At 3.5 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Visitors enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.
Most National Parks encompass one big land mass. Acadia National Park is primarily situated on Mount Desert Island, with additional areas on the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. The closest town is Bar Harbor, Maine, which serves as a gateway to the park.
How to get to Acadia Natl. Park
BY CAR
Most park visitors drive to Acadia and that's really your best bet if you want to travel the Park Loop Road - which you're definitely going to want to do since you can see a major portion of the park by doing this. Car is the most flexible way to see the park.
From Major Cities:
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Boston, MA (Approx. 5 hours, 280 miles):
Take I-95 North → Exit 182A for ME-395 → ME-1A East → ME-3 East to Bar Harbor. -
Portland, ME (Approx. 3.5 hours, 170 miles):
Follow I-295 North → US-1 North → ME-3 East. -
Bangor, ME (Approx. 1.5 hours, 50 miles):
Take ME-9 East → ME-233 East or ME-3 East directly to Mount Desert Island. -
🚗 Tip: During peak summer months, parking lots at popular trailheads and viewpoints fill up fast. Consider arriving early in the day or using the free Island Explorer shuttle once you’re in the area.
BY AIR
Closest Airports to Acadia National Park:
1. Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
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Just 10 miles from Acadia
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Seasonal flights from Boston via Cape Air or Silver Airways
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Car rentals available on-site
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2. Bangor International Airport (BGR)
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50 miles away (~1.5-hour drive)
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More flight options and rental car availability
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3. Portland International Jetport (PWM) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
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Larger airports with major airline connections
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Require longer drives (3.5–5 hours)
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✈️ Tip: A rental car is highly recommended if you fly, as public transit is limited in the area.
The fastest way by air:
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Fly from NYC (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to:
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Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) – Seasonal flights via Cape Air or Silver Airways (connect in Boston).
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Bangor International Airport (BGR) – 1.5-hour drive to the park.
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✈️ Travel Time:
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Flight: ~1.5 hours to Bangor (nonstop or with a layover)
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Drive from Bangor to Acadia: ~1.5 hours
🚗 Tip: Rent a car at Bangor or Bar Harbor to get around the island.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: THE EXPRESS SHUTTLE
Photo credit: NPS
Once you’ve arrived, the Island Explorer Shuttle is a free and eco-friendly way to get around the park and nearby towns.
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Runs late June through mid-October
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Serves campgrounds, trailheads, visitor centers, and scenic spots
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Bikes are allowed on shuttle racks, the shuttle does not take E bikes
This is a great option for those staying in Bar Harbor or those who prefer not to drive within the park but please read the information and restrictions at the above link before you ride the shuttle.
It runs to Schoodic Peninsula to Southwest Harbor to Bar Harbor—all along Park Loop Road, and even up to Jordan Pond and Sand Beach,
Note: 70% of your park admittance fee pays for the maintenance and operation of this free shuttle.
Where to check in at the park
Acadia just built a new Gateway Center to admit visitors into the park, a kind of one stop visitor's center to handle all visitor needs. The Acadia Gateway Center, located just off Mount Desert Island in Trenton, is designed to give visitors a smoother, more informed start to their park experience.
Inside, visitors will find park rangers, staff from the Maine Tourism Association, and plenty of maps and materials to help them explore both Acadia and nearby towns.
Outside the facility, the Island Explorer bus system stops right at the entrance. It's a free way for visitors to travel around the park and the Down East region.
The center also includes a 300-space free parking lot, which is expected to help reduce traffic on Mount Desert Island.
The Acadia Gateway Center will welcome visitors through mid-October. While the center will close during the off-season, the parking lot will remain open year-round for those visiting Acadia in the quieter months.
4 ways to get from Bar Harbor to Acadia Gateway Center by bus, taxi, or car
Park Admission
You can purchase an entrance pass at the Acadia Gateway Center. More information on fees & passes
Accommodations
CAMPGROUNDS
Acadia offers two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, one campground on the Schoodic Peninsula, and five lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut:
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Blackwoods
Blackwoods Campground is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Bar Harbor on Route 3. All sites at Blackwoods are wooded and within a 10-minute walk of the ocean. The majority of Blackwoods' sites are for small and large tents; other sites can accommodate travelers with RVs. Flush toilets, running water, and a dump station are provided, as are picnic tables and fire rings. Roads are paved.
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Seawall
Seawall Campground is located on the west side of Mount Desert Island about 4 miles (6 km) south of Southwest Harbor. The campground is approximately 18 miles from Bar Harbor. All sites at Seawall are within a short walking distance of the coastline.
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Schoodic Woods
Schoodic Woods Campground is the newest campground in the park and located 1.5 miles (2.5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. It is approximately 60-70 minutes from Bar Harbor and other areas of Mount Desert Island.
