Acadia National Park is a true showcase of the northeast’s pristine and rugged beauty. From its rocky coastline to its granite mountains to its dense woodlands, this Maine gem captures the hearts of millions of visitors each year. In late summer, my partner and I ventured to the East Coast to discover everything this park has to offer. Here’s what you need to know to experience Acadia National Park hikes, beauty, and charm, as well as how we spent four days exploring this storied landscape.
About Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park sits along Maine’s Atlantic coast and protects over 47,000 acres of land. Each year, four million visitors journey to this New England jewel. The first national park east of the Mississippi River, Mount Desert Island is home to its most iconic and popular attractions. However, it also protects land on Isle au Haut, Schoodic Peninsula, and 18 other islands.
From its mountain peaks to its rugged coastline, there is something for everyone here. Acadia National Park is home to over 150 miles of trails, ranging from gentle coastal strolls to intense climbs. For a more relaxed time, take a drive along the scenic Park Loop Road. And if you can snag a permit, wake up early and drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain to experience one of the first sunrises in the United States! After exploring the park, visit the nearby town of Bar Harbor for a meal or treat. Acadia National Park is a perfect getaway and will leave you inspired and in awe.
History
Acadia National Park’s history is steeped in philanthropy. In fact, the park came to be not from a public land acquisition or with public dollars, but from private citizen donations. Three of the biggest philanthropists, Charles W. Eliot, George B. Dorr, and John D. Rockefeller, gave 5,000 acres of land to the federal government, which became Sieur de Monts National Monument on July 8, 1916.
As the park grew in size and with continued lobbying by Dorr, President Woodrow Wilson gave this land its national park status, establishing Lafayette National Park on February 26, 1919. About 10 years later, this park’s current name, Acadia National Park, was adopted when Schoodic Peninsula was donated to the National Park Service. These days, Acadia National Park protects 47,448 acres of land.
How to get to Acadia National Park
If you’re flying to visit the park, you have several options. Boston Logan International Airport will likely have the most flights and cheapest fare, but it’s about 280 miles or 5 hours from the park. However, this is a solid choice if you’re up for a road trip and want to explore New England’s history, beauty, and culture.
Portland International Jetport is also an option, especially if you want to experience Maine’s largest city. It’s about three hours or 170 miles from the park along Maine’s scenic Route 1 (yes, Maine also has its own scenic coastal highway).
For closer options, look into Bangor International Airport, which is about an hour away, or Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, which is just a short drive from the park. Keep in mind that thesse are on the pricier side and are less flexible.
If you’re driving, the most direct route to Acadia National Park is via I-95. However, for a more picturesque and charming option, take U.S. Route 1, which winds along the Atlantic coastline.
When to Visit Acadia National Park
Your experience at Acadia National Park will vary drastically depending on when you visit.
Summer
Summer’s long days and pleasant weather make it one of the busiest times to visit the park. To avoid the crowds, make sure to start on any hikes or activities early in the morning. Alternatively, consider exploring less-popular areas, like Schoodic Peninsula, for a more solitary experience.
Fall
Fall is truly a magical time in Acadia National Park. While the weather is more brisk, the crowds have mostly thinned out. It’s also when the leaves change color, painting the mountains in beautiful red and orange hues. If you’re hoping to catch this vibrant transformation, then plan your visit for mid-October.
Winter
New England winters are notoriously hard, and Acadia National Park is no exception. Temperatures routinely drop below freezing, roads are often snowed over and icy, and amenities are few and far between. Additionally, Park Loop Road, the main artery of the park, closes between December and mid-April. However, if you’re a fan of winter activities, then you’ll love Acadia National Park during this season.
Spring
Also known as “mud season”, if you visit Acadia National Park in spring expect the hikes to be difficult or impossible to navigate due to the snowmelt and rain. In fact, much of the park is closed or operates on limited hours until April or May, when the weather is nicer and things have dried out.
Recreation Opportunities
Whatever you’re interested in, there are plenty of recreational opportunities to have a memorable experience. Acadia National Park has hikes of all difficulty levels, from short paths to using metal rungs to scale mountains. Whether you want to explore the rugged coastline, dense forests, or scenic mountain summits, there’s a trail for everyone.
Biking is also a favorite activity. Along with paved streets and highways, there are 45 miles of gravel carriage roads which are closed to vehicles, perfect for a stress-free bike ride.
If you’re looking for a scenic drive, then you’ll want to visit Park Loop Road. This mostly one-way 27-mile loop routes visitors to the park’s most popular destinations, like Sand Beach and Cadillac Mountain.
