Questions about Acadia next fall

Our preference is
Hadley's Point Campground but we've also stayed at Bass Harbor Campground and Smugglers Den and would stay there again too. Not sure when you plan on being there be also be aware that many close for the season around Columbus Day weekend. Check individual campground dates.

Can't answer about the foliage. I will be there in September for the first time, as I have retired from teaching. I always stay in Blackwoods for the real camping experience. If you are a full hookup, resort kind of camper, it wouldn't be for you. You can walk over to the Loop Road from the campground and sit on the rocks above the shore. Nothing like it. Walk the road in either direction and see more beautiful views. Do some of the carraige path hikes and enjoy the natural surroundings. I always do the Eagle Lake loop, and used to hike up Cadillac Mtn, the trail starts right across from the campground on Rt. 3. Acadia is a wonderful place, and especially enjoyable when you are camping!

I would recommend the Bar Harbor Campground. It is in the main route up on the top of the hill, just outside of the town of Bar Harbor and the National Park. They have full hookup and if you get a site near the back of the park you will get an incredible view across the bay for miles right from your trailer. I have not seen it in the fall but based on the summer I am betting it would be amazing when the leaves are turning.

The downsides:
1) cash only
2) no reservations

But we went to Bar Harbor knowing that and made a throwaway reservation at Acadia for the first night just incase. We arrived on the Monday after July 4th after 6pm and got a full hook up, they still had piles electric or no service sites at the time.

We stayed in Acadia NP last July.
We stayed within the Park at Blackwoods CG, loved it.

We woke before sunrise some days, grabbed a coffee and took a short walk down a path to one of many cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean between Little Hunters Beach and Otter Cove. Watched the sunrise.

I have heard from others that both CG's are great.Some suggested we split our time between the two. We loved Blackwoods and chose to stay put. After a day we both knew we would go back and try Seawall CG next time, for atleast a couple of days...
If you need full hook ups, believe you will need to find a CG outside of the park.
Enjoy your trip!

Definitely use the Foliage Network but you must watch the updates closely. Right now they are estimating we are running about 2 weeks ahead of normal this year.

I use the Foliage Network to look up timing for the East. You can check back 4-5 years to come up with an average, and once things start to turn, they update the current year often.

As to a favorite park, I usually stay at Lamoine State Park across the bay. About 17 miles from the National Park.