Campground

Smuggler’s Den Campground

CampgroundOPERATIONAL★ 4.7
Rustic campground building with window boxes and an ice chest sits beside a forested area in Acadia National Park.

Alright, Smuggler's Den sits on the Quietside of Mount Desert Island near Southwest Harbor with quick access to Acadia. There are 106 sites to choose from—tent, RV, rustic and deluxe cabins, RV rentals, and vacation rentals—with water and electric hookups and some sewer. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard, and many tent sites sit on wooden platforms. It’s family-friendly with a heated pool, a playground, and direct trails to Beech Mountain and Echo Lake Beach; book early, this pl...

Quick facts

Reservation System
CampLife (private booking system)
Reservation Window
Reservations recommended; no explicit window stated
Reservation Tips
Book six months out; rebook for next year; use CampLife; direct reservation link provided
Season Dates
Memorial Day – Columbus Day (late May to mid-October)

Reservations & season

Reservation System
CampLife (private booking system)
Reservation Window
Reservations recommended; no explicit window stated
Reservation Tips
Book six months out; rebook for next year; use CampLife; direct reservation link provided
Season Dates
Memorial Day – Columbus Day (late May to mid-October)
Fills Up Speed
High demand; popular sites fill quickly; book early; rebooking for following year encouraged
Per Night Cost
$80/night gravel back-in; $90/night cement/pull-through; cabins and RV rentals vary
Extra Vehicle Fees
There is no published extra-vehicle charge in the posted rates.
Day Use Fees
Day-use access and any associated charges are not documented in the official rate sheet.
Passes Accepted
No park pass discounts noted

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
106
Site Types
Tent sites, RV sites (water/electric; 30-amp and 50-amp; some sewer), rustic and deluxe cabins, RV rentals, vacation rentals
Site Type Breakdown
Tent sites, RV sites with hookups, rustic cabins, deluxe cabins, RV rentals, vacation rentals; about half the sites are for tents
RV Max Length
75 feet
Group Sites Available
1
Group Site Capacity
Group sites sit in a separate, isolated area away from standard sites; the campground does not publish a fixed capacity per group site.
Hookups
Water and electric hookups; 30-amp and 50-amp; some sites with sewer
Site Features
Fire rings and picnic tables; tent sites on wooden platforms; potable water spigots; on-site dump station; camp store stocks ice, ice cream, firewood, coffee, snacks, and live lobsters
Ground Type
Gravel, dirt, and some paved pads; wooden tent platforms on select sites
Site Privacy
Site privacy depends on location: wooded spots with natural screening offer more seclusion, while some sites are nearer neighboring campsites.

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Multiple bathhouses; generally clean with some dated facilities
Showers Available
Free hot showers
Potable Water
Potable water spigots at campsites
Dump Station
On-site dump station
Trash Service
Dumpsters available; generally not overflowing
Camp Store
Camp store stocks ice, ice cream, firewood, coffee, snacks, and live lobsters
Firewood Availability
Firewood available for purchase at camp store; gathering firewood prohibited
Cell Service
AT&T and Verizon service available
Nearby Facilities
Gas and groceries in Southwest Harbor (1.5 miles); Walmart in Ellsworth (~30 minutes)

Access

Road Type
Paved and gravel roads within the campground
Road Conditions
Generally good; some internal roads are gravel and some sections partially paved
Vehicle Restrictions
Trailers allowed; private golf carts and other motorized recreational vehicles not permitted
Clearance Needed
Sedan friendly
Gate Hours
Gate hours not published
Distance From Entrance
Approximately 20 minutes from Bar Harbor and Acadia Visitor Center
Nearest Gas Services
Gas and groceries in Southwest Harbor (1.5 miles); Walmart in Ellsworth (~30 minutes)
Elevation
Varies
Accessibility
Official materials do not publish a comprehensive accessibility statement.
ADA Accessible Sites
ADA-accessible site availability is not published in the materials.

