Moody, Magnificent Acadia: 7 Night Travel Itinerary & Guide
- Laura
- Nov 4
- 7 min read
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Our Acadia National Park itinerary and guide - 7 days will help you get to know this breathtaking natural resource. Located in northern Maine, Acadia’s mountains, forests, and shoreline can ricochet between sun-drenched and mist-covered. Sweeping vistas quickly transform with changeable light and precipitation. The only thing predictable about moody Acadia, is that you will be enchanted.
Situated on Mt. Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle Au Haut; the park offers lots to discover within a small area. There are things to do in Acadia National park for all ages including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and scenic drives. The sea offers another playground with kayaking, sailing, whale watching, and fishing adventures to experience.
Our 7 day Acadia itinerary will introduce you to some of the park's must-see sights at a pace that will leave you feeling rejuvenated by this spectacular region.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK GUIDE
Entrance Pass & Reservations
The National Park requires an entrance pass that can be purchased online or at park visitor centers (daily or weekly). Also, vehicle registration and reservations are required for the Cadillac Summit Road (end of May through mid-October).
How To Get Around
Most people use a personal vehicle in Acadia. Parking lots fill up fast (leave early!). The park offers a free bus service that runs between lodgings and popular park sights. Carriage roads are shared by hikers, bikers, and horses. For electric bikes: only Class-1 e-bikes are allowed (no Class-2 or -3). Click this link for information on car rentals (RentalCars.com).
Food & Drink
Stock up on drinks and snacks before entering the park. Other than the Jordan Pond Restaurant, there are no dining options and few concessions with park boundaries.
Acadia National Park Weather
The weather changes frequently. Dress in layers and have rain gear available in all seasons. Plan on summer temperatures in the 70' (F) range; and winter temperatures in the 30' (F) range with frequent precipitation (rain/snow).
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOURS
With 78 miles of parklands, Acadia is spread over some 50,000 acres. An organized excursion with a knowledgeable local guide is a great way to see the rugged terrain, and avoid the hassle of parking at the popular park. Here are a few well-reviewed Acadia National Park tours:
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK MAP
HOTELS NEARBY ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
There are several resort towns bordering Acadia National Park. We recommend using elegant and historic Bar Harbor as a base for your exploration. Bar Harbor is well-appointed with many hotels, restaurants, taverns, shops, bike rentals, and tour operators. For a quieter experience, try Seal, Southwest, or Northwest Harbors.
Here are a few well-reviewed hotels near Acadia National Park:
Bar Harbor Motel - Family motel with free breakfast and direct Acadia trail access.
Harborside Hotel, Spa, & Marina- We stayed at this amazing Bar Harbor Hotel, and loved it!
Bar Harbor Inn - Historic and elegant Bar Harbor Inn, overlooking Frenchman Bay
7 DAY ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY
Day 1: Hull's Cove Visitor Center
Travel day and check-in. After you have explored your lodgings take a trip to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (Route 3). Hike up 52 steps to the main building. Purchase park entrance/vehicle registration(s) if you did not buy online. Stock up on maps. Learn about the upcoming weather and park alerts.
Day 2: Acadia Park Loop Road, Seal Harbor, and Northeast Harbor
On the Park Loop Road drive to the Sand Beach Acadia parking lot. Our Acadia itinerary begins with a hike of the Acadia Ocean Path (5 mile round trip). The wide, flat, family-friendly trail follows one of the most scenic portions of the coastline. Allow around 3 -4 hours for the hike.
Stop 1 - Sand Beach Acadia: After parking, follow the stairs down to Sand Beach. Walk the coastline and enjoy to the amazing scenery. Take a few photos before heading back up the stairs. Veer right on the trail and look for the marker denoting the start of the Acadia Ocean Path.
Stop 2 - Thunder Hole Acadia: Leave the path and descend the stairs to a blow hole where waves crash with a roar. This spot tends to be overcrowded, so enjoy a splash or two and move along.
Stop 3 - Monument Cove: Pass by a small, rocky stretch of coast with striking granite formations.
Stop 4 - Boulder Beach: With care, you can hike down to a cove littered with bowling ball sized rocks worn smooth from the surf.
