Blackwoods Campground Acadia

Introduction to Blackwoods Campground Acadia

Blackwoods Campground Acadia is the park’s most popular camping area and a classic choice for first-time visitors — and for good reason. Nestled in a dense spruce and fir forest just five miles south of Bar Harbor, it gives campers the best of both worlds: quick access to town for dining and supplies, and the peaceful immersion of a traditional national park setting. From your campsite, it’s only a short walk to the dramatic Atlantic cliffs where waves pound against granite ledges. You’re also within minutes of Cadillac Mountain, Ocean Path, and the Park Loop Road, making Blackwoods the ultimate base camp for exploring Acadia. Whether you’re pitching a tent under the pines, bringing the family for a summer trip, or starting every morning with a sunrise hike, this campground blends convenience with wilderness adventure like no other in the park.

Blackwoods Campground Acadia — forested sites minutes from Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain.

Plan Your Stay at Blackwoods Campground

Staying at Blackwoods Campground Acadia is straightforward, but planning ahead is essential if you want the best experience. All campsites must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov, and they tend to fill up months ahead, especially for peak summer weekends and the vibrant fall foliage season. With more than 280 sites spread throughout the forest, the campground is large enough to offer variety, whether you’re a solo hiker looking for a quiet tent site, a family needing space for gear, or a couple arriving with a small RV.

haded forest campsite at Blackwoods Campground Acadia National Park, complete with fire ring and picnic table.

While there are no hookups, the facilities are well-maintained, with flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station available. Every site comes with a fire ring and picnic table, making it easy to cook meals or enjoy evenings around the fire. If you’d rather not drive during your stay, the Island Explorer shuttle picks up right at Blackwoods in summer, providing free and convenient transportation to Bar Harbor, trailheads, and other parts of the Park Loop Road. This makes it especially appealing for campers who want to reduce traffic and parking hassles inside Acadia.

For those looking to maximize their trip, it’s worth arriving early in the day to set up camp and then heading straight out to explore nearby trails or catch the evening light on the cliffs. Blackwoods is designed to be both functional and atmospheric — a campground that balances the basics of camping with easy access to the very best of Acadia National Park.

Blackwoods Campground Location and Setting

Situated on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island, Blackwoods Campground is surrounded by a dense forest of spruce, fir, and pine. Campsites feel tucked away under the canopy, offering shade in summer and a peaceful sense of seclusion year-round. Despite this woodland atmosphere, you’re only a short walk from the dramatic Atlantic Ocean cliffs, where the sound of crashing waves and sweeping coastal views remind you that Acadia is as much about the sea as it is the mountains. It’s a favorite spot for early risers who want to catch the glow of dawn over the water before the day begins.

Blackwoods Campground Acadia — forest setting with ocean cliffs just a short walk away.

Even with its quiet setting, Blackwoods is also just minutes from the entrance to Cadillac Mountain, one of the park’s most iconic destinations and a must-see for sunrise lovers. Its location along the Park Loop Road makes it one of the most convenient campgrounds in Acadia, placing you within easy reach of top attractions like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and the historic carriage roads. Add in the fact that it’s less than five miles from Bar Harbor, with its shops, restaurants, and harbor cruises, and you have a campground that combines immersion in nature with unmatched accessibility.

Blackwoods Campground Map

Blackwoods Campground Acadia map showing campsite loops, restrooms, and access to the Island Explorer shuttle.

A Blackwoods Campground map is one of the best resources you can use when planning your stay. With more than 280 sites spread across multiple loops in a thick spruce and fir forest, it can be hard to picture the layout until you see it on paper. The map highlights the location of restrooms, potable water stations, and the dump station, as well as the shuttle stop for the free Island Explorer bus. This makes it easier to decide whether you’d prefer the convenience of being close to facilities, or the privacy of a quieter loop away from the main road.

Families often choose sites close to restrooms and bus stops for easy access, while couples or solo travelers sometimes prefer to reserve deeper into the woods, where sites feel more secluded and peaceful. The map also shows the short trail leading to the Atlantic Ocean cliffs, a bonus if you want quick access to sunrise views or evening walks. Having the map in hand before you book not only helps you choose the right campsite but also gives you a better sense of how Blackwoods connects to the rest of Acadia, from the Park Loop Road to nearby trailheads like Cadillac Mountain.

