Maine only has one National Park and that is Acadia NP! It’s beautiful, it’s got tons of things to do, and it’s so inconveniently located if you’re planning on visiting Portland or the Highlands. DownEast is a weird area to get to because as the crow flies, it’s right next to MidCoast Maine, so it should just be a short drive… Alas, it’s a trek and once you get here you’ll want to enjoy every moment. We’ve been to Acadia National Park many times so have lots of good tips for planning a visit and keeping things easy and fun.
If this is your first time visiting Acadia National Park, don’t worry, we’ve got lots of information on logistics for getting around the park, things to do and see, and where to stay at Acadia NP. It’s an easy place to enjoy once you understand how the park is laid out and what visiting Bar Harbor is like. Don’t worry, you’ll have a great time. If you have any questions about planning an Acadia National Park trip or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun trip to explore Maine!
Check out our 3 Day Acadia National Park itinerary here!
Where is Acadia National Park?
Located in coastal DownEast Maine, Acadia National Park is very different from other NPS sites you might visit. Unlike Yellowstone National Park, Acadia is broken into sections with roads, towns and harbors between them. It’s more similar to Olympic National Park or John Day Fossil Beds (the Painted Hills) in that there are multiple park units, and getting between them takes some understanding and proper planning. Acadia is similar to Wrangell-St Elias National Park in Alaska in that there are three main areas to visit.
Acadia takes up most of Mount Desert Island, which is an island, but looks like a peninsula of peninsulas. The whole landmass is squiggly and full of coves and harbors. It’s about a 1 hour drive from Bangor, 2 hours from Rockland, and 3+ hours from Portland, Maine. There are lots of things to do near Acadia, so spend time explore the area in addition to the Park. It also includes the Schoodic Peninsula and several islands, including Isle au Haut.
They call the area Down East or Downeast or DownEast, because you have to head east and then go down to the south to access the region, hence “Go down east.” DownEast includes the Mount Desert Island area and all along the coast eastward to the Canadian border, including the town of Lubec and the West Quoddy Lighthouse.
Entering Acadia NP: Paying for Park Entrance and Reservations
Since Acadia is split up quite a bit and there are towns and other parks between its sections, it can be a bit confusing how to pay and get maps. There are a few places to do this, and be sure that you do, as using the National Park roads and facilities without paying is not allowed. The easiest option is to stop into the Acadia Gateway Center. Here you can purchase your Acadia pass and get maps, as well as get all the info you need about the Down East region. There is also parking here to do the shuttle into the park, as peak summer days are just crazy busy and you won’t want to be driving.
The other places you can get your Acadia pass are at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (quite the walk from parking to the building) or at the Sieur de Monts Nature Center. If you are a National Parks Passholder, be sure you properly display your valid pass in your vehicle. You don’t need a reservation to access the park and drive the Park Loop Road, but as of Fall 2022, you do need a reservation to drive up Cadillac Mountain in the middle of the park, but the rest of the road are open to all visitors.
Using the Acadia National Park Shuttle
Like with Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon NPS, there is a free shuttle to get visitors to most of the sights and trails around Acadia National Park, the Island Explorer. There are several different routes, so plan what your things to do and see before just jumping on a bus.
To get familiar with the system and have your questions answered before you catch the shuttle, visit the Hulls Cove Visitor Center or Gateway Center and chat with a ranger. They’ll get you sorted and pointed in the right direction for your plans. You’ll be able to take the shuttle from either visitor center.
Driving in Acadia National Park
The main area of Acadia most people visit is located on Mount Desert Island. The Park Loop Road goes around most of this section and has lots of stops with parking areas so you can get out and see the sights. The traffic on the Park Loop Road can be crazy on weekends and through most of the summer. The best time of day to drive in Acadia is in the morning, and then spend your afternoon doing other activities in the park. You can avoid much of the Park Loop Road if you’re just trying to get to your trail head for hiking, but there are some trails that leave from the eastern side of the loop, so you’ll have to plan for any traffic or minimal parking if that’s a part of your day’s plan.
Visiting areas on the western part of the park are much easier and driving isn’t typically too bad. The exception to this is visiting the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. There is very little parking and unless you’re one of the first ones there in the morning, you’ll likely have to sit in your car for fifteen minutes or so before a parking spot opens in the lot at the lighthouse. You cannot park on the road, but you need to wait in your vehicle.
Driving over to the Schoodic Peninsula is a much more mellow Acadia experience. The Schoodic Peninsula isn’t as popular as Mount Desert Island, so there is much less traffic. The sites are beautiful and there are some nice quiet hikes. Allow an hour to drive from Bar Harbor to the Schoodic. Enjoy the small towns of Winter Harbor and Hancock on the drive, and plan to be here for the sunset as it falls behind Cadillac Mountain.
Activities in Acadia NP
So what is there to do in Acadia? There are lots of things you can plan for, but it really does depend on how much time you have, what the weather is like, and how much energy you have. Many people visit and just do the scenic drive on the Park Loop Road, maybe have lunch at Jordan Pond, and then end their day in Bar Harbor. That’s a fine plan if you’re strapped for time, but if you have more than just a day, there are some really fun, beautiful things to do in Acadia National Park.
