and sewer. Each site is on a paved cement pad for RVs up to forty-five feet long. Additionally, this location has wifi, picnic tables, fire rings, hot showers, and a dump station.

More information: Smuggler’s Den Campground

Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park for RV Camping

Acadia National Park is open year-round for seasonal activities, outdoor adventures, and family fun! Keep reading to learn about crowd size, weather, and more for each season!

Winter

From December through February, the weather varies between 14 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Each year, the park gets an average of about five feet of snow. Due to the cold weather, crowds are relatively low, and many establishments are closed.

Despite the low crowds, there are tons of fun winter activities for visitors to enjoy. For instance, you could enjoy scenic drives, winter hiking, cross-country skiing, cross-country snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding, and skijoring.

Spring

Between March and May, you can expect temperatures between 30 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time of year, the snow starts to melt, and fog is common, so the ground is often wet and muddy. The warmer weather and wet conditions mean bugs start coming out.

At the same time, spring offers nice weather that is perfect for hiking, biking, running, birdwatching, and visiting the local gardens.

Summer

From June through August, you can expect warm temperatures with cool ocean breezes. Daytime temperatures are often between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you would like to swim, the ocean this time of year is 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and lakes are 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Be prepared for quick weather changes that jump from warm and sunny to cold and rainy. Thick fog is common. Weather on Cadillac Mountain and Acadia's other mountain peaks can be drastically different from temperatures in Bar Harbor or other places on the island.

Summer is by far the busiest time of year. July is when things start getting really busy, but August is even busier.

Fun summer activities include swimming, whale-watching, fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

Fall

Between September and November, the weather is crisp, crowds are light, and the foliage looks spectacular. Flowers are blooming, and the weather is typically between 30 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Mid-October is the best time to visit Acadia National Park because the leaves start changing to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Even better, the crowds are low. However, in November, shops start closing for the winter months.

Due to the clear, cool weather, fall is the perfect time for outdoor activities.

Things to Do in Acadia National Park

Whether you want to relax by the beach or have an exciting adventure, Acadia National Park has something for everyone. Below, we’ve compiled all the best things to do in Acadia National Park, along with the best places to see.

Outdoor activities include the following:

• Ranger-guided tours

• Ranger programs

• Bicycling

• Birdwatching

• Boating

• Climbing

• Fishing

• Hiking

• Horseback riding

• Swimming

• Tidepooling 

• Winter activities

• Kids’ activities

Additionally, there are many places to visit on your trip. Some of the best spots include the following:

• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: This lighthouse was built in the late 1800s and is a great photo spot.

• Cadillac Mountain: The mountain is the highest point on the east coast, offering incredible coastal and island landscape views.

• Isle au Haut: This lovely island is a beautiful spot for hiking, fishing, and boating. 

• Schoodic Peninsula: The peninsula is the only part of Acadia National Park found on the Maine mainland. There, you will find incredible scenic views and rocky beaches.

• Wild Gardens of Acadia: This incredible garden is a must-see for wildlife-lovers! More than 300 native species of plant life live in the lush gardens.

• Sand Beach: This is an 870-foot long beach is one of the most popular places in the park.

• Echo Lake: As a large freshwater lake, this is a popular swimming spot for visitors in the warm summer months.

• Jordan Pond House Restaurant: After a long day of adventures, visit the Jordan Pond House Restaurant, which is the only restaurant located inside the national park.

Tips on Visiting Acadia National Park

When visiting Acadia National Park, there are important safety measures guests need to heed. 

First, there are ticks in the national park. Walk down the middle of trails to avoid tall vegetation. In addition, wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot, tuck your pants into your socks, spray bug repellent. After a hike or venture through tall vegetation, check your clothing and skin for ticks.

Secondly, when hiking, always bring at least 20 ounces of water with you, along with a map, first aid kit, and flashlight. Always tell someone where you are going before you go exploring and be careful when hiking near cliff edges. Additionally, poison ivy is found throughout the area, so learn what the plant looks like and avoid it.

When traveling inside the park, it’s important to familiarize yourself with directions and transportation in the area. Bring a trail map with you just in case cell service isn’t reliable. And, if you are unsure about anything while you are in the park, ask a ranger to help you!

Regarding accessibility in the park, it costs $30 per vehicle to enter. This pass is valid for up to seven days and covers up to 15 people.

If you are planning to bring your RV in the park, you can make campground reservations up to six months in advance. A reservation will guarantee you get a spot for RV camping in Acadia National Park.

Last but not least, start your day early in the morning or plan things for the late afternoon to avoid crowds.

RV Rental for Acadia National Park

Photo Credit: Stephen Denton Photography

Now that you know everything about RV camping in Acadia National Park, it’s time to start planning your trip!

Luckily, Cruise America has everything you need to get started. Their RV rentals come equipped with everything you need for your camping adventure! They come with air conditioning, heating, a freshwater toilet, a gas cooktop, a refrigerator, a microwave, a shower, and a generator. 

Even more, Cruise America guarantees the best RV rental prices!

Additionally, since Acadia National Park is so dog friendly, you may want to bring your furry friend along with you on your trip. Cruise America welcomes pets at no extra charge!

Pack your bags and find a Cruise America location near you to get started!