Acadia National Park Guide
About
Located on Mount Desert Island, just south of Ellsworth. There is a ton to do in the local area. Most visitors stay in or near Bar Harbor, a very popular tourist town. If you’re looking for a local vibe on places to stay try Ellsworth, Lamoine or Bass Harbor.
There is not much in terms of food inside the park. There is the Jordan Pond House for a formal lunch or dinner service. I would recommend packing in your food so you don’t have to plan your whole day around being in one spot.
The high tourism season here is June-October, with many cruise ships coming into Bar Harbor as well. The shoulder seasons see a noticeable drop in visitation if you don’t want to fight crowds.
Things to Do
Park Loop Road
Most of the attractions are located directly on the 26 mile Park Loop Road. Part of the road is one-way traffic, which can create your schedule for you.
Cadillac Mountain
The entrance to the road that will bring you up Cadillac Mountain is before where the one-way traffic starts. As of 2022, you’ll need a reservation to drive up to the top. Being on the summit for sunrise is an Acadia National Park must-do. Note: Cadillac Mountain is the first place to see the sunrise, you need to be there 30 minutes-1 hour before sunrise is actually slated to happen. The road up is winding and narrow, if you have anxiety driving you may want to sit this one out.
Between the beginning of the one-way road and the first major attraction (Sand Beach) there are multiple pull-offs with great views. You can look back at Bar Harbor from a few of them.
Sand Beach
Probably one of the most picturesque spots in Acadia. The parking lot here fills up fast in the summer months, and it will stay full. In the shoulder seasons the parking lot will fill up but spots will come available as people come and go. If you walk all the way down the beach there is an inlet with a great view of the Beehive Trail. The Sand Beach parking area has a nice bathroom and changing area if you want to get out of a wet bathing suit.
Thunder Hole
This spot is one where the wow factor is heavily dependent on when you get there. You need to catch it when the tide is coming in, around 1-2 hours before high tide. The rougher the day on the sea the better for the “thunder”. As the water comes in against the rocks the water hits a natural cave and results in the big boom and spray of water. If you’re there when there is calm seas or low tide it is still a good spot to enjoy the view of the coast.
Fabbri Picnic Spot
This spot isn’t necessarily one of the major stops in the park but there are wonderful views and usually fewer crowds. We stopped and had lunch here and it was quite peaceful.
Between Little Hunter’s Beach and the Jordan Pond House you’ll drive under two beautiful carriage road bridges. Also an awesome spot to pull off and take some photos.
Wildwood Stables
Want to take a horse-drawn carriage ride down the Carriage Roads? You’re in luck. Wildwood Stable offers rides May-October each year. They also offer a place for your horses if you want to bring your own to ride on the Carriage Roads.
Jordan Pond House
A famous Acadia National Park spot. The Jordan Pond House protocols have changed significantly over the past few years during COVID. Check out their current policies before your trip for the most smooth transaction there. It can get incredibly crowded here and you may need to circle for a while to find a parking spot. The popovers here are 10/10, we have never actually gotten lunch or any other food but popovers from the restaurant. The gift shop is really nice as well, try to get there early if you don’t want to be shoulder to shoulder. Once you’re done visiting the Jordan Pond House take a stroll around the grounds for amazing views of the bubbles and Jordan Pond.
Go Hiking
Take a Tour by Boat
There are several companies that offer boat tours of the coastline of Acadia that operate out of Bar Harbor. Depending on your needs you could choose a sailboat charter or a whale-watching style boat that will bring you right along the shoreline.
Isle au Haut
An interesting sidebar of Acadia, Isle au Haut is half privately owned and half National Park. If you want to visit the island you’ll have to catch a ferry from Stonington. Stonington is not incredibly close to Acadia if you’re limited on time. There is a campground and some hiking trails on the island.
Schoodic Peninsula
A little hidden gem for those who want a spot away from the crowds. Schoodic is just as beautiful as the main part of the park but lacks the “main attractions”. There is a 6-mile one-way road that will take you along the coastline with amazing views. Schoodic Peninsula is about an hour away from the main park, so it would be best visited if you have at least a two-day itinerary.
Tips for Visiting
- Pack in your own food and snacks
- The early mornings and early evenings are the best times to be in the park
- Jordan Pond House is busiest around lunch time
- If you plan on hiking, do your #1 priority trail first. Parking lots for trailheads fill up quickly and for the most part stay full
- Depending on your trail wish list you can complete multiple in one day
- Be prepared for traffic on Park Loop Road
- If you plan on spending time at Sand Beach in the middle of the summer, arrive early to get your spot.