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Duck Harbor
Duck Harbor Campground is located on Isle au Haut, a rugged island off the coast of Stonington, Maine. This campground has five sites with lean-to shelters and is a great launch point for paddling excursions. Remote and inaccessible to automobiles, Isle au Haut is linked to the mainland by mailboat.
Duck Harbor has no potable water, you must haul your own water in.
There is no backcountry camping, "out-of-bounds" camping, overnight parking, or winter camping allowed anywhere in Acadia.
Visit recreation.gov to make camping reservations.
Park visitors not staying within the park usually stay in nearby Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor is a quaint little coastal town that has become almost like an extension of Acadia Natl. Park in that so many people visiting the park elect to find accommodations in Bar Harbor vs. in the park.
Bar Harbor boasts a variety of lodging options, including luxurious inns, hotels, and bed and breakfasts that provide personal attention and pampering. Vacation rentals, camping, and cottages are also available for those seeking more independence.
Photo credit: Britannica
For pet owners, there are numerous pet-friendly accommodations too. Many of these lodging options are conveniently located near main attractions and feature ocean views and on-site restaurants.
The Visit Bar Harbor website will give you a rundown on accommodations in Barb Harbor.
What I discovered was that Bar Harbor is experiencing a shift in spending trends among park visitors.
Darrin Steavnesli, owner of The Maine Store and The Rebel Lobster speakeasy, says conversations with customers reveal many are concerned about cost.
“They're staying in other little coastal towns, and they're coming to the harbor for a day, and that's a big change for us over the years that visitors from Bar Harbor would usually stay a minimum of two to three days, sometimes a week or longer,” Steavnesli said. “Now a lot of them are just coming in for a few hours, hitting the park, they're racking up that visit to the park, they're grabbing you know an ice cream, what have you, and they're on their way.”
This, despite July, 2025 having a record number 797,000 park visitors to Acadia National Park.
When I was looking to book accommodations for our Maine trip and in Bar Harbor I was floored at the nightly prices. The Bar Harbor Hampton Inn was up to nearly $700 per night including taxes and fees! So I switched tactics and looked at towns other than Bar Harbor - specifically Trenton. (Where the new Acadia Natl. Park Gateway Center is)
I found a charming cottage called Heart of Maine Open Hearth Inn in Trenton
Cottage 15 is a lovely rustic cottage with one king bed, a full bath with shower, A/C, mini-fridge, cable, television, iron/ironing board, hairdryer, coffee pot, microwave, and free Wi-Fi. Full access to the indoor kitchen downstairs in the main building, the outdoor kitchen and grill, full access to the common use hot tub, common use TV room with 70" flat screen, and the bonfire pit on the back lawn. Free parking right outside your door. Cost: $160 a night.
Located on Route 3 at the head of Mount Desert Island, The Open Hearth Inn is 12 miles to Bar Harbor, 9 miles or 10 minutes to Acadia National Park, 20 minutes to Mount Desert Island,15 miles to Bass Harbor Head Light, 12 miles to Southwest Harbor, 8 miles to Ellsworth, 35 miles to the Schoodic Peninsula of Acadia National Park, and 36 miles to Bangor. The Bar Harbor Hancock County Airport is a half-mile up the road.
We could be close to Mount Desert Island without the hustle and bustle of downtown Bar Harbor while still being fairly close to anything wecould possibly need.
Lunt's Lobster Pound was a convenient quarter mile walk down the road from our cabin, across from the airport.
Photo credit: Lunt's Lobster Pound
$160 per night vs. $700 per night and a lobster restaurant within walking distance? What wasn't to like?!!
Lunt's serves appetizers, sandwiches, and seafood dinners (including lobster) either in their dining room, on their outdoor patio or for take out. 1133 Bar Harbor Rd., Trenton
Before you start touring Acadia Park
DOWNLOAD THESE APPS!
I found a great Acadia National Park self guided tour for $20 here. It will get you all around the park. You can listen to clips of the audio tour before you buy.
NATIONAL PARK APPS
With the official National Park Service App, you can connect to all 420+ national parks, including Acadia. Whether you're at home planning your next trip, or in the park finding your next trail, the park app can be your guide. NPS Mobile takes authoritative information from park rangers and combines it with a great suite of features that work online and off.
The Recreation.gov Mobile App is your on-the-go solution for making reservations or purchasing passes for incredible destinations all over the United States.
Swipe through campsites to review rates and location details, check real-time availability, and reserve a spot right from your phone or tablet.
You can check real-time availability and buy a Cadillac Summit Vehicle Reservation. Please download or screen capture your confirmation code to display since connectivity can be spotty approaching the check station.
Download myStop® Mobile and select Acadia National Park to access real-time interactive location and schedule information for buses on the Island Explorer shuttle system.
