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Acadia National park is located in the north-easternmost U.S. state Maine, basically on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. The park maintains parts of Mount Desert Island, coastal Schoodic Peninsula, and many adjacent smaller islands. The Park offers different landscapes through woodlands, rocky beaches, rugged cliffs, and granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain. Bar Harbor town is on the bay side and is a popular tourist spot with restaurants and shops. With the breathtaking views of jagged coastlines, colorful cliffs, and natural lakes, Acadia has more activities like hiking, biking, and camping.
Quick Facts and Tips
- Best time to Visit: Fall
- Summer is good, but be ready to beat the crowd.
- Spring is not bad, but be prepared for foggy, rainy, and chilly days.
- Fly Into
- Closest: Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) and Bangor International Airport (BGR).
- Good Deals: Portland International Jetport and Boston Logan International Airport. It is almost a 3 hour drive to Acadia National park from Portland International Airport. Also consider Boston Logan International Airport, then catch a direct flight to Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) or drive 4 and half hours to Acadia National Park.
- Clothing
- Summer: Casual t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, capris, light jackets or long sleeves for the cool morning and evenings.
- Fall: Long sleeves, fleece and warm jackets, vests, scarf, hat and gloves.
- What to expect
- Beautiful Ocean views, Colorful cliffs, Woodlands, Rocky beaches, Granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, Thunder hole, Jordon Pond, Bubble Pond, Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Harbors, Schoodic peninsula, Wildflowers, and Wildlife.
- How many days: 2 to 3 days.
- Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, $15/$25 per person/motorcycle, good for seven days.
- Be sure to check the Park Website for current updates on roads closures and trails conditions before you heading out.
- Starting early is the best way not only to beat the traffic, but also for the best lighting and more elbow room.
- It will be freezing during sunrise even in the summer at the Summit of Cadillac mountain, dress accordingly.
- There are plenty of overlooks along The Park Loop Road and Schoodic Peninsula Road. Keep some extra time for stopping for photos, wildlife, sights and for unplanned delays.
- Take food and water so you can spend the day touring.
- Always walk in the middle of the trails and keep away from tall vegetation to avoid ticks. Mostly during late spring to early fall, ticks are prevalent and active in Acadia.
- Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
- There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards.
- Best things to do
- Drive the scenic Park Loop Road. The Park Loop road is open April 15 through November. It is like a hop on hop off road, so allow yourself at least four to five hours to enjoy the number of gorgeous overlooks along the drive through the Park Loop Road. More info here.
- Enjoy a wonderful relaxing walk, or a bike ride or horse-drawn carriage ride along the 45 miles of carriage road in Acadia Carriage Road. This features the beautiful valleys of Acadia into the heart of Mount Desert Island. Private vehicles are prohibited on Carriage Road.
- Drive the Cadillac Mountain Road and see the spectacular sunrise at the Summit. More details here
- Experience the thunderous boom and high flying foam during the high tides at the power of the Park, the Thunder hole.
- See the iconic Bass Harbor Lighthouse at Mount Desert Island. More details here.
- Drive alongside the beautiful ocean on Schoodic Peninsula loop road. More info here.
- Have fun at the Sand Beach/Seal Harbor Beach.
- Spend a joyful evening at Bar harbor town.
- Enjoy hiking some of the popular and easy trails.
- Relax and relish the beauty of the ocean at Schoodic Point. More info here
- Take a Boat Tour of Acadia. There are many companies like Acadian Boat Tours and Bass Harbor. Cruises offerings tours of the islands and costliness of Acadia National Park.
