Acadia, once an island paradise for wealthy New Englanders. Is now a coastal wilderness for all to enjoy! Sea cliffs, mountains, beaches, and ponds are just some of the unspoiled wilderness you can enjoy in this National Park.
Acadia National Park includes 38,000 acres of natural beauty; including 65 miles of rugged coastline. Explore Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut, and the Schoodic Peninsula.
Travel with me as we explore this stunning (and one of my favorite National Park)! Whether you want to spend a day seeing the major sites, hike to the stunning overlooks, or chase that fall foliage. This is the only Acadia National Park Travel Guide you will need!
Where To Find It
Acadia National Park can be found on the North Atlantic coast in the US state of Maine. The only National Park in New England. There are approximately 47,000 acres of recreational use composed of 3 Islands. These Islands are Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, and the most famous Mount Desert Island (Northwest and Bass Harbor, which are located on this Island as well). Acadia National Park is a mix of woodlands, rocky beaches, and mountain peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States East Coast.
You can also find an abundance of wildlife including moose, bears, whales, and seals! Take a tour on a lobster boat and experience the day in the life of a Maine fisherman. Did you know, there is also an island dedicated to Puffins? You cannot land on the island, but tours are available to get close! Snuggled in between this park is the bayside town of Bar Harbor. Spend the day exploring the wonderful restaurants and shops or take a tour out onto the water!
Where To Stay
Camping – If you are wanting to totally immerse yourself in the beauty of Acadia, go camping. I love nothing better than waking up to the sound of the ocean and the woodlands combined.
There are a total of 4 campgrounds located throughout Acadia. Blackwoods and Seawall are located on Mount Desert island, Schoodic Woods is on the Schoodic Peninsula, and Duck Harbor, a lean-to shelter, is on the Isle au Haut. That being said, there is limited availability and no last-minute walk-up requests. You are able to reserve your site 2 months in advance and RV and tent sites are available in each campground.
Bar Harbor – The town of Bar Harbor is only a 10-15 minute drive to the entrance of Acadia National Park. And a perfect place to stay as you explore Maine! It is filled with a variety of accommodation options. RV parks, inns, and hotels! If you aren’t lucky enough to snatch a campsite in Acadia, there are plenty to choose from in Bar Harbor! And the views are just as stunning. If you are wanting accommodation with hot water and a warm bed, choose from the many quaint bed and breakfasts or Bar Harbor resorts!
Where To Eat
I am in love with the food scene on the East Coast of the US. There is something special about fresh seafood while enjoying stunning views, and experiencing incredible cities. Clam chowder, lobster rolls, and blueberry pie are only a few of the must-try dishes in New England. Near Acadia, there is an abundance of delicious foods to try and a variety of restaurants to choose from. Here are a few of my favorites!
Bar Harbor
This coastal town is the perfect place to start your food journey in Acadia. Pro tip: park at the YMCA field. From there it is a short walk to the start of Main Street where all the incredible shops and restaurants are located. Choose from fine dining at Salt and Steel or Latin cuisine at Havana. Start the day with a coffee or hot tea at Everyday Joes. Have a sweet tooth? Stop by the Bar Harbor Cheesecake Company for delicious desserts! You cannot visit Bar Harbor without tasting seafood. Bar Harbor Lobster Co is a perfect choice! This is just the surface of all the amazing food choices in Bar Harbor.
Route 3
Instead of going into town, drive along Route 3. Jack Russell’s Steakhouse and Brewery, The Chart Room, and Mainly Meat BBQ are just a few of the options to choose from! Interested in some of the best blueberry pie and key lime pie ever? Eat at Hansen’s Seaside Dairy Bar. They also have a long list of delicious ice cream flavors.
Picnic Lunches
Planning on spending the day in the Park? Picnic lunches are the perfect option! These lunch cube containers are an absolute must! No smashed sandwiches!
I love to pack a sandwich, trail mix, and fruit to keep me energized and filled throughout the day. Having a great water bottle is a must! I love this one. It not only keeps the water cool throughout the day but also fits in the car cup holder!
You can also grab a bite to eat at the Jordan Pond House! They are famous for their hot popovers.
Climate and Best Time To Go
Acadia is stunning any time of year. Unless you have a specific time of year you want to visit Acadia, I highly recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons. Early winter and late spring are perfect times to experience the park. And with much fewer tourists! (Park Road is typically open from mid-April to early December).
Seasons
Spring – temperatures can be between 30-71 degrees F. Wear light-weight clothing with long pants as it can be cool in the morning, but warmer throughout the day. This is a great time to visit the park, as nature is starting to bloom, the weather is getting warmer, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived.
Summer – temperatures can be between 45-90 degrees F. Despite the hot temperatures of the summer, Acadia can be very crowded in the summer. Plan your visit around long lines, limited parking, and packed overlooks. Bring shorts and a T-shirt for the daytime, but a light jacket might be necessary for when the sun goes down.
Fall – This is the most popular time to visit Acadia. And yes, the Fall colors are just as beautiful as the photos! Peak fall foliage typically happens in mid-October, but it is important to keep an eye on the status of the Fall colors throughout Maine as you plan your trip.
