Acadia National Park

I visited Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, ME on 8÷11÷1993 (it’s stamped in my National Park Passport). It was my 1^st time there. My dad and I drove there in our R.V. (the Trojan Prince) during our 1993 trip across the USA (48 days). Wonderful place but I could not see anything from Cadillac Mountain (not clear).

Acadia must be one of the most neglected national parks that I have visited. I understand that it’s a bit out of the way, tucked away way up north in Maine. However, it has some of the most amazing views of the Atlantic coast, beautiful views for sunset, and majestic natural occurrences, like Thunder Hole.
I’m partial to visiting in late autumn, just in time for the brilliant fall foliage. We rented a car, of course, and had fun simply driving around the park. However, one should really pull over, escape the confines of your motor vehicle, and hit the trails to truly enjoy the majesty of Cadillac Mountain.

As rivers run
And moonlight shines
We will catch them close
One finger tripped shutter
Ice glistening in the Sun
A new world coming from it
I threw the look
We faced the Moon
Asked the maker
«Where were you?»
(my take on Peter Murphy’s song)
I been to Acadia & Cadillac mountain before, long while ago.
There is certain magic about this place, there unexpected things happen, islands float, squirrels laugh at you, and frozen sunset dazzles you like a crystal in a ball light…
There are many hiking trails — and ones afar from common roads worth exploring.
If you up for short walk, take a Wonderland trail, swirling in enchanted woods, with blue puddles painted with intricate patterns of frost, and incredible views of the sea and cliffs as you come to the shore.
If you lucky enough, you will catch a mirage of floating islands in a distance, see sun reflections playing in smooth stones in nearby laguna, and admire patterns of empty sea urchin shells, white as a paper.
Take it all in, walk around, sit here and enjoy this…
The circle drive around the whole park is very scenic and peaceful, there are many stops along the way to stop and admire the scenery.
Make your way to Cadillac mountain, to find frozen waterfalls on steep and windy road going up and up, and frozen rain that lights up on branches & grass, as most amazing sunset fires up the sky.
There is almost 360 degrees views open up from here, but if you want clear view of sunset and incredible moon, drive down just over first turn, there is an outlook that faces right direction.
I love this.

«Where the mountains meet the sea.»
Favorite place in the world. And it just keeps on getting better!

Small yet dedicated national park, more important, Maine lobsters make this place even better!!!

We walked around the Cadillac Mountain overlook and took the hike down to the gorge. The Cadillac overlook was beautiful. Very easy paved path for all levels. The hike down to the gorge was challenging but we’ll marked. Worth the effort.
We also parked at the Sand Beach lot, explored the beach and hiked to Otter Point. It has stunning views! The hike is gravel and mostly easy for all levels. Make sure to stop at Thunderhole on the way up, signs are marked so you won’t miss it.

Hiking and exploring a national park in a wheelchair could be quite a challenge but they’ve done such a great job here. Just about everything is labeled. Accessible pathways are noted as such. Parking everywhere. And it’s beautiful!

I feel bad giving a national park only 3 stars, but «A-​OK» pretty much sums up how I felt about Acadia National Park. Acadia was beautiful, but I think I’ve been spoiled with Yosemite and some of the other national parks on the West Coast. Out of all the parks I’ve been to, I still think Yosemite is king because it’s so varied in what it has to offer. I’ve also spent a lot of time at my husband’s family home in Hawaii, which has unparallelled beauty. The views from Acadia were nice, but not awe-​inspiring. Although, the park rangers were very knowledgeable so it was fun talking to them and gave more context of what we were seeing. We did most of the «usual» sites such as Cadillac Mountain, the park loop road, with getting out and hiking around a while at various stops, such as Jordan Pond and Sand Beach, among others. Additionally, we made it to the Southwest Harbor to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, which was probably my favorite spot. We were able to hike down and sit on the rocks near the water, which was lovely.
I know I would have regretted NOT visiting this well-​regarded National Park, but I was a little disappointed. Though, I realize I’m spoiled with all of the dramatic offerings on the west coast and in Hawaii.

