Acadia National Park
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Acadia National Park Travel Guide
Driving into Acadia National Park on Maine's rugged coast feels like entering an island kingdom carved by ice and sea. Granite cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, forests of spruce and fir cloak rounded mountains, and rocky shorelines are alive with gulls and eagles. Centered around Mount Desert Island, the park protects everything from cobble beaches to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Just outside the vibrant seaside town of Bar Harbor, Acadia welcomes roughly 3.9 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular national parks in the Northeast.
Acadia feels like a coastal kingdom sculpted by nature: granite cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, lush forests cloak mountain ridges, and hidden coves greet the first sunrise in the United States.
How to Get There
Most visitors base themselves in Bar Harbor or nearby towns on Mount Desert Island. Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is located approximately 10 miles from the park, with flights available from Boston's Logan International Airport. Larger Bangor International Airport (BGR) is roughly an hour away. Once on the island, follow well-signed roads to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, where the 27-mile Park Loop Road begins. Renting a car offers the most flexibility, though the seasonal Island Explorer bus service links Bar Harbor to trailheads. Acadia pairs perfectly with a coastal New England road trip, perhaps combining visits to nearby Acadia's Schoodic Peninsula or the rugged Down East towns.
Know Before You Go
Entry fees are $35 per private vehicle for a seven-day pass; America the Beautiful annual passes are also accepted. From late May through mid-October, a vehicle reservation is required to drive up Cadillac Summit Road. Pack layers for cool mornings and fog, and bring plenty of water and bug spray. Tidal swings expose slippery seaweed; stay off wet rocks. Spring and fall tend to be moist, while winters bring snow and limited services. Cell service is spotty in some areas of the park's Schoodic and Isle au Haut districts.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June–August) is the peak season, when wildflowers bloom and all facilities are open, but crowds and traffic are at their heaviest. Autumn (September–October) brings brilliant foliage and cooler temperatures, while April–May and late October–November offer quieter visits amid budding trees and chilly seas. Winter is serene; snow blankets carriage roads for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but many facilities close, and access roads may be icy.
Best Things to Do
Drive the Park Loop Road to see Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain's summit. Watch the sunrise from Cadillac, when the rays paint the granite pink and gold. Bike or walk the 45 miles of historic carriage roads financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr.; they weave through forest and past stone bridges. Explore tide pools at Ship Harbor, kayak on Jordan Pond, or take a ranger-led cruise to spot seals and porpoises. In Bar Harbor, visit the Abbe Museum to learn about the Wabanaki people.
Best Hikes
Precipice Trail (2 miles, strenuous): A heartpounding climb up iron rungs and ladders on Champlain Mountain; open late summer after peregrine falcon nesting.
Jordan Pond Path (3.5 miles, easy): A level loop around the crystalline pond with views of the Bubbles. Wooden boardwalks keep your feet dry.
Bubble Rock Trail (1 mile, moderate): Short climb to a glacial erratic perched precariously near a cliff edge.
Cadillac South Ridge Trail (7.1 miles, moderate): A longer but less crowded way to the park's highest summit.
Places to Stay
Inside the park, Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds operate seasonally with reservations. Nearby Bar Harbor offers hotels such as the Bar Harbor Inn, Harborside Hotel, and numerous Bed and Breakfasts. The villages of Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor provide quieter lodging. For an immersive experience, book a night at the historic Jordan Pond House's cottages or rent a waterfront cabin on the island's western shore.
Places to Eat
Stop at Jordan Pond House for the iconic popovers and tea after a hike. In Bar Harbor, grab breakfast at Two Cats Café, sandwiches and blueberry pie at Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard, or fresh oysters at the Reading Room Restaurant. For casual fare, Blaze Pizza at Blaze or craft beers at Atlantic Brewing Company. Farmers' markets in summer offer picnic supplies.
Fast Facts
Location: Mount Desert Island, Maine
Area: ~49,000 acres
Established: 1916 (first as Sieur de Monts National Monument)
Visitors: ~3.9 million annually
Headquarters: Bar Harbor, ME
Tags: Mountains, Coast, Island, History
