10/15/24: Thank you for a fantastic 2024 season! 2025 Reservations will begin in early January.
the gathering place at mount desert campground near bar harbor me

Mount Desert Campground About Us

Mount Desert Campground is located in the heart of world famous Mount Desert Island. Just minutes from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We offer traditional Maine camping with quiet wooded sites located directly on the salt water shore of beautiful Somes Sound.

History

hiking trails in acadia national park
1958

The Mount Desert Campground was conceived and created by Marie and Arnold Allen in 1958. The Allen's goal was to maintain a quiet and clean tenting campground where families could come to relax, enjoy the natural beauty and make memories. For the next 25 years, the Allens enjoyed a very loyal following of campers who returned here year after year.

oceanfront at a bar harbor me campground
1984

In early 1984, the Allens sold the campground to one of those long time campers of almost 20 years, the Craigheads. Now, all these years later, we Craigheads strive to maintain the very best campground we can - so the children of those long time campers from years past can, in turn, make new memories with their kids.

woman kayaking in bar harbor maine
Now

We strive to provide a quiet campground with the cleanest, most up to date facilities anywhere. We look forward to welcoming you to the Mount Desert Campground and we will do our utmost to make your stay a pleasant one.

Campground Features Include:

 

tenting icon Tenting Sites

trailer icon Trailers & RV's (20 ft maximum)

shower icon Facilities with metered hot showers

fish hook icon Salt Water Fishing

swimmer icon Salt Water Swimming

canoe and paddle icon Kayak, Canoe & SUP Rentals

picnic table icon Picnic Tables & Firepits at Each Site

electrical plug icon Electric & Water Hookups

little shop icon Ice Cream, Coffee & Pastries

boat and ramp icon Launching Ramp

wireless signal icon Cellular service & WiFi

anchor icon Deepwater Moorings Available

See What Our Campers Are Saying

Don't take our word for it, view all our testimonials on Trip Advisor

What a great experience camping at Mount Desert Campground proved to be. The sites are top notch as are the facilities and the entire staff. My area was maintained primarily by Mathew Orr. He, his wife and boys were all tremendous hosts, ambassadors and neighbors.… read more

happy camper Bob T.
Scituate, Massachusetts

Camped here for 5 days in early July. What a great location. Very convenient to whole island and all it has to offer. Campground is well maintained but rustic. We used bathhouse C which was fairly new and well cared for. There are pay showers, but very reasonable… read more

happy camper Benjy C.
Raleigh, North Carolina

Beautiful site (even though it was not waterfront - if you have that option, grab one!)! Facilities were super clean. The Gathering Place (the camp store) was a great place to start the day for coffee, local bakery goodies and wi-fi. The floats provided wonderful… read more

happy camper Jeannie F.
Maine