Acadia National Park in Maine is the oldest park east of the Mississippi. The park is located on the coast near the small, quaint, travel-town of Bar Harbor. There are plenty of things to do in Acadia National Park – finding the hotspots at the right times can make all the difference in making it a pleasant experience. If your budget allows, book a room in Bar Harbor. The town has lots of character with small shops and good eating. Staying close the park will give you the most time in the park and not in the car.
As you can imagine, summer is one of the most popular seasons because of the spring-like temperatures. Most people migrate to Acadia to see its awesome foliage display in the fall months, so expect bumper to bumper action if you plan on going then. If you can deal with the cooler temperatures, wait till the leaves fall and you’ll have a much more solitary experience at the main attractions. Our trip highlighted four stops within the park.
Cadillac Mountain
This is by far the most popular attraction in Acadia. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in the park that gives you a spectacular view of the mountains meeting the ocean. Follow Cadillac Mountain road to the top where you’ll find a huge parking area and a gift shop. Once you’re out of the car, look around for the many walking paths that will take you onto the granite rocks that Cadillac Mountain is known for. Even with the crowds, most of the time you can find your own little spot off the beaten path that offers a bit more solitude. If riding to the top isn’t for you, you can also hit the trailhead at the bottom for a hike up to the top. It’s usually pretty windy at the top and the temperature is quite a bit cooler than down in Bar Harbor, so packing a light jacket might be a good idea.
Sand Beach
Most of the shoreline in Maine is rather rocky so the last thing you think you would see is a beach. During the summer Sand Beach is a popular hang out. When we were there, the parking lot was full and many cars parked along the road as you would assume during August. It’s a short walk down to the beach though, so don’t let the full parking lot scare you off. In the parking area there are changing rooms and bathrooms if you decide you want to brave the cold water. There are also hiking trails along the cliffs above the beach that will give you a better view of the shoreline. Ocean Path is a trail that connects Sand Beach to another popular hotspot, Thunder Hole. We didn’t make it to Thunder Hole due to time constraints, but you should definitely take the time to fit it into your schedule.
Beehive Mountain Hike
Acadia National Park has miles of hiking trails, so if you’re a hiking enthusiast be sure to check the park maps for hiking trails that fit your experience level. We were up for a challenge and decided we wanted to hike Beehive Mountain which is directly across the road from the Sand Beach access area. The trail head markers are wooden, so they are easy to miss. The Beehive is considered a strenuous hike and the elevation gain happens pretty fast – so do your research and look at my video on YouTube to see if this is for you. The hike includes scrambling over large rocks even from the start of the hike, so wear appropriate footwear. Midway through the hike you’ll start seeing markers on the rocks to keep you on the trail. You’ll also notice the climbing bars that are mounted into the rocks. Yes, you have to hold onto the bars and climb up to continue up the trail. I expected a few of those during the hike, but I must say I didn’t expect to see 10-12 of those staring me down. If you are afraid of heights and sudden drop-offs, this isn’t for you. You can expect about a 2 mile round trip which usually takes a couple of hours at a steady pace. If you love a challenge, this hike is highly recommended!
Bar Island Natural Bridge
Another neat feature in Acadia National Park is the Bar Island Natural Bridge which is located in the harbor in Bar Harbor. The natural bridge connects the shoreline in Bar Harbor to Bar Island. Bar Island is one of the many barrier islands you’ll see along the coast. It’s still considered part of Acadia National Park even though it isn’t near the rest of the park. The island is only accessible at low tide so be sure to check tide times in Bar Harbor to schedule a walk across the land bridge. Be advised that walking is the only way off the island, so if you get stuck – you’ll have to wait until the next low tide, unless you enjoy swimming in cold water.
There are other things to do in Acadia National Park, but we found these to be the most popular and the most representative of what the park has to offer. Unfortunately we crammed everything into a day visit – so at least plan to spend a weekend in the area so you won’t feel rushed. It’ll also help you get an earlier start which will help you beat the crowds!
For more on Acadia National Park, I’ve posted pictures on my Flickr Photostream – or you can check out the Acadia National Park episode below:
