The 15 Best Things To Do In Acadia National Park

  • Updated: May 20, 2025
best things to do in Acadia National Park

Exploring natural wonders, driving through picturesque roads, spending days at the beach, touring at the lighthouse, and so on, there are lots of things you can do at Acadia. It is definitely a place for you to plan ahead with an adventure-filled experience. So pack up for your next journey as we here cover up the best things to do in Acadia National Park.

Acadia is among the top ten most visited National Parks in the US is home to a plethora of attractions. For anyone enthusiastic about the great outdoors, Acadia is a wonderful option where every season marks unique beauty. Let’s walk through the 15 best things to do in Acadia National Park where you can collect the best memories at the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast”.

Cadillac Mountain

Standing about 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is found as one of the highest points in Acadia. And before 1918, this was known as “Green Mountain”.

Cadillac Mountain is one of the main attractions at Acadia from where you can experience sunrise at first in the entire US if you take your visit from October 7thto March 6th. At this wonderful place, you can find beautiful hiking trails, vantage points with amazing views, an information center, a gift shop, and even more.

Plan ahead with an amazing hike in the scenic trails, watch the sunrise atop, spend romantic times with your partner, and practice best your nature photography skills.

Park Loop Road

Running about 27 miles long, Park Loop road features plenty of captivating views along the drive. For those who love going for long drives and enjoy road trips, Park Loop Road is a great option that covers some of the most scenic places in Acadia National Park including rich greenery, wonderful water sources, luxurious mountains, and more.

By mid-spring, you can find most of the Park Loop Road open and free of snow. So if you love taking long drives at the same time ignoring summer traffic, this time of the year would be nice and relaxing. This is one of the best things to do in Acadia National Park with the whole family. So get your playlist ready, pack snacks and water, have the camera fully charged, and start the scenic drive to Park Loop road. And never forget to get more information about the area by simply dropping at an information center.

Schoodic Point

Spanning about 2,266 acres, Schoodic Point is found as one of the most scenic places in Acadia National Park. Schoodic Point is not as easy as some other places of the park when it comes the accessibility, but it is indeed the reason why recent travelers found it so special. Much similar to Mount Desert Island, it can call one of the best things to do in Acadia National Park, featuring a granite coastline, settings of solid woodlands and splendid mountains, designated campsites, more than hiking trails, scenic picnic zones, and seasonal ranger programs.

At Schoodic Point, there are many things you can do. Bring plenty of fun to your Acadia visit by camping, biking, hiking through scenic trails, watching waves crashing, and more alike at Schoodic Point.

Jordan Pond

Covering about 187 acres, Jordan Pond is kind of a pool shaped by glaciers. To enjoy a visit to Acadia with friends and family, Jordan Pond is a must-point to add to your wish list where you can get an unforgettable experience with multiple entertaining possibilities.  You can find a number of facilities there including a restaurant, trails, a gift shop, waterfront access, and more alike.

To spend an amazing day at the heart of nature, Jordan Pond is ideal where you can engage in great hikes, canoeing, fishing water activities, and more. And after the walks in the area, go to Jordan Pond House for some tasty treats which are strongly famous for their signature popovers. Additionally, it serves crab cakes, soups, lobster rolls, artisanal cheese plates, and also three-course dinners.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is historic construction done in the late 1800s and called the most beautiful in all of Maine. You can spot this in the southwestern state of Mount Desert Island which is about 33 feet in height. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is possessed and run by the U.S. Coast Guard and this is found the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island. Even the access inside the lighthouse is locked to visitors; you can observe it best from outside.

Those who love showing off photography skills will find this iconic historical landmark at the top of options. And this area features a stone foundation, a large bell, a parking area for a limited number of vehicles, a keeper’s place, along with the rocky coastline. As one of the most picturesque spots at Acadia, add this to the must-watch list when you are planning your visit.

Carriage Roads

Carriage roads include at the top when considered the best things to do in Acadia National Park which extends about 45 miles long featuring about seventeen stunning stone arch bridges. For those who are looking for cheap but high enjoyable things at Acadia, Carriage roads would be a great fit. And regardless of the season, you visit, that is a place for all sorts of fun things.

At Carriage roads, you can explore a number of bridges, do hiking, horseback riding, biking, and more. If you visit during the winter, do not miss going cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more fun snow activities. Undoubtedly, Carriage roads bring the best sceneries all that the park had to offer.

Sand Beach

Covering about 290 yards long, the Sand Beach finds on the series of Newport Cove. And this is an ideal place for you to have a swim leisurely at the same time enjoying various facilities.

Just as the name implies, this is a sandy beach. It holds high popularity as one of the only sandy regions find at the coastline in Acadia National Park, where you can spend quality time with the whole family. And this is a perfect way you can keep your kids occupied while camping.

