There Is Still So Much To Do In November
The weather is changing and there could be snow, but there is still so much to do at Acadia.
The Park Loop Road will stay open as long as it is passable or until December 1st. The instance of a large scale snowstorm in November is rare, so you should be able to access the road throughout November. If there is a snowstorm, there are alternative ways of seeing the park through other roads such as Schooner Head Road to the Sand Beach Station.
One great thing about visiting this time of year is that you will not have to worry about disturbing the habits of wildlife. In summer, the peregrine falcon nests and bares its young. This bird is very sensitive to human presence. With the hoards of people flocking to Acadia in summer, their nesting habits were being disturbed, effecting their numbers. The peregrine falcon likes to nest in the regions where the Valley Cove, Jordan Cliffs and Precipice Trails lie. These trails will be closed to hundreds of thousands of people during this time. Coming to the park in November means all of these trails are open and devoid of the throngs of people that the warmer months bring. So you are welcome to climb, scurry and enjoy these adrenaline inducing hikes in peace and serenity.
Camping At Acadia National Park
Anyone who has spent time in Acadia National Park will tell you it is a magical place. You can experience deep valleys and granite domes carved by glaciers to the rugged coastline.
Dont expect to get the full Acadia National Park experience with a short-term one-day visit. Do a little pre-planning so you can spend several days in the park
Camping in Acadia National Park is a little different than most of the other national parks in the system. You should be aware of these differences before you start your trip to this unique biodiverse habitat.
Acadia National Park offers five different camping experiences for you to enjoy. Reservations are required. There is no same-day availability for camping in the park.
The camping in Acadia National Park is seasonal. Opening dates for each campground vary. You can begin making reservations 60 days prior to the opening date for each campground.
The easiest way to make your reservations is to to use the National Park online reservation system.
What People Are Saying About Bar Harbor Campground
There is a shuttle bus that picks up at the entrance to this park nice, because finding a place to park in Bar Harbor is a real pain. This is the closest park to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, and reasonably priced for the area. Boat trips out of Bar Harbor are interesting. Great bike paths in Acadia! A Walmart in Ellsworth . RV Park Reviews
Location
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Visiting Acadia National Park In November
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The gorgeous colors of fall are a not so distant memory. It is colder outside and the days are getting shorter everyday. Visiting Acadia National Park in November wont come without its challenges but there are also some good reasons to visit this time of year.
The Best Free Camping In The Usa
We love camping across this amazing country. And, we really love it when its free. Heres our list of the 20 Best Free Campsites in the USA.
If you havent tried free camping before, also known as boondocking, take a look at our beginners guide to boondocking filled with everything you need to know to get started.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! Simply enter your email below.
Glenna
Friday 6th of March 2020
In September we stayed at the Schoodic Woods and loved it. Large sites and privacy plantings and less commercial. The free park shuttle stopped at all of the major sites so a car was not needed. We also spent time at the sea wall campground in the park. Amenities were similar but sItes were more cramped. A plus for Seawall was the proximity to the major attractions in the park. First visit to Acadia, wont Be our last.
Bill
Friday 6th of March 2020
I stayed one week in Seawall Camp inside Acadia last September. I will not return. The roads are in such poor condition as to make the journey unenjoyable. You risk serious damage to your RV if you attempt to maintain the speed limit anywhere in the park. Ridiculous.
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Discounted Camping Near Acadia National Park
Unfortunately, there is no free camping near Acadia National Park. However, if you enjoy primitive camping, there are a number of hike-in or paddle-in campgrounds that you can enjoy for under $20 per night.
The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands has maps of backcountry camping sites where you can spend the night within 2 hours of Acadia. We recommend checking out Lamonine State Park and Donnell Lake.
If youre an RV camper that wants all of the hookups: electricity, internet service, dump stations and more consider camping at one of the private campgrounds in the area. We recommend getting a discounted camping membership if you plan to go camping for more than one week out of the year in any location.
Discount camping clubs cost a small yearly fee to join and allows you to save up to 50% on participating campgrounds. Our favorite membership clubs to join are:
Where Can I Camp For Free In A Gmc Acadia
- Acadia National Park Boondocking Lamoine Walmart.
- Acadia National Park Boondockers Welcome Schoodic Bay Acadia area
- Acadia National Park Boondocking Tunk Lake area.
- Acadia National Park Boondockers Welcome McClellan Park Millbridge Campground.
Where can I sleep in my car in Acadia National Park?
- Schoodic Woods Campground. Acadia National Park. This newcomer was built in 2015 to attract overnight visitors to the beautiful Schoodic Peninsula.
- Seawall Campground. Acadia National Park.
- Blackwoods Campground. Acadia National Park.
- Duck Harbor Campground. Acadia National Park.
Can you Stealth camp Acadia?
No stealth camping in the town is allowed, and Park Rangers actively discourage/patrol and issue tickets freely if they discover campers trying to do so in the park .
