Blackwoods Campground

- 155 Blackwoods Drive, Otter Creek, ME 04660

Introduction / Overview

For Mainers seeking the iconic Atlantic coastline experience combined with breathtaking mountain scenery, Blackwoods Campground is the essential destination. Located directly within the boundaries of Acadia National Park on the southeast side of Mount Desert Island (MDI), Blackwoods is by far the most popular and most centrally located of the park's campgrounds. It offers visitors a deep immersion into Acadia's renowned landscape, placing you just a ten-minute walk from the rugged ocean shore.

This National Park Service campground provides a traditional, rustic, and peaceful camping environment, making it a perfect base camp for exploring all that Acadia has to offer, from the historic Carriage Roads to the summits of Cadillac and Gorham Mountains. The campground features wooded sites for both tents and recreational vehicles (RVs), ensuring a sense of being enveloped by the coastal forest. With its reputation for being exceptionally clean—from the campsites to the bathhouses—it has earned the loyalty of many campers who return every year to soak in the peaceful surroundings and the stunning natural beauty.

Blackwoods operates seasonally, typically from early May through mid-October, though primitive camping can sometimes be available during the off-season. Due to its prime location, reservations are not just recommended—they are a necessity, often booking out months in advance through the National Park Service's reservation system. This campground is focused on providing the necessities for a true outdoor adventure, embracing the natural setting and the park's protective regulations. While it intentionally foregoes luxury amenities like utility hookups and on-site showers, it successfully delivers an unparalleled access point to one of Maine’s greatest treasures.

Location and Accessibility

Blackwoods Campground is situated at 155 Blackwoods Drive, Otter Creek, ME 04660, USA. Its location is a significant part of its appeal, placing visitors directly inside Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, approximately five miles south of the vibrant gateway town of Bar Harbor.

The campground's proximity to major park features is unbeatable. It sits directly off Route 3 and offers immediate access to the famed Park Loop Road system. From the campground, visitors can walk to the Ocean Path, which follows the shoreline and provides stunning views of landmarks like Otter Cliff. Additionally, multiple hiking trails, including a popular route to the summit of Cadillac Mountain (the South Ridge Trail), depart directly from or are easily accessible from the campground.

Accessibility is further enhanced by the free Island Explorer Shuttle Bus service, which runs during the high season (late June to mid-October). Blackwoods Campground is a key stop on the shuttle route, allowing campers to leave their vehicle at their site and travel throughout Mount Desert Island, to trailheads, Bar Harbor, and other points of interest without the stress of parking, a major convenience in this popular national park. The nearest local services, including fee-based showers, laundry, and a small market, are conveniently located just a half-mile away in the small village of Otter Creek.

Services Offered

Blackwoods Campground is managed by the National Park Service, meaning its services are focused on essential facilities and environmental protection, providing a robust, non-commercial camping experience.

• Campsites: Offers over 250 sites for both tent camping and RVs, with all sites being heavily wooded and featuring a gravel pad, picnic table, and fire ring with a grate.
• Water and Sanitation: Equipped with flush toilets and running potable water spigots throughout the campground loops. The facilities are routinely praised for being kept clean.
• Waste Disposal: A Dump Station is provided for RV waste, and designated areas are available for trash and recycling.
• Generator Use: Generators are permitted in designated areas (typically the A-Loop) but are strictly limited to set quiet hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM to ensure peace for all campers.
• Nearby Fee Services: No showers are available on-site; however, coin-operated shower facilities, ice, and firewood (often including kiln-dried options) are conveniently located just 0.5 miles from the campground entrance in Otter Creek.
• Campfire Programs: The campground’s amphitheater seasonally hosts evening Ranger Programs, offering educational talks and campfire activities.
• Public Transit: The free, accessible Island Explorer Shuttle Bus stops directly at the campground during its operational season.

Features / Highlights

What sets Blackwoods apart is its unique combination of natural features and highly practical location within a world-class national park.

• Unbeatable Location in Acadia: Being one of only two major campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, Blackwoods’ location is its greatest asset. It minimizes travel time to the Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond, and Bar Harbor, maximizing time spent enjoying the park.
• Walk to the Ocean: All sites are within a short ten-minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean coastline, offering opportunities to enjoy sunset views over the water, tide pools, and the rugged, granite-lined shore.
• Direct Trail Access: Campers can start iconic Acadia hikes, such as the moderate Gorham Mountain Trail or the longer Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, directly from the campground, eliminating the need to search for crowded trailhead parking.
• Wooded and Peaceful Environment: Despite its large size and popularity, the sites are generally well-spaced, heavily wooded, and offer ample shade, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere appreciated by tent campers and RVers alike.
• Dog-Friendly: The campground is welcoming to pets, who must be kept on a leash, making it easy for Maine families to bring their beloved four-legged members along on the adventure.
• Year-Round Potential: While full-service camping is seasonal, the park often offers primitive, reduced-fee camping with limited facilities during the shoulder and winter months, providing a unique opportunity for hardy Mainers to experience Acadia's quiet, snowy landscape.

Contact Information

For inquiries about Blackwoods Campground, please use the following contact details. Note that all reservations must be made online through the federal government’s Recreation.gov website.

Address: 155 Blackwoods Drive, Otter Creek, ME 04660, USA

Phone: (207) 288-3274

Mobile Phone: +1 207-288-3274

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of Maine, Blackwoods Campground represents the most authentic, accessible, and essential way to experience Acadia National Park. As locals, we understand the value of time saved and the convenience of avoiding the heavy tourist traffic, and Blackwoods delivers on both counts. Its central location dramatically reduces commuting within MDI, especially with the use of the free Island Explorer Shuttle, allowing Mainers to quickly access their favorite trails and hidden spots.

This campground is perfect for the Maine resident who appreciates a "no-frills" approach to camping—focusing on clean basics (flush toilets, potable water) and the incredible natural surroundings, rather than luxury hookups or commercial amenities. The affordability of the National Park rate, compared to many private campgrounds in the area, makes Blackwoods an economically smart choice for frequent visits. Moreover, for those who love the peace and quiet of the Maine woods, the strictly enforced quiet hours and generator limitations ensure that the focus remains on the sounds of the forest and the distant roar of the ocean. Blackwoods is more than just a place to sleep; it’s an annual tradition for countless Mainers, offering a reliably clean, peaceful, and perfectly positioned home base for exploring the heart of Acadia.

Blackwoods Campground

155 Blackwoods Drive, Otter Creek, ME 04660, USA