Acadia National Park is the only national park in the northeastern United States and it punches way above its weight class. Perched on the rugged coast of Maine, the park packs majestic forests, tranquil ponds, rounded granite mountains, and wild Atlantic coastline into a surprisingly compact area.
Acadia National Park at a Glance
We’ve been here many times across every season. Maine’s wild coast is unlike any other in the country. Speaking as someone who has been to the shores of Olympic National Park, Acadia takes the cake for pure coastal beauty.
Here are the best things to do in Acadia National Park, organized to help you plan your days.
Acadia National Park covers 49,075 acres across Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut. The $35 entrance fee is good for 7 days. A vehicle reservation is required for Cadillac Mountain summit road from late May through October. Book early at recreation.gov.
- Here’s our favorite guidebook and map for Acadia.
- Ticks are a major concern. Lyme disease-carrying ticks are present in the park. Bring eco-friendly insect repellent and check for ticks after every hike.
- Dogs are allowed on most trails in Acadia, which is rare for national parks. Check the specific trail rules before bringing your dog.
- Best time to visit: Late September through mid-October for peak fall foliage. Summer is warm and busy. Winter is quiet and beautiful if you’re prepared for the cold.
- Crowds are intense spring through fall. Parking is extremely limited at popular trailheads during peak season. Plan to arrive early or use the free Island Explorer shuttle.
- Cell service is fairly reliable throughout most of the park.
Gas, Food, Shuttle, and Parking
Bar Harbor is home base for most folks. Full range of restaurants (do not skip the lobster), gas stations, grocery stores, and lodging. Five minutes from the park entrance.
Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor are quieter alternatives with restaurants, gas, and lodging on the less crowded side of Mount Desert Island.
Food inside the park: Jordan Pond House is the park’s one sit-down restaurant. Famous for popovers and tea on the lawn. Reservations recommended in summer.
Island Explorer shuttle: A free bus system that runs from late June through Columbus Day. Routes connect Bar Harbor, the visitor center, and major trailheads. Using it eliminates the worst parking headaches.
Parking: Cadillac Mountain lot fills before sunrise. Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and Thunder Hole lots fill by 9am in summer. Arrive early or use the shuttle.
Acadia National Park Itineraries
Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain (reservation required). Drive the Park Loop Road with stops at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Point. Jordan Pond House for popovers at lunch. Beehive Trail in the afternoon if you have the nerve. Sunset at Bass Harbor Lighthouse. That is a full, excellent day.
One Day in Acadia
Two Days in Acadia
Day 1: Same as above. Day 2: Bike or walk the carriage roads in the morning. Hike the Bubbles for panoramic views. Explore Schoodic Peninsula in the afternoon for a completely different (and much quieter) side of the park.
Three or More Days
Days 1-2 same as above. Day 3: Hike to The Bowl for a hidden mountain pond. Spend the afternoon exploring Bar Harbor. Stargazing from the summit of Cadillac or any of the quieter pulloffs along the Park Loop Road.
1. See the Fall Color
Distance Park-wide Time All day Difficulty Easy
Acadia in fall is world-class. The forests of maples, aspen, and birch ignite in reds, oranges, and golds against the backdrop of granite peaks and ocean. Peak foliage typically hits in the first two weeks of October. The Park Loop Road, carriage roads, and the view from Cadillac Mountain are all outstanding during this period.
2. Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
Distance Drive to summit + short walk Time 1 hr Difficulty Easy
From October through early March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise. At 1,530 feet it is the highest point on the Atlantic coast of the US. The summit is accessible by car and the sunrise views over the Porcupine Islands and Frenchman Bay are unforgettable.
Reservation required: A vehicle reservation is required for the summit road from late May through October. Book at recreation.gov.
Tip: Bring layers. It is significantly windier and colder at the summit than at sea level.
3. Hike the Beehive Trail
Distance 1.5 mi loop Time 1.5-2 hrs Difficulty Hard (iron rungs, exposure)
The most thrilling hike in Acadia. Iron rungs and ladders bolted into granite lead you up exposed cliff faces with ocean views the entire way. This is not for folks with a fear of heights. The rungs are narrow and the drop-offs are real. But if you can handle it, the views from the top of the Beehive are spectacular.
Trailhead: Sand Beach parking lot
Tip: Go up the Beehive, then loop back down through The Bowl for a calmer descent.
4. Sunset at Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Distance Short walk from parking Time 30 min-1 hr Difficulty Easy
The most photographed lighthouse in Maine for good reason. Perched on a rocky headland on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, it catches the last light of day beautifully. Show up 30 minutes before sunset. The parking lot is small and fills fast. There are stairs down to the rocky shore for the classic low-angle photo.
5. Jordan Pond
Distance 3.3 mi loop Time 1.5-2 hrs Difficulty Easy-Moderate
A crystal-clear glacial pond with the twin peaks of the Bubbles rising behind it. The loop trail circles the pond and is one of the most scenic easy hikes in the park. Stop at Jordan Pond House for their famous popovers and tea. Best views are from the north shore looking south toward the Bubbles.
6. Sand Beach
Distance N/A Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Easy
A rare sand beach on Maine’s predominantly rocky coast. The water temperature rarely exceeds 55 degrees, so swimming is for the brave. The beach itself is beautiful and surrounded by rocky headlands. Great for a picnic or just watching the waves. Parking fills by 9am in summer.
7. Hike the Bubbles
Distance 1.5 mi RT Time 1-1.5 hrs Difficulty Moderate
Two rounded granite peaks overlooking Jordan Pond. The hike is short but steep and the summit views are some of the best in the park. Look for Bubble Rock, a glacial erratic balanced on the edge of South Bubble that looks like it could roll off at any moment. It has been sitting there for about 15,000 years.