YES. Just yes.
Mountains, oceans and islands combined all in one geographical location on the east coast of New England? YES.
Heaven on earth. I will own a summer home here one day.
Never even knew this miracle existed, my life is forever changed now.
Sand beach, Jordan pond. Faves. Thunder hole and Cadillac mountain are awesome as well.
One reminder tho, if you want to see mature untapped and without tons of annoying people, wake up at 6 and go exploring. Photos and experience won’t be the same around noon. Not worth it any later.

So I don’t know what else can be said about Acadia National Park that hasn’t been said before, so here are a few tips from Dan R.
1. Go!
2. At least check out the following places. Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, Carriage Roads, and Thunder Hole.
3. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, and a lunch.
4. If you don’t like Acadia, then please seek psychiatric support.
That is all!

My friend and I planned a trip to Maine in association with the Lobster Festival this year. I was so thankful that we included a three day visit in Acadia. The national park is breathtakingly beautiful and has plenty of different sites and activities for everyone’s tastes.
Definitely spend a few nights on the island and enjoy the local fare… including the popovers at Jordan Pond. We spent the entire day driving around Loop Road to all of the suggested landmarks. The drive alone is scenic and lush. If you do not have a car, you can use the handy and free shuttle service that will take you to all of the same points on the island.
We loved the beaches, Jordan Pond, and Thunder Hole. If you are a shopper, plan some time at Bar Harbor and for some great lobster shore dinners… Beal’s was a great place to eat both hard shell and soft shell lobsters.

I remember the moment I first fell in love with Acadia. I spent a summer as a student at Mount Desert Island Research Lab, and one morning I got up at dawn to hike down to the ocean on my own. I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life.
5 years later, I came back with my boyfriend in early June for my birthday present to myself, and the park is as lovely as ever. We stayed at his cabin, but there’s lots of affordable housing of all price ranges around the park, especially if you go early in the season. If I recall, $ 25 gets you a car tag that grants you access to the park for a week, which is pretty reasonable.
Here are some of the things I’ve done during my trips:
Jordan Pond (5 stars): Huge pond with pretty views, right off the park loop. For a nice beginner hike that lasts a few hours, take the Jordan Pond Shore Trail around the entire pond. The park labels it as moderate difficulty, but my parents, who are not very active, managed to hike this, and I hiked it in flip flops.
Sand Beach (5 stars): This is a popular destination in the park, so it can get crowded, but it’s quite a picturesque beach with cliffs on both sides, perfect for a dip in the ocean and a nap when you get tired from hiking.
Ocean Trail (5 stars): I can’t recommend this enough. This path starts at Sand Beach and loops around the park. You get absolutely gorgeous views of the ocean and if you’re daring enough, you can climb the rocks down to the water. If you follow the outside of the trail along the road, this is a very easy «hike». If you follow the rocks on the inside of the trail, it’s a moderate hike. We took this trail all the way to Gorham Mountain.
Thunder Hole (4 stars): If you drive along the park loop, you’ll inevitably hit this popular attraction. If you walk the Ocean Trail, you’ll also encounter it. It’s worth a stop, but it also won’t take more than 15 minutes to see.
Gorham Mountain Trail (4 stars): This is the perfect hike for people who are reasonably fit but beginner hikers (me in a nutshell). It’s just challenging enough to be fun, but it’s never so steep that you’re nervous. Beautiful views up top. This took about 1.5 hours.
Beehive Trail (5 stars): This is listed as a strenuous hike, but I’d say it’s more moderate. Parts of it are steep, but not punishingly so, and it’s very short. If you’re afraid of heights, this might be a bit of a doozy and I definitely wouldn’t descend on this trail, since there are iron rungs you have to climb up at some points, but this beginner hiker didn’t think it was too bad. It only took us about half an hour to climb up this, and the views are stunning. Absolutely worth it.
Bowl Trail (4 stars): Nice moderate trail that was pretty and made for a much easier way to descend from Beehive.
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail (5 stars): My favorite hike of the trip! It was long, challenging but not brutal, and had wonderful views throughout, especially at the top. The first time I came to Cadillac, I drove up with friends and just took pictures at the top, but you will appreciate the views so much more if you hike up. Between the North and South Ridge Trails, South Ridge is harder and longer, but it’s also more serene, as the North Ridge tends to follow the road that the cars drive up. This is a great hike for beginner-​moderate hikers, and even my boyfriend who’s a pretty experienced hiker enjoyed the challenge of this. This took us a few hours to ascend.
Cadillac Mountain West Face Trail (3 stars): On our way down from Cadillac, we wanted to try something new and this path looked like a shortcut. Boy were we wrong. This trail is a challenge to ascend even for experienced hikers, and a nightmare to descend, which we didn’t realize until it was too late. It was very steep with many loose rocks, and worst of all, many of the rocks were slick with water. I slipped and fell many times on my way down, and combined with the steepness, I was legitimately scared. If you’re nuts, this one’s for you!
Things Not in the Park but Worth Seeing:
Downtown Bar Harbor (4 stars): This town is part cute New England charm, part tourist trap. If you don’t mind the latter, you’ll enjoy strolling the streets here. On the green, there’s concerts held at night twice a week by the local community band. Bring a towel, lounge on the grass, and enjoy.
Bar Harbor Shore Path (5 stars): Located on the end of downtown Bar Harbor, this path offers some gorgeous views of the ocean. It’s a fairly level, paved road, ideal for people who don’t feel like hiking but still want to enjoy the scenery. Romantic and relaxing.
Bar Island (4 stars): Cute little island, accessible from downtown Bar Harbor. At low tide, you can walk to it across the exposed sand bar, but don’t get stuck on the island at high tide!
Echo Beach (4 stars): Out of characters.
Final advice: Go early in the season if you want to avoid the crowds! Hopefully this helps some people plan their trip. This is my favorite place in the world!

