The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary (2024)

Top things to do in Acadia National Park

There are so many things to see and do in Acadia that it might be hard to know exactly what you should make a priority when you come to visit.

Here are the top things to do on your Acadia National Park itinerary.

Hiking Trails

No matter your fitness level, there is a trail for you! Acadia has spectacular hiking options, from easy, level walks along the ocean to rock scrambling and climbing iron rung ladders and everything in between.

Here are some of the top hike options:

Beehive Trail – this was our favorite trail from our visit. While it’s definitely a more difficult hike, it’s a lot of fun. Much of the hike is scrambling up rocks and using iron rung ladders and handholds to get you up the mountain.

We combined this hike with a quick detour to the Bowl and then went down the mountain by way of Gorham Mountain Trail (more on this in the itinerary section).

Gorham Mountain Trail – this trail takes you up to a stunning view over Acadia and the ocean. We combined this with the Beehive Trail and part of the Ocean Path to make a loop. Because of the rocks and the steepness, I would consider this trail to be moderate.

Ocean Path – an easy and scenic walk along the ocean. You can do the whole thing, which is about 4.5 miles out and back, or just walk the sections that appeal to you. This is where you can view the famous Thunder Hole and other attractions.

Precipice Trail – this trail is probably one of the most difficult but famous trails in the park. It has rungs, ladders, and narrow ledges and is not for the faint of heart.

This trail is not open from spring through midsummer because of the peregrine falcon nests, so when we went in May we were unable to do this trail. However, it is definitely on our list for next time!

Jordan Pond Trail – this easy loop around Jordan Pond offers picturesque views and is a good option for a leisure walk. It’s also a great way to walk off the famous Jordan Pond House Restaurant popovers (see more on these below).

South Bubble Trail – the hike up South Bubble to see the precariously positioned Bubble Rock is another tourist favorite and also offers an amazing view over Jordan Pond. This is another steep hike with a bit of scrambling that I’d classify as moderate in difficulty.

Beech Cliff Loop – this was a hike we wanted to do on our visit but ran out of time. It’s a short but steep hike with a few ladders to climb, so if you don’t feel confident enough to do either Beehive or Precipice Trails, this might be a good option for you.

There are so many more trails in the park that I can’t possibly list them all, so if you want to see all the options, check out AllTrails.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is the town right outside of Acadia that has tons of shopping, hotel, and restaurant options. It can make a good base for your trip and is worth spending a few hours exploring.

During low tide, you can also walk across the land bridge to Bar Island which is a fun activity.

Cadillac Mountain

Catching the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain Summit was fantastic, and I highly recommend it! Even if you don’t want to get up that early, taking a trip up the winding road to the top is worth it for the stunning view!

NOTE: From late May to late October, you need a reservation to drive up Cadillac Mountain. You can find details on the Acadia NPS website here.

For those a little more adventurous, you can also hike up Cadillac Mountain via several different trail options. Check out AllTrails for all the details.

Sand Beach

While not a very original name, Sand Beach is a nice place to take a break and swim in the warmer summer months, or even just spend some time relaxing. It’s also a great place to rest your legs after walking along the Ocean Path.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is a fascinating feature where the waves crash into an inlet with a cavern underneath which creates a sound like thunder and can create up to a 40ft water splash!

You have to time your visit to Thunder Hole just right in order to see and hear this phenomenon. When we went it was low tide and not very impressive, but if you are able to get there about 1-2 hours before high tide, that is when you have the best chance to witness the spectacle.

Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond is a beautiful area with lovely scenery and hiking. It’s also where the famous Jordan Pond House Restaurant resides, which serves the tourist-favorite popovers and tea. Popovers are essentially light, fluffy pastries made from an eggy batter and are served warm with butter and jam.

The restaurant is always busy and reservations are practically a necessity, so if you’d like to check out Jordan Pond House, plan this into your day and make a reservation ASAP.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is one of three lighthouses managed by Acadia National Park and is the only one on Mt Desert Island, where the majority of the park is located.

This spot is extremely popular at sunset, and as the parking lot is very small, if this is something you want to do, you might have to arrive up to 3 hours early to get a spot.

At other times of the day, it will be less crowded and you’ll have a better chance of snagging a parking space.

