Maine Outdoor Guide: Campgrounds, Trails, Beaches & RV Spots
Key Takeaways
- Acadia National Park dominates this guide, and for good reason — Blackwoods Campground puts you on the free Island Explorer shuttle route, which solves parking headaches for the whole trip
- Old Orchard Beach and Ogunquit are the two poles of Maine beach culture — lively boardwalk versus quiet upscale sand — pick based on what your family actually wants
- The water is cold everywhere, even Acadia’s Sand Beach in July — set expectations before anyone jumps in
- Book Acadia-area campgrounds 6+ months out; the popular sites and beach parking both fill fast in summer
Why Maine Rewards Planning Ahead
Maine’s outdoor scene is genuinely excellent, but it’s also popular enough that the good spots fill up. The families who have the best trips here are the ones who book early and build their day around shuttle schedules and tide charts rather than winging it.
Campgrounds
Blackwoods Campground — Acadia National Park
The main family choice inside Acadia — 281 sites about 5 miles south of Bar Harbor, on the free Island Explorer shuttle route connecting to Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, and town. No hookups, no on-site swimming (nearest options are Sand Beach or Echo Lake, both a short drive), but the shuttle access alone makes this worth booking early.
Learn more
Seawall Campground — Acadia (Bass Harbor)
The quieter “quiet side” option, about 18 miles from the busiest attractions. Smaller crowds, same national park quality.
Learn more
Schoodic Woods Campground — Winter Harbor
On the mainland Schoodic Peninsula, newer and more private than Blackwoods, with excellent bike paths. The best pick if you want Acadia without Acadia’s crowds.
Learn more
Lamoine State Park — Lamoine
Off Mount Desert Island entirely, which means cheaper and less crowded — plus actual swim access, which Blackwoods lacks. A smart alternative base for an Acadia trip.
Learn more
Hermit Island — Small Point/Phippsburg
A unique private peninsula, tent-only, spread across seven beaches. Books a full year in advance, but reviewers consistently say it’s worth the wait.
Learn more
Sebago Lake State Park — near Portland/Naples
One of the most popular RV and camping destinations in southern Maine, with real lake swimming. A good pick if you want to skip the Acadia crowds entirely.
Learn moreHiking Trails
Jordan Pond Path — Acadia
An easy 3.3-mile loop around a clear pond with mountain views, ending at Jordan Pond House for tea and popovers. The classic Acadia family stroll.
Learn more
Ocean Path — Acadia
Easy-to-moderate, roughly 4.5 miles out-and-back (shorten it as needed) from Sand Beach to Otter Point, past Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. Near-constant ocean views the whole way.
Learn more
Cadillac Summit Loop — Acadia
A short, paved, accessible loop with panoramic views — genuinely one of the easiest big-payoff walks in the park. Vehicle reservations required May through October; book ahead.
Learn more
Wonderland & Ship Harbor Trails — Bass Harbor
Easy strolls to tide pools on the quiet side of the island — good for younger kids who want to poke around rocks rather than log miles.
Learn more
Beech Mountain — Acadia
A moderate 1.2-mile loop to a fire tower between two ponds. Big reward for a short distance.
Learn more
Bradbury Mountain — Pownal
A quick, easy family summit outside the Acadia crush, good for a shorter day trip from Portland.
Learn moreBeaches
Old Orchard Beach — Old Orchard Beach
Seven miles of sand anchored by Palace Playland, a beachfront amusement park that’s been operating since 1902. Lively and touristy, with shallow water that’s genuinely good for young kids. Parking fills fast — get there early.
Learn more
Ogunquit Beach — Ogunquit
3.5 miles of soft white sand backed by dunes, connected to Perkins Cove by the Marginal Way cliff walk. More upscale, quieter vibe than Old Orchard. Parking is expensive and limited — arrive by 9am.
Learn more
Wells Beach & Drakes Island — Wells
Long, easy-access sandy stretches, genuinely family-friendly without Ogunquit’s price tag or Old Orchard’s crowds.
Learn more
Sand Beach — Acadia National Park
Small — under 300 yards — but framed by mountains, which makes it worth the visit despite the size. The water is cold even in midsummer. Arrive before 9am or after 5pm to actually find parking.
Learn more
Goose Rocks Beach — Kennebunkport
Three miles of wide, flat sand protected by an offshore reef that keeps the waves gentle — one of the better calm-water options for families. Quiet and residential; you’ll need a parking permit.
Learn moreRV Spots
Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA — Bar Harbor
Oceanfront, full hookups, 50-amp available for bigger coaches. The most sought-after RV park near Acadia — book early.
Learn more
Narrows Too Camping Resort — Trenton
Full hookups with waterfront sites looking across toward Acadia. A strong alternative if Oceanside KOA is booked.
Learn more
Hadley’s Point Campground — Bar Harbor
Full-hookup sites near a public saltwater beach, quieter and more family-focused than some of the bigger resorts.
Learn more
Bayley’s Camping Resort — Scarborough
A southern-Maine resort with pools and full hookups, closer to Old Orchard than Acadia if that’s your beach of choice.
Learn moreNote: Blackwoods and Schoodic Woods accept RVs but with size limits and no hookups — plan for a self-contained rig if you’re staying inside the park.
Planning Your Trip
If Acadia is the goal, book Blackwoods for the shuttle access alone — it genuinely changes how the whole trip feels, since you’re not fighting for parking at every stop. If you’d rather skip the crowds, Schoodic Woods gets you the same park with a fraction of the traffic. And whichever beach you pick, bring more warm layers than you think you’ll need — Maine’s water stays cold longer than people expect.