Stop 5 - Otter Cliffs Acadia: Reaching the end of the hike you will pass dramatic cliffs that are a favorite of rock climbers. Next, comes Otter Point where you can relax on the rocks. When rested, head back to Sand Beach for a picnic lunch and beach time.
Back in your vehicle, continue on Acadia Park Loop Road. Turn off on Route 3, then begin to veer toward the coast. Drive past scenic Seal Harbor. Eventually, you will reach Northeast Harbor. Park in the lot by the marina. Explore the wharf before walking up the hill to the downtown area where you will find an array of interesting shops and cafes. There is a lovely, low-key pace to this area.
Day 3: Bar Harbor Shore Path, Bar Harbor, and Bar Island Hike
Today, head to Bar Harbor. Park at the Town Pier. After exploring the waterfront, walk along the wharf by Agamont Park. The Bar Harbor Shore Path begins here. Treading on past the Bar Harbor Inn, round the point and enjoy the path for another .5 miles past cottages, inns, and the dramatic eastern shore.
Next, discover downtown Bar Harbor. This thriving seaside town seems to always be hopping. You can eat, drink, shop - and then, do it all some more! There are great bakeries and coffee shops, bars, restaurants, souvenirs, and stores offering high quality wares.
TRUSTED TRAVEL RESOURCES
After shopping, head to Bridge Street. At the end of the road, at low tide, water from the bay disappears and there is a natural land bridge leading to Bar Island (part of the National Park). Cross to Bar Island and trek it's rocky perimeter or hike the hill for spectacular views of Bar Harbor.
This hike is especially fun to do at sunset. TIP: Plan your day according to the tides. The land bridge can be crossed within 1.5 hours before/after low tide (or the area floods). Switch the Bar Harbor Shore Path walk and Bar Island hike as needed to accommodate the tides.
Day 4: Acadia Carriage Roads & Jordan Pond. Sunset at Cadillac Mountain
Take the Acadia Park Loop Road to either Jordan Pond House or Wildwood Stables. The area around Jordan Pond and Wildwood is crisscrossed by Acadia carriage roads, ponds, and National Forest. From this area you can hike, e-bike, or take a horse drawn carriage ride on the Acadia carriage roads.
Try these tours:
Have lunch at the Jordan Pond House and browse the gift shop. Take the afternoon to relax. At sunset, drive to the Acadia Park Loop Road, and turn onto the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road. Explore the summit and enjoy the sunset. (May-October reservation required.)
Day 5: Day at Sea. Evening in Bar Harbor
This morning get out on the water. There are tours for every taste and ability. You can ride on a lobster boat, spot seals, bird watch, see lighthouses, or set sail on a schooner. There are also kayaks and paddle boards for rent. If being on the water doesn't appeal to you there are train, trolley, and airplane tour.
Try one of these tours:
Day 6: Schoodic Peninsula and Winter Harbor
Embark upon a road trip to the 'other' Acadia; the forested Schoodic Peninsula. Situated on the mainland, the peninsula is about an hour drive from the Hull's Cove Visitor Center. The Schoodic landscape is similar to Mt. Desert Island, but is less crowded. Along the 6 mile, one-way park loop road there are many places to pull off and explore. There are picnic grounds and restrooms within the park.
On the way back to Mt. Desert Island, stop in the fishing village of Winter Harbor. Look back at Bar Harbor from the boat launch at Henry's Cove. There are few small shops, eateries, and a pretty little inn to visit.
Day 7: Morning hike. Afternoon at Sand Beach Acadia
Pack a picnic. Leave early for 1.4 mile (2.2 km) morning hike of the Great Head Trail. Following the perimeter of the Great Head peninsula, this moderate trail climbs past pink granite formations for terrific views of Otter Cliffs and Thunder Hole. Park in the Sand Beach lower parking lot.
When you have finished your hike, enjoy Sand Beach. Find a spot at the end of the beach where the tidal pools gather in the shadow of the Beehive Mountain.
Day 8: Travel Day Home
Safe travels home, Laura and Randy
For more information on travel to the Maine coast read our articles on:
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