Schoodic Point

Schoodic Peninsula is a less-visited section of Acadia National Park and is well worth a visit! On the peninsula, Schoodic Point is a stunning area with lots of rocks to climb on, which makes it a fun spot to wander around and explore.

Carriage Roads

Acadia National Park has 45 miles of carriage roads, which are vehicle-free roads that were created for walkers, bikers, horseback riding, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

No matter how you want to experience the carriage roads, there are so many routes to choose from. Check out the National Park Service website for maps and additional information.

Isle Au Haut

The least-visited section of Acadia National Park, many guests don’t even know this island exists. Visitors can take a ferry from Stonington to get out to the Isle, where you can then explore on foot or on a bike (cars are not permitted on the ferry).

Isle Au Haut does take some time and some planning to get to. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to go here on our most recent trip, but we’d love to explore it next time!

Acadia National Park Itinerary

So how do you put together the perfect Acadia National Park itinerary based on the number of days you’ll have?

No worries! I’ve got suggested itineraries for 1, 2, 3, and 4 or more days so no matter how long or short your visit is, you can make the most of it!

1 Day Acadia National Park Itinerary

With only one day in Acadia National Park, you definitely won’t be able to cover everything, but you can get a good overview of the park! Here’s how I would plan the itinerary.

Cadillac Mountain at sunrise

Get a reservation to go up to Cadillac Mountain and catch the sunrise. Spend some time taking photos and admiring the fantastic view before heading out. The drive down is also spectacular!

Reservations for the Cadillac Mountain Summit are required from late May to late October. 30% of the time slots are available 90 days prior and the other 70% are released 2 days ahead.

NOTE: If the weather isn’t good you might not be able to see anything, so I’d recommend checking the forecast a few days ahead of time and trying to snag one of the tickets that are released 2 days ahead. 

If the weather isn’t going to be good, you can skip Cadillac Mountain and head right to Park Loop Road.

Drive Park Loop Road

Park Loop Road is the 27-mile scenic route that goes around the most visited areas of Acadia. Most of the highlights of the park are along this road, so you can drive and then stop and see the things that interest you.

Since part of Park Loop Road is one-way, you’ll want to drive in a clockwise direction.

From Cadillac Summit Road, you’ll turn right onto Park Loop Road and continue along the route to your next stop.

Take a hike

There are so many hikes to choose from, and with one day you can definitely pick a few.

If you want a more intense hike with some fun iron rung ladders and rock scrambling, choose either Precipice Trail or the Beehive Trail/Gorham Mountain/Ocean Path loop.

Precipice Trail is tough and is more climbing than actual hiking, but it’s also only open in the late summer through the fall since the peregrine falcons nest along the trail in the spring and early to mid-summer. If you’re looking for a fun challenge, this is a great choice. It’s 1.4 miles out and back.

You can either go out and back or you could combine this trail with the Champlain North Ridge Trail and the Orange and Black Path and make it more of a loop. The loop makes the trail just over 2 miles.

If you are visiting when the Precipice Trail is closed like when we went, I’d highly recommend the Beehive/Gorham Mountain/Ocean Path loop. This is a bit longer than the Precipice Loop (about 3.5 miles) but it’s still challenging and offers spectacular views.

This was our favorite hike in Acadia. Our legs were shot by the end but it was well worth it. The variety of scenery was also great, and you certainly won’t get bored on this trail.

What we ended up doing was extending this hike even more by following the Ocean Path south once we reached the intersection and hiked all the way to Otter Point before backtracking and then taking the entire Ocean Path back to the Sand Beach parking lot.

This added another 2 miles to our hike but we really enjoyed it. If you’re up for it, I’d definitely recommend it.

While you are hiking along the Ocean Path, don’t forget to stop and see Thunder Hole. While the “thunder” phenomenon only occurs 1-2 hours before high tide, it’s still neat to see. We didn’t have much luck though since the day we went was pretty calm, but if you time it right you could see the huge waves and hear the roaring sound.

If neither of these hikes sounds like something you’d like to try (and that’s fine – they certainly aren’t for everyone) I’d recommend just doing the Ocean Path Trail.

The entire trail is 4.5 miles out and back, but you can do as much or as little of it as you want.

At the very least, I’d suggest going as far as Thunder Hole so you can see that attraction.

