Overview
New England's crown jewel — the only national park in the Northeast, where granite coastline meets dense forest, fall foliage turns the landscape to fire, and you can watch the first sunrise in the continental US from Cadillac Mountain
Airport
BGR, PWM
From/day
$70
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug
Local Tips
Safety
Very safe park. Watch for slippery rocks on coastal trails, carry layers as weather changes quickly, and watch for ticks in grassy areas from May to October.
Cultural Norms
Leave No Trace principles are taken seriously. Stay on marked trails, pack out all trash, and yield to uphill hikers.
Language
English.
Currency
USD. Most businesses in Bar Harbor accept cards, but carry cash for park fees and smaller vendors.
Tipping
Standard US tipping: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars.
Getting Around
Public Transit
Walkability
Neighborhoods
Bar Harbor
The main gateway town with restaurants, shops, and lodging right on Frenchman Bay.
Best for: Dining, nightlife, accommodation, and boat tours
Park Loop Road / Cadillac Mountain
The scenic heart of the park with ocean views, Cadillac Mountain summit, and iconic overlooks.
Best for: Sunrise viewing, scenic drives, and photography
Jordan Pond Area
Home to the famous Jordan Pond House, carriage roads, and gentle hiking trails around the glacial pond.
Best for: Easy hikes, popovers at Jordan Pond House, and cycling the carriage roads
Schoodic Peninsula
The quieter, less-visited mainland section of the park with rocky coastline and tide pools.
Best for: Solitude, photography, and avoiding crowds
Southwest Harbor
A quieter fishing village on the less-touristy side of Mount Desert Island with local lobster shacks.
Best for: Authentic Maine lobster, quieter trails, and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Activities & Interests
How Acadia National Park scores across 15 travel interests
Suggested Itineraries
3-Day Trip
Cadillac Mountain & Park Loop Road
- •Drive or reserve a vehicle pass to catch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain summit (1,530 ft), the first place to see sunrise in the US from October to March
- •Drive the Park Loop Road stopping at Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and Otter Cliff
- •Walk the Ocean Path trail (4.4 miles) along the dramatic coastline between Sand Beach and Otter Point
Jordan Pond & Carriage Roads
- •Hike the Jordan Pond Loop Trail (3.3 miles) with views of the Bubbles mountains reflected in the pond
- •Have popovers and tea on the lawn at Jordan Pond House
- •Bike or walk the historic Rockefeller carriage roads — 45 miles of crushed-stone paths through the forest
Bar Harbor & Beehive Trail
- •Hike the Beehive Trail with iron rungs and ladders up exposed granite cliffs (not for those afraid of heights)
- •Explore Bar Harbor's shops and galleries along Main Street and Cottage Street
- •Take a sunset kayak tour around the islands in Frenchman Bay
7-Day Trip
Cadillac Mountain & Park Loop Road
- •Catch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain summit with a reserved vehicle pass
- •Drive the Park Loop Road stopping at Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and Otter Cliff
- •Walk the Ocean Path trail (4.4 miles) along the coastline
Jordan Pond & Carriage Roads
- •Hike the Jordan Pond Loop Trail (3.3 miles)
- •Enjoy popovers at Jordan Pond House
- •Bike the carriage roads between Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond
Bar Harbor Town Day
- •Browse the shops and galleries along Main Street and Cottage Street in Bar Harbor
- •Visit the Abbe Museum to learn about Wabanaki culture and history
- •Walk the Bar Island Trail at low tide — a land bridge connects to a small island
Beehive & Precipice Trails
- •Climb the Beehive Trail with iron rungs and ladders (1.6 miles loop)
- •Tackle Precipice Trail, the park's most challenging iron-rung climb (if open — closed for peregrine falcon nesting April-August)
- •Cool off at Echo Lake Beach on the western side of the island
Schoodic Peninsula
- •Drive to the Schoodic Peninsula section of the park (about 45 minutes from Bar Harbor)
- •Hike the Schoodic Head Trail for panoramic views of the coast and Cadillac Mountain
- •Explore tide pools at Schoodic Point and watch waves crash on the pink granite
Southwest Harbor & Bass Harbor
- •Visit Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine
- •Hike the Wonderland and Ship Harbor trails through coastal forest to rocky shoreline
- •Have a lobster dinner at a local shack in Southwest Harbor — Beal's or Thurston's
Whale Watching & Farewell
- •Take a morning whale watching or puffin cruise from Bar Harbor (seasonal, June-October)
- •Pick up Maine blueberry jam, wild blueberry pie, and local crafts as souvenirs
- •Have a final lobster roll and blueberry beer at one of Bar Harbor's waterfront restaurants
Flights
Estimated round-trip prices from major US hubs
JFK
Round-trip estimate
$120
Best priceORD
Round-trip estimate
$280
MIA
Round-trip estimate
$280
ATL
Round-trip estimate
$280
LAX
Round-trip estimate
$420
Prices are estimates based on historical data. Check airlines for current fares.
Daily Budget
Estimated daily cost per person including accommodation, food, transport, and activities
Budget
$70
per day
Moderate
$140
per day
Luxury
$300
per day
7-Night Trip Estimate (1 person)
Budget
$610
incl. flights from JFK
Moderate
$1,100
incl. flights from JFK
Luxury
$2,220
incl. flights from JFK
When to Go
Jan
✗
Feb
✗
Mar
✗
Apr
—
May
—
Jun
✓
Jul
✓
Aug
✓
Sep
✓
Oct
✓
Nov
—
Dec
—
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -3° | -13° | 11d | Bitter cold and snowy. Park roads mostly closed, but snowshoeing and cross-country skiing available. |
| Feb | -1° | -12° | 10d | Still deep winter with sub-zero nights. Fewer visitors, beautiful frozen landscapes. |
| Mar | 4° | -7° | 11d | Transitional month — snow melts, mud season begins. Some trails still icy. |
| Apr | 10° | -1° | 11d | Spring arrives slowly. Wildflowers start blooming, but weather is unpredictable. |
| May | 16° | 4° | 12d | Park Loop Road opens. Cool days, occasional fog. Lupines begin blooming. |
| Jun | 21° | 9° | 11d | Pleasant summer weather begins. Island Explorer shuttle starts running. Peak wildflower season. |
| Jul | 25° | 13° | 10d | Warm and busy. Best swimming weather at Sand Beach and Echo Lake. |
| Aug | 24° | 13° | 9d | Peak season continues. Warm days, cool nights perfect for camping. |
| Sep | 20° | 9° | 9d | Crowds thin. Early fall color starts late month. Crisp and beautiful. |
| Oct | 13° | 3° | 10d | Peak foliage — brilliant reds, oranges, yellows. One of the best fall destinations in the US. |
| Nov | 7° | -2° | 11d | Late fall. Most facilities close. Quiet and atmospheric. |
| Dec | 1° | -9° | 12d | Winter sets in. Park roads close mid-December. Stark beauty and solitude. |
Temperatures in Celsius. Rain days = days with measurable precipitation.
Nearby Destinations
Portland, Oregon
Another nature-meets-craft-beer destination with a strong foodie culture
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Another stunning Atlantic coastline with lighthouses, dunes, and beach towns
Savannah, Georgia
Trade rugged coastline for Southern charm, Spanish moss, and historic architecture