Planning details checked September 22, 2026.
Blackwoods works best for campers who want an Acadia base near Bar Harbor and are comfortable doing without electric hookups and on-site showers. Choose it for access to the park, not for a private oceanfront plot. Your exact site and bathroom distance matter more than a photograph of the Maine coast.
- Location: about five miles south of Bar Harbor, off Route 3.
- Posted individual-site fee: $30 per night; park entry is extra.
- Quiet-camping starting point: B Loop is generator-free.
- Showers: fee-based options outside camp in Otter Creek.
- Season: seasonal camping, not a winter base; confirm your dates in the live calendar.
When reservations open—and what to do first
The current release splits inventory into two groups: 90% opens six months ahead on the first of the month at 10 a.m. Eastern Time; the remaining 10% opens on a rolling 14-day window at 10 a.m. Eastern. Confirm the campground calendar's release notice for your travel month before setting an alarm.
- Sign in to Recreation.gov and enter Blackwoods, dates, party size and equipment.
- Review individual site photos and dimensions. Have more than one acceptable option ready.
- Complete the reservation online and save the confirmation offline. Do not rely on getting a site at the campground office.
- Record check-in and checkout times: arrivals after noon, departure before 10 a.m.
- If your dates are full, check the nearer-term release and cancellations without treating either as guaranteed inventory.
Which loop makes sense?
| Choice | Why consider it | What it does not promise |
|---|---|---|
| B Loop | Generator-free camping; a useful starting point for tent campers sensitive to engine noise | Silence, privacy or a large tent footprint |
| A Loop | An option for suitable equipment and permitted generator use | All-day generator operation: designated hours are 8–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. |
| A site near facilities | Shorter nighttime bathroom trips | Less foot traffic; compare convenience against noise |
Before paying, check both the tent area and driveway. A tent's advertised sleeping capacity tells you little about whether its vestibule, guy lines and a second tent will fit. For children, prioritize a simple bathroom route over squeezing the largest possible shelter into the site.
Showers, groceries and a realistic food plan
Blackwoods has flush toilets and drinking water, but showering is a separate errand. Take a towel, sandals, toiletries and clean clothes in one bag, and confirm the current hours and payment arrangements of an Otter Creek shower provider before heading out. Do not build an early departure around an unverified shower opening time.
Buy the first evening's food before reaching camp. A cold supper or a quick permitted stove meal lets you settle in without a complicated cleanup. Pack a lunch for a full park day, then decide whether a Bar Harbor dinner is worth the extra town trip. Bringing breakfast ingredients also avoids making everyone wait for a restaurant before the day's outing.
Use designated storage and waste facilities as instructed at camp. Keep a separate container for wrappers and scraps so food does not disappear into sleeping bags or children's daypacks.
Park entry, Cadillac Mountain and the actual budget
A campsite reservation is not an Acadia entrance pass. A Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation, when required, is a separate booking too. Decide whether that drive belongs in your itinerary before reserving a time that conflicts with packing up or checking in.
At the listed $30 rate, three nights cost $90 for the campsite alone. Add park admission, any separate road reservation, showers, groceries, firewood and town parking or dining. A modest campsite price does not mean every part of the trip is included.
If you need a hotel before or after your stay, compare options in Bar Harbor or nearby Mount Desert Island communities. These general search links do not reserve a campsite or guarantee this property's availability.
Compare hotels on Booking.com →Check Expedia stays →
Affiliate links; enter the destination and your dates.
What to bring for coastal Maine camping
- Rain setup: a sound rainfly, appropriate groundsheet, waterproof jacket and dry storage for bedding. Keep groundsheet edges tucked under the tent.
- Warmth: insulating layers and sleep gear chosen for the nighttime forecast, rather than the afternoon high.
- Bathroom kit: headlamp, easy-on shoes and a separate shower bag.
- Day-trip kit: refillable water bottles, picnic food, offline maps and a charged power bank.
- Firewood: follow the campground's local-source rule; obtain wood from within 50 miles instead of transporting it from home.
Browse travel essentials on Amazon →
Affiliate link. Check the packing list first and buy only what you are missing.
Make a three-night stay feel less rushed
Use arrival day for setup and a short outing. Give the first full day to one main park area, with a packed lunch. Keep the second full day more flexible for weather, a town meal or a missed viewpoint. Pack nonessential gear the evening before departure so the 10 a.m. checkout is manageable.
If your Maine trip continues through New Hampshire, compare the Conway Scenic Mountaineer's seats, lunch and parking before adding a train day. It is a separate road-trip leg, not a quick excursion from Blackwoods.
Current booking rules: Recreation.gov. Facilities and fee: Acadia's Blackwoods information. Separate permits: Acadia fees and reservations. Check live dates rather than relying on an older season calendar.