Acadia NP Kayaking and Camping

Soo many choices with opportunities to launch right from camp. Try this site to see the parks Acadia CGs

My picks...
Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA
Mainstay
Narrows Too
Desert Narrows
Somes

Somes Sound is nice for paddling - check out Somes Sound View CG - I have not stayed there but have friends that have and enjoyed it. ST

Oceanside KOA is expensive and for a KOA corporate owned, it could be better. Try Smugglers Den in Southwest Harbor. It isn't Bar Harbor but after you paddle a number of nice lakes on the island you can always visit downtown Bar Harbor. The island is small and very accessible, enjoy.

I have always stayed at Blackwoods Campground, in the park. There are no hookups there, but you get the full Acadia experience. I would recommend Eagle Lake for kayaking. I always do the hike around the lake and often see kayakers out on the lake. It is beautiful, and almost always there are a pair of loons on the water. Acadia has so much to offer. Don't let the crowds deter you - most don't get out of their cars and miss the wonderful carriage hiking trails and the best views. If you have the energy, the hike up Cadillac Mtn. from near Blackwoods is wonderful. I also highly recommend visiting the Schoodic section of the park, an hour from Bar Harbor. There is a new campground there, with some hookups but no showers. It is a laid back area and the park road there offers great vistas. I go to Maine every other year and this summer is my year for another visit to Maine. This time, I won't be going to Bar Harbor but further up the coast to Cobscook Bay State Park. I much prefer more basic camping and Cobscook is the most beautiful place I've been on the coast. That's another whole story!

Check out the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA. The Western Bay is very calm (for the Atlantic) and you can launch from the rocky beach - or even your waterside campsite. Lots of activities for kids.

How old are your kids? I have paddled this bay many times and you have to be very cautious due to quick weather changes and winds. Sticking to the shoreline and not venturing to far out in the bay is best. It's a great place to paddle in good, calm weather as there are often seals in the bay and there are multiple places to "pull over" and play on the beach. Bar Harbor KOA Oceanside has the most fantastic sunsets, has lots of activities for the kids, is clean and well-run. Sites are a little cozy, but it's worth it. Due to the crowds, wildlife sightings in Acadia are actually somewhat rare, although if you go down to the horse stables at dusk you often see deer. There are seal and whale watches which give you a great great experience with ocean wildlife. If you get tired of paddling there are plenty of "tourist" things to do like mini golf, go-karts, and shopping.

We stay at Narrows Too... they have FHU. You can kayak right off their property in Mt. Desert Narrows... it's pretty protected. We also go to Salisbury Cove on Eastern Bay , Indian Point and Pretty Marsh on Western Bay. All are salt water and pretty well protected.

There are numerous ponds/lakes in the area that we like to paddle in. Somes Pond,Eagle Lake,Jordan Pond,Long Pond,Echo Lake are some of the ones we've been on.

We will be heading up again in June and stay until late August. Yes, it does get pretty crowded at times and at certain attractions, but not unbearable.

Check out the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA. The Western Bay is very calm (for the Atlantic) and you can launch from the rocky beach - or even your waterside campsite. Lots of activities for kids. The waterside campsites have W & E, but for a sewer hookup you'd need a water view site. Check out the map and pix on their KOA website. We go there every Fall, just before they close. ACADIA IS A VERY BUSY PLACE IN THE SUMMER, SO ANYWHERE YOU CHOOSE RESERVE EARLY!!!