8. Hike to The Bowl
Distance 2.3 mi RT Time 1.5-2 hrs Difficulty Moderate
A hidden mountain pond tucked between the Beehive and Champlain Mountain. The trail from Sand Beach passes through forest before opening up to the serene pond. This is the calmer alternative to the Beehive trail and makes a good loop when combined with it.
9. Schoodic Peninsula
Distance 6 mi scenic drive + walks Time 2-3 hrs Difficulty Easy
The quiet side of Acadia. Schoodic is across Frenchman Bay from Mount Desert Island and sees a fraction of the traffic. The one-way loop road hugs the coast with several pulloffs for dramatic ocean views. Schoodic Point, at the tip of the peninsula, is one of the most powerful coastal spots in the park. Waves crash against the granite in spectacular fashion.
10. Explore the Carriage Roads
Distance 45 miles of roads Time Half day-full day Difficulty Easy-Moderate
John D. Rockefeller Jr. funded 45 miles of broken-stone carriage roads through the park in the early 1900s. They are closed to motor vehicles and are perfect for walking, biking, or horseback riding. The stone bridges along the way are beautiful. Rent a bike in Bar Harbor and explore at your own pace.
11. Otter Point
Distance Short walk from parking Time 30 min Difficulty Easy
A rocky headland along the Park Loop Road with some of the best coastal views in Acadia. Pink granite, crashing waves, and offshore islands. A great spot for a picnic and an easy stop on any Park Loop Road drive.
12. Drive the Park Loop Road
Distance 27 mi loop Time 2-4 hrs with stops Difficulty Easy (driving)
The main scenic drive in Acadia. Hits Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, Jordan Pond, and the Cadillac Mountain turnoff. Parts of it are one-way. Budget at least 2 hours with stops, more if you’re hiking along the way.
13. Stargazing
Distance N/A Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Easy
Acadia hosts an annual Night Sky Festival in September and offers ranger-led stargazing programs throughout the summer. The park sits far enough from major cities that on a clear night the Milky Way is visible. Best spots are Cadillac Mountain summit and Sand Beach after dark.
14. Eat Lobster
Distance Bar Harbor Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Easy
You are in Maine. Eating lobster is mandatory. Bar Harbor has excellent lobster rolls, lobster dinners, and lobster mac and cheese at a dozen restaurants within walking distance of each other. The lobster pound experience (outdoor, bibs, melted butter) is the way to go at least once.
Related: Is Acadia National Park Overrated? An Honest Take
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cadillac Mountain really the first place to see the sunrise?
From October 7 through March 6, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise. During the rest of the year, other locations in Maine (like Mars Hill) beat it by a few minutes. Either way, the sunrise from the summit is spectacular.
When is peak fall foliage?
Typically the first two weeks of October. The exact timing varies by year depending on temperatures and rainfall. Check local foliage reports before booking your trip.
Is Acadia good for kids?
Very much so. Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, the carriage roads, and the Park Loop Road stops are all family-friendly. The Beehive Trail is not appropriate for young children due to exposure and iron rungs.
Book your Cadillac sunrise reservation the moment the 2-day window opens. The 90-day batch sells out fast, but the 2-day-prior release (70% of total spots) drops at 10 AM ET and is your best shot. Set an alarm. If you miss it, you can hike up from the North Ridge trailhead with no reservation needed on foot.
Ride the carriage roads, do not just hike them. Acadia has 45 miles of broken-stone carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. with no cars allowed. Rent bikes in Bar Harbor and ride the loop around Eagle Lake or Jordan Pond. It is the most relaxed, beautiful cycling you will find at any national park.
Eat the popovers at Jordan Pond House. This is not generic food advice. Jordan Pond House has been serving popovers with butter and jam since the 1890s, and the view of the Bubbles from the lawn is one of the most iconic dining spots in the park system. Go for lunch to avoid the dinner wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 7-day vehicle pass costs $35. Walk-in or bicycle entry is $20 per person, and motorcycles pay $30. The $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry.
Mid-September through mid-October is the best window. Fall foliage peaks in early October, summer crowds have thinned, and temps sit in the 50s to 60s. June and early July are the pick for longer days and warmer water if you want to swim at Sand Beach.
Yes. A vehicle reservation is required for the Cadillac Summit Road from May 20 through October 25, 2026. Reservations cost $6 per vehicle on Recreation.gov. Sunrise and daytime reservations are separate. 30% of slots release 90 days in advance; 70% release 2 days in advance at 10 AM ET.
Plan for at least 2 days to cover a Cadillac Mountain sunrise, Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond House for popovers, and one solid hike like Precipice Trail or Beehive. Ideally spend 3 to 4 days to add the carriage roads by bike, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Schoodic Peninsula, and time to explore Bar Harbor.
Bangor International Airport (BGR) is about 50 miles north, roughly a 75 to 90 minute drive to Bar Harbor via US-1A, and is served by major carriers. From Portland (PWM), it is a 3-hour drive via I-95 to US-1. From Boston (BOS), it is 4.5 hours via I-95 North.
How to Get to Acadia National Park
The best mid-range airport option is Bangor International (BGR), about 50 miles north and a 75 to 90 minute drive to Bar Harbor via US-1A, served by major carriers. From Portland, it is a 3-hour drive via I-95 to US-1. From Boston, plan on 4.5 hours via I-95 North. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is only 20 minutes from the park but is served only by Cape Air with connections through Boston Logan.
