Acadia National Park, located along the Atlantic coast of Maine, offers a wide array of activities and a variety accommodations.http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm Camping in Acadia National Park is a perfect way to experience the natural setting of the area. There are several campgrounds that are available within the park, and more located within the surrounding areas. When camping in the great outdoors, it's important to be prepared. Depending upon the length of your stay and the expected weather conditions, it is essential to pack your supplies accordingly. http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm

Basic shelter requirements should include: A tent, and optional tarps or mats. Tools such as a hammer or axe, extra supplies for setup such as poles, ropes or stakes. Sleeping and bedding items such as an air mattress, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows.

While living outdoors, cooking items will be needed to prepare meals. Depending upon the amenities offered by the camp site, you may need to bring a cooking element such as a portable camp stove or grill. For sites that offer open pit fires for cooking, a grill or grate to place over the fire will make preparing food easier. Coolers are necessary to protect temperature sensitive food items, as well as having access to ice to maintain the temperature. Also, you will need items to start a fire, whether for heat, enjoyment, or cooking. Matches, lighters and fire starters are ideal items to include in your camping supplies. Kitchen utensils such as plates, bowls, cups, silverware, cooking utensils (tongs, spatula, knife, serving spoons, can opener), food storage (Ziploc bags, aluminum foil), napkins or paper towels, seasonings and cleaning items like dish soap, dish pan and towels.

When packing clothing for camping, it's important to consider your length of stay and possible weather conditions. You'll also need to allow for extra changes of clothes, such as socks and undergarments if needed. Toiletries can be quite expensive if they are available for purchase within the campgrounds. Be sure to pack soap, toothbrush and paste, deodorant, comb/brush, razor, and any feminine products. If there are medications that are taken regularly, be sure to include a supply for your camping trip.

In addition to your basic essentials, there are other items that can make a camping trip a little less stressful. Flashlights, lanterns, sun screen, compass, bug repellent, radio, camp chairs, axe, plastic grocery bags for trash or dirty laundry, water bottles, games/toys, tape, two way radios, batteries, sewing kit are only some of the items that may come in handy while camping.

Medical treatment may not be readily available while camping outdoors. By preparing a first aid kit, you'll be better prepared to render medical aid if necessary. A first aid kit is available at most department stores, or you can assemble your own. Contents may include: Medications, pain reliever, band aids, cotton swabs, tweezers, gauze pads, antiseptic pads or spray, bee sting treatment, ice packs, latex gloves, burn ointment, ace bandage, thermometer and other essentials to treat minor injuries.

Within Acadia National Park, there are two campgrounds that are located on Mount Desert Island. Although there are no sites located directly on the water, theses two sites are within a 10 minute walk from the Atlantic ocean. http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Blackwoods Campground is located five miles to the south of Bar Harbor, Maine. While the ideal camping season runs from April to November, Blackwoods also offers winter camping provided a camping permit has been obtained. Over 300 camp sites are located within the grounds. There are no hook ups or utilities available, however there are public restrooms and showers (fee). Each site is limited to one vehicle, six visitors and two tents. Reservation are suggested for the summer months, and can be made six months in advance. Site fees as of April 2010 are: $20 per site, per night May 1st through October 31st. $10 per site, per night in April and November.http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/blackwoodscampground.htm

Seawall Campgrounds is located four miles south of Southwest Harbor, Maine. Seawall is only available from May through September 30th. With over 200 sites, several are available for reservation, while others are sold on a first come, first served basis. Each site is limited to one vehicle, six visitors and two tents. There are no utilities or hook ups and showers are available for a fee. Motor homes, campers, and drive up sites are available for $20 per site, per night. Walk-in tent sites are available for $14 per site, per night.http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/seawallcampground.htm?ref>

Duck Harbor Campgrounds is located off the coast of Stonington, Maine on Isle au Haut. Campers who visit this site will only have access through mailboat. There are five primitive sites that are only available by requesting a reservation request which must be submitted after April 1st. Visitors are only eligible to request a reservation once per year, and are allotted one stay per year. Along with the reservation request, a $25 fee must also be submitted. Campers may request to stay up to five days, except for June 15th through September 15th where the maximum stay is three days. Because of the limited amount of sites, requests should be made with alternative dates of stay. Should the request be denied, the fee will be returned. Amenities included with each site are a lean-to shelter (three sides, roof and floor) and tent use is limited to the shelter dimensions, picnic table, fire ring, hand pump for water, and composting toilet. <ref>http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/duckharbor.htm

Campgrounds located in the surrounding areas include:http://www.downeastmaineonline.com/AcadiaNationalParkRegionsCampgroundsandRVSites.htm

• Branch Lake Camping, Ellsworth Mainehttp://www.branchlakecamping.com/
• Waterfront Camp, Steuben Mainehttp://www.downeastmaineonline.com/AcadiaNationalParkRegionsCampgroundsandRVSites.htm
• Mainayr Campground, Steuben Mainehttp://www.mainayr.com/
• White Birches Campground, Southwest Harbor Mainehttp://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/105691.html
• Bass Harbor Campground, Bass Harbor Mainehttp://www.bassharbor.com/
• Hadley's Point Campground, Bar Harbor Mainehttp://www.hadleyspoint.com/
• Desert Narrows and Narrows Too- Bar Harbor Camping Resorts, Bar Harbor Mainehttp://www.barharborcampingresorts.com/content/4005/PATTEN_POND/
• Patten Pond, Bar Harbor Mainehttp://www.barharborcampingresorts.com/content/4005/PATTEN_POND/
• Balsam Cove, East Orland Mainehttp://www.balsamcove.com/
• Bar Harbor KOA, Bar Harbor Mainehttp://www.barharborcampingresorts.com/
• Echo Lake Camp , Mount Desert Island Mainehttp://www.amcecholakecamp.org/about.shtml
• Blackwoods Campground, Mount Desert Island Mainehttp://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/blackwoodscampground.htm
• Smuggler's Den, Southwest Harbor Mainehttp://www.smugglersdencampground.com/main.html
• Mountainview Campground, Sullivan Mainehttp://www.flandersbay.com//campground.htm
• Quietside Campground, Tremont Mainehttp://www.quietsidecampground.com/
• Shady Oaks, Orland Mainehttp://www.shadyoakscampground.com/
• Whispering Pines, East Orland Maine http://www.whisperingpinesmaine.com/

Acadia history can be dated back to the Native American Indians, as signs of their settlements have been seen throughout the region. However the first written piece of history is presumed to be from the early 1600's when in 1604 Samuel Champlain led an expedition that landed on Mount Desert Island. The french explorer recorded his encounters and described the stone landscape in his journals. He named the area “Isles des monts Desert” for its appearance. To avoid the conflicts in the colonies, families fled north during the Revolutionary War, settling in the coastal region of Maine. It was not until George B. Dorr, a spokesman for the conservation effort began slowly purchasing the land we know today as Acadia National Park. In 1919, President Wilson signed an act declaring the coastal land in Maine as Lafayette National park. In 1929, the name was officially changed to Acadia. http://www.nps.gov/acad/historyculture/stories.htm