308 Tent Camping Sites in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor Campground facility at Acadia National Park with blue doors, outdoor sink, and surrounding pines.

Alright, Bar Harbor Campground sits on State Highway 3 just outside Acadia National Park. It’s a large, commercial base with roughly 431 sites (196 RV and 235 tents), so plan ahead since peak season fills fast. You’ll find full-hookup RV sites, water/electric RV sites, and tent sites, plus flush toilets and hot pay showers. Fire rings are provided and bear-safety basics apply; expect some sites to be unlevel and some ocean-view options.

Quick facts

Reservation System: Private reservations via phone or website
Reservation Window: Booking window: The exact advance booking period isn’t published; reservations are accepted for the May 15–October 15 season via the campground’s private online system.
Reservation Tips: Call or book online; advance planning essential due to popularity
Season Dates: May 15 - October 15

Reservations & season

Reservation System: Private reservations via phone or website
Reservation Window: Booking window: The exact advance booking period isn’t published; reservations are accepted for the May 15–October 15 season via the campground’s private online system.
Reservation Tips: Call or book online; advance planning essential due to popularity
Season Dates: May 15 - October 15
Fills Up Speed: High demand; peak season; book in advance
Per Night Cost: Varies
Extra Vehicle Fees: Not disclosed
Day Use Fees: Not disclosed
Passes Accepted: Passes accepted: Not listed; campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and accepts cash payments only.

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total: Approximately 431 total sites (196 RV + 235 tent)
Site Types: Full hookup RV sites; Water/Electric RV sites; Tent sites (including some dry camp options)
Site Type Breakdown: Full-hookup RV sites, Water/Electric RV sites, Tent sites; some dry-camp variants
RV Max Length: No official max; practical limit around 35 ft; larger rigs may face road/site challenges
Group Sites Available: 0
Group Site Capacity: Not disclosed
Hookups: Full hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp; Water/Electric sites typically 30-amp; some tent sites are dry camp
Site Features: Fire ring with grate; picnic table; on-site camp store; ice and firewood; flush toilets; hot pay showers; on-site dump station
Ground Type: Ground varies; some unlevel; mix of dirt and grass
Site Privacy: Varies; some sites tucked in pines, others closer to neighbors

Facilities

Bathroom Types: Flush toilets
Showers Available: Pay showers; hot water; 25–50 cents per 5 minutes
Potable Water: Potable water spigots available
Dump Station: On-site dump station
Trash Service: Trash dumpsters available
Camp Store: Camp store on site; ice and firewood sold
Firewood Availability: Firewood sold on-site; gathering not allowed; Maine import rules apply
Cell Service: Cell service varies; some spots have good signal, others spotty
Nearby Facilities: Bar Harbor town amenities; shops and groceries nearby; Acadia access

Access

Road Type: Paved roads
Road Conditions: Road conditions: Interior campground roads are paved; no published notes about rough sections.
Vehicle Restrictions: No explicit restrictions; large rigs may face road/site challenges
Clearance Needed: Standard clearance
Gate Hours: Not published
Distance From Entrance: Approximately 10 minutes by vehicle to Hulls Cove Visitor Center
Nearest Gas Services: Bar Harbor town; fuel and groceries nearby
Elevation: Varies
Accessibility: Not listed
ADA Accessible Sites: Not listed

Rules & safety

Bear Country: Yes
Food Storage Requirements: Store food in vehicle or hard-sided containers; bear safety rules apply in Acadia
Fire Restrictions: Campfires allowed in rings; check for bans during dry conditions
Pets Allowed: Yes
Pet Restrictions: Leashed at all times; do not leave unattended; clean up after pets
Generator Hours: No published hours; expect possible restrictions similar to Acadia NP guidelines
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours not published; expect typical Acadia patterns (10 pm–6 am)
Max Stay Limit: 14 nights Memorial Day to Columbus Day; 30 nights per calendar year
Alcohol Permitted: 0

What it is like

Onsite Activities: Hiking nearby; swimming pool; playground
Trailheads Nearby: Access to Acadia trails; no direct trailheads from campground
Fishing Details: Not listed
Wildlife Viewing: Bear and wildlife awareness; store food securely
Stargazing Quality: Good stargazing from ocean-view sites
Shade Coverage: Some wooded with shade; others open
Scenic Views: Ocean views on several tent sites
Noise Level: Variable; some road noise along Route 3
Best Time To Visit: May–October; early season may have fewer crowds
Vibe Check: A functional basecamp near Bar Harbor—convenient and social, not a remote wilderness retreat
Camp Here If Skip If: ✅ BOOK IF: You need full hookups or water/electric RV sites and proximity to Bar Harbor; You drive a mainstream RV up to ~35 ft; You value on-site water and dump; ❌ SKIP IF: You want a secluded forest campground with strict quiet hours and no road noise
Tips Advice: Book early for best site picks
Expect variable site quality; bring leveling blocks for longer rigs
Store food properly for bear safety
Check road access and plan around busy weekends

More details

Park Area: Bar Harbor, ME (Acadia National Park vicinity)
Family Friendly Notes: Flush toilets, hot showers; family-friendly with Bar Harbor nearby
Senior Access Discounts: Senior-discount policies: Not documented in the available information.
Amphitheater: Not listed
Boat Launch: Not listed
Nearby Attractions: Bar Harbor shops/restaurants; Acadia National Park; Hulls Cove area nearby
Terrain Type: Wooded and open; some ocean-view sites; uneven ground
Temperature Ranges: Temperature ranges: May–October daytime highs typically reach the mid-60s to low-70s °F, with nights in the 40s–50s °F.
Snow Season: Not applicable; seasonal operation May 15–Oct 15
Monsoon Season: Not listed
Wind Exposure: Not listed
Bug Season: Not listed
Setup Strategy: Internal roads are paved; plan for potentially tight spaces and backing into irregular sites; large rigs should arrive early to select a favorable site; use side mirrors and a spotter if available
Bath Laundry Recon: Bathrooms have flush toilets with lighting and are generally clean. Showers are coin-operated (25 cents for about 5 minutes) with hot water. Potable water spigots are available on-site. There is an on-site dump station, and the camp store on-site sells ice and firewood.
Review Summary: Rated 4.5 stars from 780 reviews; popular and convenient for visiting Acadia. Large mix of RV and tent sites with pay showers and ocean-view options; expect crowds in peak months and some tight sites. Bear safety and quiet hours apply, and plan ahead for site selection.