The Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park

Are you hoping to have an amazing vacation at Acadia National Park but are unsure of when to go? Acadia is a seasonal park, so you’ll want to choose your timing wisely!

My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. Acadia is a family-favorite destination for us — it’s full of so many incredible activities (plus, who can resist wild blueberries and lobster)!

You’ll want to consider things like the weather, what’s open, and the crowds when choosing the best time to visit Acadia National Park. 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

Each season provides a completely different experience in this park, so let’s talk about what to expect each month so that you can make an informed decision on the best time to visit Acadia!

Average Monthly Temperatures in Acadia

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (F)	31	33	40	51	61	70	75	74	67	56	46	36
Avg Low (F)	15	17	25	35	44	52	58	57	51	41	32	21
Avg Snow (“)	12.7	11.3	8.9	1.8	0	0	0	0	0	0.3	3.3	9.9
Avg Rain (“)	1.9	2	2.6	3.4	3.4	3.2	2.8	2.6	3.4	4.1	4.2	3

Winter in Acadia (November-March)

Winter in Acadia National Park is the least crowded season. You’ll find very few visitors, cold temperatures, and heavy snow. Most facilities in the park aren’t operational during the winter, and many roads, hikes, and beaches are inaccessible.

A winter visit is perfect if you’ve already been to Acadia during the peak season and would like to see the park when snow covers the ground and everything is quiet. If you love cross-country skiing or snowmobiling, you’ll love Acadia in the winter!

November in Acadia

Winter starts to set in at Acadia National Park during November, meaning that most of the trails, beaches, and other activities close at this time until spring.

Crowds drop off significantly because it’s difficult to know what conditions you’ll encounter! You may be able to hike a few trails and drive most roads, or you might be able to go snowshoeing — or the weather might fall somewhere in between, making it difficult to do either.

If you’d like to have the park to yourself and you don’t mind the colder weather and possibility of closures, November may be an ideal time for you to visit.

What You Need to Know

• The Park Loop Road is open until December 1st, weather permitting.
• The Jordan Pond Road, Ocean Drive (a small portion of the Park Loop), and the Schoodic Peninsula Loop are open year-round, weather permitting.
• Unpaved roads close on November 15th.
• The Carriage Roads are open.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is closed, but check for park information at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in downtown Bar Harbor.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) are closed.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• Echo Lake Beach and Sand Beach are open. Lake Wood Beach is closed.
• The Fabbri, Seawall, Frazer Point, and Thompson Island picnic areas are open.
• All hiking trails are open, weather permitting.
• Ranger programs are not typically offered at this time, but you may occasionally find one on the park calendar.
• Crowd levels are low.

December in Acadia

Expect the first big snowstorms of the season to happen in December at Acadia National Park. The park landscape is usually covered in snow, making it a magical and unique time to visit.

You’ll find several fun Christmas activities in and near Acadia in December, including the annual Christmas Bird Count. Just be sure to pack your warmest winter gear!

What You Need to Know

• The Park Loop Road is closed to vehicles, including Cadillac Mountain Drive.
• The Jordan Pond Road, Ocean Drive (a small portion of the Park Loop), and the Schoodic Peninsula Loop are open year-round, weather permitting.
• Most other roads in the park are closed.
• The Carriage Roads are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but grooming doesn’t usually take place until January.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is closed, but check for park information at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in downtown Bar Harbor.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) are closed.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• Sand Beach is open. All other beach areas are closed.
• The Fabbri, Seawall, and Frazer Point picnic areas are open.
• Some hiking trails are inaccessible at this time due to road closures.
• Ranger programs are not typically offered at this time, but you may occasionally find one on the park calendar.
• The annual Christmas Bird Count is hosted in person in Acadia National Park.
• Crowd levels are low.

January in Acadia

January is the month with the least amount of visits to Acadia National Park because almost everything is closed! The park receives more snow in January than in any other month, so come prepared for cold temperatures and a lot of snow.

Those who visit Acadia in January get to take part in some amazing winter activities, such as cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.

I suggest visiting Acadia in January if you’re looking for a unique winter adventure!

What You Need to Know

• The Park Loop Road is closed to vehicles, including Cadillac Mountain Drive.
• The Jordan Pond Road, Ocean Drive (a small portion of the Park Loop), and the Schoodic Peninsula Loop are open year-round, weather permitting.
• Many roads in the park are closed to vehicles but open to snowmobiling!
• The Carriage Roads are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is closed, but check for park information at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in downtown Bar Harbor.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) are closed.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• Sand Beach is open. All other beach areas are closed.
• The Fabbri, Seawall, and Frazer Point picnic areas are open.
• Some hiking trails are inaccessible at this time due to road closures. Find out more about the winter activities you can participate in.
• Ranger programs are not typically offered at this time, but you may occasionally find one on the park calendar.
• Crowd levels are low.

February in Acadia

February in Acadia National Park is snowy, cold, and empty. That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit, though—visiting during February is ideal if you want a unique experience in the park without too many people around or if you love to ski!