Sand Beach

After completing whichever hikes you choose, take a few minutes and relax at Sand Beach.

This would also be a great place to eat a snack or have lunch. For this itinerary, I definitely suggest packing your lunch because you won’t have a ton of time and you’ll want to see as much as possible in your one day.

If you did the Beehive Trail or Ocean Path, Sand Beach is located right off of the Sand Beach parking lot which is very convenient. If you did the Precipice Trail, you can drive here from the trail and park in the lot.

Thunder Hole

If you did the Precipice Trail, take a few minutes to check out Thunder Hole as you continue along Park Loop Road.

Jordan Pond

Continue along Park Loop Road, enjoying the scenery and stopping as you’d like, until you get to Jordan Pond.

Jordan Pond is a lovely spot with lots of options for things to do.

The two most popular choices are walking the 3-mile Jordan Pond Loop Trail around the water and visiting Jordan Pond House.

Jordan Pond House is known for its afternoon tea and popovers. Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited but I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things about this place. If this is something you’d like to experience, make a reservation here or you could be waiting for hours for a table (no, that is not an exaggeration!).

Afterward, I’d recommend either walking around the pond or doing the South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond Loop.

South Bubble & Bubble Rock

We did the South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond loop and really enjoyed it. In fact, I thought the view from South Bubble Mountain was one of the best views I saw in Acadia.

This hike will also take you to Bubble Rock, which is famous for the way it perches precariously over the edge. It looks like it should just topple off! Don’t forget to take a photo trying to push it over!

Bar Harbor

End your day exploring Bar Harbor. Stop into some of the shops, stroll along the Shore Path, or just walk the town.

Bar Harbor also has some fantastic restaurants. We ate at Side Street Cafe and thought it was fantastic! It’s the kind of place that locals frequent but unless you know it’s there you’d probably miss it!

2-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary

If you have two full days to spend in Acadia, follow the 1-day itinerary for your first day and then add these suggestions for your second day.

However, choose the day with the best weather to do Cadillac Mountain at sunrise. It should fit into your itinerary for either day.

Breakfast in Bar Harbor

If you’re anything like me, I love going out for breakfast. Grab a bite at one of the many great eateries in town.

On our second day, we ended up running short on time due to the tide coming in (see the next suggestion) so we decided to grab something quick and eat it on the go.

We parked in town and then walked to the first cafe we found, which happened to be The Independent Cafe. I ordered a chai latte with oat milk and holy moly, it was by far the best one I’ve ever had! Ask the server to put a dash of turmeric in it – it makes it even better!

I also had the Tippy Hippy, which was a tye-dye bagel with banana and peanut butter. It was a very filling breakfast and was delicious!

If you have the time or desire, you could find a sit-down restaurant and have a more relaxing breakfast. Jordan’s Restaurant and Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast both have great reviews.

Bar Island

When the tide is low, you can walk across the land bridge and visit Bar Island.

The day we went, low tide was pretty early in the morning and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to do the walk, so that’s why we grabbed some breakfast and ate it as we made our way to the island.

The walk to the island is easy and fun, and if you have the time and energy, you can explore Bar Island and hike to a viewpoint to overlook Bar Harbor. Or, you can just wander along the sand bar, looking in the tide pools and meandering along the rocks on the edge of the water.

We were pretty sore from all the hiking the day before, so we opted out of the hike on the island, but it was still fun to walk to the island and get that experience.

Something to keep in mind if you do want to explore the island – the island is considered part of Acadia National Park and you are supposed to have a park pass on you in order to explore it. So even if we had wanted to, we didn’t have our pass on us so we weren’t supposed to do the hike anyway.

I’m not sure how enforced this is, but to be safe, bring your park pass with you if you want to do more than just walk across.

Also, keep an eye on the tide and make sure you are back to Bar Harbor before the land bridge is underwater. If you get stuck on the island, it’s very difficult to get someone to rescue you, and I’m sure it’s not cheap either! Play it safe and give yourself plenty of time to return.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

After you are finished in Bar Harbor, make your way to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

This lighthouse is in the southwest part of Mt Desert Island, which is less crowded than the eastern part of the island.

I’d suggest taking the drive from Bar Harbor along ME-233 W and then taking ME-102 S toward Echo Lake. Feel free to take your time and stop at anything that strikes your fancy.