Exploring the park
THE PARK LOOP
Taking in most of the attractions in Acadia National Park, the Park Loop Road is a scenic drive around a part of Mount Desert Island.
This fabulous loop road can be entered at various points across the park, but the best place to start is the visitor’s center at Hull’s Cove in the north. The Park Loop Road is only 27 miles long and it’s therefore possible to ‘do it’ in less than an hour - but I recommend at least 1 day and doing it at a leisurely pace.
The Not To Miss attractions are in bold.
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Cadillac Mountain
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Jordan Pond
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Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
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Champlain Mountain
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Sand Beach
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Thunder Hole
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Carriage roads
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
Cadillac Mountain is a popular destination for visitors to Acadia National Park. Accessible by car, it is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the U.S., and offers magnificent views of a glaciated coastal and island landscape. The short, paved Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, interpretive waysides, restrooms, and gift shop are located at the summit.
Cadillac Mountain also has amazing sunrises and sunsets to view.
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Vehicle reservations are required to drive Cadillac Summit Road from mid-May to mid-October. Vehicle reservations must be purchased in advance at Recreation.gov. Learn more at Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations
JORDAN POND
Photo credit: Acadia Magic
Jordan Pond is one of the park's most pristine lakes, with outstanding surrounding mountain scenery. Glaciers carved the landscape, leaving behind numerous geological features.
Jordan Pond’s beauty has become iconic—attracting multitudes of visitors for over a century who have enjoyed canoeing and kayaking, exploring nearby carriage roads, or trying famous tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House.
Jordan Pond is located off the two-way section of the Park Loop Road. It is approximately 30 minutes from Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Visitors can also access this area from the Stanley Brook Entrance in Seal Harbor.
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By car: Starting from Hulls Cove Visitor Center, continue straight at the four way intersection. Follow the Park Loop Road. At 2.8 miles, continue straight and remain on the two-way section of the Park Loop Road following signs for Jordan Pond.
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For a longer route, turn left onto the one-way section towards Sand Beach. Continue on the Park Loop Road for approximately 14 miles to reach Jordan Pond.
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By bus: The fare-free Island Explorer stops at Jordan Pond. Check bus schedule for routes and timetable.
BASS HARBOR HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
Photo credit: Flickr
The Bass Harbor Head Light Station is located in Tremont, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island. Among about 80 lighthouses across Maine, it is one of three lights managed by Acadia National Park, including two others on Baker Island and Bear Island.
The light station is the most visited place on the west side of Mount Desert Island and the fifth busiest destination in the entire park, behind only Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole. Public parking is limited to a single, small lot. Open spaces may exist only during the day and
Roadside parking is prohibited along the entrance road and 102A.
Although there is no public access to the interior, visitors can view the exterior of the light station via paved walkway. The park maintains a parking lot, restrooms, and short boardwalk trail to a shoreline viewpoint.
SAND BEACH
Photo credit: Travel Experience Live
Sand Beach is one of only two guarded beaches in Acadia National Park. It’s extremely popular in summer. Its soft sand is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, but be aware that the water tends to be quite chilly, even in mid-summer. Strong tides and rogue waves can surprise even experienced swimmers.
There are changing rooms and restrooms around the beach, but no food facilities. There’s a great short hiking trail at the end of the beach as well.
Sand Beach is not wheelchair-accessible, as the beach can only be reached via a staircase down the cliffside. Facilities at the upper parking lot are wheelchair-accessible.
A visit to Sand Beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Acadia National Park in summer.
CARRIAGE ROADS
Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads weave around the mountains and valleys of Acadia National Park. The roads were built to preserve the line of hillsides and save trees, align with the contours of the lands, and take advantage of scenic views. Approximately 16 feet wide, the carriage roads are an example of broken-stone roads commonly used at the turn of the 20th century. Gate lodges act as impressive welcomes to the carriage road system, stone-faced bridges span streams, waterfalls, motor roads, and cliff sides. Granite coping stones used as guardrails line the roads, affectionately called "Rockefeller's teeth."
Today, carriage roads have multiple-user groups as they did in the past. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and horse-drawn carriages share in the beauty, access, and safety of these auto-free roads across the park.
Find maps, elevation profiles, rules, safety advisories and activities for Acadia's historic carriage roads in an online guide.
In summer, you can reserve carriage ride tours of the park departing from Wildwood Stables, a campsite, or a stall for your own horse. For information about the tours offered at Wildwood Stables, email info@acadiabycarriage.com or by phone 207-600-7204.
Register or learn more at https://acadiabycarriage.com/.
We did the 2 hour ride that included the Rockefeller bridges ($84) and it should be made clear you don't ride in a carriage, you ride in a 10 person wagon. There's a 1 hour through the forest tour with views of the ocean for $48.
Acadia by Carriage, LLC is a concessioner authorized to provide horse drawn carriage tours, horse stall rentals, and equestrian campsites within Acadia National Park.
