Bar Harbor, Maine, is located on the east side of Mt. Desert Island and can be reached by car, boat or plane. Acadia National Park is a neighbor to the Harbor and draws visitors yearly. Bar Harbor is surrounded by rocky granite cliffs and offers many options to travelers including cultural music, art and theater; biking and hiking more than 55 miles of trails; whale watching, boating and canoeing; and winter activities as well. Camping is available in the area surrounding Bar Harbor.
History
Bar Harbor began receiving large numbers of visitors in the mid 1800s. Local businessmen built the first places to lodge. Among the first hotels were the Agamont House and the Rodick House. The harbor was visited by a variety of people including artists, scientists and writers. As the area increased in popularity, more lodging options became available including campgrounds that were developed in the 1900s.
Campgrounds
Bar Harbor Campground is family owned and operated, and is the closest camping facility to the town. The campground is open from Memorial Day in May, to Columbus Day in October. A heated pool, bath house, recreation hall and play area is included in the cost of your stay. Bar Harbor Camping Resorts offers tent and RV camping, as well as rustic cabins and resort cottages. Reservations are accepted for the three different campsites: Mt. Desert Narrows, Narrows Too and Patten Pond.
Weather Conditions
Visitors to Bar Harbor in the summer enjoy mild temperatures, usually in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit. In the winter, Bar Harbor can be quite cold, with averages in the teens and 20s. Temperatures fluctuate within 20 degrees both times of year from daytime hours to night. Be sure to bring jackets and different layers depending on the time of year you are visiting. Also include rain gear since Bar Harbor normally receives 57 inches of rainfall per year, with November being the wettest month.
Preserving Bar Harbor While Camping
Since Bar Harbor is considered "green" to protect the environment, campers can follow a few simple steps to aid in preserving resources for current and future generations. Limit car usage and instead ride a bike, the Island Explorer or explore the area on foot. Recycle as much trash, bottles and cans as possible. Walk on rocks instead of fragile plants. Leave the campsite as if it was "untouched" by man.
Camping Restrictions at Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located within five miles of Bar Harbor, Maine, and also offers options for camping. Some restrictions do apply. Only one vehicle and a maximum of six people are allowed per camping site. Tents must fit on 9-foot-by-12-foot tent pads provided at each site. RV camping is very limited, with size restrictions in place. Hookups are not available. The Wildwood Stables Campground is limited to only overnighters with stock animals. Fires are permitted in campground grills, but firewood may not be brought in from other areas due to non-native insect threats. Purchase or gather firewood near campgrounds in the park.
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