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The Ultimate Guide To Acadia National Park

From hiking trails to camping locations, this guide will help you plan the ultimate trip to Acadia National Park.

  • 54
  • 35:31
  • 1,720 mi
  • $238
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Created by Guy-Leeza - August 27th 2022

The only U.S. National Park in New England, Acadia helped birth the U.S. conservation movement in the 19th century and is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi. The 47,000 acres on coastal Maine that comprise the park are part of the ancestral homeland of the Wabanaki Confederacy, known as the People of the Dawnland. Cadillac Mountain—the 1,529-foot peak that dominates Acadia—is considered the best spot on the East Coast to greet the sunrise. Crisscrossed by charming carriage roads, Acadia draws millions of visitors each year with its extensive hiking and biking trails, 27-mile scenic drive, rugged beaches, and rich history.

Photo of Acadia National Park
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25 Visitor Center Road, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Acadia National Park

Photo of Precipice Trail - Acadia National Park
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Acadia National Park, ME, US

Precipice Trail - Acadia National Park

One of the more intense (and more fun) hikes is Precipice Trail. It's got some narrow ledges and switchbacks and culminates with a 1,000 foot vertical climb to the top. It's incredibly exhilarating, if you're not distracted by the stunning views along the way! While it's certainly not for the faint of heart (or those with vertigo), it's definitely manageable, as long as you take your time.

Photo of Sand Beach
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Bar Harbor, ME, US

Sand Beach

If you're starting to think that Acadia is all rocky coastline, think again. Sand Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on the entire East Coast, and its tucked away amongst the forests and mountains of the park, so it'll feel like you're at your own secret swim spot!

Photo of Thunder Hole
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Thunder Hole Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Thunder Hole

Another feature of the park, one better visited at high tide, is Thunder Hole. As big waves rush into the little coastal cave, it makes an incredible roaring sound and splashes water 40 feet into the air! Bring towels: you'll probably get pretty wet.

Photo of Jordan Pond
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Park Loop Rd, Seal Harbor, ME, US

Jordan Pond

If you're looking for something a little more relaxing than hidden caves and crashing waves, then Jordan Pond is right up your alley. The pond itself is crystal clear and calm, and the Pond House is famous for its afternoon tea and popovers. Whether you're just taking a leisurely stroll around the pond, or you want to kayak on it, it's definitely one of the most serene places in all of Acadia.

Photo of Cadillac Mountain
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26 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Cadillac Mountain

Be the very first person in the country to watch the sun come up. Because Acadia located at the easternmost edge of the country, it's lucky enough to be the first spot sunlight touches each morning... and since it's located on a stunningly rugged coast, it's always a breathtaking sight. If you want to be a stickler, you'll have to leave your cozy campsite pretty early for a hike up the park's famed Cadillac Mountain to get the very, very first glimpse of the sun.

Technically, it's the very first to see the sunrise in the fall and winter months, and spending New Year's Eve on the mountain to see the first sunrise of the new year is a popular tradition among some. But even if you visit during the summer and find yourself the second or third person to watch the sun rise in the morning, you'll at least get a mesmerizing panoramic view of the park from the peak!

35 W St, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Stewman's Lobster Pound

The authentic atmosphere of Stewman's Lobster Pound can't be beat. Right on the water, this seafood shack is a great spot for some Maine lobster (or shrimp, or clams, or oysters.) Go for the lobster bisque or the lobster stew, or a lobster roll. If you're not a seafood fan, they offer other options, plus tons of tasty drinks. Oh, and if you're all blueberry-ed out come dessert time, try another Maine's favorite: Whoopie pie!

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0mi 00h 02m

318 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Havana

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119 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Bar Harbor Beer Works

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40 Holland Ave, Bar Harbor, ME, US

The Elmhurst Inn

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Photo of Bar Island Trails
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Bar Harbor, ME, US

Bar Island Trails

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Photo of Mount Desert Island
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Bar Harbor, ME, US

Mount Desert Island

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14 The Field, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Bass Cottage Inn

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0mi 00h 01m

1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Bar Harbor Inn

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742mi 14h 08m

ME, US

Bar Island

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719mi 13h 21m

574 U.S. Route 1, ME, US

Acadia East Campground

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Acadia is a four-season destination, and in Maine that means some serious variations in weather conditions and temperatures depending on when you decide to visit. In summer, expect daily highs of 78 to 80 degrees and lows in the 50s. In winter, coastal temperatures dip to highs in the 30s and average lows in the teens. Spring and fall temperatures fall somewhere in between. Summer is the driest time of year, with an average of 6 to 7 rainy days per month in July and August; that rises to 10 days in December and January, and remember—at that time of year the moisture may fall as snow, not rain.