Acadia National Park, referred to as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast”. With its jaw-dropping natural beauty; 33 miles of scenic motor roads, 40 miles of rocky shoreline and more than 150 miles of hiking trails you will find numerous ways to explore the park. It’s no wonder Acadia gets over 4 million visitors each year.
A park entrance pass ($20-$35) is required at Acadia National Park, and if you are interested in taking your vehicle up to the Cadillac summit, you will need to make a reservation at Recreation.gov and pay a $6 fee. Reservations are not required if you enter the area by foot, bike or taxi. Cadillac is not served by the Island Explorer shuttle.
Table of Contents
When to go
Winter
- Average temperature: 15-25 °F
- Average snowfall: 60 inches
The perfect time to get some solitude and witness Acadia’s winter wonderland in all its glory. Although only two sections of the park (Ocean Drive and Jordan Pond Road) are open to motor traffic during this season, they are the most scenic (Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs). You can experience more of the park, via a snowmobile on the unplowed 27-mile Park Loop Road and the road up Cadillac Mountain. Prefer a quieter and slower-paced experience? Go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the 30+ miles of groomed trails (over Carriage Road), try ice-climbing with Acadia Mountain Guides, go ice skating on the frozen lakes or try your hand at ice-fishing. Note: snowshoe, ski and ice skate rentals are available in Bar Harbor. Keep in mind that it gets dark early in the winter months, and the trails are icy at higher elevations.
Spring
- Average temperature: 30-60 °F
- Average rainfall: 15-17 inches
Cold, windy and muddy. But don’t let that deter you. You can still enjoy the beautiful Acadia by birdwatching, taking a nature walk to see the blooming spring flowers, exploring coastal hikes or simply going on a leisurely bike ride.
Summer
- Average temperature: 70-85 °F
- Average ocean water temperature: 55-60 °F
Acadia National Park is fully open, with an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from. Hiking, biking, climbing, swimming, the list is endless. This is a peak season for tourism (particularly July and August), which means large crowds, congested Park Loop Road and limited parking. Believe me when I say this, looking for a parking spot during this seasons, is a nightmare! Consider taking a free Island Explorer shuttle to get around the park.
Fall
- Average temperature: 45-65 °F
- Average rainfall: 16-19 inches
Leaf peeping and foliage photography are just a couple of great activities to do in the fall season…well along with drinking pumpkin lattes. New England Fall is famous for its unmatched vibrant foliage and it’s no surprise that this is another popular tourist season. Hike up one of the mountains or drive up Mt. Cadillac to get a good view of crimson red, orange and gold kaleidoscope autumn colors. Foliage season is typically from late September to mid October. Stay informed via Maine’s official foliage tracker.
Where to stay
Acadia offers four different campgrounds for lodging; Seawall, Blackwoods, Schoodic Woods and Duck Harbor. Reservations are available two months in advance and must be made at Recreation.gov. Not a camper? Here are some lodging options in Bar Harbor.
Where to eat
There’s only one restaurant in the park:
Enjoy locally-sourced food and the famed popovers that have been served by this historic restaurant for the past 120 years. Not in the mood for a full meal? Enjoy their traditional afternoon tea on the lawn with incredible views of the Jordan Pond and the Bubbles Mountains. Due to its popularity, reservations are strongly recommended (a month in advance max). The onsite parking lot is small and always full, so plan accordingly or consider taking a shuttle.
What to do
Acadia has so much to offer for any outdoor enthusiast. Hike, bike, climb, horseback ride, swim, paddle or picnic. With its many attractions, you will find numerous ways to explore the park.
1. Be wowed by Thunder Hole
No, it’s not a storm brewing. The thunderous roar is the sound of the Thunder Hole, caused by the powerful collision of waves and the air escaping through the narrow channel. The wave sprays can spout up to 40ft high as the waves collide, and if you are standing behind the barrier on the ledge, you will get sprayed! Which might be refreshing on a hot summer day, but use caution as the waves can be very powerful and it can also get slippery. It’s an incredible but illusive phenomenon that requires good timing (1 – 2hrs before high tide), that I personally never witnessed despite my best efforts. Here’s the tide schedule for your reference.
2. Paddle in Acadia
Enjoy the quiet beauty as you paddle on the motorboat-free Jordan Pond. Take in the views of the Bubbles mountains and the lush forests, spot bald eagles and loons. Canoe and Kayak rentals are available at National Park Canoe & Kayak Rentals.
3. Go climbing in Acadia
Looking for an epic adventure? Join a personalized rock climbing experience tailored to your fitness and interests with Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School. All equipment is provided, all you need is your sense of adventure. Tours range from 3 – 7hrs.
4. Go for a bike ride
Enjoy an invigorating bike ride along the Carriage roads that are closed to all motor traffic. Acadia Bike provides 21-speed bikes, helmets and complimentary maps.
5. Go on a carriage tour
Enjoy a fully-narrated tour the old fashioned way – by carriage. Acadia by Carriage is open May – October with different tour options, offering a one-of-a-kind experience. You will enjoy incredible views of Schoodic Peninsula, Cranberry Isles, Mt. Desert Islands and even ride to the top of Day Mountain. Tours range from 1 – 2hrs.
6. Leave no trace, in this "gem"
Rent an Acadia GEM and tour in style without leaving a carbon footprint in the 100% electric low speed vehicle. GEM vehicles have neat features like a glass ceiling, and doors that can be removed. They come in 2-seat, 4-seat or 6-seat vehicles.
7. Spend the day at Sand Beach
Acadia’s only sandy beach, nestled in a secluded cove where you can explore tidepools, enjoy a refreshing swim in the cold Maine waters, or just relax on a blanket and take in the views.
8. Take a hike
I would be remiss not to add hiking to my list of things to do. Acadia offers over 150 miles of hiking trails, that include summit hikes, coastal hikes and lake & forest hikes. Here are my top five recommended summit hikes:
- Cadillac North Ridge Trail: Be the first one to see the dawning of a new day in the US, on the summit of the tallest mountain (1530ft) on the East Coast, and be rewarded with sweeping views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and Schoodic Peninsula. It’s a moderate 4.4-mile hike.
- Precipice Loop: Hike up the vertical cliff face with exposed ledges to the summit of Mount Champlain (1058ft). This exhilarating hike, where you are literally walking on the side of a sheer cliff with a dramatic 1,000ft drop-off while holding on to a metal rung, will give you an adrenaline rush. Be rewarded with incredible views of the Frenchman Bay at the summit. It’s a difficult 3.2mile hike, and is not recommended for small children or for people with a fear of heights.
- Beech Cliff Trail: Enjoy this fun little hike…err…climb (you will climb several steel ladders) to the top of the cliff. Keep this in mind if you are hiking with kids or fur babies. You will enjoy great views of St. Sauveur Mountain and Echo Lake through out the hike. It’s a 1.8mile loop with 492ft of elevation gain. Be sure to take a dip and cool off in the lake after the hike.
- Pemetic Mountain Loop: A moderate hike with unparalleled views of Penobscot and Sargent Mountains and the Jordan Pond. This is a 5mile hike with 1040ft elevation gain.
- Perpendicular and Razorback Loop: For a short and moderate hike, with 300 steps carved into the granite, you are rewarded with amazing views of the Long Pond and the Beech Mountain. This is a 2.8mile hike with a 902ft elevation gain. Be sure to go counter clock wise on this loop.