Acadia National Park is the jewel of Maine. It sits on the Atlantic Coast so you have plenty of gorgeous ocean views, but you also have the mountains of the area as well. For hikers, its a paradise with seemingly endless miles of hiking trails taking you all across the area. For non-hikers, head along the coast for the amazing views that can be appreciated without a grueling hike.
This Acadia National Park travel guide aims to give you all of the information you need to start planning your trip to Maine. Happy travels!
Hiking Trails
You can’t talk about Acadia National Park without talking about the hiking trails. The terrain here is uneven and if you’re like me, you may find the hikes more difficult than you’re expecting. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t head out on a great hike, but rather, that you need to be prepared for what you’re getting into.
Learn about some of the most popular hikes at Acadia. You’ll also learn about my picks for easier hikes in case you’re like me and your legs need a rest from the steep inclines.
Acadia Beyond Hiking
Acadia National Park, like so many other US National Parks, is a hiker’s paradise, but you don’t need to be a hiker to enjoy this beautiful area. Park Loop Road is a scenic route that loops through the most popular spots at Acadia.
Learn all about the best stops and plan your perfect route.
Acadia Itineraries
It’s easy to look at all of the great things to do at Acadia, but if you’re like me, you’ll end up with a list that is way too long. Take the stress and confusion out of your planning and follow one of my itineraries. Whether you have one day or two days, you’ll be able to pack in some of the best stops at Acadia National Park.
Maine Itineraries
Acadia National Park is beautiful, but so is much of Maine, so don’t limit your trip to just Acadia. I’ve been to Maine twice and still barely scratched the surface of all of the cool things to do in this state.
Here are my recommendations for how to spend a vacation in Maine (and other parts of New England).
More Acadia Information
I’ve already covered a lot about Maine, but here’s a few more resources for you to check out. Do your research before your trip to make sure you understand everything. There’s nothing worse than showing up and realizing you forgot to get a reservation and you won’t be able to see that incredible sunrise from Cadillac Mountain.
When to Visit Acadia National Park
Acadia is best visited from May through October as this is when the top sights are open. During the winter months, you can still visit Acadia National Park, but some roads close and the hiking can become dangerous.
In summer, you’ll have the warmest weather, but you can also expect a decent amount of tourists. Normally as it gets later in the season, crowds thin out, but this is New England which is famous for its fall foliage. In late September and October, you can expect big crowds who come not just to see Acadia National Park, but also to see all the bright fall colors.
I visited in mid September and had really great weather. The trees had barely started to turn colors so if it’s important to you that you see the fall colors, I’d recommend early October. That said, there’s no guarantee when you’ll get peak colors as it changes slightly every year based on weather.
More in New England
Maine’s largest city is Portland and its Mail Boat Cruise is a great way to get out on the bay. Nearby is Cape Elizabeth which features the most photogenic lighthouse I’ve ever seen.
Maine is great, but it’s only one state in New England. With more time, venture beyond Maine to more exciting destinations.
In Connecticut, visit Mystic Seaport, one of its great state parks, or explore the city of Hartford. In Massachusetts, you can explore Boston, the Berkshires, or Cape Cod. New York is of course home to New York City, but you’ll also find so much more upstate. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States but it’s got some great cities like Providence and Newport. Vermont is my favorite state in New England for its beautiful views and cute small towns. I haven’t spent a lot of time in New Hampshire, but you can hike through the White Mountains or drive the Kancamagus Highway on your visit.