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Follow general bear safety practices for bear country
Fire Restrictions
Fires in designated fire rings; small; never left unattended; seasonal bans common
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leashed at all times; not left unattended in cabins or RV rentals; not in pool area
Generator Hours
No official generator hours published; observe 22:00–08:00 quiet hours
Quiet Hours
10 p.m. – 8 a.m.
Max Stay Limit
14 days
Alcohol Permitted
1

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Heated pool, playground, horseshoes, basketball, large field; hiking to Beech Mountain and Echo Lake Beach; lobster pots and crackers to borrow
Trailheads Nearby
Direct trail connections to Beech Mountain and Echo Lake Beach from the campground
Fishing Details
No campground-specific fishing details are provided in the materials.
Wildlife Viewing
Bear country; general wildlife in area; use caution
Stargazing Quality
Not noted
Shade Coverage
Mixed shade; many sites under trees
Scenic Views
Forest surroundings with access to Echo Lake and Beech Mountain trails
Noise Level
Quiet hours enforced; typical campground ambiance outside peak times
Best Time To Visit
May–October; early season and shoulder periods are quieter; peak summer is busiest
Vibe Check
A practical basecamp near Acadia: family-friendly, convenient stores, and trail access; not a remote wilderness retreat, but you’re still surrounded by forest and waterways
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: You want a family-friendly campground with water/electric hookups and up to 75 ft RVs near Acadia; you want a heated pool and direct trail access. ❌ SKIP IF: You’re seeking a remote backcountry site with no services or a wilderness vibe
Tips Advice
  • Book six months out; peak season fills fast
  • Bring a headlamp for late-night bathroom runs
  • Use lobster pots and crackers to cook seafood at camp
  • Keep fires small and in rings; never leave unattended

More details

Park Area
Acadia National Park – Quietside, Mount Desert Island, Maine
Family Friendly Notes
Heated pool, playground, and direct access to Beech Mountain/Echo Lake Beach; gentle on kids with quiet hours and leash rules
Senior Access Discounts
No senior-discount option is published in the campground's rate details.
Amphitheater
Not noted
Boat Launch
Not noted
Nearby Attractions
Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park Visitor Center, Southwest Harbor; Echo Lake Beach; Walmart in Ellsworth
Terrain Type
Paved and gravel internal roads; forested campground setting; some tent platforms
Temperature Ranges
Seasonal; nights cooler near water; summers warm
Snow Season
Winter months are outside the operating season; Smuggler's Den runs May through October.
Monsoon Season
Monsoon season does not apply here; the campground operates seasonally May–October.
Wind Exposure
Wind exposure depends on the site; wooded sites provide shelter while open locations can be windier.
Bug Season
Insects are more noticeable in summer; bring repellent.
Setup Strategy
Pull-through and back-in sites available; internal roads mix paved and gravel; sedans handle; trailers allowed; max length 75 ft; arrive prepared for gate check and parking coordination
Bath Laundry Recon
Showers are free and clean; laundry details aren’t published; plan accordingly
Review Summary
Reviews highlight clean bathhouses, friendly staff, and easy Acadia access; the heated pool and family amenities are a plus, though some note older bathhouses. High demand means plan ahead and reserve early.

Location

Campground sign near a bed of yellow flowers along the roadside in Acadia National ParkMarshmallows roasting over a campfire at Smuggler's Den Campground in Acadia National Park

Frequently asked questions

Is Smuggler's Den inside Acadia National Park?

It sits outside the park boundaries but on Mount Desert Island, offering quick access to Acadia trails and Bar Harbor.

What RV length is allowed?

RVs up to 75 feet are permitted.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, pets are allowed with leash and supervision; they cannot be left alone in cabins or RV rentals and are not allowed in the pool area.

What hookups exist?

Most sites have water and electric; 30-amp and 50-amp options; some sites offer sewer.

Is there a dump station on-site?

Yes, an on-site dump station is available.

Evergreen Yurts

Private baths in each 24’ yurt; forested base near Acadia with creekside trails.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.