How much does it cost to camp in Acadia National Park?
Cost: $22 per night for walk-in tent sites, $30 per night for drive-up tent, camper and motorhome sites. Motorhome sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length.
Is there BLM land in Maine?
Maine has approximately 600,000 acres of Public Reserved Lands, managed by the Bureau of Parks and Lands, in 37 separate parcels located across the state. These lands are enjoyed for their outstanding hiking, camping, birding, fishing, and hunting opportunities.
How do I reserve a campsite at Acadia National Park?
Can you camp on Bar Island?
Does Acadia National Park have RV hookups?
Read Also: Kenai Fjords National Park Camping
Backcountry Camping At Acadia National Park
Any true national park enthusiast knows that backcountry camping is the way to go when it comes to totally immersing yourself in the great outdoors. While many national parks offer backcountry camping, including Grand Canyon, Zion, and Shenandoah, there is no actual backcountry camping at Acadia National Park its not allowed.
Acadia National Park Boondocking Dot Rest Area
Address
GPS: 45.174988, -67.279158
Management: Retail Store
The road in is Paved. Walmart Calais is open year round. There are 30 or more campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay overnight at Walmart Calais.
Best Review:
Very quiet Walmart with big parking lot. Backed into a spot in front of the woods to the far left of the store and woke to the sound of birds. Didnt ask permission and we were the only camper/van but had no problem.
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Looking For A Remote Camping Experience With The Convenience Of Easy Access To Your Vehicle
Many public Lands provide car-camping sites in remote settings. These primitive camping sites are reached by traveling over gravel logging roads and generally share the same characteristics of the sites described above. Search for camping in Public Reserved Lands on the Find Parks and Lands feature to explore more.
Remember: Be prepared for changeable weather and variable terrain. Plan outings wisely, don’t exceed your ability or that of anyone in your group, and research where you are going. This link will help you to plan ahead and prepare.
Precipice Orange And Black And Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop
The 2.1 mile trail is rated as hard but usually closed due to falcon nesting. Maine features beautiful wildflowers. The trail is used for nature trips, bird watching as well as hiking. It is best for hiking from May until October.
If you are afraid of heights this is tough! At 69 years young I found this tough but I completed it. If you just keep moving with minimal breaks it is a great aerobic trails. I a bit scared when the there was one ledge with no rungs to hold on to but I became one with the rock when my wife said No Mas! The views are beyond great. And that is no exaggeration- exquisite.
Length: 2.1 mi
Hiking, Nature trips, Bird watching, Forest, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Rocky, Scramble, Fee, No dogs
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What People Are Saying About Schoodic Woods Campground
Bar Harbor experience. There are no T shirt shops, no fudge shops. This is Acadia. Great drives along the rocky Maine coast. Nice bicycle paths, great hiking. Great sites for everything from large motor homes to small walk-in tent sites. Park operates a free shuttle all along the peninsula, including the town of Winter Harbor, where there are restaurants and some shopping. We camped at Schoodic Woods Campground in a Fifth Wheel. mroswell, RV Park Reviews
Location
Acadia National Park Boondocking Wonderland Campsite
AddressElevation: 246
Management: Forest Service
The road in is Dirt and 7.5 miles from a paved road. Wonderland Campsite is open May-Nov. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 at Wonderland Campsite.
Best Review:
Part of the Machias River Public Reserved Lands, State of Maine Dept of Conservation, Parks and Lands. This is two campsites situated just off a dirt road, with waterfront access to the river. Fire ring, picnic table, and vault toilet provided. The road was in good condition when I went there, a bit of washboard, but dry, no ruts. Despite having a very rainy month, and still being spring. The short road into the campsite is a little more rugged. My rwd van handled it ok, but I wouldnt attempt in wet conditions. Campsite is at 45.008583 -67.867906 which I accessed via the dirt road entrance at: 44.910562, -67.854196.
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Where To Boondock In Maine
Its easy to camp for free in the state of Maine. There are multiple public lands that offer primitive camping sites that are either accessed by foot or by boat. Maine has a large number of public lands that total more than a half-million acres, and many of them support primitive and backcountry campsites. Several of these areas have amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and flush bathrooms whereas others have only vault toilets. There are a few areas that also offer car camping. Some of the public lands that offer primitive campsites are Deboullie Public Lands, Nahmakanta Public Lands, Bigelow Preserve, Mahoosuc Public Lands & Grafton Notch State Park, and Cutler Coast Public Lands. The Appalachian Trail also presents many opportunities for dispersed camping.
Why Youll Love West Bay Acadia Rv Campground
Magnificent views with ocean access combine with luxury full hook-ups on 75×45 pull-through sites, 50/30 amp service, and Wi-Fi with business class broadband for a memorable first-class experience. Tiered sites assure youll get intimate with nature, not your neighbor! You have a silence of the wilderness, brilliant dark skies, the company of animals and birds of all kinds, and a few minutes’ trip to wonderful Acadia Schoodic trails. The personalized pampering by your hosts, Peggy and Rob, make your stay unique and memorable at this new campground.