Buckle your seat belts, this is going to be a long one. Just know that Acadia was all the things I wanted out of a vacation: mountains, beaches, and hikes.
I will preface this review by saying I’m a hiking junkie, so someone who prefers drinking out of a coconut by the pool might not be as enthused about a good strenuous hike like I am. But I saw both young kids and the elderly scrambling up mountain sides, so it’s really just about picking the right trail. Here are the ones we did:
(1) Ocean Path: Not sure as to the exact length but it took us about an hour and a half to reach the end, just because we kept stopping to take pictures and gawk at the views, and only 45 minutes to walk back. The trail starts at Sand Beach (hee, so descriptive), and winds through Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. GOOD FOR: people with children who get easily distracted, easily distracted adults, people who need bathrooms nearby at all times, and those with knee and hip issues. The path along the rocks was smooth and gradual but you can diverge from the path and have fun climbing the rocks on the side if you want more of a burn.
(2) Beech Mountain: We did the Echo Lake Parking — Beech Cliff Loop — Beech Mountain Parking — Up Beech Mountain Summit — Down Valley Trail. Took about 2.5−3 hours in total. There’s a fire tower at the top marking out the summit. GOOD FOR: people looking for a trail with less foot traffic. Didn’t see too many other hikers, despite the proximity to Echo Lake, and the trail narrows at certain spots anyway, so the less the merrier.
(3) Cadillac Mountain: Kind of bummed that the shuttle did not make the trip up to the summit but if you’re car-​less or just don’t want to deal with traffic, you can take the shuttle to the North Ridge, go up, and then take the South Ridge down, which deposits you about 150 feet away from the entrance to the Blackwoods campground.
The North Ridge is around 2.2 miles and features some heart-​bursting rock-​scrambling cardio, while the South Ridge is gentler but takes around 4 miles to complete. I loved the South Ridge, with the loping rock paths and a small hidden pond around the midpoint. Maybe it was the time when we went but we only ran into 2 other people when we were descending. GOOD FOR: people looking for 360 degree views of the island, professional photographers, people who like crawling ant-​like up a mountain, people who prefer to just drive to the summit and amble around, anyone who visits Acadia.
It’s a little overwhelming with so many places to check out — on my list for next time is the Penobscot trail, the Precipice, and Jordan Pond.

