ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
“Saved to future generations as it has been to us…
…in the wild primeval beauty of the nature it exhibits, of ancient rocks and still more ancient sea, with infinite detail of life and landscape interest between, the spirit and mind of man will surely find in it in the years and centuries to come an inspiration and a means of growth as essential to them ever and anon as are fresh air and sunshine to the body.”
— GEORGE B. DORR (FULL ACCOUNT HERE)
Welcome to the Ultimate Acadia Trip Planning Guide
From the rugged pink coastline to the mountaintops that see the country’s first sunlight, Acadia is full of beauty and surprises.
What was once a retreat for many famously wealthy Americans {like Rockefellers, Carnegies, and Vanderbilts} soon became a place for all to enjoy…thanks to those same families and others who wanted to preserve this peaceful place. Get ready for an adventure of epic proportions as you explore the remarkable scenery here on Mount Desert Island!
ACADIA AT-A-GLANCE
Location: Maine
What It’s Famous For: A rocky Atlantic Ocean coastline, wildlife, and epic summit hikes
Highest Elevation You Can Reach by Road: 1,503 feet above sea level (Cadillac Summit Road)
Established: January 19, 1929 — this is national park #18
Size: 48,000 acres — this is a very small national park
Crowd Levels: High, with around 4 million visitors each year — this is the 6th busiest national park.
COMMON ACADIA TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where is Acadia, and how do I get there?
Acadia National Park is primarily located on an island in the beautiful state of Maine, so even just getting here is a fun and exciting adventure!
I suggest flying into Portland or Boston. In this article, I share details about the best airports and roads in the area.
Is Acadia open year-round?
Acadia is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend at Acadia?
You’ll want at least 3-4 days to fully explore Acadia National Park.
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between other points of interest in the area.
When is the best time to visit Acadia?
If you’re just getting started with your Acadia trip planning but are unsure of the best time to go, I’ve got you covered!
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: Late May or September
- Travel during the summer: August
- Save money: May
- Have a unique adventure: January
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect at Acadia — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO IN ACADIA
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Cadillac Mountain Summit
- Bar Island
- Carriage Roads
- South Bubble
- Ocean Path
- The Beehive
- Sand Beach
- Jordan Pond
- Gorham Mountain
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot in Acadia National Park in great detail. You’ll learn about the important things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do in Acadia:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Peregrine Watch
- Evening programs
- Boat Tour
WITH KIDS
- Tidepooling
- Jr. Ranger program
- Swimming
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Birdwatching
- Wild Gardens of Acadia
- Paddling
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- Sieur de Monts
- Carriage Roads
- Ship Harbor Trail
This massive list of things to do at Acadia will cover the travel needs of your entire group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, this post also includes high-adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do in winter, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best easy hikes in Acadia.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in and around Acadia.
ACADIA ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to Acadia, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will make sure you see the best of the park — no more research needed!
LODGING IN ACADIA
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Acadia area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in Acadia National Park and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You can drive to all viewpoint and trailhead parking areas on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula with your own car.
There is a free park shuttle that travels to most major points of interest in the park. This shuttle is convenient for getting around Acadia and also for exploring the town of Bar Harbor.
Be advised that traffic jams are extremely common in Acadia and parking lots are almost always filled to capacity! If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can easily ride the shuttle or get parking without having to circle parking lots, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
If you are in an RV, bus, van, or are towing a trailer, it will be extremely difficult to find parking in most areas of Acadia National Park. Many parking lots aren’t big enough to accommodate oversized vehicles. In addition to that, you’ll also encounter some low bridges that your RV likely will be too tall for.
If you’re visiting Mount Desert Island, I highly suggest parking at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and taking the free shuttle when you can.
You can learn more about driving an RV or oversized vehicle through Acadia here.
Planning a trip to Acadia can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Acadia Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Acadia Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Disclosure: This Acadia Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash