Seawall Campground
The Quick Take
Seawall is Acadia's quieter alternative to the perpetually packed Blackwoods Campground, and that alone makes it worth your attention. Sitting on the west side of Mount Desert Island about eighteen miles from the Bar Harbor circus, it trades convenience for something better: every site is a short walk from the rocky coastline. The campground is sizable but feels less frantic than its eastern counterpart, partly because of location and partly because the crowd thins naturally this far from the main drag. You will not find showers, hookups, or cell service here -- this is old-school national park camping with potable water, a dump station, and not much else. At thirty dollars a night, it is one of the better deals on the Maine coast. Choose Seawall if you want the Atlantic at your doorstep without fighting for a parking spot at every trailhead, and you do not mind driving a bit to reach Jordan Pond House.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 202 sites are reservable.
Book at Acadia LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
3 ADA-accessible campsites. All accessible sites and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Pro Tips
Reservations open on recreation.gov five months before your arrival date, and mid-July through mid-August fills within minutes of release. Set a calendar reminder for your exact five-month window and be logged in with payment info saved before the drop. Shoulder season -- late May, September, early October -- is dramatically easier to book and arguably better weather for hiking.
The Wonderland and Ship Harbor trails are both within a mile or two of Seawall and rarely appear on the typical Acadia itinerary. Ship Harbor in particular is a stunning low-tide loop along tidal pools and pink granite. Hit these at sunrise before the day-trippers arrive from Bar Harbor and you will have the coast nearly to yourself.
No camp store means you need to stock up in Southwest Harbor before you arrive -- Sawyer's Market and the Southwest Harbor IGA are your best options, both about four miles north. Bring more firewood than you think you need since the campground does not sell it, and the nearest reliable source is the general stores in town. A portable phone charger is essential since cell service is effectively nonexistent.
Photos
NPS Photo
Joseph Philipson/Friends of AcadiaGetting There
Directions
From Boston, take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine, then Route 3 east to Ellsworth and on to Mount Desert Island. For an alternate route, continue on I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island. At first traffic light on Mount Desert Island, bear right onto Route 102. Stay on 102 for approximately 11.5 miles. You will pass through Somesville and the town of Southwest Harbor. As you leave Southwest Harbor, turn left onto Route 102A and tr
Get directions
