Balsam Cove Campground, Toddy Pond, Orland, ME

Balsam Cove Campground at Acadia National Park features a wooden swing set near the shoreline with kids playing in a sunny campsite.

Balsam Cove Campground sits lakeside in Orland, Maine, offering a simple, family-friendly base within reach of Acadia National Park. There are 124 sites for RVs, tents, and rustic cabins, with most RV sites offering full hookups and 30/50 amp options. The drive in is straightforward on crushed-rock roads, and the on-site store keeps ice and supplies handy for a quick refresh. Plan ahead for peak season crowds and bring water, firewood, and a plan for parking and pets.

Quick facts

Reservation System: Campspot and WebReserv
Reservation Window: Full weeks (Sat–Sat) if booking >1 month in advance; within 1 month or off-season, shorter stays may be accommodated
Reservation Tips: Book 6+ months ahead; use Campspot/WebReserv; Saturdays are preferred for long stays; plan for a 45-minute drive to Acadia
Season Dates: May 15 - September 28

Reservations & season

Reservation System: Campspot and WebReserv
Reservation Window: Full weeks (Sat–Sat) if booking >1 month in advance; within 1 month or off-season, shorter stays may be accommodated
Reservation Tips: Book 6+ months ahead; use Campspot/WebReserv; Saturdays are preferred for long stays; plan for a 45-minute drive to Acadia
Season Dates: May 15 - September 28
Fills Up Speed: Popular during peak season; moderate to high demand
Per Night Cost: Nightly rates run from $36 to $89; the published materials do not break down pricing by site type.
Extra Vehicle Fees: $6 per night for additional adults or a second vehicle booked with the reservation; $12 per night if booked afterward or for shorter stays
Day Use Fees: $6 per day
Passes Accepted: No mention of America the Beautiful discount for camping

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total: Approximately 124
Site Types: RV sites, Tent sites, Cabins
Site Type Breakdown: RV: 101 sites; Tent: 106 sites; Cabins: 3
RV Max Length: 45 feet
Group Sites Available: 0
Group Site Capacity: Not listed
Hookups: 30A on 105 RV sites; 50A on 10 RV sites; water/sewer available at many RV sites; 6 electric/water subset; 13 No Hookup
Site Features: Fire ring, picnic table; some cement pads; potable water spigots; on-site dump station; camp store with ice and supplies
Ground Type: Crushed rock roads; some cement pads
Site Privacy: Not listed

Facilities

Bathroom Types: Flush toilets with lights
Showers Available: Hot showers are available and appear free
Potable Water: Potable water spigots available
Dump Station: On-site dump station
Trash Service: Trash management expected; $25 fine for leaving trash behind
Camp Store: General store on-site for ice and supplies
Firewood Availability: Firewood available for sale at camp store; gathering firewood prohibited
Cell Service: Poor to fair at best; use a cell hotspot for better data
Nearby Facilities: Orland has limited services; Ellsworth is about 12 miles away, with more groceries and dining options. The on-site camp store stocks essentials, snacks, ice, and firewood.

Access

Road Type: Crushed rock internal roads
Road Conditions: Wide and smooth; accommodating large rigs
Vehicle Restrictions: No special trailer prohibitions beyond standard length; 45 ft max
Clearance Needed: Sedan friendly; supports large rigs up to 45 feet
Gate Hours: Gate may close between vehicles; tailgating discouraged
Distance From Entrance: Approx. 45 minutes to Acadia Entrance Station
Nearest Gas Services: Ellsworth ~12 miles away; Orland has limited services
Elevation: Varies
Accessibility: Not listed
ADA Accessible Sites: Not listed

Rules & safety

Bear Country: Yes
Food Storage Requirements: Follow standard bear safety: use bear boxes if provided; otherwise hang food away from sleeping areas
Fire Restrictions: Fires allowed in fire rings with local wood; seasonal bans possible
Pets Allowed: Yes
Pet Restrictions: Leashed at all times; cleaned up after; cannot be left unattended; not allowed in swim area
Generator Hours: No published generator hours or restrictions for Balsam Cove Campground.
Quiet Hours: 10:00 pm to 7:30 am
Max Stay Limit: No official maximum length of stay is published for Balsam Cove Campground.
Alcohol Permitted: 1

What it is like

Onsite Activities: Swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing; playground, arcade, tractor rides
Trailheads Nearby: No nearby trailheads are listed; access to hiking trails is via the Acadia National Park road network from the Toddy Pond area.
Fishing Details: Lake fishing; license rules not detailed
Wildlife Viewing: Wildlife may appear; bear safety precautions advised
Stargazing Quality: Not listed
Shade Coverage: Not listed
Scenic Views: Lake views over the water
Noise Level: Not listed
Best Time To Visit: Peak season mid-summer; early fall is quieter; bugs reduced later in season
Vibe Check: Functional basecamp vibe—convenient, family-friendly, comfortable, not a backcountry escape. You’re close to town and Acadia but still in a resort-style campground setting.
Camp Here If Skip If: ✅ BOOK IF: You want a lakeside family-friendly base with full hookups and 45 ft rig access. ❌ SKIP IF: You’re chasing a remote forest vibe with complete seclusion
Tips Advice: Book weeks in advance; peak weeks fill fast
Bring water and plan for bugs; use the camp store for ice and fuel
Respect quiet hours; leash pets and keep campsites tidy
Use bear safety practices; store food properly

More details

Park Area: Orland, Maine (Acadia vicinity)
Family Friendly Notes: Family campground with kids; hot showers, flush toilets, and a lakefront setting; quiet hours help keep evenings pleasant
Senior Access Discounts: Not listed
Amphitheater: Not listed
Boat Launch: No on-site boat launch is listed in the available materials.
Nearby Attractions: Acadia National Park access ~45 minutes; Ellsworth ~12 miles; Orland services nearby
Terrain Type: Lakeside wooded campground; crushed rock roads; some cement pads
Temperature Ranges: Season runs May 15–Sept 28; no specific day-night temperature ranges are published.
Snow Season: Not applicable during operating months
Monsoon Season: Not listed
Wind Exposure: Not listed
Bug Season: Not listed
Setup Strategy: Internal roads are crushed rock and wide; 45 ft max length; expect paved or gravel site pads; most RV sites include full hookups; bring leveling blocks and set up near the water-facing areas if possible
Bath Laundry Recon: Shower amenities are hot and free; flush toilets with lights; on-site dump station; laundry not listed
Review Summary: Rated 4.2 from 149 reviews; campers praise the lakeside setting and family-friendly layout, with strong kiosk/store support and reliable hookups on many RV sites. Peak-season crowds are common, so plan ahead and arrive early for site selection. Overall, it’s a solid base near Acadia with straightforward logistics.

Location

Photos

Young camper in a life jacket proudly holds a large bass aboard a boat at Balsam Cove Campground, Acadia National Park.

Balsam Cove Campground float with balloons and campers on a parade trailer in Acadia National Park.

Frequently asked questions

Can my RV be 45 feet long and still fit comfortably?

Yes. The site max length is 45 feet and the roads are wide enough to accommodate large rigs.

Do I need to reserve far in advance?

Yes. Book weeks ahead, especially for peak season; if you’re coming in late spring or early fall, shorter stays may be possible within a month of arrival.

Are there bears nearby and how should I store food?

Bear safety is prudent in Maine. Use bear boxes if provided; otherwise hang food away from sleeping areas and keep camp tidy.

Is there a dump station and are showers included in the price?

Yes, an on-site dump station exists and hot showers are available for free at the campground.

What’s the closest town for supplies?

Orland has limited services; Ellsworth is about 12 miles away for more options.