Campsite and Facilities

Blackwoods Campground Acadia has more than 280 sites spread across shaded forest loops, giving campers plenty of choice whether they’re pitching a tent, setting up with a small camper, or parking an RV. While there are no electrical or water hookups, a well-maintained dump station is available, and the variety of sites ensures there’s something suitable for most camping styles.

Blackwoods Campground Acadia — shaded forest campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and storage lockers.

Facilities are designed to cover the basics comfortably without taking away from the natural setting. Restrooms with flush toilets and potable water are located throughout the campground, and dedicated dishwashing sinks make it easier to clean up after meals without impacting the environment. Each site includes a fire ring for evening campfires and a sturdy picnic table for meals, games, or simply relaxing under the trees. Food storage lockers are available to help protect wildlife and keep supplies secure.

The campground also offers ADA-compliant sites and accessible facilities, ensuring that visitors with mobility needs can enjoy the Blackwoods experience. For added convenience, the Island Explorer shuttle bus runs directly into the campground during the busy summer season. This free service allows campers to reach Bar Harbor, trailheads, and major park highlights without the stress of parking, making Blackwoods one of the most practical and user-friendly bases in Acadia.

Atmosphere and Experience

Blackwoods Campground Acadia offers that quintessential national park camping experience — a mix of nature, community, and convenience that draws visitors back year after year. The moment you step out of your car, you’re surrounded by the earthy scent of spruce and pine, and most sites are shaded under a thick canopy of trees. Even on warm summer afternoons, the forest cover keeps the campground cool and comfortable.

Blackwoods Campground Acadia — classic national park atmosphere with shaded forest, campfires, and easy access to Cadillac Mountain.

Compared to the smaller and quieter Duck Harbor or Seawall Campground, Blackwoods feels more social and lively. Families gather around picnic tables, kids ride bikes along the loop roads, and friendly conversations often spark between neighboring campers. Yet, despite its popularity, the layout of the loops and the depth of the forest ensure that most sites still feel private enough for a peaceful stay.

Evenings are a highlight here — as the sun dips, the glow of campfires flickers across the loops, filling the air with the scent of wood smoke. Many campers wake early to walk the short trail to the Atlantic Ocean cliffs or to catch the first light from nearby Cadillac Mountain, one of Acadia’s most famous sunrise spots. The combination of community, comfort, and easy access to iconic scenery makes Blackwoods a favorite for first-time visitors and a reliable base camp for repeat travelers who want to soak in Acadia’s unique atmosphere.

Things to Do Nearby

From Blackwoods Campground Acadia, explore Cadillac Mountain, Ocean Path, Bar Harbor, and the Park Loop Road.

Staying at Blackwoods Campground Acadia puts you right at the heart of the park, with some of Acadia’s most famous experiences only minutes away.

• Cadillac Mountain Sunrise

Blackwoods is the closest campground to Cadillac Mountain, making it easy to catch the legendary sunrise from either the summit road or the South Ridge Trail. Many campers plan at least one early morning to witness the first light hitting the Atlantic — it’s a bucket-list moment for visitors to Acadia.

• Ocean Path Trail

Just a short drive or shuttle ride away, the Ocean Path Trail winds along dramatic shoreline cliffs. From here you can explore highlights like Thunder Hole, where waves crash into a rocky inlet with a booming sound, and Otter Cliffs, one of the most photographed coastal spots in the park.

• Bar Harbor

The charming town of Bar Harbor is only five miles north of Blackwoods. It’s the perfect place to grab a lobster roll, book a harbor cruise, or browse local shops and galleries. The town also serves as a gateway for tours and excursions, giving campers plenty of options for activities beyond the park.

• Park Loop Road

This scenic 27-mile drive connects many of Acadia’s top attractions, including Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and the carriage roads. The entrance to Park Loop Road is right near Blackwoods, so you can hop on and explore the park’s diverse landscapes without a long commute.

