Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks, and for good reason! The stunning ocean views, fantastic seafood, incredible hikes, and wonderful fall foliage bring millions of visitors every year.
So where is the best place to stay in Acadia National Park? Look no further – here are the top 15 places for your next visit to Maine!
Best places to stay in Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is the gateway town to Acadia National Park. It’s a great place to base yourself for first-time visitors. It’s definitely touristy and can be quite busy, but it’s close to the national park and has lots of shopping and restaurant options.
Bar Harbor also has the most choices of places to stay, and if you are flying in and don’t want to rent a car, you don’t need to because of the abundance of tours and shuttles that can get you around.
1. Bar Harbor Motel
The Bar Harbor Motel is the #1 best-valued accommodation in Bar Harbor on Trip Advisor. It receives top marks for cleanliness, convenience, and safety, is a great choice for families, and offers free breakfast, wifi, and parking.
I like this motel because it’s so close to everything but is still situated in a quiet area. For a first-time Acadia visitor, this is a great choice.
“The room was perfect for our stay to visit Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and surrounding area. Very clean with great amenities and services provided by the owners. The breakfast in the morning was a great treat and the location to everything we wanted to go to was perfect.”
Matt, hotel review
2. Bar Harbor Inn
If you’d like to stay somewhere with upscale amenities, the Bar Harbor Inn fits the bill. Not only is free wifi and parking included, but there’s an on-site restaurant that serves dinner, and guests can also take advantage of the full-service spa, pools, and fitness center.
The Bar Harbor Inn also has excellent views of the waterfront and is located right in town, meaning you’ll be within walking distance of other great food and shopping choices. The Shore Path, a beautiful walking trail, is also located right next to the property.
3. Queen Anne’s Revenge
If you’re looking for something a little more unique with beautiful rooms and incredible staff, look no further than Queen Anne’s Revenge. This charming property offers free breakfast and wifi, is within walking distance of many attractions, and also has electric vehicle charging ports.
Some of the rooms even offer a fireplace, and the superior room also includes a jacuzzi. If you’re looking for something special, check out Queen Anne’s Revenge.
4. Waterfront Suite
If you prefer to stay in apartments when you travel, consider this waterfront suite. This unit can sleep 3 and has beautiful views of the water and Bar Island. Spend your evenings on the furnished deck and watch the happenings in the harbor.
This apartment is also perfect for those without a car because everything is within walking distance. It also has all the kitchen essentials you need so you can make your own food and enjoy living like a local.
Best places to stay in Acadia National Park: Trenton & Ellsworth
Trenton & Ellsworth are two towns north of Acadia National Park and Mt Desert Island. They are two options for the best place to stay in Acadia National Park because they are still close to the park and the surrounding attractions but you’ll find cheaper pricing for hotels and restaurants. This makes these towns a great budget option.
Trenton & Ellsworth are also worth considering because there are other things to do outside of the national park nearby. The downside to staying in this area is that traffic getting into the park can be pretty congested in the high season.
When we were looking for the best place to stay in Acadia National Park, we chose a motel in Trenton (see below). I thought this area was a great choice and highly suggest it to those looking for nice lodging at a cheaper price point.
5. Isleview Motel & Cottages
This is the property we stayed at when we visited Acadia National Park. We enjoyed our stay here and lucked out that they had opened back up for the season the week before we arrived. Since we visited in early May not everything was open yet, so we were fortunate to find this option at a great price.
The owners were incredibly friendly and helpful. They gave us great recommendations on restaurants to try and a great place to watch the sunrise that isn’t Cadillac Mountain. We stayed in one of the economy rooms on the second floor. It was very small, but it was clean and had everything we needed.
This motel offers economy rooms, motel rooms, and also cottages. There is free wifi on the property, and it’s located right off Route 3 which takes you right into Mt Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
6. Hampton Inn
Another great budget choice is the Hampton Inn located in Ellsworth. It gets great reviews for cleanliness and comfort, and it also offers a pool, gym, and free wifi, and if you want to travel with your furry friend, it’s pet-friendly too!
While it’s about a 15-minute drive to Acadia and Bar Harbor, you’ll still have lots of shopping and restaurant choices in Ellsworth (and at better prices too). The L.L. Bean shopping outlet is just down the road, and you also have the convenience of a Walmart just a few minutes away.
