Acadia in early May

Question

Hubby and I are scheming up a visit to Acadia and we are boondockers and beat the crowds type of people. We are thinking around May 1 or so for Acadia...except for the fact that the campgrounds are closed then. Neither of us has been there before. Is this a place we can get away with tucking in somewhere with our 25 foot class somewhere at o'dark hundred...anywhere on mt. Desert Island?

We would like to spend a few days there hiking at that time of year. We realize the weather will be cold and have checked the lows/highs...just need a place to park it for a snooze:B

This will be on our way to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and back to Newfoundland...not Labrador this time.

crowe · Answer

There's a Wal-Mart in Ellsworth that might fit the bill.  Be aware BH is a popular place for cruise ships.  Here's the website for the schedule:  http://www.barharbormaine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/922.  Right now it appears the first ship doesn't arrive until 5/6, which coincidentally is the same day that the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA arrives.  Some of the facilities in the park will be open by then as well as Blackwoods campground, but I'm not sure if you'll fit in there.  No guarantee there won't be crowds, either. School groups and bus tours frequent the park.  Won't be as bad as peak season but won't be dead, either.

dcason · Answer

Ha, I am surprised it won't be dead! Friends of ours went there in July and they said it was just hoards of people. There pictures had tons of people in them and they didn't know any of them...lol!

There is also a passport American park I found on the island that is open 4/23 so that might be our ticket...and that time of year the discount is ours!

Thanks!

crowe · Answer

Peak season can be horrendous.  You are on the shoulder season, which is now becoming more popular.  Even in winter, Acadia is rarely "dead".  You shouldn't be bumper to bumper but you won't have the place to yourself, either.

ryegatevt · Answer

When we go for our annual trip in Sept/Oct Bar Harbor village is always crowded, especially when a big cruise ship dumps 3000 passengers in town. The rest of the Island is uncrowded, even the NP, as is the "quiet side".  The exceptions are any places the tour busses drop people off, such as the Jordan Pond House and to some extent the top of Cadillac Mountain.  We've had to hunt for a parking space at Jordan Pond (in our Class B) but have never had a problem on the mountain.  I wouldn't hesitate to head "Down Maine" in May!

rickim · Answer

If your willing to be 20 min off the island, there is a area at the end of Lamoine Beach Road, Rt. 184.Stayed there a couple nights. No one bothered us.Good Luck,Rick

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