Are you planning your visit to Acadia; the Maine destination hardened by glaciers and rugged coastal wonders, rich in the elegant wilderness and widespread panoramas and weather that have been well-dressed by human hands. Acadia is one of the top-ten most visited national parks, yet is one of the smallest and most overfilled. How excited you are to encounter? We here bring you the ultimate guide to Acadia National Park.
At a glance:
- The National Park Established: In 1916 as Sieur de Monts National Monument
- Land Dimension: 49,075 acres
- Yearly Visitors: Around 3.5 million
- State: Maine
- Entrance Fees: Per person $15 and $30 per vehicle
Where is Acadia National Park?
Acadia National Park is sited on Mount Desert Island and the neighboring area, along the Maine central coast.
It is nearly 40 miles away from the town of Bangor, 170 miles away the Portland, 120 miles far from Augusta, the state capital, and from Boston, Massachusetts 280 miles away. Boston.
What is the main attraction of Acadia?
The main attractions at the Acadia National Park are the Atlantic Ocean and granite cliffs.
We found the park is called “the crown jewel of the North Atlantic coastline” for its picturesque panoramas and vivid diversity of wildlife.
Undoubtedly, Acadia National Park has many reasons to be one of the ten top-visited National Parks in the USA, and its nearness to Boston and being the only National Park in New England help more. And it is a place full of attractive drives, plenteous hiking trails, and fantastic rock climbing chances to the heart’s full.
What should I know before visiting Acadia?
There are certain things you should be aware of the national park you wish to go and that is why Guide to Acadia National Park includes this. So here we bring you some important facts you should know when visiting the Maine destination.
Need of the vehicle reservation:
As to the National Park Service you are required the vehicle reservations to get on the Cadillac Summit Road. This is applied during daylight hours and includes sunrise. We can see thousands of visitors gather to the East Coast’s peak point at 1,529 feet to enjoy the day’s first glimmers fall over Frenchman Bay. And for the interesting fact, at times Cadillac is the earliest in the U.S. to see the sun-up.
Island Explorer:
The best way is more hassle and enjoy the best times at Acadia; a free shuttle bus is the best. Without getting troubled over parking at the top destinations like Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond House, and Thunder Hole.
You will find the “Island Explorer” runs all day. And from mid-June to mid-October, it works at night too. With the ten routes, it links village hubs, campgrounds, and hotels with points in MDI and Schoodic regions of Acadia.
Bring your pet companion to Acadia:
If you love camping with your pet, Acadia is going to be one of the best destinations. It is one of the few national parks that permit dogs, but as long as they are leashed. You can take your companion on the trails, carriage roads, and also at Seawall, Blackwoods, and Schoodic woods campsites. However, it changes on Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut.
How to get there; Guide to Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is in the distant part of Maine’s seaside region. But thanks to the rich transportation options, Acadia is high in popularity.
Flights:
- Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) – A small airport with only 2 paved runways and found the closest to Acadia, Hancock County. It is just 15 minutes from the main entrance of the park. You can find multiple flights daily to Boston from Hancock County. They are prop planes functioned by Cape Air and Silver Airways
- Bangor International Airport (BGR) – It is just a 1-hour drive from the park which is too a small airport. Flights on United, American, and Allegiant airlines are offered. We find most of the flights operated from Bangor to top cities in the Northeast and also Mid-Atlantic. And there are flights to Chicago and Florida cities sometimes
- Portland International Jetport (PWM) – Offers flights on almost all US airlines and is the busiest airport in Maine. It is located only 3 hours’ drive away from Acadia
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – This is a 4.5-hour drive destination from south of Acadia and is the busiest in New England. Highly operational and offered almost every US-based airlines
Drive:
- Interstate 95- This Interstate 95 runs up the coast of Maine and along the way, Acadia is reachable from both the state capital, Augusta, and the major metropolis, Boston
- US Highway 1A- Just about 1 hour away from Acadia on US Highway 1A
- Interstate 295 and 95- Acadia is about a 3-hour drive north alongside Interstates 295 and 95 from Portland
- Québec Highway 73/173 & US Highway 201- It crosses an international border but Québec City is 5 hours’ drive from Acadia National Park through Québec Highways 73 and 173, just the same as US Highway 201
Public transportation:
A bit complex yet possible!
- From Boston- Easier to Acadia is flying from Boston to Hancock County Airport. And there, you are access to the free Island Explorer bus system, in which you can reach Acadia and will give easy transportation everywhere in the park
- From Bangor- By flying to Bangor, you get access to the Downeast bus line with lead to the town of Bar Harbor. This is accessible from Mondays and Fridays. And from Bar Harbor, the free Island Explorer bus line is accessible with 10 different routes to go around the park
The best time to visit Acadia National Park
What is the best time to visit Acadia National Park? In short, it is either August or October.
