Jen,
I think this campground is featured in BEST OF TENT CAMPING:NEW ENGLAND, which has very thorough reviews of the campgrounds it covers. I'm up in Virginia through the rest of this month, and my copy is in South Carolina. Perhaps you can get a copy through your library, or if you can wait, I'll give you a synopsis when and if I can find the book at the end of the month.

Brian

That sounds great Brian! Thank you!

Jen,
I found the book here. Did you get my e-mail?
Brian

The showers are outside the campground on Route 3; it's a small commercial operation (the showers).

What time of year are you going? There are clouds of black flies in May and June, so I'd consider other months.

I like the other park campground, Seawall, much better, but it has just as many bugs, if not more.

We've been going every year in June for years! Have never had problems with the flies but I have experienced the black fly season in NH! No fun! I like June up there because it is not crowded at all! We usually stay in a private campground but are ready for a change. One thing we do every year is volunteer our services inside the park. Last year we did a reforestation project inside Seawall and we were right next to the group areas. This is what got me thinking more about actually staying inside the park. Tell me why you like Seawall better? Is it a closer walk to the ocean?

Brian, I haven't checked e-mail yet! Will do so now! Thanks again!

Brian, no e-mail! Did you send it to yahoo?

Try either of these: artjennie@yahoo.com or jennie@southarm.com

Thanks! I am looking forward to your message!

Jen,

OK, I re-sent it. The Best in Tent Camping: New England also lists Camden Hills State Park, Lamoine State Park and Mount Desert Campground, all nearby, as excellent. It covers 60 New England campgrounds and might be of interest to you.

Brian

I visited Mount Desert Campground last summer as a possibility for this year! It's beautiful and very nice and ideal! The price difference is this: $972 for Mt Desert and maximum $300 at a NP campground! It comes out to our students paying approximately a $60 difference each! We have a meeting Thursday where I want to lay out all of the options and let them choose. Last year we paid about $450 at a private place but it was for one night less. Another option is going back there but we really wanted to try somewhere new! I should have visited Blackwoods last year but didn't really think of it or have the time! If I was camping with my family I would definitely go to Mt. Desert Campground! We have volunteered for years inside the park just for the sake of doing it. However, there is a program where you can get some reduction in your campsite fee for volunteering. That's why I listed the price for a NP place as a maximum price!

Will go check the mail now!

Jen,
I've tried sending the e-mail from 2 different programs using 3 different phone numbers for 2 internet service providers. I don't know what is wrong this morning, but I've run out of ideas.
Brian

Brian, I just tried sending you an e-mail to see if it works that way! Let me know!

Brian, thank you for sending that write up! The most appealing part for me was the part where they say you can just walk across the road to enjoy your coffee on the rocks! I could spend all day on those rocks!

Neither of the two park campgrounds is directly on the ocean, but it's only a short walk from either. From Blackwoods, you walk down a fire road and cross the Park Loop Road to a rocky bluff. From Seawall, you walk down the campground entrance road and cross the county road to the Seawall Picnic Area. Personally, I think the views from Seawall are nicer, but either would be a nice place for that cup of coffee.

Blackwoods is much closer to Bar Harlem. Seawall is on the "quiet side" of the island, but convenient to SW Harbor and Bass Harbor.

Jen,

How did the meeting go? Are you headed to Blackwoods?

Brian

It was a very close vote because the kids were unsure about the shower thing. The funny thing is once we get on the trip sometimes we have to practically force them to shower! The vote did go to one of the national park campgrounds, most likely Blackwoods because of the trail leading to Cadillac Mountain. Our kids love that hike so that's a real plus that we would not have to drive them into the park to do that.

Another question if anybody knows the answer-- How many showers are there at the shower places? I'm guessing there would have to be a fair number if they are serving the campgrounds during the busy season. Luckily, when we are there the area is not busy at all! We would be taking the kids down in groups for showers. I guess one advantage to Seawall would be that they could hang out by the water while waiting their turn!

Just FYI-- the Blackwoods group sites will NOT be open for the 2005 season! They've also changed the number of people who can use the group sites! We do have reservations at Seawall but may be changing them to the private campground where we used to stay! They are right down the road from eachother and the advantage is that the private one does have showers on premises and is within a short walking distance to the Bass Harbor Light!