Together, these nearby experiences make Blackwoods one of the most convenient campgrounds in Acadia, giving you easy access to both natural wonders and local culture.

Reservations and Practical Info

Making sure you’re prepared before arriving at Blackwoods Campground Acadia will help your stay go smoothly. Because this is the park’s most popular campground, demand is high and planning ahead is essential. From knowing when the campground is open to understanding how to book, what to bring, and the rules that keep the forest protected, these details ensure you’ll enjoy a safe, stress-free camping experience.

• Season

Blackwoods Campground Acadia is open from early May through mid-October, making it one of the most reliable choices for visitors who want to experience the park during the busiest and most beautiful months of the year. From spring wildflowers and summer hikes to the famous fall foliage, this operating season covers Acadia’s peak experiences.

• Booking

All sites must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov. Walk-ins are not available, so it’s best to plan early, especially if you’re visiting during summer or the autumn leaf-peeping season. Reservations can be made up to six months ahead, and the most popular dates are often gone within hours of becoming available.

Fire ring at Blackwoods Campground Acadia National Park, symbolizing evenings under forest quiet hours.

• Tips for Campers

If you’re staying at Blackwoods in the summer, mosquitoes and blackflies can be active, so packing insect repellent is highly recommended. Nights in the forest can be surprisingly cool, even in July and August, so a warm layer is always a good idea. Arriving early in the day helps you settle in, orient yourself with the campground map, and maybe even catch a sunset or starlit walk before the crowds thin out.

• Firewood

To protect Acadia’s forests from invasive pests, firewood must be purchased locally. Vendors just outside the campground sell bundles, making it easy to comply. Gathering firewood inside the park is prohibited, and campers are asked to keep fires small and only within the designated rings provided at each site.

• Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are enforced by rangers from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, helping ensure a peaceful stay for everyone. Voices carry easily in the forest, so even outside of these times, campers are encouraged to keep noise levels low. If you’re hoping for restful nights after long days of hiking and exploring, Blackwoods delivers a calm, respectful atmosphere.

Other Campgrounds in Acadia

If Blackwoods Campground Acadia is fully booked — or if you’d simply like a different kind of camping experience — Acadia National Park has three other official campgrounds, each with its own distinct character.

Seawall Campground is located on the quieter southwest side of Mount Desert Island. It’s less crowded than Blackwoods and is close to the ocean, making it a favorite for those who enjoy sea breezes, evening walks along the shore, and a slower pace of camping.

Schoodic Woods Campground, found on the Schoodic Peninsula, offers a more peaceful and spacious setting. Because it’s away from the busier Mount Desert Island side of the park, it tends to attract campers who want to avoid crowds while still having access to hiking and biking trails, plus incredible coastal views.

A family waves from their Winnebago RV at Blackwoods Campground Acadia, ready for the next park adventure.

Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut is the most remote and rustic option. Accessible only by boat, it has just five lean-to shelters and is perfect for adventurous campers who want solitude, backcountry hiking, and a truly wild Acadia experience.

Together, these campgrounds give visitors a range of options — from family-friendly convenience at Blackwoods to oceanside relaxation, Schoodic solitude, or Isle au Haut wilderness.

Wrap-Up

Camping at Blackwoods Campground Acadia puts you in the perfect spot to experience the very best of Acadia National Park. Within minutes you can be hiking up Cadillac Mountain for sunrise, strolling the shops and waterfront of Bar Harbor, or setting out along the Park Loop Road to discover scenic overlooks, carriage roads, and hidden trails. Back at camp, the tall spruce and fir trees create a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustle of town.

It’s this unique balance of convenience and natural beauty that makes Blackwoods the most popular campground in Acadia. Whether you’re planning your very first trip or returning for another season, Blackwoods consistently delivers a true national park camping experience. For countless visitors, it’s not just a place to stay — it’s the ideal base camp for every Acadia adventure.

Blackwoods Campground Acadia — the perfect base camp near Cadillac Mountain and Bar Harbor.

Sunset light over Blackwoods Campground Acadia — a peaceful close to the camping day.

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