Discover the Enchanting Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the most attractive tourist sites in the state of Maine and one of the most visited nature areas in all of New England. The park is located south of the large city of Bangor, on the land of Mount Desert Island. The park is full of stunning nature trails, lakes, streams, camping areas, and more.
- True to New England style, the park area is home to quaint towns, the largest and most famous of which is Bar Harbor. The town is a popular tourist destination for the well-off and wealthy from New England and New York who come to their estates every summer.
- The city of Bangor to the north is the official gateway to the park, boasting a regional airport, numerous hotels and motels, and a variety of shopping and entertainment options.
How long should you spend on a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine?
It's a good idea to allocate at least two days for a trip to Bangor and Acadia National Park.
It's worth finding accommodation in Bar Harbor or the other towns within the park's area.
Click here to check availability and prices at hotels in Bar Harbor…
8 Things You Must See and Do in Acadia National Park
- Especially high-quality lobsters on Main Street in Bar Harbor
- Stephen King's mansion in Bangor
- The lobster farm at the Oceanarium of Mount Desert
- A breathtaking view of the bay from Cadillac Mountain
- Pastoral nature by the shores of Jordan Pond
- An almost Mediterranean vibe at Sand Beach
- The unique bird carvings at the Wendell Gilley Museum in Northeast Harbor
- Thuya Garden on the summit of Terrace Hill above Northeast Harbor
Click here for all travel information about the State of Maine…
Click here for a travel itinerary in Penobscot Bay next to the national park…
What is Acadia National Park?
- The national park covers the area of Mount Desert Island at the exit of the Grand Bay of Fundy
- The bay is the border between the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada, and in its southern part, the border of Northern Maine and Canada
- Mount Desert Island is the largest among the islands in the coastal bays of Maine
- Surrounding the national park are several resort towns, the largest being Bar Harbor on its eastern side
- The gateway to Mount Desert Island is the large town of Ellsworth to the north. From there, the road heads south to the bridge crossing via Thompson Island into Mount Desert Island.
- Acadia National Park is a three-hour drive from Portland, Maine, and an hour south of Bangor.
- You can also reach the park from Penobscot Bay within a one and a half hour drive from Rockland.
- The national park brings out the nature of Maine in the most concise way – pine forests, islands and bays, large bodies of water, boats, and breathtakingly beautiful beaches. All in a cold and almost primeval atmosphere.
Click here for a guided e-bike tour around Acadia National Park…
How to get to Acadia National Park in Maine?
- The gateway to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is the large city of Bangor.
- Bangor is one of the largest cities in mostly rural Maine (especially in the northern parts) and it also has a regional airport. Bangor Airport is accessible from New York, Boston, Chicago, and other major hubs across the USA. The airport is mainly active during the summer when there is a massive influx of tourists heading toward the national park. During the winter, the airport is almost inactive.
- Bangor is an hour's drive from Bar Harbor, the main town within the park's area.
- You can also reach Bangor by car. The city is located on the I-95 route and along Route 1.
- You can exit Route 1 at the town of Ellsworth, a half-hour drive from Bar Harbor.
- Another, significantly slower way to get to Bar Harbor is by sailing from Rockland or Portland.
Click here for all the information on car rentals in the USA + significant tips and discounts…
Map of Acadia National Park
When to Visit Acadia National Park?
Acadia National Park is part of the far north of the United States, and the weather there acts accordingly. It's an area with a short visiting window, having pleasant to warm summers and frigid, cold, and nearly impossible winters for trekking.
- The best and almost only season to visit Acadia National Park is, of course, the summer season.
- In the summer, the park is one of the most popular natural sites in the northeastern part of the USA, flooded with tourists, visitors, and New England elites who come to spend the summer in their estates.
- The park is attractive in both spring and fall. In spring, as the snow melts and it gets warmer, the park comes to life and the nature becomes especially energetic. During this season, the park isn't overly crowded, but it can still be cold.
- In the fall, the park is also very attractive thanks to the autumn colors, but you should still be mindful of the weather conditions.
Click here to download the mobile tour app for Acadia National Park…
How to Plan a Travel Route in Acadia Park?
Planning a trip in the park is relatively easy, as the park itself is not large and is very developed. There are various sites, attractions, and towns worth visiting, with Bar Harbor being the most significant and largest settlement in the park.
Click here for a 3-day guided tour from New York to Boston, Portland, and Acadia National Park…
- You can find lodging in Bar Harbor or stay outside the Acadia Island area in towns along Route 1 or even in the larger Bangor region.
- The hike from Bar Harbor is circular along the coastline of the small island with access towards the stunning Jordan Pond.
- It's also worthwhile to drive along the southern coast of the island to Northeast Harbor and explore the western part beyond the Somes Sound.
