The best waterside campgrounds near Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor’s waterside campsites deliver instant access to Maine’s rocky coastline, tidal inlets, and mirror-calm lakes. With over 600 options, you can pitch your tent right by the water’s edge for as little as $25 a night, with the average site running $57. Campfires are allowed, so you can end your day with toasted marshmallows and sea air. Many sites are pet-friendly and offer showers—essentials after a day of wildlife-watching, swimming, or even snow sports in the colder months. Top picks like The Point (471 reviews), Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss (241 reviews), and The Howling Woods (129 reviews) keep regulars coming back for the views and the easy access to swimming holes and wildlife. You’ll find sites tucked into woods, perched above bays, and set along quiet streams—all within striking distance of Acadia National Park’s trails and lobster shacks.

97% (3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Bar Harbor’s waterside campsites deliver instant access to Maine’s rocky coastline, tidal inlets, and mirror-calm lakes. With over 600 options, you can pitch your tent right by the water’s edge for as little as $25 a night, with the average site running $57. Campfires are allowed, so you can end your day with toasted marshmallows and sea air. Many sites are pet-friendly and offer showers—essentials after a day of wildlife-watching, swimming, or even snow sports in the colder months. Top picks like The Point (471 reviews), Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss (241 reviews), and The Howling Woods (129 reviews) keep regulars coming back for the views and the easy access to swimming holes and wildlife. You’ll find sites tucked into woods, perched above bays, and set along quiet streams—all within striking distance of Acadia National Park’s trails and lobster shacks.

97% (3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Howling Woods

96%

(259)

11mi from Bar Harbor · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Southwest Harbor, ME

A mystical 7 acres of mossy woods on the edge of Acadia National Park. Listen for coyotes, owls and even loons on the lake. We are just a 1.5 mile walk from the border of the Park. Just a short drive from the most popular spots. Yet even at the height of summer, it’s really peaceful here on the quiet side of the island. Sometimes called the wild side :)

2. Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

93%

(119)

44mi from Bar Harbor · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Lincolnville, ME

Continuous Harmony Farm is located on the north side of Camden Hills State Park. When this area was originally settled, the farm was located on the "highway" from Camden to seasonal pastures in Lincolnville. The trails leading to the park still go by the old foundations that dotted the old Government Road from Camden. The farm has 46 acres of flowing pasture, hardwood forest and flower and vegetable gardens. At the heart of the property is a large farm pond that has been used to water livestock for generations. We hope you can visit us soon! Our farm abuts Camden Hills State Park, offering dozens of miles of trails for hiking and biking. Farm activities include looking after our flock of Katahdin sheep, laying hens, bee hives and vegetable and flower gardens. Activities nearby include rock climbing, boating, horseback riding, paddle boarding and swimming.Learn more about this land:Continuous Harmony Farm Campsite is located under a great old white ash tree beside a large farm pond on 46 acres of sheep meadow, forest and fields. Our farm abuts Camden Hills State Park, offering dozens of miles of trails for hiking and biking. Farm activities include looking after our flock of Katahdin sheep, laying hens, bee hives and vegetable and flower gardens. Activities nearby include rock climbing, boating,, horseback riding, paddle boarding and swimming.

3. Bay Berry Hill with a view!

90%

(5)

37mi from Bar Harbor · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Searsport, ME

At the top of the hill you can see the bay with trails and a moose that visits in the spring.Theres a small stream running thru the lower entrance of the property. Back in the 1800 they raised sheep and farmed the land.

Public campgrounds near Bar Harbor

Rocky Lake Campground

49mi from Bar Harbor · 11 sites · in Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land

Machias River Corridor

49mi from Bar Harbor · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Machias River Corridor

Stories from the community

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Sarah

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

This was a great spot right by Camden State Park! Just a few minutes from a trailhead and very peaceful. The firepit and picnic table were great adds.

L

Linda

October 2025

22 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

We enjoyed our stay on Douglas's land. It worked out perfect for our needs. Alot of space to walk the dog w/out worrying about car traffic.

Road leads to a lookout point. Lookout is a 1 mile hike from campsite.

