Things to do nearAcadia National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine offers a rare meeting of granite peaks, dense spruce forests, and a rugged Atlantic coastline that rewards every kind of explorer.
Acadia National Park occupies most of Mount Desert Island off the coast of downeast Maine and holds the distinction of being the first national park established east of the Mississippi River, designated in 1919 after years of land donations from conservation-minded families including the Rockefellers. The park's roughly 49,000 acres encompass a dramatic mix of terrain: the rounded pink granite summits of the Cadillac Mountain range, quiet glacially carved lakes such as Echo Lake and Eagle Lake, densely wooded valleys, and a shoreline where the North Atlantic crashes against boulder fields and sea cliffs.
Visitors hike more than 150 miles of trails ranging from easy shoreside walks to the steep iron-rung ladder routes on the Precipice and Beehive, which cling to near-vertical cliff faces and deliver sweeping views of Frenchman Bay. The 27-mile Park Loop Road connects many of the most visited landmarks, including Sand Beach, the only sand beach in the park, and Thunder Hole, a sea cave where incoming waves compress air and produce a resonant boom audible from a distance.
The nearby village of Bar Harbor serves as the primary gateway, offering fresh lobster, chowder, and local seafood at restaurants lining Cottage Street and the waterfront. Ranger-led programs, sea kayaking tours around the island's coves, and sailing excursions on Frenchman Bay round out the ways to engage with the park's environment. Acadia National Park earns its reputation not through spectacle alone but through the uncommon intimacy of a place where ocean, mountain, and forest exist in close and compelling proximity.
7-day forecast
Tips for visiting Acadia National Park
Visit Cadillac Mountain before dawn from October through early March, when it is among the first places in the United States to receive sunlight, and arrive early as the summit road fills quickly.
Try the wild blueberry soft-serve ice cream sold at park concessions near Jordan Pond, a small but genuinely local treat tied to Maine's blueberry-growing heritage.
Bring layers even in July, as the ocean breezes on exposed summits and along the Shore Path in Bar Harbor can drop temperatures significantly from what you feel inland.
Rent a bicycle and explore the historic carriage road network, 45 miles of broken-stone paths closed to motor vehicles and ideal for reaching ponds and overlooks at a relaxed pace.
Walk the Ship Harbor Nature Trail on the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island for a peaceful loop through coastal forest and along a sheltered tidal inlet, away from the busier park corridors.
Top tours & experiences near Acadia National Park
Take a Morning Cruise in Acadia National Park
Cruise Great Harbor and Somes Sound with narration and an island stop
Acadia National Park 4-Hour E-Bike Rental
Cover Acadia’s carriage roads with pedal-assist power
Hancock Pumpkin Train Ride
Ride historic Maine rails with a pumpkin patch stop for children
Step-Through E-Bike Rental in Acadia National Park
Rent a step-through e-bike with included delivery and pickup
Full-Day Small Group Acadia National Park Tour & Hike
Explore Acadia’s coast and quieter trails with a naturalist guide
Cadillac Mountain Sunrise Shuttle in Acadia National Park
Head to the summit for sunrise without driving up the mountain
Private Maine Coast Charter From Belfast
Set your own course aboard a classic Maine lobster boat
3-Hour Guided Tour of Acadia National Park
Step-on guide service for motorcoach tours in Acadia National Park
Ranger-Led Bike Tour of Acadia National Park
Explore Acadia's carriage roads with a National Park Service ranger
Acadia Youth Kayaking Tour at Hadley Point Beach
Family youth sea kayaking in a protected bay on Mount Desert Island
Acadia National Park Carriage Roads E-Bike Tour
Pedal Acadia’s historic carriage roads to lakes and quieter trails
Acadia National Park 2.5-Hour Guided Tour
Ride Acadia's Park Loop Road with narrated stops at Cadillac Mountain
Sunset Cruise in Northeast Harbor
Cruise at sunset with a narrated ride around Acadia and the Cranberry Isles
6-Hour E-Bike Rental in Acadia National Park
Pedal farther on Acadia's historic carriage roads
Carriage Roads E-Bike Tour in Acadia National Park
Ride Acadia's rolling carriage roads with an electric boost up the hills
Acadia Carriage Roads E-Bike Rental
Cover more of Acadia’s carriage roads with a powerful fat-tire e-bike and effortless pedal assistance.
Narrated Afternoon Cruise in Acadia National Park
Cruise Great Harbor, Cranberry Islands, and Somes Sound with a 45-minute island stop
Hancock 10-Mile Historic Train Ride
Ride historic Maine rails from Washington Junction to Ellsworth Falls
Explore Mount Desert Island Guided Tour From Bar Harbor
Private 5-hour Mount Desert Island tour beyond Acadia National Park hotspots
Cadillac Mountain Sunset Tour in Acadia National Park
Leave the mountain driving to your guide and watch sunset from the summit
6-Hour Mountain Bike Rental Near Acadia National Park
Pedal Acadia's carriage roads on a tuned traditional mountain bike
20-Mile Acadia E-Bike Tour with Local Guide
Discover iconic and hidden Acadia sights on a guided 20-mile e-bike ride.
Family E-Bike Rental for Acadia National Park
Ride Acadia's carriage roads with pedal-assist power and family-friendly bike options