In August, Acadia greets its visitors with warmer temperatures and good sunny days. However, August is a very busy month at Acadia with full of crowds in the local campgrounds and trails.
By the middle of October, Acadia is full of the fall colors and better says that are at their highest. But here, the weather shows a change from hot days to colder and you will have to cope with cooler weather and also the weekend crowds. If you have no problem with chilling nights, October is definitely going to be a fantastic time to visit Acadia National Park. And here, do not forget to pack your insulated jackets to stay warmer and comfortable.
What to see in Acadia National Park?
There is no shortage of things you can see at Acadia and here we bring you some best things to see during your times at Acadia.
- Cadillac Mountain– This is one of the top attractions at Acadia and in Maine’s coastline, the peak is the tallest. During winter and fall, this is one of the very first places to see the sunrise in the United States
- Otter Cliff- You can find this one of the highest on the Maine coastline, and that can be spotted along the eastern lot of Park Loop Road close to the well-known Thunder Hole. For rock climbers, otter cliff is unavoidable as this is among the few places in the eastern United States to climb at the same time getting sprayed by ocean mist
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse- Spotting the entry to Bass Harbor, the aptly termed Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is still in use in the present day which is a 19th-century lighthouse. Visitors are allowed to check out its original bell and light passing through the town of Bass Harbor in a bit. At sunset, the lighthouse is very beautiful due to its scenic setting on the highest of a rocky outcropping
- Thunder Hole- You can find this just down the road from Otter Cliff (eastern side of the park) which is a small engraved inlet naturally on Mount Desert Island’s coastline that lets out an ear-piercing sound with each wave.
- Sand beach- This is indeed a sandy beach in Acadia that is extending about 900’ and appears to be the only sandy beachline for the entire region. During summer, this comes to a perfect swimming hole.
Plan your visit to Acadia National Park
Acadia is open year-round but from late fall to spring, roads and visitor centers will be closed. To get the latest updates, click here.
You can refer to the National Park Service Website for further details including vehicle reservations required to drive up to Cadillac Mountain (during May through October). In the peak season, a free shuttle is operating which stops at every top destination to stop you from worrying about parking issues.
One day at Acadia:
- Drive park loop road
- Visit the sand beach and Thunder hole
- Hike the Beehive trail or Precipice
- Go for a walk around Jordan Pond
- Drive up to Cadillac Mountain and end with a visit to Bar Harbor
Two days at Acadia:
Follow the one-day plan above and start day 2 with,
- Boat cruise from Bar Harbor
- Go to Schoodic Penisula
- Take a horse and carriage ride or can rent bikes and explore around
- Visit Echo lake in the mid of the day
- Hike Beech Cliff Ladder trail
- And watch the sunset at Bass Habor Head Lighthouse
Three days at Acadia:
You can follow day-one and two-day plans well-customized for your three-day stay at Acadia. And additionally, on day three, add Isle Au Haut.
Where to stay?
The properties I picked here are located in Bar Harbor.
- Bar Harbor Grand Hotel- Found this a high-rated place to stay in town which is located in Central Bar harbor. This hotel has a swimming pool, fitness center, and hot tub, and rooms accommodate up to six
- Bar Harbor Inn and Spa- This is a big hotel in a beautiful setting on the coastline.it takes only minutes to walk to the town and shops. You can have rooms with views of the harbor or islands. Being one of the high-rated hotels, it has a pool (heated), Spa, hot tub, and more facilities
- The Elmhurst Inn- This is a good place to stay on a budget also with a good view. This is a bed and breakfast hotel in which rooms can accommodate up to two people
- Bar Harbor Motel- For those who are looking for a cheaper stay, this is going to be a perfect place with plenty of reviews. This is located in the North of the town and its rooms accommodate up to 6 people in one room making it a working option for families
Where to Eat?
Café This Way- This is a good place to eat which opens for Breakfast in the morning and in the evening for Dinner
Side Street Café- This is a popular restaurant in Bar Harbor and popular for Lobster rolls
Where can we get lobster; is a popular question at Acadia and you have the best places to get it done. If you are looking for Maine Lobster, C-Ray Lobster and Rose Eden Lobster are great for good pricing. And if you want a place with a view, the screened-porch dining room at Thurston’s Lobster Pound is a perfect match which is in the town of Bernard. And for those who prefer both indoor and outdoor dining, Abel’s Lobster will be a good option.
It is your turn to explore Acadia!
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