When you get to the lighthouse, take a few minutes to wander around it, and then take the trail down to the rocks to get the iconic shot.

If you are set on seeing the lighthouse for sunset, then put this at the end of the day. However, it is very difficult to secure a parking spot for sunset since the lot is so small and it’s incredibly popular. Plan to arrive several hours before sundown if you want to have a chance, and be OK with the possibility of not getting in.

Carriage Roads

After spending some time at the lighthouse, continue along ME-102 to complete the loop around the western part of the island, and then spend your afternoon exploring one of the many carriage roads.

The carriage roads are a system of routes that were designed for biking and horseback riding in the park. They cover some of the most beautiful scenery in Acadia and no motorized vehicles are permitted.

Biking is the most popular way to explore these roads, but you can also hike, go horseback riding, or even take a horse-drawn carriage ride.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the carriage roads, but we chose to go to Hulls Cove Visitor Center and walk the Witch Pond Road.

Most of these roads are great for people with strollers, wheelchairs, or mobility issues as the roads are gravel and aren’t too steep. The first section of the road from Hull’s Cove Visitor Center is a bit steep, but after that, it levels out and isn’t too bad.

If you are interested in renting bikes, you can find more info here. If you’d like to go horseback riding or take a horse-drawn carriage ride, you can find the details here.

NOTE: The carriage roads typically close during the spring mud season, usually in March and April. To check the status of the carriage roads, click here.

When you’re all tuckered out at the end of the day, grab dinner either in Bar Harbor or in one of the surrounding towns. Lobster pounds are a popular restaurant type in Acadia. None were open when we visited, but there are a few good choices in the area if you want to get your lobster fix.

We ended up driving to Ellsworth (about 30 minutes from Bar Harbor) and having dinner at Provender Kitchen & Grill. This restaurant was recommended to us by the owner of the inn where we stayed, and it was very good.

3-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary

I think that 3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Acadia National Park. You get to see all the main highlights without feeling rushed and also have plenty of time for some great hikes.

Use the 2-day Acadia National Park itinerary for your first two days and then use the suggestions below to plan your third day.

NOTE: As with the two-day itinerary, check the weather ahead of time and plan to visit Cadillac Mountain at sunrise on the day with the best weather. Since 70% of the entry tickets are released 2 days ahead of time, you should be able to pick the best option and secure a ticket.

When we visited we did Cadillac Mountain at sunrise on the third day. It was nice because after sunrise, we went back to the hotel and slept for another few hours before getting up to go to Schoodic Peninsula.

Schoodic Peninsula

Today you’ll head over to an area that isn’t as well visited as Mt Desert Island – Schoodic Peninsula.

This area of the park is about an hour away from Bar Harbor but is definitely worth the drive.

Once you get to the peninsula, take Schoodic Loop Road and take the drive around the park, stopping at places along the way.

There are a couple of shorter hikes here that you can do if you’d like. Alder Trail is a popular one that doesn’t take long to complete, and there’s also Schoodic Head Overlook, Buck Cove Mountain, and Sundew Trail.

Don’t miss Schoodic Point at the very tip of the peninsula. There are lots of rocks to scramble over and explore, and when the tide is low, you can peek in the tide pools and see if you can spot any critters.

This would also make a great spot to rest and have either a snack or lunch.

On your way back from Schoodic Point, swing into the Schoodic Institute for a minute. The institute is a research learning center where you can check out the welcome center and gift shops. In the summer they also offer public programs and events.

Boat Tours

There are lots of companies out of Bar Harbor and the surrounding areas that can take you on a variety of different boat tours.

Some of the most popular kinds are whale watching, sightseeing, sunset cruises, fishing trips, puffins and seabird watching, lighthouse viewing, sailing, and much more.

I’d recommend picking the one that interests you the most and doing this in the later afternoon.

Alternatively, you could schedule a boat tour in the morning and then do the Schoodic Peninsula in the afternoon depending on what is available and works best for you.

Some of the top companies in the area include Acadian Boat Tours, Bar Harbor Whale Watching, and Sail Acadia.

4+ Day Acadia National Park Itinerary

With four or more days in Acadia, there are plenty of additional places and activities you can do.

