Starting in 2025, Acadia National Park will modify its campground reservation system, offering earlier availability for three popular campgrounds: Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods. Reservations will be accessible four months in advance, beginning December 1.
Under the updated system, 90% of campground reservations will be available up to six months prior to the desired arrival date. The remaining 10% of reservations, which includes same-day bookings, will be released two weeks before the planned arrival.
According to the park, campers seeking reservations for May 2025 can begin booking on December 1, at 10 a.m. EST. Reservations for June 2025 will be available on January 1, 2025, at 10 a.m. EST.
This update is designed to provide more advanced notice for visitors planning to stay at the park’s campgrounds. Visitors are required to make campground reservations online… since reservations cannot be made in-person or by contacting the park. Campers will be able to make changes to their reservations, such as an early check-out, during their stay through Recreation.gov,” the National Park Service (NPS) said in a press release.
Campgrounds at Acadia National Park
According to its website, Acadia National Park offers a variety of camping options for visitors, including two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, one campground on the Schoodic Peninsula, and five lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut.
Blackwoods Campground, located on the east side of Mount Desert Island about 5 miles south of Bar Harbor, is one of the park’s most popular spots. It offers a range of sites, primarily for tents, with a few that can accommodate RVs.
The campground provides essential amenities such as flush toilets, running water, picnic tables, fire rings, and paved roads. However, it is closed for the off-season, with no winter camping allowed. Accessible shuttle buses operate from late June to mid-October, offering free rides to various park locations, including trailheads and carriage road entrances.
Seawall Campground, located on the west side of Mount Desert Island about 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor, is another scenic option for campers. With a total of 202 sites, it offers a variety of camping experiences, including areas for tents, RVs, and group camping.
All sites are within a short walking distance to the coastline, providing easy access to views and coastal activities. The campground has no electric hookups and is primarily designed for tent camping, with 59 sites designated for RVs and 43 for tents only.
Schoodic Woods Campground, located 1.5 miles southeast of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula, is also the newest campground in Acadia National Park, approximately 60-70 minutes from Bar Harbor and other areas of Mount Desert Island. The campground features 89 sites, including 41 designated for RVs, 13 for tents only, and 9 walk-to/boat-to sites.