Winter – temperatures can be between 14-35 degrees F. This is another great shoulder season to visit Acadia. The leaf peepers have all gone and all that is left is the bare beauty of the Park. Pack your jacket! The cold temperatures mixed with the harbor breeze can be chilly.
Time of Day
Unless you are visiting the park during shoulder season, I highly recommend getting to the park as early as possible. You may even want to get there before the sun is even up. Parking lots are limited and even by 10 am, you may be turned away. If this happens, there is a shuttle, Island Explorer, that runs from the visitor center to the different sites in the park. Fare-free!
Tips to Avoid the Crowds During Peak Times
If you decide to go during the peak Autumn season, be aware you will not be the only one exploring the Park. The parking lots will fill quickly, the overlooks will be jammed, and the visitor center will be overrun. If you keep this in mind and do not stress you will enjoy your time in Acadia! I have come up with a few tips to get the most out of Acadia National Park all while avoiding the crowds!
Go early! Get there before the sun rises, get your parking spot, and plan on walking most of the day. When visiting in mid-October the parking lot to the trails and overlooks were nearly filled by 10 am.
A good game plan is to park in the Sand Beach parking lot and hike the Beehive Trail for the sunrise. Explore the beach, and then head over to Jordan Pond or the next popular hike: The Bubbles. You then have the rest of the day to explore, but all the more popular spots are out of the way. And you won’t be fighting for a spot!
Another great tip is to visit the lesser-known parts of Acadia. Such as Schoodic Peninsula or Isle au Haut.
Bucket List Activities
Acadia might be one of the smaller national parks, but it still has many wonderful activities, sites, and trails to explore! I have listed below my absolute favorite!
Schoodic Peninsula
Fazer Point – Enjoy the seclusion of this lesser know part of the Park. Frazer Point is a great place to start. It has gorgeous views of the water and is a perfect place for a picnic!
Schoodic Point – the main overlook on this Peninsula is Schoodic Point. Walk along the huge granite ledges as you watch the Atlantic Ocean waves splash the shore with a powerful force.
Blueberry Hill – As you explore this area, try and find the Schoodic Island as you look towards the ocean. Or to your right is Little Moose Island.
Mt Desert Island
Sand beach – Along the Park Loop Road (a gorgeous 27-mile loop around the park) is Sand Beach. The waters may look inviting on a warm summer’s day, but they are typically a steady 55 degrees F!
Thunder Hole – Come at high tide to see the powerful surf crashing into the rocks. Listen for the thunder sound of the water as it hits the rock cleft. Even at low tide, it is an incredible sight and sound.
Northwest and Bass Harbor
Bass Harbor Lighthouse – one of the most picturesque places to visit in Acadia is the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. The only lighthouse on the Island is such a beautiful location. Stroll on the two 1-mile plus loops: Ship Harbor and Wonderland Trail. Both offer spectacular views of the forest and coast!
Hiking
The two most popular hikes in Acadia have got to be some of the most favorite hikes I’ve ever done. Endless views on the climb up and even more stunning overlooks at the summit.
Beehive Trail
The trailhead for this hike starts near the Sand Beach parking lot and is a 0.8-mile ladder trail. This means the hike includes ladders, rungs, narrow wooden bridges, and rock scrambling. But don’t worry, you do not have to descend the same way you came up, there is a walking route nearby.
The walking route does include a bit of rock scrambling as you descend, but not near steep drop-offs. This hike may sound challenging, and believe me, as someone with Acrophobia it was terrifying. But the views are totally worth it! A pro tip if heights make you uneasy: Get there early so you do not have to stop and wait for others (and think about the steep cliffs). And don’t look down until you are at the top! Or take the walking route up and back down. Easy!
The Bubbles Trail
The iconic Bubbles hike starts at the Bubbles Divide parking lot (right after Jordan Pond). If you walk both the south and north Bubbles it is a 1.5-mile round trip. This hike can have its challenges as it is a steep climb to the summit. It has some rock scrambling and some large man-made steps. But thankfully, it is a short climb.
Start by hiking to the North Bubble and experience stunning views of Jordan Pond, Pemetic and Sargent Mountains, and the Cranberry Isles. As you make your way over to the South Bubble, catch the precarious rock floating on the ledge of the mountain. Return on the same trail back to the parking lot.
Instagram Worthy Spots
Make sure your memory card is empty and your camera battery is fully charged when you visit Acadia. I hardly put my camera down as there was beauty at every turn in this Park. Check out these Insta-worthy spots!
Jordan Pond – on a clear day, the water becomes a looking glass and a perfect reflection appears of Penobscot Mountain. Take a stroll around the pond and take in the beauty of the forest and flower meadows. Feeling hungry? Grab a cuppa afternoon tea with hot popovers and strawberry jam.
Cadillac Mountain – The summit of Cadillac Mountain is the first spot in the US to see the sunrise (between October 7 and March 6). Being a major destination in Acadia National Park, it is required to reserve your spot to drive to the summit. A fee of only $6. Soak in the panoramic views of Frenchman Bay as you walk the 0.5-mile loop. This is a must-see in Acadia and a perfect photography spot!
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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