Acadia National Park Things To Do
- Laura
- Nov 3
- 7 min read
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Famed for its rugged and spectacular beauty, Acadia National Park encompasses sections of Maine’s Mt. Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle Au Haut. Within its boundaries there are miles of carriage roads, hiking trails, and scenic highways. Our article on things to do in Acadia National Park will highlight the park’s most treasured attractions and activities.
Most people visit Acadia in the summer; not realizing that the park is a four-season destination. Those who visit in spring and fall will find brilliant foliage and park landmarks that are much less crowded than in July and August. And, when the snow flies, the park is swarmed by cross-country skiers and winter hikers. Read on, for ideas about things to do in Acadia National Park throughout the year.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ATTRACTIONS
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK MAP
HOTELS NEAR ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
The resort town of Bar Harbor makes a great base for exploring Acadia. In town, visitors will find accommodations, eateries, tour operators, bike rental shops, and shops for all budgets. For a quieter experience, Southwest or Northwest Harbors are also good options.
Here are a few sought-after hotels near Acadia National Park:
Bar Harbor Motel - Family friendly motel with free breakfast and direct access to Acadias.
Harborside Hotel, Spa, & Marina- We stayed at this wonderful Bar Harbor Hotel, and loved it!
Bar Harbor Inn - Elegant Bar Harbor Inn, overlooking Frenchman Bay
THINGS TO DO IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
HULLS COVE VISITORS CENTER
Located off Route 3 in Bar Harbor, the Hulls Cove Visitors Center is a great first stop for any trip to Acadia. At this location visitors can pick up an Acadia National Park map and learn about any park closures, alerts, and weather advisories. Onsite, you can purchase an entrance pass and speak with a park ranger about your visit.
DRIVE THE ACADIA PARK LOOP ROAD
The Acadia Park Loop Road is a 27-mile road that winds past some of the prettiest portions of the Mt. Desert Island including the spectacular Maine coast, old timber forests, glacial lakes, and lush bogs. Beginning at the Hull’s Cove Visitor’s Center, the road snakes around the island with parking lots placed by natural attractions.
Most of the road is one-way. Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours driving the loop. Bring drinks and snacks (the only restaurant is at Jordan Pond House). Also, be aware cell service is poor. Highlights of the road include:
Sand Beach Acadia
The only sandy beach in the park is surrounded by granite cliffs and long grasses. The beach is the starting point of many popular hikes including the Acadia Ocean Path.
Thunder Hole Acadia
Churning water has carved an inlet into the rocky shore. When the incoming tide hits the narrow opening there is a thunderous clap and tremendous spray. At the attraction, a staircase leads to a viewing platform. The best ‘claps’ are heard 1-2 hours before high tide. There is a parking area, bathrooms, and a seasonal concession stand at the site.
Otter Cliffs Acadia
The view from the top of the 110-foot Otter Cliffs is one of the best in the park. In addition to providing spectacular coastal views, Otter Cliffs are a great place to rock climb (and watch the rock-climbers).
TRUSTED TRAVEL RESOURCES
Cadillac Mountain
The highest summit on the US eastern seaboard, Cadillac Mountain has stunning views of Frenchman Bay (or none if it is foggy). Reached via a 3.5-mile road off Park Loop Road (or hiking trail), the summit has a gift shop and restrooms. Be aware there is limited parking. Between May and October reservations are required to access the road.
WALK THE ACADIA OCEAN PATH
The Acadia Ocean Path is a gravel trail that parallels the Acadia Park Loop Road. The 5 mile round-trip route includes some of the most beautiful sites in the park. The hike begins at Sand Beach. Along the route, pass Thunder Hole (.7 miles), Monument Cove (.9 miles), and Otter Cliffs (1.5 miles). At Otter Point (2.6 miles), turn around and retrace your route.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOURS
When time is tight and/or transportation is limited, a tour of Acadia give an overview of the park’s major attractions. Several company’s offer excursions for day trippers. Most will include stops along the Acadia Park Loop Road at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond House, and the Cadillac Mountain summit.
Try these tours:
GO HIKING IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Acadia is well-known for its challenging rung and ladder trails. The Beehive Trail is a short, but difficult trail that ascends a 450-foot cliff trail to spectacular views of Sand Beach and Frenchman Bay. To reach the top, hikers must traverse sheer granite stairs, iron rungs, and steep cliff faces. Good footwear is recommended, and the hike should not be attempted in inclement weather. Adrenalin-junkies love this trail.