The hike up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain was one hell of a lifetime experience — driving from DC to here (with a stopover in NYC and BOS) was absolutely worth it. Start early and plan ahead.
Vehicle admission was $ 25 and worth the flexibility in not waiting for the Island Explorer bus, especially if you plan on going up Cadillac early AM to see the sunrise.
We started our hike from Bubble Pond (which has a small parking lot) on the West Ridge Trail — lost sight of the blazings a few times during this uphill and rock-​scramble trail so pay careful attention as you go up unless you don’t mind backtracking. The views of Bubble Pond as you get higher are magnificent.
Once up on top of the mountain, you can get a view of the smaller surrounding islands on the Atlantic Ocean on a clear day; clouds tend to roll in quickly though.
The real fun was on the way back down the mountain on the South Ridge Trail (back to Bubble Pond); the first part was gently sloping and hard surface; later, it got a bit challenging as you start doing a reverse-​scramble back down the mountain. You’ll want to stop and plan your approach a few times.
If you take the Carriage Trail back along the west side of Bubble Pond, be careful not to step in horse droppings as well as bikers who lack bells, brakes, or other basic forms of bike etiquette (so make sure to stay on one side of the trail and take a look behind you for incoming bikers).

When you visit Acadia National Park its all about enjoying the coastline, rock formations, mountains, and coastal cliffs. The scenery is just amazing in this national park. As others have said drive the 27 mile Park Loop Rd to get to all of the best must see spots in the park including: Otter Cliff, Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond and the Jordan Pond House, and Cadillac Mountain. There are two campgrounds you can stay at including the Blackwoods Campground (very close to Park Loop entrances) and Seawall Campground which is kind of far away from the Park Loop entrances but still located on Mount Desert Island. I stayed at Blackwoods Campground and it had a path down to the ocean that lead to an amazing view on a cliff overlooking the south coastline of Mount Desert Island.
I’m taking off a star because I got stuck in a horrible traffic jam on the top of Cadillac Mountain caused by stupid and inconsiderate people that would not keep moving when there were no parking spots open around the main lookout circle. Luckily I was able to pull a U-​Turn and get out of that mess otherwise I would’ve been sitting there forever. People here’s a tip if you don’t see any spots keep moving and look elsewhere. You’ll be able to find something farther even if you have to walk a bit.

Acadia is my happy place. Absolutely gorgeous with breath taking views on top of Cadillac mountain. I would recommend renting a bike and riding the carriage loop trail, making stops along the way for all the photo ops.

Acadia National Park is one of those places you go to to escape everything– you’re completely surrounded by nature and a breathtaking view. There’s a ton of things to do– something for everyone.
This is one of the main attractions in Bar Harbor, so make sure to block out a few hours to explore. The park is HUGE and includes some major attractions such as Cadillac Mountain (one of the first places in the US to see the sunrise) and Thunder Hole.
If you’re in Bar Harbor, there are regular buses that run tours or transit back and forth from town.
The Park is a must see for anyone in the area– no words will ever do it justice and it’s one of those you-​had-​to-​be-​there kind of magical places.
Don’t miss it– I’ve been twice and can’t wait to go back!

To anyone that knows me, it would be surprising that I have yet to review ANP, the most gorgeous place in Maine and potentially the world, depending who you ask.
For me… Acadia is an escape into the most picturesque, serene, tranquil, gift that mother nature has given us. Dense forest, home to numerous birds to include eagles and falcons, white-​tail and piebald deer, moose, black bear, creepy crawlys, etc… And giant slabs of pink granite that run through the park and along the mighty Atlantic.
Pick and choose how you will navigate the park. By car, hike, bike, horse and buggy, boat, etc… Most people seem to like to navigate the park via Park Loop Road which winds 27 miles around the majority of the park. But, like I have told numerous visitors, the best way to see the park, IMO is to strap on your hiking shoes and get into the interior of the park. Not only will you get the benefit of seeing the interior, but you will have many unparalleled views of the exterior as well as you climb in elevation.
Acadia is something that you need to take your time with. Kind of like that new lover in your life. Be easy, tread lightly and take it all in. There is never a reason to rush. Acadia does not close. You can go from sun up to sun down.
My suggestions to you:
1) Seawall on a clear night — The stars and Milky Way are amazing!
2) Beehive — Quick summit with gorgeous views of Sand Beach
3) Gorham Mountain — Also a quick summit, offers 360 degree views
4) Precipice — Not for the timid or faint of heart. This is a difficult climb that will test you both physically and mentally. Ever so often, you have to do something that puts butterflies in your stomach. This climb has numerous open cliffs, ladders and rungs to navigate. Many have been seriously injured here and have died here. Don’t let that intimidate you. Remember what I said previously. There is never a reason to rush. Take your time, watch your step, plan accordingly. The views are outstanding and you will have a great sense of accomplishment once completed, not to mention, bragging rights to your peers.
5) If you have a kayak, I suggest a paddle across/​around Jordon Pond.
6) Schoodic Peninsula — The hidden gem of ANP. About an hour away from Hulls Cove. Well worth the drive out to Winter Harbor. Not a lot of traffic and a couple nice foot paths to navigate you around the peninsula.
7) Get there early, especially if you plan to get out and navigate on foot, bike, etc… It gets busy, and parking can prove difficult, especially in the summer.
I will end this with just a couple more things… The majority of people that I come across in the park (when hiking) are nice, talkative and respectful. Acknowledge people when you come across them. Be courteous, even if you have the right of way. Not everyone knows the rules. Climbers coming down the mountain, have the right of way. Don’t ever venture off the marked trail for your safety as well as keeping nature intact. Seek out the locals and talk to them. Some of us have more to offer information and suggestion wise than the Park Rangers. No offense, guys and gals of the Forest Industry. Acadia National Park. My playground. My escape. Come see everything this beautiful land has to offer.
LEAVE NO TRACE — Happy trails! Venture safe.

I came and visited Acadia during the first week of May and was really pleasantly surprised by what it was like. May probably isn’t the ideal time to go as some of the trees were still having their leaves grow back, but all in all, it was still a super lovely experience.
We drove up to the main visitor center which saved us some time later on when we entered the park. A week long pass is $ 25 and will get you access into the park. Since we unfortunately only had a few hours worth of time there, the route that we were told to take was to simply take the 27-​mile loop which was gorgeous, then take a walk at Sea Cliff, stop by Jordan Pond (which you must must do during the main season! apparently they serve popovers with tea and jam, I wish I had been able to go), and then loop up to Cadillac Mountain.
My best practice – don’t do the Sea Cliff walk. Or drive halfway down it and park and then just walk around a bit – I don’t think it’s necessary to do the entire 4 mile back and forth since it wasn’t super exciting or interesting. There were a few nice spots, but I would have preferred to spend that time elsewhere in the park. Maybe do a slightly longer walk near Jordan Pond, but time it so you can then go catch sunset on Cadillac Mountain which must be gorgeous. I feel like a lot of Maine’s natural beauty is best when it’s caught between sunrays, so definitely go early or stay late if you want to see some lovely sights.
tldr; pretty dope national park

I had never even heard of Acadia National Park in Maine until several months ago. Wow, this park is beautiful!!!
I read that this park is known as the «Warbler Capital of North America» due to the 21 species of wood warblers that arrive every spring to nest. We were here in late October so we did not see any.
It is composed of 47,000 acres. The park was once the home of the wealthy such as the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts. Now it is the travel destination of hikers, rock climbers, campers, and adventurers. We were only here for half a day so we only had a taste of what Acadia has to offer. We were also a bit too late to see the full effect of the Fall change of colors. What we did view was gorgeous, though.
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is one of the places to see. Great views of everything from there.
Next time we are here, we will schedule more time for exploration! Acadia may not be the most popular National Park, but it not to missed! If you love nature, then you will love being here!

Great park, beautiful sceneries, loved the carriage roads, biking the park loop, hiking Cadillac mountain, Dorr Mountain, etc. A must for nature lovers.