Everything you need to know about visiting Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, including all the tips for what to see.
Did you know that Acadia National Park is one of the most visited National Parks? I can see why with its rugged coastline, numerous hiking options, and stunning views.
Acadia National Park is where the mountains meet the sea. Its mix of ocean shoreline, granite peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes makes it ideal for nature lovers, families, adventurers, and photographers.
Acadia National Park definitely stole our hearts, and we wish that we had had more time to spend at the park. I would recommend spending 3-5 days exploring Acadia National Park and the surrounding area.
Top Hikes at Acadia National Park
Some of the top hikes to go on in Acadia National Park include:
- For the adventurous hiker, Beehive Trail is a must-do with stunning views over Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Gulf of Maine. This trail is 1.4 miles round trip but ascends a 450 ft cliff with exposed edges, steep drop-offs, and iron rungs.
- For an alternative to the Beehive Trail, hike the 1.2-mile out-and-back Bowl Trail. This easy-to-moderate hike with a rocky trail (at times) leads to the Bowl (aka a lake) tucked into the mountains.
- Ocean Path was popular with my teen. It’s an out-and-back trail, so you can go as far as you want, or you could park in different parking lots along Park Road Loop to pick up the trail at a different spot. It’s got fabulous views of the rugged coastline and lots of opportunities for scrambling over rocks (which my teen loved). *Be careful on the rocks along the coast because of the risk of falling or injury.
- Jordan Pond trail is an easy, 3.4-mile round-trip hike with views of the pond and bubbles.
- Wonderland Trail is best done at low tide so that you can see the tide pools. Make sure to bring shoes with a good grip that can also get wet on this 1.4-mile round-trip hike.
What to See Beyond Hiking
Top five things to do or see while visiting Acadia National Park that’s not hiking:
- Catch the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain – the first spot the sun rises in the US during summer. You must book a reservation during peak season on the National Park website.
- Relax at Sand Beach and take in the lovely, clear water and golden sand.
- Enjoy the picturesque city of Bar Harbor with shops, restaurants, and a wonderful waterfront.
- See the gorgeous Bass Harbor Head Light (lighthouse) in the southwest portion of Mount Desert Island. The best view is a short hike down beside the lighthouse and then to climb out on the rocks. Visiting during low tide will allow you to climb out further on the rocks. Be sure to be careful because the rocks can be slippery.
- Have lunch at Jordan Pond House and enjoy their popovers and blueberry mojitos.
- Bonus: Take in the power of the ocean at Thunder Hole, where waves crash into the rock formations.
Where to Stay
I highly recommend staying in Bar Harbor or camping inside Acadia National Park. We stayed at Acadia Inn, which is a family-friendly hotel with direct trail access to Acadia National Park. The clean, oversized rooms at Acadia Inn, along with the delicious breakfast, friendly staff, and great location, makes it a great choice when visiting the park. Acadia Inn also offers activities like movies on the lawn and s’mores by the fire pit.
Bar Harbor
The waterfront city of Bar Harbor, Maine, is located on the edge of Acadia National Park. It’s a beautiful city with lots of shopping and dining options. When we visited, many of the restaurants were still closed from the off-season; however, we had a delicious meal at Salsa Verde Grill. We always crave pizza after a day of hiking and had some amazing pizza from Pizzeria 131. We also indulged twice in ice cream from Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium.