7. Private house on wooded property
If you like having your own space and some peace and quiet, this private house on wooded property is a fantastic option.
It has 2 bedrooms and can sleep up to 4 people and also has 2 full baths which makes it a great choice for families. The property is only ½ mile from Ellsworth which makes it easy to stock up on food and supplies. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy wildlife from the decks.
8. Camping with Wolves
Maybe camping is more your style. If that’s the case, check out these primitive camping sites at Kisma Preserve. With several options available, including a loft, you’ll be able to unplug here and enjoy the wildlife on the preserve, including wolves!
There is a hot shower available as well as potable water and a porta-potty. You may also be able to bring your small camper if you have one. This is a very unique camping location, but no children are allowed, so keep that in mind.
Best places to stay in Acadia National Park: Southwest Harbor
Southwest Harbor is a less popular part of Mt Desert Island. It’s a small community located to (you guessed it) the southwest of Acadia. This is a great area to hang out and base yourself on your national park vacation. During the summer, there are still lots of good restaurants to be found, and it’s a very quiet community. If you want to get away from the crowds, this area is one of the best places to stay in Acadia National Park.
9. Cafe Drydock & Inn
Cafe Drydock & Inn is a fun, maritime-themed hotel that offers free wifi in public spaces and also free parking. One of the perks of the inn is the on-site restaurant and bar, which make this place perfect for unwinding at the end of your busy sightseeing day.
Previous guests have loved how clean and tidy the rooms are as well as the friendliness of the staff and how delicious the food at the restaurant is.
“The Cafe Drydock & Inn is a treasure. The rooms are lovely, spacious, well decorated with comfortable beds!…Everyone we interacted with was very friendly. We love the “quiet side” of Acadia and will certainly look forward to staying here again.”
Carol-Anne, hotel review
10. The Bungalow
The Bungalow is a fantastic one-bedroom apartment that is perfect for a solo traveler or a couple. Just 20 minutes from Bar Harbor and close to various entry points to Acadia National Park, you’ll be close to the main attractions but far enough away for some peace and quiet.
Unwind at the end of your day by sitting outside and enjoying the weather. You’ll also have access to the washer and dryer, a barbeque grill, and fast wifi.
11. The Claremont Hotel
Sometimes you’re looking for a little luxury with top-notch amenities, and if that’s the case, The Claremont Hotel won’t disappoint.
This hotel offers free breakfast, parking, and wifi, multiple on-site restaurants and bars, a heated swimming pool and spa, and beautiful views of the water. To top it all off, it was named the #5 hotel in the Northeast by Conde Nast Traveler!
12. Beech Mountain Townhouse
If you’re traveling with kids or friends, the Beech Mountain Townhouse will be a great fit. This two-bed, two-bath has everything you need for a great stay at Acadia National Park. The kitchen is fully stocked with all the essentials, you’ll be in a great location, and there’s even a washer and dryer to round out the great amenities!
Best places to stay in Acadia National Park: Bangor
Bangor might not be an area you would consider a best place to stay in Acadia National Park, but it definitely has some great points.
For one, the Bangor International Airport (BGR) is located right outside the city, making it a great option for those who are flying in from other parts of the country. While it is about an hour away from Acadia, it will be a quieter, less touristy option, especially for those who want a more urban atmosphere.
Bangor is also a good hub for other parts of interior Maine and offers other cultural attractions for people who want to experience more of Maine than just the national park.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Bangor.
13. The Country Inn At The Mall
The Country Inn At The Mall has received a 4.6/5 star rating from over 1,000 guests. This property is close to the airport, offers free breakfast, wifi, and parking, and has a gym and business center.
The inn is also close to many restaurants and shopping options, including the Bangor Mall, which is only a 15 minute walk. Many of the reviews talk about the friendliness of the staff, the value of the property, and how clean the rooms are.
14. Bangor Inn & Suites
If you’re looking for something that’s great for families and offers the basic needs for a good price, consider the Bangor Inn & Suites. This no-frills hotel offers free continental breakfast, parking, and wifi and get fantastic reviews for the value and cleanliness. Many guests have also said the breakfast is great!
15. Luxury Bangor Apartment
If an apartment is more your style, check out this luxury penthouse with stunning city views.