Isle Au Haut

This little island is the third and least visited section of Acadia National Park. You must take a passenger-only ferry from Stonington, ME to reach the island. If this interests you, dedicate a whole day to this. You can find out more about this island, including how to get there and what to see, here.

Additional Hiking

There are so many hiking routes in Acadia that you could spend several more days hitting the trails and still not do them all. There are so many choices for all skill levels and desired lengths you’ll be sure to find some that work for you.

Additional Tours

With so many types of tours available on the water and on land, you could do a couple of different kinds and experience a lot more of the area.

Also, with certain whale-watching tour companies, if you don’t see whales, you can go back another time for free, so if you don’t see any the first day, you could pick another day to try your luck again.

Kayaking

Sea kayaking is also very popular in the Acadia area, so if this sounds like something you’d enjoy, you could book a kayaking tour.

Beach Day

If the weather is warm, you could always enjoy a relaxing day at one of the beaches.

There are plenty to choose from depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re interested in being by the ocean, Sand Beach, Hunters Beach, and Seal Harbor Beach are all good options.

If you’d like to be by one of the ponds in the park, check out Echo Lake Beach.

Bold Coast

If you are interested in taking an extra day or two outside Acadia, consider traveling up the Bold Coast. This stretch of coast runs from Acadia National Park all the way up to the Canadian border, about a 3-hour drive one way.

This is a beautiful drive and there are plenty of landmarks and hiking trails to experience. If you’re willing to spend a night or two outside of the national park, consider exploring the Bold Coast.

Check out all the things to see & do along the Bold Coast here.

Quick Facts about Acadia National Park

• Acadia receives about 4 million visitors a year, placing it in the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States.
• There are 158 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads to explore in the park.
• The word “Acadia” is thought to have originated from the native Mi’kmaq word akadie, which means “a piece of land,” which then was turned into the French word l’Acadie by the settlers who came to the area.
• The carriage roads were a gift from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. who wanted to be able to travel by horse through the park without automobiles. They were completed in 1940.

When is Acadia National Park open?

Parts of Acadia National Park are open year-round, such as Schoodic Loop Road, while other sections of the park, such as the visitor’s center, Park Loop Road, and the campgrounds are seasonal.

Check out the NPS website for operating hours and seasons.

How much does it cost to enter Acadia National Park?

A 7-day park permit costs $30 per vehicle or $15/per person with no vehicle (bicyclists are included in this category).

If you have an America the Beautiful pass, entry is free. I highly recommend getting this pass if you plan to visit more than one national park in a year – it will likely save you money. A one-year pass costs $80.

An Acadia National Park annual pass is $55, but this would only be worth it if you are going to be visiting the park for longer than a week and you aren’t planning to go to any other national parks within the year.

There are also several days throughout the year when entering any national park is free! Check out the list of free National Park days here.

Also, if you plan to drive up Cadillac Mountain from late May to late October, you’ll need an additional vehicle registration pass, which costs $6.

Best time to visit Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is beautiful to visit year-round, but many portions of the park are closed in the off-season.

I would say that May to November is the best time to visit because most things are open during these months. July and August are the busiest times of the year, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Peak fall colors in October also bring crowds.

If you want to avoid the masses, visit in May, June, September, or November.

We went in early May and while there were still quite a few people there, it was much more manageable and not overly stressful. The leaves were not on the trees yet so the scenery wasn’t as pretty as it would be a few weeks later, but it was worth it to us in order to avoid the crowds.

Just keep in mind that in May (and probably also October & November), most of the boat tours don’t run yet, and restaurants like the lobster pounds aren’t open. So if you are set on doing the boat tours, consider coming between June and September.

If you love the winter and enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the carriage roads are open for these sports in the colder months.

How to get to Acadia National Park

If you are flying to Acadia National Park, the closest airport is Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), which has direct flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and is only ten miles from the park. From there you can either rent a car or catch the free Island Explorer bus from the airport to Bar Harbor and many other stops around Mt Desert Island and Acadia National Park (which operates seasonally).

You can also fly into Bangor International Airport (BGR) which is about an hour’s drive from Acadia. You can then either rent a car or catch a bus to Bar Harbor with Downeast Transportation Inc.