At the sand beach, you can find plenty of amenities including seasonal rescuers, clean changing spaces, ADA-accessible restrooms, waterfront views, Oceanside trails, and an ambiance peaceful and family-friendly along with a parking area.

For both kids and adults, the sand beach is a great place for all sandy playtimes. You can swim in freshwater, go on a picnic on the beach, hike around ocean-side trails and do more. Remember to check with 2 the Great Head Trail and the Ocean Path which are truly family-friendly trails around.

Precipice Trail

Spanning about 2.5 miles Precipice Trail can call one of the most rewarding hikes in the park which probably take 2 to 3 hours to complete. So this is one of the best things to do in Acadia National Park for experienced hikers. It offers steep climbs up over 1,000 feet accompanied by a splendid setting.

For your ultimate hiking experience, add up rock climbing, way across steep ledges, steel rails, and go ladders up while enjoying panoramic sights around. Make sure you have all the right gear for hiking and the most comfortable shoes.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is one of the most popular attractions in Acadia National park which is easy to access. This is a semi-submerged cave popular for its thundering noises occurring as the waves hit its rocks. The immense waves reach up about 40 feet high and bring out roaring noises besides the coast. This beautiful tourist spot features a picturesque view, easy access, restrooms that are wheel-chair friendly, and a parking area.

At this raucous natural wonder, you can watch wonderful waves hitting against the rocks and can listen to the thundering noise. It is also a great destination to show off your photography skills and take nice hikes around.

Otter Cliff

This is one of the most visited places in Acadia which is a typical stop along the Park Loop Road. Otter Cliff is high about 110 feet and finds close by some of the top sites like Thunder Hole and Sand beach.

Otter Cliff is kind of a climbing spot, especially for first-timers. It has beginner-supportive climbs for even your kids. The best part is where you can do rock climbing right on a cliff while enjoying some sea spray. In your Acadia visit, never forget to drop by Otter Cliff which features a shoreline littered with stones and rocks and an offshore rock founding called the Spindle. With the blend of rocky landscape, dense forests, and cerulean water, here waiting to offer you breathtaking views.

The Beehive Trail

For seasoned hikers, the Beehive Trail is an unavoidable spot in Acadia for the most adventurous hikes. It spans roughly 1.4 miles back and forth and would be a perfect fit for those who are looking for vivid and exciting trails to trek. As to many and my own experience says, it takes about 1 to 3 hours to complete the trail. But this is totally going to depend on how fast you go and landscapes steep areas.

If you are thinking about an epic hike with your partner or friends, the Beehive Trail is a solid option. Your times at the Beehive Trails will cover rock scrambling, climbing iron stages, hiking up granite stairs, trekking through rough tracks, and so much more.

Downtown Bar Harbor

For best things to do in Acadia National Park, I add Downtown Bar Harbor which is a waterfront community with a line of streets and so many fun opportunities. After days of hiking and camping, if you are looking for a change in things, turn to explore the charms of the downtown area. You have many opportunities waiting there to keep you highly entertained with access to entertainment centers, the finest lodging areas, the best restaurants, and more facilities.

For a relaxing getaway, try out strolling through the streets at Downtown Bar Harbor. You can enjoy a high trolley tour, get pampered at a spa, try the best dishes at waterfront restaurants, watch the exhibits, spend movie time, and enjoy unlimited shopping at the boutique shops.

Wild Gardens of Acadia

The most beautiful botanical garden experience at Acadia is offered by Wild Gardens of Acadia which maintains a rustic setting and is home to more than 300 innate plant kinds.  So for those who plan a memorable, relaxing kind of a romantic date at Acadia, this is going to be a perfect fit. It is a perfect botanical garden with beautiful streams, plenty of native plant species, kinds of ferns, wild plants, benches to sit and rest, and a wooden boardwalk along with a number of amenities.

If you want to take a different experience after a number of adventurous hikes at Acadia, this is a beautiful place to plan a day. It works well for lovers to walk hand-in-hand exploring the beauty of nature. And you can also hike through the area to have a bulk of fun.

Bass Harbor Cruises

Bass Harbor Cruises appear to be a top-popular local agency offering the best boat tour packages in the area. So plan your water adventures with this popular team where they take you through customized options respecting what you want to see along the tour and what you wish to do. And for family and friends, it offers private charters as well.

Never limit your exploring to land, take it to water too! And with different packages, you can go fishing, visit islands nearby, learn to sail and do more.

Great Head Trail

Through beautiful forests, the Great Head Trail extends also provides you with picturesque ocean views. Undoubtedly, the Great Head Trail is one of the best things to do at Acadia as it is a place for all skill-level trekkers.

So, enjoy great hiking while enjoying rich sceneries. It is a popular spot for bird watching and along the way, you will meet more attractive places like Pink Granite Cliff.

best things to do in Acadia National Park

What is your favorite among the best things to do in Acadia National Park? If you’ve got anything more to say, the comments are open!

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