This property has two beds and can sleep 4, so it would work great for families or friends. This place is located in a great spot for walking to restaurants, and there’s even a brewery downstairs. You’ll have access to a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and even a designated workspace. There’s even free parking!
Tips for finding great lodging near Acadia National Park
Finding the best place to stay in Acadia National Park can seem daunting when there are literally hundreds of options to choose from. Here are a few suggestions to make this decision easier and quicker.
Book early
The earlier you are able to book your lodging, the more choices you will have and the better prices will be. Unlike some things that get cheaper at the last minute, hotel prices tend to go up the fewer days you have before your stay.
This is especially important if you have a smaller budget for lodging. The less expensive places will fill up quickly, so as soon as you know your travel dates, start researching and book your hotel. Many places also have free cancellation policies, so check these as well before you book in case you have to make changes.
Stay further away from the park
While staying close to Acadia National Park has a lot of advantages, you will pay a much higher price for lodging, food, and pretty much everything else. These locations also tend to book up much quicker too, so if you plan your trip last-minute, you might have slim pickings.
However, if you decide to stay a bit further from the park, like in Bangor or Trenton & Ellsworth, you will more than likely find cheaper prices and have a better chance of finding an option last-minute since these places are not as popular as Bar Harbor or Southwest Harbor.
Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what experiences you do not want to compromise and where you’d be willing to have a little wiggle room in order to make your budget and your vacation work.
Visit in the off-season
While there are certain things that won’t be open in the fall, winter, and spring months, like lobster shacks and whale-watching tours, if you want to save money and not have to worry as much about rooms selling out, consider coming to Acadia National Park in the off-season.
There will be certain lodging options that will not be open this time of year, but if you decide to stay a little further away from the park, many of those hotels in the less tourist areas will be open and will have cheaper prices than in the summer months where they can get away with charging premium rates.
FAQs about places to stay in Acadia National Park
How many days should I stay in Acadia National Park?
In short – as many as you can!
If you are a first-time visitor, I highly recommend staying for at least 3 days. This will give you enough time to see the highlights and also add in a couple of other activities, like a whale watching tour or more hiking trails.
Check out this complete guide to planning your Acadia National Park itinerary!
If you’ve got even more time, you can check out some other nearby attractions, such as the Bold Coast or Portland.
Can I stay inside Acadia National Park?
While there are no actual accommodation options inside Acadia National Park, there are plenty of places right outside the park. Check out the choices earlier in this post to see my recommendations for the best place to stay in Acadia National Park.
What town is closest to Acadia National Park?
Bar Harbor, Maine is the closest town to Acadia National Park. There are lots of lodging options as well as shopping and restaurant choices here, which makes it a great base for exploring Acadia National Park.
What is the best time of year to visit Acadia National Park?
While I don’t really think there’s a bad time of year to visit Acadia National Park, your interests are going to determine the best time to visit the park.
Summertime (June-August) is high season, but it also has the best weather and offers the most activities. This is when everything is open and you’ll have the most daylight for exploring. However, this is when the crowds are here, so you’ll have a lot of people out on the trails and pretty much everywhere.
Spring and fall (April-May and September-October) are great times to visit if you want to do hiking and don’t mind skipping some of the popular attractions, such as the boat tours and the lobster shacks. Prices are more reasonable and it won’t be as crowded. We visited in early May and thought it was a good time for most of the things we wanted to experience.
The one exception to this is fall foliage, which peaks at different times every year but is often early October. This will be a busier time because lots of people visit to see the changing leaves. However, the colors are fantastic, so if this is on your bucket list, it’s a great time to go.
Winter (November-March) is low season. Many things are closed, including many hiking trails, restaurants, and attractions. However, there are winter things to do, like cross country skiing, that are available. If you want to see a different side of the park that many people don’t experience, and you like the colder weather, winter might be a great choice for you.
Conclusion: Best Place To Stay In Acadia National Park
No matter your budget or preferences, there is a great lodging option for you in Acadia National Park. Whether you want to stay in the heart of Bar Harbor, or would rather base yourself a little further away in Bangor, you’ll find a fantastic choice for your park visit!
Your turn: which place on this list would you love to stay at on your Acadia National Park trip? Let me know in the comments!
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