Bar Harbor, Maine
Stay Dates: Sunday, July 13 – Sunday, July 27, 2025
Site Type: Pull-through, Full Hookups
Introduction
Spending two full weeks in Bar Harbor during peak summer season sounded both exciting and slightly intimidating, especially knowing how busy the area could get. Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort ended up being the perfect home base for our time exploring Acadia National Park and downtown Bar Harbor. Site 151 gave us comfort, convenience, and just enough privacy to truly relax after long adventure-filled days.
Here is our honest, detailed review of our stay.
The Site – Level, Spacious, and Easy
We stayed in Site 151, a pull-through with full hookups, and it was incredibly easy to get in and out. We pulled right in without any hassle, and pulling out on departure day was just as smooth. For anyone traveling with a larger rig, that ease matters.
The site itself was level, which made setup quick and stress-free. We had plenty of space on both sides, and even extra room behind us to park the truck. Since we were at the end, we only had a neighbor on one side, which gave us decent privacy. They weren’t super close, so we never felt crowded.
Our site included a picnic table and a fire ring, and we had a small bit of shade from a tree between our neighbor and us. It was not heavily shaded, but it provided a little relief on warmer afternoons.
Hookups and Utilities
All three hookups, water, sewer, and electric, worked well overall.
We did run into one small issue with the electric one evening. Emily was using her hairdryer, and it caused the outside breaker to flip. The breaker felt warm to the touch and tripped twice before we decided to temporarily turn off the AC so she could finish drying her hair. After that adjustment, everything worked fine. It was not a major issue, but it is worth noting.
There was a dump station located near our site. We didn’t need to use it, but it seemed easily accessible and was used frequently by other campers.
Bathhouses, Laundry, and Amenities
There were multiple bathhouses throughout the campground. We didn’t personally use them, but we noticed they were frequently used, especially by the tent campers staying in the large open field area.
The laundry room was located in the basement of the front office and was open 24/7. It was managed by a third party called Tumble. You had to download the app and load money into your account to use the machines. While that might sound like a hassle, we actually liked the system because it sent notifications to your phone when your laundry was done. That made it easy to time swaps perfectly, rather than guessing.
Near the front of the campground, there was a small playground that seemed to get plenty of use from families. There was also a good-sized pool that appeared well-maintained and popular on warmer days.
Connectivity
The campground offered WiFi, although we did not try it.
Cell service was solid for both Verizon and T-Mobile during our stay, which made it easy to navigate, stream, and stay connected when needed.
Location – The Real Standout
The biggest highlight of Mt Desert Narrows was its location.
Acadia National Park and most of the main entrances were mostly straight shots right down the road. Downtown Bar Harbor was about eight miles away, making it close enough for regular visits but far enough to escape the chaos at the end of the day.
And trust us, downtown Bar Harbor in peak season can be chaotic.
One day, we headed into town for groceries and medication and quickly remembered how overwhelming traffic and parking could be. In hindsight, going the other direction into Ellsworth would have been the smarter move for bigger errands. The Hannaford in Bar Harbor was small and extremely busy during the season. We highly recommend heading into Ellsworth instead for full grocery runs. There is also a better-sized gas station lot on the right near Walmart in Ellsworth, which is much easier to navigate if you are towing or driving a long RV.
There is a gas station a few miles from the campground, but it has only a few pumps and can get chaotic. For quick stops, there is a small locally owned grocery store heading toward Ellsworth that works well for basics.
Our Two Weeks in Bar Harbor
Having two weeks gave us time to truly settle in and enjoy the area.
We revisited Testa’s and had the same meal and even the same bartender as last year, which felt like a fun tradition. We made multiple stops at Udderly Heaven for ice cream, including a whoopie pie topped with ice cream that Emily could not stop thinking about. West Eden Pizza, just a few miles from the campground, served up excellent pizza for an easy dinner night.
We explored Acadia in several ways, including walking the Jordan Pond Path and later renting e-bikes to ride the carriage trails. The carriage roads were one of our favorite experiences, peaceful, scenic, and a unique way to see the park.
We timed our visit to Bar Island at low tide and walked across the sandbar to the summit, which offered beautiful views. We also booked a lobster-fishing and seal-watching tour, which turned out to be one of the most memorable excursions of the trip. We caught small lobsters and crabs, and saw tons of seals near Egg Rock Lighthouse.
There were plenty of fires back at camp, including one evening when Emily grabbed more ice cream while Shaun got the fire going so we could enjoy a relaxed night of chatting and joking by the flames. On our final night, we burned the remainder of our firewood before preparing to cross into Canada.
Even on rainy or windy days, like when we stayed in during miserable weather or rode the motorcycle through gusty conditions, it felt good to know we had a comfortable, peaceful campsite to return to.
Atmosphere and Overall Vibe
Despite the campground’s size, it felt surprisingly peaceful. It had a nice balance of family-friendly energy and rustic campground charm. There were plenty of families enjoying their vacations, kids at the playground, and campers gathered around evening fires.
Check-in was quick and efficient. The staff gave us a map and clear directions to our site. There were no escorts, but everything was well labeled and easy to find. The staff we interacted with were friendly and helpful.
We felt very safe and secure during our entire two-week stay. There were no noise issues and no problems with rule enforcement. The rules were clear and reasonable.
Cost and Reservations
We paid about $100 per night, making it the most expensive campground on this trip. That said, given the time of year and the popularity of Bar Harbor and Acadia, the price felt expected and competitive compared to other nearby options.
We booked online, and the reservation process was simple and straightforward.
Final Thoughts – Would We Stay Again?
Absolutely.
The location alone makes Mt Desert Narrows a strong choice. When you combine that with spacious sites, full hookups, good cell service, and a peaceful atmosphere, it becomes an easy recommendation.
If you are planning a trip to Acadia National Park and want a convenient, comfortable home base, this campground is worth considering.
If you found this review helpful, make sure to follow along for more honest campground reviews and travel experiences from the road. Share this with someone planning a trip to Maine, and let us know your favorite Acadia spots in the comments!