Just be sure to prepare for winter weather and expect most things in the park to be closed while you’re here.

What You Need to Know

• The Park Loop Road is closed to vehicles, including Cadillac Mountain Drive.
• The Jordan Pond Road, Ocean Drive (a small portion of the Park Loop), and the Schoodic Peninsula Loop are open year-round, weather permitting.
• Many roads in the park are closed to vehicles but open to snowmobiling!
• The Carriage Roads are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is closed, but check for park information at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in downtown Bar Harbor.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) are closed.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• Sand Beach is open. All other beach areas are closed.
• The Fabbri, Seawall, and Frazer Point picnic areas are open.
• Some hiking trails are inaccessible at this time due to road closures. Find out more about the winter activities you can participate in.
• Ranger programs are not typically offered at this time, but you may occasionally find one on the park calendar.
• Crowd levels are low.

March in Acadia

Spring hasn’t sprung quite yet in Acadia National Park during March, with temperatures routinely dropping below freezing. Expect snow, rain, and closures throughout the park.

March is the beginning of “mud season” in Acadia, so even if the snow isn’t falling, you can expect the trails and carriage roads to be extremely muddy and difficult to traverse at this time.

What You Need to Know

• The Park Loop Road is closed to vehicles, including Cadillac Mountain Drive.
• The Jordan Pond Road, Ocean Drive (a small portion of the Park Loop), and the Schoodic Peninsula Loop are open year-round, weather permitting.
• Many roads in the park are closed to vehicles but open to snowmobiling!
• The Carriage Roads are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing unless it is too muddy.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is closed, but check for park information at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in downtown Bar Harbor.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) are closed.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• Sand Beach is open. All other beach areas are closed.
• The Fabbri, Seawall, and Frazer Point picnic areas are open.
• Some hiking trails are inaccessible at this time due to road closures. Find out more about the winter activities you can participate in.
• Peregrine falcons begin nesting in March, prompting the closure of the Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs, and several other areas.
• Ranger programs are not typically offered at this time, but you may occasionally find one on the park calendar.
• Crowd levels are low.

Spring in Acadia (April and May)

Spring weather in Acadia is chilly, with lows in the 30s and 40s and highs sometimes sneaking into the 60s. Some activities and facilities that were closed in the winter will start to open up in April and May.

March, April, and the beginning of May are more commonly known as “mud season” instead of spring! Mud season is characterized by a lot of rainfall and snow melt that turns the trails and carriage roads into mud. Hiking is challenging, and you’ll see a number of closures at this time due to the muddy conditions.

If this is the only time of year you can visit Acadia, you can still have a nice time. But if you have flexibility, I would recommend waiting until summer or fall to avoid the mud season.

April in Acadia

April marks the beginning of spring in Acadia National Park, with temperatures rising to highs in the 50s and lots of rain!

Some park facilities, trails, and activities start to open up in April, but you’ll still encounter a good number of closures. And remember, this is still mud season, so expect challenging hiking conditions, even if the trails and roads are open.

What You Need to Know

• The Park Loop Road is closed to vehicles until April 15th.
• The Jordan Pond Road, Ocean Drive (a small portion of the Park Loop), and the Schoodic Peninsula Loop are open year-round, weather permitting.
• Other paved roads (not listed above) are closed until April 15th.
• The carriage roads are often closed this month due to muddy conditions.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is closed, but check for park information at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in downtown Bar Harbor.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) are closed.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• Sand Beach is open. All other beach areas are closed.
• The Fabbri, Seawall, Frazer Point, and Thompson Island picnic areas are open.
• Some hiking trails are inaccessible at this time due to road closures and mud season.
• Peregrine falcons are nesting this month, prompting the closure of the Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs, and several other areas.
• Ranger programs are not typically offered at this time, but you may occasionally find one on the park calendar.
• Crowd levels are moderate.

May in Acadia

May in Acadia is a time of anticipation! The weather starts to dry out just as the many nearby hotels, restaurants, and shops begin to open their doors for the upcoming summer season.

Almost all roads and visitor services in Acadia will be open by the end of the month. The beginning of May is still often considered “mud season”, so if you’re planning a trip in May, I suggest trying to come as late in the month as possible.

May is a nice time to be in Acadia if you’re hoping to sneak in before the influx of summer crowds!

What You Need to Know

• All paved roads are open.
• Unpaved roads are closed until May 15th.
• The carriage roads are often closed intermittently this month due to muddy conditions.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center opens at the beginning of May.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information centers) start opening around mid-May.
• Most Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) typically open by the end of May.
• All campgrounds are open by the end of the month, but Blackwoods usually opens at the beginning of May.
• Sand Beach is open. The Echo Lake beach area opens in mid-May.
• All picnic areas are open by the end of the month.
• You should be able to get to everything on this can’t-miss list in May.
• Peregrine falcons are nesting this month, prompting the closure of the Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs, and several other areas.
• Biting bugs make an appearance this month, usually from about mid-May to mid-June. Bring bug spray!
• Ranger programs are available.
• Crowd levels are moderate.