One of Acadia National Park’s most unique attractions is that visitors can head to Cadillac Mountain’s summit to experience the first sunrise in the United States (between mid-October and early March). Note that a vehicle reservation is required to drive to the top of the mountain from late May to late October. To help increase your odds of snagging a permit, check out our article below!
While backcountry and dispersed camping are not allowed, there are several designated campgrounds you can enjoy. Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds are located on Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Woods Campground is on the Schoodic Peninsula, and Duck Harbor Campground is on Isle au Haut.
If you’re looking to get out on the water, then you’re in luck. Because of its many lakes and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports like canoeing and kayaking, especially in the summer.
Four Days at Acadia National Park Experiencing its Hikes, Sights, and Food
This past summer, we spent four days exploring all that Acadia National Park has to offer. Here’s a recap of our adventure!
Day 1: Arriving at Acadia National Park
After landing in Portland, Maine the day before, my partner and I headed out at around noon and made the three-hour drive up to Acadia National Park. We made a few coffee stops along the way and arrived at Bar Harbor just in time for our reservation at Havana. Though on the pricey side, the food was delicious and the service was impeccable.
Once done eating, we drove into the park for a sunset hike along the coast.
Walking along the Ocean Path Trail
We made our way to Sand Beach to start the Ocean Path Trail about 45 minutes before sunset. This is one of the more mellow trails in Acadia National Park — we walked along a path next to Park Loop Road for a bit before routing away from the pavement and through a forest next to the coast. It was mostly flat and easy to navigate, and the sunset colors reflecting on the Atlantic Ocean were stunning. And because we went in the evening, a majority of the crowds left and we had the trail mostly to ourselves. Along the way, we stopped off at Thunder Hole. Unfortunately, it wasn’t going off when we visited. To experience its true power, try to arrive about 2 hours before high tide.
After hiking for about 1.5 miles, we turned around to head back to our cars. We didn’t want to stay out too late, as we had a very early morning the next day.
Day 2: Cadillac Mountain Sunrise and Hiking the Precipice Trail
We begrudgingly woke at 3 AM, which for me was even more difficult than normal as my body was still on West Coast time. However, after snoozing my alarm a few times I finally got out of bed and hopped into the car toward the Cadillac Mountain to witness one of the first sunrises in the country.
Sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain
Though Cadillac Mountain Summit Road is permitted, we were lucky enough to grab a sunrise vehicle reservation a few months prior. We arrived at the top of the mountain around 4:45 AM and while sunrise wasn’t until 5:54 AM, crowds of anxious visitors were already forming. We parked our car and found a spot away from the others to experience first light. Fortunately, it was a clear morning and we got to witness the beautiful sight unobstructed. As we waited, it was fun to see little dots of light floating on the surface of the ocean – fishing and lobster boats leaving for their morning catch. Finally, a glowing orb rose from behind the horizon line, and majestic purples, reds, and oranges painted the sky above and the glassy ocean below. It was truly a special experience and very much worth the early morning.
We basked in the sun’s glow until around 6:15 AM and then headed off to our next destination.
Scaling the Precipice Trail
Since we were already awake, we decided to hit one of the park’s most popular trails before the crowds. So, we drove about 20 minutes to the start of the Precipice Trail. At 2.6 miles long and with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, this hike seems relatively unassuming. But with open cliff faces and sections that require you to scale iron rungs, it’ll get your heart pumping. It’s one of the most intense trails in all of Acadia National Park. It also closes between late spring and mid-August for nesting peregrine falcons.
As someone used to gently sloping West Coast trails, I was surprised at just how steep and sheer this hike was. While there were a few mellow sections, most of the time I was scrambling over large boulders or climbing up iron rungs drilled into the rock. I found these obstacles thrilling though on my way to the trail’s high point, the 1058-foot summit of Champlain Mountain.
At the top, we sat and took in the sights for a few minutes before working our way back down. The National Park Service advises hikers not to descend down the Precipice, so we looped our way back to our cars taking the Champlain North Ridge Trail to Orange & Black Path. When we reached the parking lot at around 8 AM, it was completely full and vehicles started parking along the side of the road, which reinforced our decision to come early.
Exploring Bar Harbor
We were starving after our hike and headed to Bar Harbor for a hearty breakfast. We made our way to Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast for an all-American meal with a Maine twist. I ordered bacon, eggs, and blueberry pancakes with blueberry honey. It was one of the best breakfasts I had all year, especially the pancakes. While I was expecting whole blueberries dispersed through the pancakes, the berries were also infused into the batter itself, giving each bite a rich, fruity flavor.
