Camping Regulations

Help protect park resources and make your stay at Acadia more enjoyable by following these camping regulations and tips. Thank you for planning ahead and complying with park regulations.

All camping must be done in established campgrounds. Overnight backpacking is prohibited in Acadia National Park because the park is small and fragile.

Campsite Limits: Campsites are limited to two tents and one vehicle at each site. Tents must fit within the site pads provided (tent pads are 9 x 12 feet). Party size is limited to six persons per site. The party size limit may be exceeded to include one immediate family (parents and children).

Check-Out Time: 10 a.m.

Fees: Camping fees are subject to change. Camping fees and entrance fees are separate charges.

Fires: Contained charcoal and wood fires are prohibited except in provided fireplaces or receptacles or private grills in established campgrounds and picnic areas. Dead and down wood may be collected for campfires in the park provided that 1) wood is not collected from within the campground unless it is in park-provided wood piles and 2) chainsaws are not used to gather wood.

Firewood Alert: Firewood brought in from other areas may contain non-native insect species that pose a serious threat to Acadia National Park's resources. Quarantines have been issued for some areas. Please leave your firewood at home. Firewood is available locally near both Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds. For more information, see the pest alert (PDF-188KB) produced by the National Park Service.

Food Storage: Proper food storage helps ensure your safety and the safety of those camping around you.

• Please store all human and pet foods and cooking equipment in an enclosed vehicle or a hard-sided food locker whenever you are not present. This precaution will limit the opportunity for wild animals to be attracted to your camping site, tent, or vehicle.
• Remember to place all garbage, including empty cans and bottles, in trash containers or in your vehicle.
• Never store food or any container with human or pet foods in your tent or under tarps.
• Park regulations require all campers to properly store food, trash, cooking utensils, and other items that may attract wildlife. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

Nighttime Closures: Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds are closed to persons other than registered campers from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Permit Conditions: All campers must comply with conditions of camping permits.

Pets: Pets must be kept on a leash six feet or less in length and may not be left unattended. Please do not leave pets locked in the car. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car-even with the windows cracked-can reach over 100 degrees within 10 minutes.

Quiet Hours: From 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Generators may only be used from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Revegetation: In response to extensive rehabilitation at Blackwoods Campground, the park has undertaken a revegetation project to replace much of the vegetation that was lost during construction. Here's how you can help make this project a success and help restore these areas to their natural condition:

• Areas where native plants are planted will be roped off and signed to indicate what's happening there. Small trees and shrubs will be mulched with wood chips.
• Please don't walk through these areas or damage new or existing plants or trees.
• Stay on designated paths at Blackwoods Campground. Taking shortcuts kills plants!
• Remember: It only takes one footstep to kill a plant!

RV Size Limits: Recreational vehicles in Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds may not exceed 35' (10.7 m) in length and 11' 8" (3.5 m) in height. Extension pull-outs must fit within the site pads provided.

Time Limits: No person may camp in the park for more than a total of 30 days in a calendar year. From May 1 through October 31, camping is limited to 14 days total in Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds.