Visiting Acadia National Park: The Complete Guide for 2024

If you’re looking for a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Acadia National Park is the perfect spot. The park encompasses over 50 miles of coastline with spectacular views, hiking trails that lead up to panoramic vistas and plenty of places to explore. It’s also home to Cadillac Mountain, which has been called “the most photographed mountain in America” due to its iconic image on postcards and calendars.

If you are planning a trip to Acadia National Park and need some help planning your trip, this is our starter guide for visiting Acadia National Park. We often have detailed, in-depth guides to Acadia National Park trip planning and will link to these where appropriate to make your trip planning as easy as possible.

The article will discuss all aspects of visiting Acadia National Park, including:

• Maps of Acadia National Park
• General Information about Acadia
• Time to Visit
• How to Make the Most of Your Visit
• Best Things to Do in Acadia
• Where to Stay
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Nearby National Parks

Planning to explore the Northeast? Download your free Northeast National Park Checklist HERE.

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Articles about Acadia National Park

General Information on Visiting Acadia

• Books to Read Before Visiting Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Lodging

• 15 Amazing Acadia Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals
• Ultimate Guide to Camping in Acadia National Park

Itineraries for Acadia National Park

Downloadable Itineraries for Acadia National Park

• Mini 1-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary
• Mini 2-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary
• Mini 3-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary
• All Access Pass, including all Current and Future Digital Downloads

Looking for an itinerary specially designed for you? Let National Park Obsessed’s founder design the perfect itineary just for you. Get a Custom National Park Itinerary Here. Or do you just want to chat 1-on-1 with a Natioanl Park planning expert? Book a National Park Travel Consultation.

Other Articles featuring Acadia National Park

• Best National Parks to Visit in Summer
• Best National Parks to Visit in Fall
• Most Dog Friendly National Parks

Map of Acadia National Park

Click on the Acadia Map above to download the official brochure map. If you’d like a PDF copy of this Acadia Map click here.

Acadia National Park Basics

• Region: Northeast / New England
• State: Maine
• Park Size: 52,485.17 acres (82.00 sq miles) (212.40 sq km)
• Location: Hancock and Knox counties
• Closest Cities: Bar Harbor, Maine
• Busy Season: May to September
• Visitation: 3,879,890 (in 2023)
• Official Website: NPS.gov

How much does Acadia National Park Cost?

Acadia National Park costs the following:

• 7-day Passenger Vehicle Pass – $35
• 7-day Motorcycle Pass – $30
• 7-day Individual Pass – $20

Get Free Entrance to the National Parks

Get free admission to all 116 fee-charging National Park Units with the America the Beautiful Pass.

Order Your Park Pass Here

When is Acadia National Park Open?

Acadia National Park is open year-round.

Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park?

Yes, Acadia is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks. Dogs are welcome on most of the park’s trails and carriage roads. Please review the Acadia Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Acadia.

• All pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times.
• Collect and dispose properly of animal waste in designated trash receptacles.
• Do not leave your pet unattended, including at campsites or in cars.
• Remember to check yourself and your pet for ticks.
• Be sure to avoid ladder and rung trails, and bring plenty of water.

Where are Acadia National Park’s visitor centers?

• Hulls Cove Visitor Center (May through mid-October)
• Sieur de Monts Nature Center (mid-June through mid-October)
• Rockefeller Welcome Center (May through mid-October)
• Islesford Historical Museum (mid-June through September)

Land Acknowledgment

The National Park known as Acadia National Park sits on Monacan and Manahoac land.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.

When was Acadia National Park created?

Acadia National Park was created on July 8, 1916 as Sieur de Monts National Monument. On February 26, 1919, Congress re-designated the national monument as Lafayette National Park. The park was named after the famed American Revolution participant Marquis de Lafayette.

Finally, on January 19, 1929, the park’s name was changed again to Acadia National Park to honor the former French colony of Acadia.

Acadia National Park protects ecological integrity, cultural history, scenic beauty, and scientific values within the Acadia archipelago and Schoodic Peninsula and offers visitors a broad range of transformative and inspiring experiences among the park’s diverse habitats, glacially sculpted mountains, and bold, rocky coastline.

Acadia National Park Foundation Document

Fun Facts about Acadia National Park

• Acadia National Park is about the size of Pine Island, Florida. (Learn more about the size of the national park)
• Acadia is one of a handful of parks made from land donated by private individuals, including John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
• John D. Rockefeller, Jr. designed the park’s carriage roads and stone bridges.
• There are 1.4 million objects in the Curatorial Program.
• The highest point in Acadia National Park is the summit of Cadillac Mountain, which is 1,530 ft (470 m) above sea level. This is the highest view on the east coast.
• The lowest point in Acadia National Park is the Atlantic Ocean at 0 ft (0 m)..
• Acadia by the numbers
  • 26 mountains
  • 45 miles of carriage roads
  • 158+ miles of hiking trails
  • 24 archeological sites

When to Visit Acadia National Park

Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park

The best time to visit Acadia National Park is April to mid-June and mid-September to October. The weather is milder, and the crowds are smaller in the spring. Mid-September to October will have higher crowds due to the tail end of leaf-peeping season.

Acadia National Park Visitation

Acadia National Park Visitation By Month

Acadia National Park Visitation By Year

• 2023 – 3,879,890
• 2022 – 3,970,260
• 2021 – 4,069,098
• 2020 – 2,669,034
• 2019 – 3,437,286
• 2018 – 3,537,575
• 2017 – 3,509,271
• 2016 – 3,303,393
• 2015 – 2,811,184

Acadia National Park Weather

How to Get to Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is reasonably easy to get to. There are a range of airports within a short drive and public transport is available in and to the park.

Where is Acadia National Park Located?

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine. The park is made up of a patchwork of areas on the island, along with a few other nearby islands and part of the Schoodic Peninsula.

Flying to Acadia National Park

If you are flying to Acadia National Park, the best airport to fly to is Bangor International Airport (BGR). The Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is closer, but this tiny regional airport only has flights to/from Boston.

Closest Airports to Acadia National Park

• Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
• Bangor International Airport (BGR)
• Portland International Jetport (PWM)
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
• Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV)

New York City Airports are about a day’s drive as well.

Use Skyscanner to get the best prices on your flights.

Driving to Acadia National Park

If you are coming from Boston, Manchester, or Portland, take I-95 north to Bangor.

If you are coming from Burlington, take I-93 to US-2. Stay on US-2 to ME-26 and follow ME-26 to I-95 to Bangor

The three main sections of Acadia National Park with directions from Bangor.

• Mount Desert Island: Take Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island.
• Schoodic Peninsula: Take Route 1A east to Ellsworth, then take US-1 to Hwy 186.
• Isle Au Haut: Take ME-15 N to Stonington and then take the ferry.

Driving Time from Various Popular New England Cities

• Bangor, ME – 58 mins – 42 miles
• Portland, ME – 2 hr 52 mins – 170 miles
• Manchester, NH – 4 hr 9 mins – 263 miles
• Boston, MA – 4 hr 27 mins – 280 miles
• Providence, RI – 5 hr 17 mins – 325 miles
• Springfield, MA – 5 hr 36 mins – 358 miles
• Burlington, VT – 6 hr 15 mins – 334 miles
• Bridgeport, CT – 6 hr 40 mins – 421 miles
• Albany, NY – 6 hr 54 mins – 437 miles
• New York City, NY – 7 hr 56 mins – 482 miles

What kind of rental car do you need for an Acadia Visit?

Any rental car you want will work in Acadia from late May to early October. Outside of that, you should consider getting something with 4-wheel drive, as you are highly likely to encounter icy or snowy roads.

I book most of my rental cars through RentalCars.com. They have a great selection of rental cars from most major agencies and the best prices – check prices here.

Public Transport to Acadia National Park

The Mount Desert Island section of Acadia National Park can be reached by public transportation via Bangor, Maine. The Downeast Transporation provides regular service from various locations in Bangor to Bar Harbor. The cost is $9 per person. Please have exact change.

Bus service to Bangor is provided by Concord Coachlines from Portland, ME, Boston, MA, and various other cities in the New England region.

The Amtrak provides rail service from Boston to Portland as well as various transportation options to Boston.

Public Transport around Acadia National Park

The Island Explorer provides free public transportation around the Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula sections of Acadia National Park. There are 11 routes and almost the entire park is accessible by bus. There is no route to the top of Cadillac Mountain.

How Much Time Should I Spend Visiting Acadia National Park?

If you have a couple of hours in Acadia National Park, drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain and then head over to Sand Beach for a hike.

If you have one day in Acadia National Park, see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain and then explore the Park Loop Road with hikes at Sand Beach and Jordon Pond.

If you have two days in Acadia National Park,see the sunrise at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, hike at Echo Lake and Bar Island.

If you have three or more days in Acadia National Park, take a boat tour of the Great Harbor of Maine, then explore the Schoodic Peninsula.

Does Acadia Trip Planning Leave You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Jump right into booking your Acadia National Park trip with our expertly designed, pre-made, downloadable National Park itineraries.

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Things to do in Acadia National Park

Hiking in Acadia National Park

• Jordon Pond Path – 3.1 miles (round trip) – Flat – Follows the shoreline of Jordan Pond with views of the Bubbles and other surrounding mountains.
• Ocean Path Trail – 4.5 miles (round trip) – 370 ft elevation gain – Stoll along this path from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole. The trail passes picturesque cliffs and has ocean views.
• Beehive Trail – 1.5 miles (round trip) – 500 ft elevation gain – An iconic Acadia hike where you will be climbing ladders on the way to the top of the cliff and stunning views.
• Precipice Trail – 2.1 mile (round trip)-1,050 ft elevation gain – This trail is a rugged, non-technical climb with ladders up to the summit of Camplain Mountain.

Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park

• Cadillac Mountain Sunrise
• Take a carriage ride
• Explore the tide pools
• Drive the Park Loop Road
• Explore the Wild Gardens of Acadia

Best Things to See in Acadia National Park

• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
• Thunder Hole
• Sand Beach
• Jordon Pond
• Park Loop Road
• Carrol Homestead

Best Guided Tours of Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Wildlife

• Common Loon
• Peregrine Falcon
• Red Fox
• Mink
• Beaver
• Grey Seal

Where to Stay in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Hotels

Hotels near Acadia National Park

• Country Inn at The Mall An affordable basic hotel. Rooms start at $98/night. Book on Hotels.com.
• Eden Village Motel & Cottages A charming, rustic hotel with colorful rooms. Rooms start at $145/night. Book on Hotels.com.
• Under Canvas Acadia Luxury glamping in a scenic location. Rooms start at $299/night. Book on Hotels.com.

Acadia Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

• Somes Sound Home A large comfy home. Sleeps 8. Starting at $297/night. Book on VRBO.
• Cozy Cottage A rustic cabin in the woods. Sleeps 8. Starting at $198/night. Book on VRBO.
• Acadia Explorer A log cabin in the woods. Sleeps 4. Starting at $120/night. Book on VRBO.

Acadia National Park Camping

Campgrounds in Acadia National Park

• Mount Desert Island
  • Blackwoods Campground
  • Seawall Campground
  • Wildwood Stables Campground
• Schoodic Peninsula
  • Schodic Woods Campground
• Isle au Haut
  • Duck Harbor Campground

Did you miss your reservation window? Can’t find a campsite? Use Campnab to let you know when reservations become available.

Campgrounds near Acadia National Park

• Bar Harbor Campground
• Hadley’s Point Campground
• Wild Acadia Camping Resort
• Timberland Acres RV Park

Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book in Acadia National Park?

The National Park Passport Book is the BEST and cheapest National Park souvenir. Every National Park Obsessed person should have one of these books.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government-issued passport.

There are 15 official stamps for Acadia National Park. Here is the list of National Park Passport Stamps you can get in Acadia National Park:

• Bar Harbor, ME
• Blackwoods Campground
• Cadillac Mountain
• Duck Harbor, ME
• Hulls Cove Visitor Center (Existence unconfirmed)
• Isle au Haut
• Isle au Haut, ME
• Islesford, ME
• Jordan Pond
• Schoodic Peninsula
• Schoodic Woods
• Seawall Campground
• Sieur de Monts Nature Center
• Thompson Island
• Thunder Hole

Bonus Stamps

• Acadia Rocks
• Bar Harbor With Lobster
• Bark Ranger
• Celebrate Our Past Acadia National Park 1916 2016 Centennial Inspire Our Future
• Chamber Of Commerce
• Image Of Lobster
• Image Of Tick With Check Mark
• Junior Ranger
• Schoodic Institute At Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Passport Stamp Locations

Here are all the locations to find the Acadia National Park Passport Stamps. Not every stamp is available at every location.

• Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
• Blackwoods Campground
• Cadillac Mountain Gift Shop
• Duck Harbor Campground Bulletin Board
• Hulls Cove Visitor Center Park Store
• Isle au Haut Ranger Station
• Islesford Historical Museum
• Jordan Pond Gift Shop
• Schoodic Peninsula Information Center at Entrance to SERC Campus
• Schoodic Peninsula Welcome & Education Center at Rockefeller Hall on SERC campus
• Schoodic Woods Ranger Station / Information Center
• Seawall Campground Entrance Station
• Sieur de Monts Nature Center
• Thompson Island Information Center
• Thunder Hole Information Center

Frequently Asked Questions about Acadia National Park

Are there bears in Acadia National Park?

On paper, Acadia National Park should have bears. The park has everything Black Bears love. Acadia is full of food sources for black bears such as skunk cabbage and blueberries. Realistically, your odds of seeing a black bear in Acadia are very low. There are a handful of sighting each year but that is it.

Why is Acadia National Park famous?

Acadia is famous for its sunrises and fall foliage.

Do I need a pass for Acadia National Park?

Yes, you will need pay an entrance fee to enter Acadia National Park. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle or $15 per person. An Acadia annual pass is $55. If you are planning on visiting 2 or more National Park Service sites, you should get the America the Beautiful Pass.

Currently, Acadia only requires entry reservations for Cadallaic Mountain from June to October.

National Parks Near Acadia National Park

National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive

• Roosevelt Campobello International Park
• Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
• Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Lowell National Historic Park
• Minute Man National Historical Park
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site

National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive

• Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
• Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
• Springfield Armory National Historic Site
• Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
• Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
• John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
• Boston African American National Historic Site
• Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
• Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
• Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
• Weir Farm National Historic Site
• St Paul’s Church National Historic Site
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
• Boston National Historical Park
• Saratoga National Historical Park
• Adams National Historical Park
• New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park
• Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
• Roger Williams National Memorial
• Cape Cod National Seashore

Final Thoughts on Acadia National Park

Do you have any questions about Acadia National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community!

Pin for Later: The Complete Guide to Visiting Acadia National Park in 2024