BICYCLING
Acadia provides different opportunities for bicycling on carriage roads, bike paths, gravel roads, and paved roads. There are various options based on experience, elevation change, type of bicycle, and destination.
You can bike some places in Acadia National Forest but there are restrictions. View this page to see the restrictions.
To encourage safe, car-free experiences for cyclists on Acadia's historic carriage roads, the fare-free Island Explorer provides a van and bike trailer with regularly-scheduled routes on a seasonal basis between downtown Bar Harbor and the Eagle Lake Carriage Road Entrance on Route 233. Limitations apply. While tag-along bikes are allowed, tandem bikes, fat tire bikes, e-Bikes, and dogs are prohibited. Find current information and schedules posted online at Bicycle Express.
Bikes can be rented in Bar Harbor.
CANOEING & KAYAKING
Photo credit: National Parks Traveler
Coastal Kayaking Tours, and Maine State Sea Kayak (formerly National Park Sea Kayak Tours) ply the waters around Mount Desert Island.
Coastal (207-288-9605 or 800-526-8615) offers multi-day camping trips to give you a taste of coastal Maine. "You'll spend your days paddling the pristine waters of Maine's loveliest bays, with nights spent camping on beautiful uninhabited islands. All you need to bring is your taste for adventure; we provide all camping equipment, meals, guide service, logistical support and island access," says the company.
Canoeing opportunities can be found inland, on Bubble Pond, Eagle Lake, Echo Lake, both upper and lower Hadlock Ponds, Jordan Pond, Seal Cove Pond as well as other locations. For details, check out the park's boating page. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and motorboats can be rented in surrounding communities.
Things to do in Bar Harbor
WALK THE SHORE PATH
Photo credit: Ken Wiedmann
It's FREE and relaxing to along the Shore Path. It's a mile long level, gravel path edging the coastlne from the Bar Harbor Town Pier to Wayman Lane. You'll find some great photo ops of the Porcupine Islands, Egg Rock Lighthouse, lobster and tour boats going in and out of the harbor, mansions along the way or a selfie with Balance Rock from along the path.
You can walk the Shore Path out and back in one direction or in one direction, using Main Street to connect the points. The Path is accessible for those using strollers or wheelchairs.While it's lovely anytime, at sunrise or in the early morning, the light is soft, and it's still cool enough for a brisk walk or even a run.
If you're walking in the afternoon, the Terrace Grille ($$) the Bar Harbor Inn edges the path and overlooks the harbor's entrance if you want to grab a bite to eat.
GO WHALE WATCHING
While this activity is a bit more on the expensive side, it's worth every penny!
This trip is an experience to remember as you head offshore into the Gulf of Maine in search of large baleen whales such as the humpback, finback, and minke as well as other fascinating marine life - porpoise, dolphins, seals, sharks, ocean sunfish, and offshore seabirds.
Bar Harbor Whale Watch is reputed to be the best whale watching tour in Bar Harbor.
Even better, since 2012, Bar Harbor Whale Watch has been a participant of Whale SENSE, a voluntary program that helps to promote responsible whale watching practices, education, and ocean stewardship. This program is a collaborative effort with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, NOAA Fisheries, and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
When choosing Bar Harbor Whale Watch, you help support whale research and conservation! Research interns with Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic join the on every trip to collect information about the whales and other marine species.
The tours are available late May to early October and last between 3 and 5.5 hours.
Adult - Ages 15+ $78
Junior - Ages 6-14 $61
Child - Ages 5 & Under $32
Prices go up during peak season. Located at 1 West Street, downtown Bar Harbor
GEORGE B. DORR MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
If you're interested in learning more about Maine wildlife, pencil in a visit to the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History. Run by the College of the Atlantic, this little museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the creatures above and below Maine's waters.
The museum is filled with dioramas that depict taxidermies of local wildlife in their natural habitats.
You'll see Atlantic puffins, North American beavers constructing their environment and both foxes and great horned owls eyeing prey.
Photo credit: COA George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History
The museum also houses touch tanks where visitors can get up close to marine life, such as sea stars, snails and hermit crabs, to name a few.
Recent visitors said this is an excellent place to take the kids. Those with little ones in tow said children were fascinated with the exhibits and loved interacting with the critters in the touch tanks.
The museum is small so it only takes an hour of two to go through it. Admission is FREE.
The George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History is located a little more than a mile northwest of the center of Bar Harbor. Hours vary based on the season. In the summer, Acadia National Park rangers offer drop-in touch tank tours; check with the park or museum for the schedule. The Island Explorer Bus stops in front of the museum. For more information, visit the museum's website.
Maine is a beautiful state any time of year but it's spectacular in the fall when fall colors are out. Plus that's not "high season" so costs will be lower and crowds fewer.