We were exhausted after our long morning, so we took a much-needed nap. The rest of the day we took it easy, relaxing and exploring the town of Bar Harbor.
Day 3: Summitting The Beehive and Gorham Mountain, Plus Trying Maine Lobster
Day three was full of even more hiking, as well as getting to try some fresh Maine lobster.
Tackling the Beehive Trail and Gorham Mountain
Still recovering from the previous day’s 3 AM alarm, we made it to the Sand Beach parking lot at the later-but-still-early time of 8:30 AM to tackle the Beehive Trail. Similar to the Precipice Trail, this hike features non-technical climbing up iron rungs. However, it’s shorter and much less intense, making it a good option if you’re interested in some thrills but don’t want something as demanding as the Precipice Trail.
Despite showing up somewhat early, there were still lots of people. We had to wait in line before most of the ladder sections. If you’re visiting in the summer or early fall, you’ll need to arrive close to sunrise to avoid the crowds.
After a slow half mile of climbing, we finally reached the 520-foot summit of The Beehive. At this point, most people will head on the Bowl Trail for a short, 1.5-mile loop. We however wanted to extend our day and instead hiked along the Gorham Mountain Trail, which would eventually lead us to the Ocean Path Trail. I’m glad that we took this route, as the hiking was relatively easy and much quieter than on the Beehive Trail. Also, we got to bag the 525-foot Gorham Mountain. We returned to our car, having traveled 3.5 miles and gaining 754 feet of elevation. However, there was one more hike on the agenda.
Soaking in the coastal views along the Great Head Trail
On the other side of Sand Beach is the Great Head Trail. A lot more gentle than both the Precipice and Beehive Trails, this short hike features gorgeous ocean views and striking rock outcroppings. It’s also great for the whole family and has direct access to the beach. It was a calm cooldown hike for us, and I loved seeing the pine trees sprout from the rocky cliffs, with sailboats enjoying the pristine weather on the Atlantic. It was a peaceful way to end our day in the park.
A Maine lobster feast
After hiking all morning, we worked up an appetite and headed to the Union River Lobster Pot for dinner. I ordered the 1 ½ pound lobster dinner, which included the whole shellfish, french fries, and coleslaw. After hearing about how revered the lobster is here, I couldn’t wait to dig in. I am not exaggerating when I say that it was one of the best lobsters I’ve ever had, and at $32 it cost a fraction of what it would have back home in California! It’s a meal that I won’t forget for a long time.
Day 4: Venturing to Schoodic Penninsula and Kayaking in the Atlantic
We woke up on our last day in Acadia National Park to explore the hikes and sights at Schoodic Peninsula. This section of the park is away from Mount Desert Island, so it gets far fewer visitors.
Exploring Schoodic Peninsula’s hiking trails
It was foggy and misty when we arrived at Schoodic Peninsula and started on the Alder and Anvil Trails. The weather and the dense foliage gave the morning a moody, Pacific Northwest feel which I enjoyed. Though mostly forested, the few viewpoints we hiked to revealed beautiful vistas of the peninsula and the ocean. Plus, there was hardly anyone around the entire time, which was a stark and welcome change from the previous day.
Once we completed the loop, we took the short drive to the Sundew Trail. This short and flat loop features several lookouts, giving you plenty of opportunities to take in the beautiful coastal sights. We took our time, soaking up the entire experience. Once we returned to our cars, we drove to Bar Harbor for one last excursion on the water.
A sunset kayak tour on the Atlantic
To cap off our time in Maine, we visited Coastal Kayaking Tours for a sunset tour. We donned life jackets, hopped in a kayak, and were off. Our tour guide took us throughout Frenchman Bay, including past several small nearby islands. As we paddled, we saw a wide variety of aquatic life in the golden hour light, including seals and a Minke whale. Finally, at dusk we returned to shore, marking the end of both the day and our time at Acadia National Park.
I thoroughly enjoyed my four days exploring Acadia National Park and its hikes, viewpoints, sunrises, and food! Safe to say that I have a newfound appreciation for nature on the East Coast. If you’re hoping to have an outdoor adventure at Acadia National Park or elsewhere, please reach out! We at GoForth are experts at turning your outdoor dreams into a reality. Click on the button below to learn more about our offerings, and contact us if you’re ready to take the first step toward a life outdoors!
