Bar Harbor camping Beta

Whats the best climber friendly campground in the area?

There aren't many choices. Blackwoods is close to the climbing action and you can make reservations. Seawall is on the Bass Harbor side of the island and is first come first serve, IIRC.

There may be some privately owned campgrounds but I am not familiar with them. We usually stay at Blackwoods. BTW, there is the Blackwoods bouldering area along the shore via footpath from the campground.

Theriault wrote:Whats the best climber friendly campground in the area?

oh, and there are no showers at either Blackwoods or Seawall. In both cases there are privately owned showers located down the street. The one by Blackwoods is clean but kind of pricy, IMO.

Blackwoods is probably your best bet. It's not a bad campground but I wouldn't call it a good one. It's packed pretty tight and costs a bit because you have to pay both the campsite and the park fees. It's also kind of boring. The upside is, it is fairly close to the climbing and there is even a (seasonal) bus that you can take both to the climbing and to bar harbor at nights. The hike up the cadillac ridge from the campground at sunset is pretty spectacular too.

Alternately go to Clifton, camp for free on top of the cliffs, climb there, and drive to the island for the day.

Jim

The Phoenix wrote: Ya - 2nd Blackwoods - usually arrive at 10-11pm camp then leave before 8 am to avoid fees.

I've already been to blackwoods, thats why i was asking haha and i have also done the Clifton camp/climb/drive thing! fun place to camp party with local Owner! DN! great guy! I would like to stay local this time so I guess Blackwoods it is again! haha how are the crowds/tourists this time of the year? I usualy come early or late season.

thanks for all the help so far!

There are a TON of campgrounds on the island, but only two are public: Blackwoods and Seawall. Blackwoods is the closest, but Seawall is probably going to be quieter and more laid back. Don't head to Blackwoods thinking you can find the climber's fire pit and puke into at 2am. Quiet hours are pretty strict in both places, but Blackwoods is run a bit tighter.

There are no "climber" campgrounds in Acadia, however. While the climbing is pretty good, it probably isn't in the top five of best activities there, so all the campgrounds are geared toward normal park visitors.

The private campgrounds vary with regards to quality. Some are right off Route 3, while others are tucked away into quite coves. The good ones are freaking sweet, but expensive. The private campground with the best reputation is Mt. Desert Campground on Somes Sound, and not that far from one of the park entrances.

jim.dangle wrote: This presumably only works during the off-season, right? Jim