Also Check: National Park Service Rv Camping
Paid Accommodations And Dining Near Acadia National Park
The Bar Habor town and its environment provide excellent, reliable and affordable accommodation options for Acadia National Park visitors. There are a variety of star rating hotels around the national park charging affordable prices.
Some of the leading on the accommodation list include waterfront cottage near Acadia park cottage with two bedrooms and four guest houses charging $397 per night, Cadillac Mountain overlooks with three bedroom and six guest houses charging $639 per night at Bar Harbor, Harborside Inn charging $275 a night, Otter Creek Inn charging $185 per night and many others with a range between $ 185 To $700 depending on the facilities and services offered.
Cell Service And Data
We keep hearing in the media that smartphone use is an epidemic and people are spending way too much time scrolling on their screens. Hey! Its part of the reason we advocate getting kids outside camping and away from television, video games and other devices.
But smartphones and the internet have become a major part of our world. We use them for communication with others , for directions and maps, for knowledge and research, for documenting and even for things like clocks and flashlights.
Unfortunately, given the remote nature of many free camping areas, cell phone service and cell data are almost non-existent. While the good news is that you will have no choice but to commune with friends, family and nature, the flipside is you need to be more prepared.
Bring maps. Lots of maps. You can get them online , you can get them from local rest areas and welcome centers, and from the rangers office.
Either write down or print out your research on the local area, especially phone numbers for the rangers and local authorities.
Bring a wireless power station and keep it charged. Cell phones tend to run low on battery when they are constantly trying to connect to the nearest cell tower. If you know that the area has poor service, you can either turn your phone off or put it on airplane mode to save the battery until you need it.
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Acadia National Park Boondockers Welcome Walmart Bangor Me
Elevation: 157
Management: Truck Stop
The road in is Paved. Dysarts Parking Lot is open year round. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay overnight at Dysarts Parking Lot.
Best Review:
530 Coldbrook Rd, Hermon, ME 04401 Dysarts truck stop parking lot. Best place is behind the car wash, across the street from the truck stop/gas/restaurant. Maybe 12 spots for vans/small RVs. Lot of slots for large RVs, not sure if those are designated for trucks though. Off the highway, so less noise though it is still a truck stop. They have pay showers/laundry inside the building.
Visit Acadia National Park Echo Lake
Located on Mount Desert Island, Echo Lake is a beautiful sight to watch. If hiking is not your forte, you can enjoy the lake view from the small beach. However, if you want to enjoy fantastic cliff views, take a gorgeous hike at Beech cliff Ladder Trail. By hiking, you will have achieved two things simultaneously, i.e. hiking and watching the Echo Lake.
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Acadia National Park Boondocking Airline Rips
AddressElevation: 203
Management: Forest Service
Six or 7 riverside sites off Route 9 between Beddington and Wesley, Maine. Nice spot with vault toilet and fire rings. First two sites are more suited to small tents butthe other sites will fit a trailer or motorhome.
Best Review:
Really nice free campground by a lovely river. It wasnt crowded, but sites are fairly close together. There is direct river access at some of the sites. I unfortunately went during the black fly season and was bitten really badly . Id still recommend this camping area though. The road is well maintained and RVs could pass through.
Why You Should Boondock In Maine
Boondocking is a great way to explore off the beaten path. Youre not simply driving from campground to campground. Youre exploring the lesser-known parts of Maine that have been largely untouched by human activity.
Everyone knows that Maine is a popular destination . Because of this, campgrounds and other tourist attractions can become extremely crowded. Boondocking allows you to both save money and venture where no one else is.
After all, visiting Maine is about immersing yourself in nature and tranquility. What better way to do this than to dry camp?
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What You Need To Know About Camping In Acadia
- Each standard campsite only accommodates six people and two small tents. If you have a larger group, you will need to book two campsites or look for a campground that offers double or group campsites.
- There is a 14-day stay limit during the summer months, and Senior/Access Pass holders can get 50% off of the camping fee .
- There are no designated first-come, first-served sites available within the park during the summer months.
- In some instances, only one vehicle is permitted per site, but overflow parking is usually available .
- All camping equipment must fit on the campsite padits your responsibility to book a site large enough to accommodate your camping equipment. To protect the park, do not walk or set up camping equipment on the vegetation!
- Because of the devastating non-native pests that wood contains, bringing your own firewood for campfires is highly discouraged. Wood can be purchased near the campgrounds.
- Reservations can be made in advance on Recreation.gov.
Getting to the Campgrounds in Acadia
Blackwoods and Seawall are located on Mount Desert Island and are nearest to Bar Harbor and the most popular sights in the park. Schoodic Woods is located approximately 1.5 hours from Bar Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. Take a look at the park map before making your reservations!