Maine is the easternmost state in the contiguous United States. My husband and kids had never been there, so we added it into our Northeast summer road trip itinerary. We picked Bar Harbor as our Maine destination because of its proximity to Acadia National Park. I can’t say enough good things about this vacation spot. I chose Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA (Kampgrounds of America) as our home base for this part of our vacation. It turns out it is an absolutely perfect spot to enjoy the shoreline. You can jaunt into Bar Harbor or visit Acadia National Park with ease. KOA did provide us with a cabin to facilitate this review.
Bar Harbor, Maine Campgrounds Oceanside KOA Review
Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, is a charming coastal town known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is the only campground on the west side of Mount Desert Island. This means it is well located to enjoy sunsets.
When we got to Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, we checked out our cabin. Then we walked right over to a close access beach area. We immediately met another family enjoying the beach and staying in a waterfront site. They were from Pennsylvania. This was their third summer in a row spending their summer vacation at Bar Harbor KOA. I could see why. The natural beauty of the Atlantic coast is pretty stunning. The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA Holiday is a great location for soaking it all in. It offers easy access to any planned activities such as whale watching. (Just a 15-minute drive away at Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company!)
We only had two days to spend in Maine. However, this was such a beautiful location. The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA had tent camping, RV parking with full hookups, and cabins, right on the beach.
The beaches were sandy and rocky. My kids loved checking out the tidal pools at low tide. We saw big crabs, little crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, fish, and even a jellyfish right there on the KOA beach. There are 3,500 feet of Atlantic shoreline on this KOA property.
Acadia KOA Bar Harbor Cabins
We also loved our Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA Deluxe Cabin. The layout included a room with bunk beds for the kids. It also had a kitchen, dining and living area, a bathroom, a bedroom for us, and a screened porch.
It had everything you need in a little footprint. It also had all the creature comforts like cable TV, AC, heating, and ceiling fans. My husband said he’d like to retire to a little cabin like that in Maine. I really enjoyed that they offer pet friendly cabins as well.
The front porch featured a BBQ grill, picnic table, and chairs for eating outdoors. The fire pit/fire ring and camp chair for enjoying s’mores and warming ourselves by the fire were also major perks.
The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA amenities include the beach access I mentioned earlier, a camp store, and a laundry room. There is also a nice big dog park, Wi-Fi, a basketball court, and a playground. Additionally, it has an outdoor fun area with games like corn hole and a cute little train ride.
They even offer a free shuttle from Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA campground directly to Acadia National Park. To book your stay or learn more visit the KOA website or reach them by phone number at (207) 288-3520.
Visiting Acadia National Park In Maine
The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is conveniently located for visiting Acadia National Park. There is so much you can do at Acadia National Park. That family I met has been exploring different hiking trails for three years. They also suggested trying the ranger-guided tours and activities for the kids. We started off with a driving tour of the scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road.
Along the way we found a few parking spots and pulled over to explore tidal pools and harbor views. We also visited Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and Cadillac Mountain. We took the walk to Bar Island as well.
Our first day there it was very misty, so we ended up taking the drive through the Park Loop Road again the second day. We wanted to catch entirely different views when the sun was shining.
It was beautiful both ways and we varied our stops each day so that we got to explore different things. Acadia National Park was just gorgeous and I hope to return someday and try out some of the hiking trails.
Bar Harbor, Maine
The Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA is also very close to the town of Bar Harbor. The town is full of cute shops, eateries, and spots to stop for a drink or ice cream. We enjoyed an afternoon of strolling along and checking out the shops and the harbor views.
Good Eats In Bar Harbor Area:
I only share food choices that were amazing. We ate at and loved:
The Travelin’ Lobster
Mother’s Kitchen (really great sandwiches)
Smokey’s BBQ & Lobster Pound
Conclusion
Staying at KOA cabins in Bar Harbor offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and outdoor adventure. Whether you’re exploring Acadia National Park or enjoying coastal views, you can relax by the campfire. KOA provides a family-friendly base with modern amenities and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s an ideal way to enjoy the natural beauty of Maine while making unforgettable memories.
We loved our stay at Bar Harbor, Maine campgrounds. Have you ever stayed at the Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA? Are you planning on visiting Acadia National Park? What are you most excited to see, do, or eat while you are in Bar Harbor, Maine?
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