Favorite Acadia National Park Hikes
We enjoying hiking when we visit Acadia NP, but we haven’t done every single trail. Here are our top picks for both challenging and fairly easy hikes. Keep in mind for the mountain hikes that rainy weather can make the granite rock very slippery and dangerous, so choose your hiking trails with consideration of the weather.
- Cadillac Mountain Trails – you can hike around at the top of Cadillac Mountain or follow the trails down to connect to other points in the park. Starting at the top and working your way down is easiest.
- Jordan Pond Loop with the Bubbles – easy trail around Jordan Pond with an extension over to the Bubble Pond if you want
- Ocean Path – this is the path along the Park Loop Road and is very easy, but very long
- Eagle Lake Loop – this is a part of the Carriage Road system but is one of the prettiest lakes to visit, so it warrants being its own hike.
- Beehive Loop – difficult and scary for some people, do not attempt in the rain
- Beech Mountain Trail – this is a fun trail and you get to visit a fire lookout tower
- Seaside Path – easy trail for exploring the woods and getting to the tiny town of Seal Harbor (good place to rent bikes)
Biking in Acadia National Park: the Carriage Roads
Biking is the BEST activity in Acadia National Park, and if you have the time and ability to do it, you’ll love it too. There are very specific routes where bikes are and aren’t allowed within the Mount Desert Island section of the park, so be mindful of the signage. The famous Carriage Roads are the best trails for biking as they’re broad, well maintained and beautiful. You can ride all over the place via the Carriage Roads and you’ll be amazed by the views they’ll bring you to.
Given that Acadia NP is centered around the granite mountains rising from the Gulf of Maine, keep in mind the elevation gain that comes with biking here. The Carriage Roads are great because they’ve been constructed in a way that gradually takes you up the mountains, but it’s still going to be a workout. Even on an E-bike, this is a challenging day.
Check out our full guide to biking in Acadia National Park for recommendations for where to ride and where to rent bikes in Bar Harbor and the surrounding area.
Beaches in Acadia NP
Not many people think of Maine as a beachy state, but it has some beautiful ones, including in Acadia National Park. You’ll find several beach access spots along the Park Loop Road and Mount Desert Island. The water is warmest at Sandy Beach, but you can swim at all of them. There are minimal facilities at the beach access areas, as this isn’t the primary feature of the park, but you’ll find plenty of parking, each access to the water and you’ll have a fun time.
Note: even in the summer, the waters flowing through the Gulf of Maine don’t get too terribly warm. Be smart about when you’re getting too cold and keep an eye on kids, as the changing tides can be surprising.
Where to Stay at Acadia National Park
When you’re planning your Acadia National Park trip, you’re probably thinking a lot about where to stay. This is an important consideration and will shape the sort of visit you have. Staying within the park means that you’re camping, but staying in Bar Harbor and the other towns around Mount Desert Island allows for hotel and resort stays, which can be wonderful and really let you enjoy Maine beyond the park.
There are lots of small inns and large hotels around Bar Harbor. You’ll have the best luck with availability here, but you’ll also be paying crazy rates in the summer months. Bar Harbor is the most expensive destination in Maine, so as you’re planning your Acadia trip, keep this in mind when it comes to your budget. Having said that, if Acadia is just part of your bigger Maine trip, you’ll be able to save on accommodations in other areas, so that can offset how expensive Acadia and Bar Harbor are.
TOP PICK: Terramor Outdoor Resort
My favorite place we’ve stayed at Acadia National Park is the Terramor Outdoor Resort. This is a beautiful glamping destination with luxury platform tents. They are fully plumbed and have electricity, and they’re so spacious. Really, it’s the most beautiful setting and an exceptional experience.
Getting to Acadia NPS
The easiest way to get to Acadia National Park is to drive from either Bangor or Portland, ME. While the drive isn’t on large interstates for most of it, the roads are well maintained and there are plenty of towns and services along whichever route you choose to get to Acadia. This is one of the prettiest drives in autumn for fall colors, and you can even do a little detour before arriving to do the DownEast Railway.
If you want to fly to Acadia, you’ll need to either fly regional air from Boston into Hancock County Airport, 10 miles from Acadia National Park or arrive via charter seaplane. Bangor is the nearest “major” airport (BGR) with commercial flights from New York, Philadelphia and more. Bangor is one of the easiest airports on the east coast.
Did you know you can also get to Bar Harbor (Acadia) via major ferry? It’s true! If you’re visiting from Nova Scotia, you can take the Cat Ferry boat from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia directly into Bar Harbor. The boat ride is 3.5 hours and you can board either with your vehicle or as a walk-on passenger. A PASSPORT IS REQUIRED.
That should do for getting you oriented and understanding how to plan a visit to Acadia National Park. It’s a beautiful place to explore and the activities really make for a fun visit. Please check out our other articles about visiting Acadia NP, and if you have any other questions or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great time exploring Maine.
