Top Campgrounds in Bar Harbor, Maine

Summer and fall are the best times to go camping near Bar Harbor, ME, and both have their unique charm. Summer, especially the later portion, brings some of the best weather that Maine sees all year. Summers here are humid but made comfortable by the cool average temperatures.

Fall in Maine is a unique experience, offering some of the best fall colors in the country. Anywhere in New England is great when the leaves change, but there’s something special about the crisp air when you’re camping near Bar Harbor, ME.

As the city is near the national park, hiking and camping near Bar Harbor, ME, are always the most popular outdoor activities. However, during the summer months, travelers can get out onto the water quite easily, whether they’re kayaking, canoeing, or swimming.

Bar Harbor is just a few minutes from Acadia National Park, which gets the lion’s share of the attention in the Maine outdoor scene. However, within a few hours’ drive, there are some lesser-known outdoor spots.

Acadia National Park – 5 minutes

Easily one of the most popular and well-known parks in the National Park Service (NPS) system, Acadia should be on every traveler’s bucket list. With beautiful peaks and stunning outcroppings, Acadia National Park has all the best parts of Maine in one place. When looking for camping near Bar Harbor, ME, Acadia should be at the top of the list.

Roosevelt Campobello International Park – 2.5 hours

Roosevelt Campobello International Park is unlike most parks in that it’s managed by both the United States and Canada. President Franklin Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor, would spend their summers here, and what was once their home is now preserved as an indoor museum. The park is not an option for camping near Bar Harbor, ME, but its uniqueness makes it worth the visit.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – 2.75 hours

On the eastern edge of Baxter State Park (also worth a visit) is a unique monument, known mainly for its namesake, the nearby Mount Katahdin. While Mount Katahdin is actually in Baxter State Park, this national monument is still worth a trip. The landscape here is wild and less manicured than in Acadia National Park. For those seeking a more rugged Maine experience, this is the place to be.

White Mountain National Forest – 4 hours

This spans the border with New Hampshire but is the closest option for free camping near Bar Harbor, ME. The forest has a wide range of ecosystems, from hardwood forests, to crystal clear lakes, to alpine peaks that sit more than 6,000 feet in elevation.

Lamoine State Park

The state parks here don’t get as much love due to their proximity to Acadia, but they offer a unique outlook on the Pine Tree State. For those seeking the maximum amount of solitude, Lamoine is the least visited of the four popular state parks near Bar Harbor.

This small state park takes up only 55 acres, with the shoreline of Frenchman’s Bay being the most prominent feature. While not all Maine parks offer overnight lodgings, this is a solid option for camping near Bar Harbor, ME.

Roque Bluffs State Park

Roque Bluffs State Park is mainly defined by its coastal landscapes and waterfront views overlooking Englishman Bay. Unlike some other Maine state parks, Roque Bluffs is not fully open year-round. While Roque Bluffs is partially open year-round, the gated parking area is open seasonally from mid-May to the end of October. However, off-season visitors can park outside of that lot and still access the park.

Moose Point State Park

While not a spot for overnight camping near Bar Harbor, Moose Point is a great day trip in nearby Searsport. Visitors can stroll among the trees and generally relax here. While lots of Maine parks and forests offer intense outdoor activities, Moose Point State Park has a spattering of easy trails meant mainly for relaxation and family use.

Camden Hills State Park

Of the parks near Bar Harbor, Camden Hills is easily the most popular. Popular trails like the Scenic Trail Cut-off and Mount Battie Trail keep a steady stream of visitors coming in. While the park offers some easy trails, the biggest attractions here are the trails that push visitors’ limits. After a long day on the trails, hikers will be glad to know that Camden Hills is one of the state parks with camping near Bar Harbor, ME.

Lulu Lobster Boat Rides

There are few things more synonymous with Maine and the rest of New England than lobster boats. For those that want to get up close and personal, this lobster boat tour is one of the most popular tourist activities in Bar Harbor. Tours tend to run around two hours and are constantly well received by all who embark on them.

Diver Ed’s Dive-in Theater

Notice we didn’t say drive-in theater. Diver Ed’s Dive-in Theater is a family-friendly attraction that shows Diver Ed below the water in real time as he heads into the bay. The whole family can get in on the fun and learn something along the way, all while being hands-on with some of the local sea creatures.

Bar Harbor Waterfront

This is more a section of the city than a specific attraction, but it’s worth noting. The waterfront evokes all the things you think about when you think of a New England fishing town. Sightseeing and whale watching are some of the most popular activities here, though travelers can get onto the water by heading to one of the kayak tour operations.

Agamont Park

Acadia isn’t the only game in town! This small municipal park is in Bar Harbor itself and overlooks the pier. The park gives you a unique vantage point on the city that many tourists miss if they head straight to the national park and don’t admire the city of Bar Harbor.

Havana

You probably don’t think of Latin American food when you think of Maine, but Havana is out to change that. This spot is routinely a favorite for both locals and visitors, offering a contemporary take on Latin American food. For those looking for a nicer dinner in Bar Harbor, Havana should be at the top of the list.

Side Street Cafe

Not looking for upscale dining? Want something a little more down home? Side Street Café serves up classic American food in a café that makes you feel like a local. While the classic bar foods are accounted for, visitors can also enjoy plenty of lobster options. When in Maine!

Stewman’s Lobster Pound

Easily the weirdest (and best) name on this list. Stewman’s Lobster Pound, though not a place to adopt lobsters, is definitely the place to get lobster. This homey joint has two locations, with one in the Bar Harbor Regency and the other downtown. While downtown is the one to visit, they’re both solid picks.

Thirsty Whale Tavern

A close second in the name category behind Stewman’s, the Thirsty Whale is a classic local tavern serving up some great lunch and dinner options. Meals here are on the more casual side, mainly based around a menu of fish and chowder.

There’s more to do than just go camping near Bar Harbor, ME (though it does have some of the best camping in the East). Bar Harbor is an exciting seasonal town filled with lots of local food and art. If you rack up the miles, you can burn enough calories to eat at every restaurant here!