Set along the coastal cliffs of Mount Desert Island in Maine, Acadia National Park is among the country’s most popular national parks, drawing 4 million visitors a year. It includes the 27-mile Park Loop Road, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads. Three campgrounds in the park accommodate RVs—Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods—and their locations and hookup availability can make for very different trips.
How the Three Campgrounds Differ
Blackwoods Campground, on the southern part of Mount Desert Island, has 60 RV-only sites among its 281 total sites, but no electric, water, or sewer hookups. Non-electric RV sites cost $30 per night, and a dump station operates seasonally. Seawall Campground, on the island’s west coast, is similar: 59 of its 202 sites are RV-only, with no hookups, though every site is close to the ocean. Travelers seeking hookups should choose Schoodic Woods Campground on the mainland’s Schoodic Peninsula. It has 41 RV-only sites out of 89 total sites, and 78 sites have electricity. RV sites with electric and water hookups cost $40 per night, while standard electric sites cost $30. Reservations for all three campgrounds are available only through Recreation.gov; walk-up reservations are not accepted. Ninety percent of all sites are released at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the first day of each month, six months in advance. The remaining 10 percent are released on a rolling basis at 10 a.m. 14 days before arrival.
RVs Are Prohibited on Cadillac Summit Road
One of the most common obstacles for RV travelers in Acadia is Cadillac Summit Road. The National Park Service prohibits RVs, trailers, and any vehicles longer than 21 feet—including bicycle racks or hitches—from using Cadillac Summit Road. In addition, the road uses a vehicle reservation system from May 20 through October 25, so even passenger vehicles must obtain a $6 timed-entry ticket in advance through Recreation.gov. About 30 percent of reservations are released 90 days ahead, while the other 70 percent become available at 10 a.m. Eastern Time two days in advance, giving visitors two opportunities to reserve a spot. Park Loop Road is separate from Cadillac Summit Road, but RV access still requires attention to posted restrictions and clearances. Carriage roads are closed to motor vehicles, including RVs.
When to Visit for Lighter Crowds
Acadia draws heavy summer traffic in August, and campgrounds often sell out as soon as reservations open. From late September through mid-October, when fall color peaks, daytime temperatures are cooler and there are fewer insects, but campground reservations are even more competitive. Mainland campgrounds such as Schoodic Woods tend to have more availability than the two on the island. Travelers who do not need hookups may want to prioritize Blackwoods or Seawall, while those needing electricity should put Schoodic Woods first and log in as soon as the six-month booking window opens. Swimming advisories can change; check park alerts and water-quality notices before entering the water at Sand Beach.
Data Source: NPS API (developer.nps.gov) / Recreation.gov RIDB
Photo: NPS / Robyn Smyth / Original photo. Public domain. Resized and compressed for display.