If you are driving, here are the approximate drive times to Acadia from some of the closest cities:

Bangor, Maine: 1 hour
Portland, Maine: 3 hours
Boston, Massachusetts: 4.5 hours
Quebec City, Quebec: 5.5 hours
Montreal, Quebec: 6.5 hours

How to get around Acadia National Park

I think that having your own vehicle is the easiest way to explore Acadia National Park. It gives you the most freedom and you can make your own schedule.

If you aren’t driving your own vehicle and need to rent one, I highly suggest using Discover Cars to find your rental. They search all the rental companies for the best price, and if your plans change, you always get free cancellation.

While I think that driving yourself gives you the most freedom, if you are visiting during the busy months, traffic and parking can be frustrating with all the crowds.

The Island Explorer bus is a FREE shuttle that usually runs from late June through Columbus Day and connects most of Mt Desert Island with the surrounding communities, including the local airport.

You can hit just about everything on this itinerary using the shuttle service, except for Cadillac Mountain. You can even take a ferry from Bar Harbor over to the Schoodic Peninsula and take the shuttle around that area, too.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, this is the best option.

Check out the Island Explorer shuttle routes and schedule here.

How many days do you need in Acadia National Park?

I think that 3 days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights and get in a few good hikes. However, even with 1-2 days, you can see a fair amount.

Check out the itineraries mentioned earlier in this post for my suggestions on what to do with any number of days in Acadia National Park.

What to pack for your Acadia National Park itinerary

In order to make the most of your Acadia National Park itinerary, here are some things you should not forget:

National Park Pass

If you have the National Park Pass, make sure you don’t forget it! They come with a rearview mirror holder so you can hang it up and not have to dig around for it when you enter the park.

I believe you can also purchase a pass at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center if you don’t have one before coming to Acadia, but call to check on availability before arriving to confirm.

Camera

This is a given, but Acadia is so stunning, you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t have a good camera to capture all the beautiful views.

A good phone camera would work well for most landscapes, but if you want to try your hand at capturing some of the local birds and wildlife, you might want something with a zoom lens.

Binoculars

Is that a peregrine falcon? If you have binoculars, you won’t have to guess (unless you’re like me and don’t know anything about birds, in which case, you can just enjoy the view).

Hiking shoes & good socks

If you plan on doing any kind of hiking, I’d recommend hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers. The socks you wear with your boots will also make a huge difference in how your feet feel. I like Cloudline wool socks, but there are lots of great brands out there.

Layers

Even though it’s up north and by the ocean, Acadia can get very hot in the summer, so you should make sure to pack a variety of clothing, including clothes you can layer. If you head out early or stay out late, it also might be a bit chilly and I’m sure you’d rather be prepared than be cold.

Water

More than likely, you’ll be out and about in the park all day and may not have quick access to a store. Plus you will want to stay hydrated with all the hiking and walking you will probably do.

While there are places that sell water, it will be much easier to just bring lots of it with you so you don’t have to worry about running out or changing your plans in order to go find some.

Hiking pack + the 10 essentials

While most of the trails in Acadia National Park are well-traveled and you’ll see people frequently, you still want to be prepared. Bring along a hiking backpack or something with good back support and keep it stocked with the 10 essentials for hiking and you’ll be set.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? Acadia can be hot and sunny, so you’ll want to make sure you protect your skin and your eyes. A hat would be a good idea as well.

Bug spray

Certain parts of the park can get buggy, so just be prepared and carry some with you.

Walkie Talkies

Cell service can be spotty in the park, and if you are traveling in a group and want to split up when visiting some of the landmarks, walkie-talkies can be a great way to keep in touch with the others in your group.

Find the best road trip walkie-talkie options here.

Swimsuit & Towel

If you plan to swim in the ocean or any of the ponds or lakes, you’ll want to make sure you have a swimsuit and towel along.

For a complete road trip packing list, check out this post.

Places to eat in Acadia National Park

When I was researching places to eat in and around Acadia National Park, there seemed to be SO many good choices! We ended up eating out only a few times, but every place we chose was great.

Side Street Cafe was probably our favorite. It has a neat atmosphere, the service was great, and the food was excellent.

Provender Kitchen & Bar is located in Ellsworth, about 30 minutes from Bar Harbor, but was also a great choice. Make sure you call and make a reservation!

The Independent Cafe on Main St. in Bar Harbor was a neat little breakfast spot if you’re looking for something quick and tasty.