Click here for planning a trip route in Maine and Acadia National Park…
Click here to find lodging in hotels in Bar Harbor or within the park…
Bangor, Maine
Bangor is the second largest city in Maine, after Portland, and serves as the gateway to the northern part of the state. This small city has a population of only about thirty thousand people, but it features a domestic airport that directs tourism towards Acadia National Park and Penobscot Bay.
- The city is situated along the path of the Penobscot River before its broad mouth in the bay to the south
- The city's center is made up of Hammond Street and Main Street, which intersect not far from the Zillman Art Museum
- The museum is affiliated with the University of Maine (located in the town of Orono, adjacent to Bangor to the north) and houses a surprising collection of well-known artists
Take a stroll through the historic Broadway district, where you'll find charming 18th and 19th-century mansions. Author Stephen King resides in this area, having moved to the city during his studies at the University of Maine (he was born in the southern city of Portland). The mansion looks like something out of King's legendary horror stories (The Shining, Stand by Me, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Misery, and more), many of which became top-tier Hollywood films.
Everything to See and Do in Acadia National Park, Maine
Bar Harbor
The small and picturesque resort town is the gateway and lodging place for those visiting Acadia National Park. It's considered one of the most prestigious locations in Maine and is very popular among the wealthy of New England and New York. Bar Harbor is located east of the national park and is filled with tourists during the summer days. The town's main street is Main St, which features a line of fish and lobster restaurants, shops, and everything a tourist might need. Nearby are numerous hotels and motels for the benefit of those visiting the national park.
At the end of the street is the small Agamont Park, which descends towards the town's marina. On the northern side of the town, a land bridge leads to the nearby Bar Island, a spectacular gravel path that allows you to walk over the bay waters to the wooded island nearby. The Abbe Museum is located slightly south of the center of Bar Harbor. This special museum is dedicated to the local Indian culture.
Mount Desert Oceanarium
Nestled next to the bridge leading to Desert Island is the unique oceanarium of Mount Desert. The museum complex is located next to a unique salt marsh, formed in a small bay that trapped salt sediment. At the oceanarium, you can see large sea animals like seals in their natural habitat. There's also The Lobster Hatchery nearby, accompanied by the Maine Lobster Museum.
Somes Sound
Somes Sound is the narrow passage that almost splits Mount Desert Island in two. The sound enters the island's territory from the south and stretches northward for eight kilometers. It's the largest body of water on the island, presumably originating from an internal lake that opened at the southern part of the bay. Along the sound, you'll find camping sites and nature hiking trails.
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in Acadia National Park. This majestic hill rises over 450 meters (about 1,500 feet). It's located southwest of Bar Harbor, nestled between the town and Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond. The mountain offers hiking trails with stunning views of the coastline below.
Jordan Pond
Jordan Pond is arguably the most beautiful spot in the park. This pond, or small lake, is located just south of Cadillac Mountain. The areas surrounding the pond are very popular camping spots. The starting point for a tour around the pond is in its southern part, where there's a large parking area and a restaurant. Near the pond is Bubble Rock, a unique natural site featuring a giant boulder precariously perched between a small cliff and the pond. From the rock, there's a wonderful view of the pond.
Sand Beach
A charming beach located a 10-minute drive south of Bar Harbor. In the summer, the beautiful beach is used for bathing, and some people even venture into the cold water. The beach's scenery is stunning and resembles the green, intimate beaches of the island of Skiathos in Greece. At the entrance to the beach, there is a large parking lot.
A little drive south of the beach reveals another spectacular natural site – Thunder Hole. The narrow beach is surrounded by cliffs that during high tide send the air upwards with a thundering sound. A little further south of Thunder Hole is the impressive Otter Cliff. The cliff drops into the bay's waters, creating magnificent scenery formations. Above the cliff, there's a convenient observation deck with parking.
Bass Harbor Head Light Station
The charming lighthouse is located on the southern tip of the island and is responsible for guiding ships navigating toward Penobscot Bay. The lighthouse sits atop an impressive cliff dropping into the sea. It was built in the mid-19th century and has since become a popular destination for photographers.
Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor
Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor are two small harbor towns south of the national park. They are convenient places to stay during your trip in the area, offering motels, hotels, restaurants, and everything a tourist and traveler might need. Cruises to the neighboring Cranberry Isles to the south depart from the towns' harbors.
The Wendell Gilley Museum, located on the southern part of Main Street in Northeast Harbor, showcases thousands of bird carvings by the local artist after whom the museum is named.
Above Northeast Harbor is the impressive Thuya Garden. The garden is located at the summit of the Asticou Terraces hill, from which a path ascends to the garden. Besides the flowers and meticulous gardening style, there is a breathtaking view of the deep bay housing Northeast Harbor's marina from the garden atop the hill.
