Hi there! Are you ready to plan a magical trip to Acadia National Park?! Explore the rugged coastline and high seaside peaks of this gorgeous lobster-loving island! You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.
Acadia is a place you will never forget — and likely somewhere you will talk about for years to come. Stunning pink granite cliffs, boisterous waves, and dramatic mountain peaks are yours for adventuring. This incredible place will leave you speechless!
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Acadia and am here to help! Whether this is your first time at Acadia National Park, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 10 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Acadia National Park
- Don’t miss out on anything during your trip! For the best experience, get an early start to your day and have a solid plan — like this detailed itinerary.
- No lodging is available within Acadia National Park, but camping is available. Campsites are extremely popular, and reservations are recommended well in advance. The town of Bar Harbor and several other small communities offer numerous lodging options if you’d like to stay in a hotel.
- The Jordan Pond House is the only restaurant in the park, but the town of Bar Harbor is a mecca for delicious cuisine. Lobster and blueberry pie is a can’t-miss!
- Acadia National Park is quite pet-friendly compared to most other national parks. Learn how to enjoy your trip with your furry friends and how to become a “bark ranger.”
- Numerous hiking trails converge and overlap in this park, so you don’t want to be caught hiking without a map. This is the map I use and recommend for Acadia National Park.
Traffic and crowding in Acadia can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to wait an hour or more to enter the park or catch the shuttle?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Acadia Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off-the-beaten-path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see the list of 10 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Acadia National Park.
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Would hiking the Cadillac Summit North Ridge Trail be a good option for avoiding the parking area sunrise madness?
It’s definitely an option, though that hike is quite strenuous. Now that the reservation system is in place, it’s not nearly as crazy at the top of Cadillac Mountain as it used to be. If you want to hike, then that’s great! But if you don’t, I wouldn’t hike the trail just for the sake of avoiding the parking lot.
Will there be an Acadia podcast episode?? I’m loving the podcast & I’m going to Acadia in August! Even got my mom listening!
It’s coming at the end of July!
Ash,
My wife and I, and my sister and brother-in-law are planning a trip to Acadia in the near future. Your article, pictures and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Really looking forward to our upcoming trip.
Thanks,
Bill
So glad the info is helpful for you! I’m so excited for you to visit Acadia — stay tuned for the itinerary release in early 2019 if you need more tips/suggestions for your trip.
Great to hear from you again. We’re planning a trip to Acadia in 2019-2020. A timely post by my favorite hiker.
Thanks Scott! I’m so excited for you to go!