Other places that were recommended that we didn’t get to try include Reel Pizza Cinerama (if you want a unique experience of watching a movie while eating pizza), Rose Eden Lobster, Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen, and The Stadium.

Places to stay in Acadia National Park

Just like food choices, there are so many places to stay around Acadia National Park.

Inside the national park, there are two campgrounds on Mt Desert Island, one on Schoodic Peninsula, and one on Isle Au Haut. You can find out more details about the campgrounds here. There are no other accommodation options available inside Acadia.

However, there are lots of hotels, apartment rentals, RV, and camping options in Bar Harbor and the surrounding towns. I’ve written an entire post about it, so you can check that out here.

Since it was too early for camping when we visited, we chose Isleview Motel & Cottages. We had a great stay. The owner was very friendly and accommodating and gave us many recommendations on where to eat.

How to avoid crowds in Acadia National Park

Since Acadia receives about 4 million visitors a year, avoiding crowds can be difficult. Here are a few suggestions on how to reduce stress and experience a less-busy park:

Visit during the shoulder seasons

July, August, and October (during peak foliage) are the busiest months for Acadia National Park. If you are looking for fewer people, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of May, early June, September, or November.

Not everything is going to be open during these times, like some of the restaurants or the free park shuttle service, but you shouldn’t have a problem finding parking and the hiking trails won’t be so swamped.

If avoiding crowds is a high priority, come to Acadia during the shoulder seasons.

Arrive early and stay late

Getting into the park early in the morning before a lot of people get up is a great way to avoid the masses. The only exception to this is Cadillac Mountain as this is crazy busy every morning, even in the off-season. If you are an early bird, plan to be in the park around sunrise and get a lot of the popular spots to yourself before everyone else leaves their hotel.

The same works if you want to be out late. Right around dinnertime, a lot of tourists will head out of the park and into Bar Harbor and the other towns to get dinner. If you want a quieter experience, pack your dinner and experience the park later in the evening and even into nightfall.

Consider exploring less popular areas

Park Loop Road and all the attractions around that section of the park are going to be the busiest areas of Acadia. This is where the most popular hiking trails are as well as Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain, and Jordan Pond.

If you venture out a little further, you can escape a lot of the crowds. The Schoodic Peninsula doesn’t get as many visitors since it takes a bit more effort to reach it, and the same goes for Isle Au Haut, which is at least a full-day trip from Bar Harbor.

You can also venture out to some of the least-popular hiking trails, such as Hunters Beach Trail, Day Mountain Trail, and Beech Mountain Trail if you want to avoid the masses at the most popular spots.

Use the Island Explorer Shuttle

If you do end up visiting during peak season, cut down on the stress of driving and parking in the overcrowded park by using the free Island Explorer Shuttle to get around Acadia.

This shuttle goes to just about every section of Mt Desert Island as well as the communities north of the park, including the local airport, and there’s also a shuttle on Schoodic Peninsula so you can explore that area of the park as well.

During the summer season, the buses arrive about every 20 minutes, and you’ll never have to stress about not being able to do your top itinerary plans because the parking lots are full.

Places to visit around Acadia National Park

If you’d like to include some other nearby locations in your Acadia National Park itinerary, here are a few suggestions.

Bold Coast

The Bold Coast is a 147-mile national scenic highway that stretches from Millbridge, Maine up to Calais, Maine, which is right on the Canadian border.

Along this route, you’ll pass by quaint towns, local museums and restaurants, beautiful coastal views, beaches and hiking trails, and even a few lighthouses. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy this drive.

Mount Katahdin

The start (or end) of the Appalachian Trail is located at the peak of Mount Katahdin. If you are an avid hiker, this intense full-day hike to the top is a great challenge. If you have extra time, you could even section hike parts of the AT in Maine.

Desert of Maine

Encompassing 20 acres of rolling sand dunes, Desert of Maine is a great family-friendly destination. There’s a self-guided tour that gives you the history and ecology of the desert as well as lots of interactive and fun exhibits for the kids. They even have a mini-golf course and a campground.

Portland, Maine

If you’re interested in spending some time in a city, Portland will fit the bill.

The oceanside city has lots of great attractions, including Portland Head Lighthouse, the Arts District, Eastern Promenade, cruises and food tours, and much more.