Summer in Acadia (June-August)

Summer brings warmer temperatures, more activities, and larger crowds to Acadia National Park. Expect temperatures to be pleasant for most of the summer, rarely reaching above 80 or below 50.

You’ll want to bring a rain jacket to Acadia, even during the summer. But generally, the weather is quite pleasant, and you’ll be able to enjoy the full range of activities in the park.

The crowd levels are at their absolute highest during the summer, so be sure to show up with a good sightseeing plan!

June in Acadia

June marks the first days of summer, meaning warmer temperatures and more people! Expect high temperatures of around 70 and lows of around 50, with plenty of people packing the park and enjoying all the trails, beaches, and scenic drives!

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open.
• The carriage roads are open.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities are open at the beginning of June. The Sieur de Monts Nature Center and the Islesford Museum don’t open until later in the month.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• All beach areas are open.
• All picnic areas are open.
• You can get to everything on this can’t-miss list in June.
• Peregrine falcons are nesting this month, prompting the closure of the Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs, and several other areas.
• Biting bugs make an appearance this month, usually until about mid-June. Bring bug spray!
• Ranger programs are available.
• Crowd levels are high.

July in Acadia

Acadia National Park is alive and buzzing throughout July—all the most famous trails and beaches are bursting with activity in the warmer weather! Expect to find the widest array of activities and park offerings at this time.

Visitation numbers are at their highest in July, so come prepared to enjoy the park with a massive number of other people!

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open.
• The carriage roads are open.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open.
• All Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information stations) are open.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• All beach areas are open.
• All picnic areas are open.
• You can get to everything on this can’t-miss list in July.
• Peregrine falcons are nesting this month, prompting the closure of the Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs, and several other areas.
• Ranger programs are available.
• You’ll love the 4th of July in Bar Harbor!
• Crowd levels are extremely high.

August in Acadia

August is the last month of summer at Acadia National Park, so the crowds are high, but the adventures are plentiful!

If you decide to travel to Acadia during the summer, I recommend a visit in August. Everything is open, the weather is nice, and the famous Maine blueberries are ready to harvest!

August is also the first month of the summer when the Precipice Trail reopens for hiking, so if you have your heart set on that trail, you’ll want to wait until now to take your trip.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open.
• The carriage roads are open.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open.
• All Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information stations) are open.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• All beach areas are open.
• All picnic areas are open.
• You can get to everything on this can’t-miss list in August.
• Ranger programs are available.
• Crowd levels are extremely high.

Autumn in Acadia (September and October)

I love Acadia in the fall! The temperatures are chilly and rain is common, but the crowd levels in the park start to thin out, and it’s prime leaf-peeping season.

The main activities, roads, and trails in the park typically stay open through October, though some things do start to shut down around Columbus Day.

Be aware that autumn is when the majority of cruise ships arrive in Bar Harbor, the town just outside of Acadia National Park. The town will be extremely busy during this time, but the park (especially the spots that are further away from town) doesn’t see that same uptick in visitation.

September in Acadia

September is the last month of Acadia National Park’s truly busy season—most everything is still open and bustling with crowds while the temperatures drop into the 50s and 60s.

If I had to choose one month of the year to visit Acadia, I would choose September! You can still access all of the can’t-miss spots at this time, blueberries can still be harvested at the beginning of the month, and the crowding feels a little more manageable.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open.
• The carriage roads are open.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open.
• All Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information stations) are open.
• All Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• All beach areas are open.
• All picnic areas are open.
• You can get to everything on this can’t-miss list in September.
• Ranger programs are available.
• The Acadia Night Sky Festival is usually held in September.
• Crowd levels are high.

October in Acadia

If you’re hoping to see fall colors in Acadia, then you need to visit in October! While many things in the park start to shut down, you can still usually fully experience the park this month.

Everything starts to quiet down in October. The temperature drops and the rain picks up at this time, though, so you’ll want to visit with some flexibility in your schedule.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open.
• The carriage roads are open, weather permitting.
• The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open.
• Most Visitor Contact Facilities (museums and information stations) start to close down around the middle of the month.
• Most Stores and Services (Jordan Pond House, Wildwood Stables, gift shops, etc.) are closed by mid-October.
• All campgrounds close for the season by mid-October.
• The Sand Beach and Echo Lake beach areas are open. Lakewood closes in mid-October.
• The Fabbri, Frazer Point, Seawall, and Thompson Island picnic areas are open.
• You can get to everything on this can’t-miss list in October as long as the weather holds.
• Ranger programs are available.
• Prime leaf-peeping is usually around mid-October in Acadia, but you can check the state’s fall foliage website if you’d like to plan your trip around the spectacular fall colors.
• Crowd levels are moderate.

Now that you’ve learned about the best time to visit Acadia National Park, you’re ready to make your dream trip a reality. Happy trails!

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