For those who enjoy a less technical and difficult hike, try the Great Head Trail. This 1.7-mile round trip leaves from the same area as the Beehive Trail (Sand Beach). The hike offers wooded sections and gorgeous ocean views with some sheer drops (watch children carefully).
Try this tour: Acadia Full Day Tour & Hike for 2
SPEND TIME AT JORDAN POND
The Jordan Pond House is a popular hub for exploring the park’s carriage roads and hiking trails. At the site a restaurant and gift shop overlook a pristine glacial lake surrounded by stunning forest landscapes. There is a parking lot and restrooms onsite. Many trails intersect the location which stays busy hosting hikers, bikers, and motorists.
Take a stroll around the Jordan Pond Nature Trail (1-mile loop) or Jordan Pond Shore Trail (3.3-mile loop). Next, rent a canoe and paddle around the pond. Later, have lunch or afternoon tea at the Jordan Pond Restaurant where hot soups and popovers are often featured on the menu. Reservations recommended.
ENJOY A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE
In the early 1900s, park benefactor John D. Rockefeller oversaw the construction of a series of carriage roads. These gently sloping lanes were designed to showcase the park’s amazing natural environments by horse drawn carriage.
In total, Acadia National Park has 45-miles of carriage roads. These roads meander past lakes, ponds, and exquisite mountain landscapes; all connected by 16 unique stone bridges. Visit Wildwood Stables – Carriages of Acadia (acadiahorses.com) to reserve a 1- or 2-hour carriage ride.
BIKING IN ACADIA
The 45-miles of Rockefeller carriage roads that run through the interior of Acadia National Park are closed to motor vehicle travel. Only horses, walkers, and bikes (pedal and Class 1 e-bikes) are allowed on the crushed stone roads. Some up and down slopes are quite long, making e-bikes a popular choice for many visitors.
Bike rentals are available in Bar Harbor. The trails can be accessed from the downtown Bar Harbor or at one of the park’s many carriage road access points. Bike tours are also available:
Try these tours:
SUNRISE AT CADIALLAC MOUNTAIN
Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak in Acadia. In the fall and winter months, it is the first place in the US to see the sun rise. With outstanding views of Frenchman Bay, Cadillac Mountain a sought-after location to watch the sunrise (and sunset). Between May and October reservations are required to drive the 3.5 mile road.
SEE ACADIA'S COASTLINE FROM THE SEA
Don’t miss a chance to see the Acadia National Park coastline from the sea. A boat cruise around the island will likely take in Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Visitors can combine a cruise with fishing, lobstering, and swimming excursions. Sunrise and sunset sails are also popular. Try one of these tours:
Try these tours:
ROADTRIP TO SCHOODIC PENINSULA
The Schoodic Peninsula is about an hour away from Mt. Desert Island, but the lack of tourists in this area of the park makes it feel far away in the best possible sense. Take a road trip to the Schoodic region for uncrowded landscapes and great views of Cadillac Mountain.
BE A BEACH BUM ON SAND BEACH
In the dead of summer Sand Beach is often windy and shrouded in fog. The water is too cold to comfortably swim and the white sand is sprinkled with pointy shells. Despite all this, the beach is brilliant. Bordered by seas grasses, walls of pink granite, and the wide-open Atlantic Ocean the cove is one of the prettiest you will find.
HIKE TO BAR ISLAND AT LOW TIDE
Bar Island is a small circle of land in Frenchman Bay that is part of the National Park system. For approximately 1.5 hours on either side of low tide the island is accessible from the town of Bar Harbor by a sandbar land-bridge. Tread across the expanse and climb to the top of Bar Island for views of Bar Harbor.
GO BIRDING OR DEEP-SEA FISHING
If you are a birder or deep-sea fisherman, Acadia has much to offer. The park is home to over 300 species of birds including eagles, osprey, owls, woodpeckers, and peregrine falcons. It is also a popular fishing destination. Anglers often pull in salmon, trout, and smallmouth bass from the surrounding waters. Commercial tours are available to pursue each of these pursuits.
CAMP AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Camping in Acadia National Park is hugely popular. During the season (May to October) there are two Acadia National Park campgrounds on Mt. Desert Island. The Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds offer tent sites and RV hookups (no electricity). Reservations must be made in advance.
See you on the Carriage Roads, Randy and Laura
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