Jessica

October 2025

25 ft Class C

1 night at Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

Great spot near Camden ME. Very quiet camping location. We were welcomed by a friendly dog. There’s a trail off the property that leads to a beautiful lookout view.

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cassidy

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to The Howling Woods

directions to the site were very detailed and the site was perfect for what we needed (car camped overnight and very close to acadia)

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Stephanie

August 2025

12 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to The Howling Woods

We camped in the van site after a day of traveling. We just needed the spot for a night. It was quiet even though other campers were pretty close. It’s a gorgeous area filled with amazing wildlife and birds. The outhouse was quite a trek from our site and it only had a half door where the top was open. I’d recommend bringing your own camping toilet if you’re at a tent or van site here. All in all, I’d recommend the site but only with proper planning.

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Herb

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

Amazing place !! Doug was fantastic and allowed us to store bikes and the property is undersold !!

C

Chad

August 2025

17 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to The Howling Woods

Quiet site near Acadia. Brandon was helpful in navigating the area. Would stay again.

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Phillip

August 2025

19 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

Very peaceful stay! We arrived late, and Douglas was available to make sure I was headed in the right direction. We also got to meet Wendell, Doug’s dog, and the sheep!

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L.

August 2025

16 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at The Howling Woods

It was a nice quiet spot. There are solar lights that mark areas. I loved the little seating/fire pit area even though I didn’t get to use it. It looks like it would be a fun place to hang out.

J

Jennifer

August 2025

16 ft car

2 nights at The Howling Woods

Nice spot for the price. It was mostly quiet and private.

Emmeline

July 2025

16 ft car

3 nights at The Howling Woods

Such a great hideaway on the quiet side of the island! Brendan’s property is its own magical adventure while still being super easy to get to and from Acadia! Space was clean, safe, and convenient!

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Lewis

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

This campsite felt peaceful and relatively secluded, nestled right on the water. The screened-in area was a great touch for keeping bugs out while still enjoying the outdoors. It’s a drive-in site, with two other campsites nearby, but it still felt private and quiet. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and relaxing stay in a more tucked-away setting.

Khalil

July 2025

20 ft campervan

With kids

1 night at The Howling Woods

Perfect for vans. Pulling up alongside the site gave us a 4th wall for privacy and trees on the three other sides. The eco toilets with a view were super cool and the little trails were fun for the kids. Great for the price point and it is clear that there is a very cool camping experience being built throughout this land.

A

Adelai

July 2025

16 ft car

With pets

6 nights at The Howling Woods

This was a wonderful spot! Very private and quiet. Composting bathrooms were well maintained. Easy access to Acadia.

S

Samantha

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

This was the first time my daughter and I went camping off of HipCamp app. Douglas' land was lovely with adorable sheep you sometimes have a surprise at surprising haha. The pond had frogs that would lull you to sleep as well. Very quiet and peaceful. 10/10 recommend. It's not too far from the lake or beach !

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Kristin

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

My friend and I booked last minute and Douglas was great! Very quick to communicate and accommodate our same day booking! The site was great and the sheep were so cute, it was exactly what we were looking for!

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Elly

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

We loved watching the sheep graze and hearing the frogs at night. We appreciated that there were two fire pits, which gave us privacy even with another group there. The dog was very friendly, which wasn’t a problem for us, but could be for others.

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Philip

June 2025

21 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Continuous Harmony Farm Camp

The site along the pond was very picturesque. There were other campers but noise was not an issue at all!! The host recommended a great hike to an amazing view spot. The animals were fun to see walking around and the fireflies at night were fun to catch!

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Jaden

June 2025

16 ft car

1 night at The Howling Woods

Great spot for a Van Site. Brendan said he was in the process of fixing it up but with the table, fireplace, and angle you can place your van, it was a nice setup. Definitely a great launchpad for Acadia adventures, this side of the island being so much more quiet. Brendan was nice, communicative, and had tons of amenities on site.

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Erin

June 2025

16 ft car

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Howling Woods

What a cool little, tucked away oasis! The host was so nice, greeted us in the morning and played with our dog a bit. The amenities were clear, well maintained and organized. 10/10 will be staying here again!