21 Fun Things To Do In Acadia National Park

Are you planning a trip to Acadia National Park? Here are 21 Fun Things to do in Acadia National Park. I have listed several hikes, photography spots, restaurants, the famous loop drive, and even camping sites and hotels.

Acadia National Park surprised me with its glorious landscapes, great food, and fantastic atmosphere. The views will never compete with the likes of the Rocky Mountains, but the atmosphere was by far one of the best I have ever experienced in a national park. I fell in love with this small national park, and I feel like you can too. Read on to see the top 21 fun things to do in Acadia National Park and I promise you that you will fall in love with this national park as well.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Acadia National Park Facts

• Acadia park hours can be found here.
• Acadia National Park has 26 mountains.
• The deepest lake is Jordan Pond.
• Cadillac Mountain is the highest mountain along the Atlantic coast.
• The Acadia National park cost is $30 for a vehicle, $25 for a motorcycle, and $15 for a person without a vehicle. >Buy national park pass here
• 40 species live in the park including black bears, peregrine falcons, moose, coyotes, and beavers.
• The park was previously called Lafayette National Park.
• 20% of the park is wetlands.
• There are 120 miles of hiking trails.

Best Time To Visit Acadia National Park

The best time to go to Acadia National Park is September through early October. The summer crowds are gone, and you might get lucky and see the gorgeous fall colors.

• March-May: Spring is the offseason at Acadia, and there are usually no crowds. The Snow has melted, leaving the park muddy and wet with temperatures in the mid 50’s.
• June-August: Summer brings in beautiful weather with temperatures in the high 70’s. Due to the nice weather, the park becomes most crowded during the summer months.
• September-October: This is the best time of year to visit Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park in September is a great time to visit. The crowds are gone, and the weather ranges from the 40’s through the 50’s. Acadia National Park in October is when the leaf peeping season starts. Sadly after Columbus Day though, many businesses begin to close shop. 
• November-February: The cold winter is not a great time to visit Acadia. During the winter months, a good portion of businesses, the hiking trails, and even sections of the park loop close. But, one of the most popular activities is to cross country ski on the carriage roads.

How Many Days Do You Need To Visit Acadia National Park

I recommend planning on staying for three to four days. You can probably do most, if not all, of the activities I listed in 3 days. My husband and I stayed in Acadia National Park for three days, and I felt we could experience the most popular things at Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Where Is Acadia National Park Located

Acadia National Park is located in Maine and is the only national park in the state. The national park is located next to Bar Harbor. The drive from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park is approximately 5 minutes. Getting to Acadia National Park can be accomplished by driving from the following airports:

• Boston: 4 1/2 hour drive, 278 miles, Logan International Airport,
• Portland: 3-hour drive, 174 miles, Portland International Jetport,
• Bangor: 1 hour and a 15-minute drive, 47 miles, Bangor International Airport.

I recommend renting a car at the airport or an RV.

>>>Rent A Car Here<<<

Acadia National Park Map

In the map below, you will find all the interest points on the Google map below. Also, you can look at the official Acadia National Park Maps here. If you want to buy a printed map of the park, click here.

Hotels Near Acadia National Park

If you are not camping, I suggest staying in Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is a lively town with plenty of restaurants, shopping, and lodging.

1. Bar Harbor Inn And Spa: This is absolutely the BEST place to stay in Bar Harbor. The hotel has the best views and the restaurant is pretty awesome (Try the Lobster Macaroni it is to die for). >Click Here To Stay At This Awesome Hotel
2. Bar Harbor Grand Hotel: If you are looking for something a little less modern, the Grand Hotel is for you. The hotel is right in the center of the town.  >Check Prices and Availability Now

Read More: Where to Stay in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Camping

Acadia National park has five official campgrounds which are as follows:

• Blackwoods Campground,
• Seawall Campground,
• Schoodic Woods Campground,
• Duck Harbor Campground,
• and Wildwood Stables Campground

The best campground in Acadia National Park is the Blackwoods Campground, which is where we stayed. It is recommended to make advanced reservations on all campsites. You can find more information and status of the campgrounds and reservations here. 

What To Pack For Acadia National Park

1. Sunscreen: This is part of the ten essentials when hiking. >Buy Sunscreen
2. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
3. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. I also love how they now have pink socks too 🙂 >Buy Hiking Socks
4. Refillable water bottle: I always bring a Hydroflask on all my adventures. They are on the heavier side, but I know for a fact they will not break. I have had a few cheap water bottles break on me before. >Check Prices Now
5. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
6. Sunglasses: It can get sunny so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
7. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, energy bars. Clif Bars are great for hiking.
8. Camera: It was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
9. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
10. Day Pack to carry all your things: The REI bag I have linked, we have had for seven years now, and it is still going strong! >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
11. Leggings or Hiking Pants: Here are some of my favorite leggings. >Buy Them Here
12. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts >Check Out This Shirt
13. Sports Bra: For women.
14. Jacket: In case you get chilly at night. >Buy My Favorite Jacket
15. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
16. Dresses: Cute dresses are a must when walking around Bar Barbor. >Check These Out
17. Jeans, sneakers, and a blouse: If you want to wear more comfortable clothing at Bar Harbor.
18. National Park Pass:  I highly recommend getting a year-long America The Beautiful Pass. >>>Get It Here
19. Map: A map is essential so you don’t get lost. >Check This One

Amazing Things To Do In Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain

The sunrise on Cadillac Mountain is usually listed as one of the top things to do in Acadia National Park. Every blog post I read about Acadia said that watching the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain was an absolute must. At first, I didn’t fully understand the big deal until I experienced it firsthand.

The view from the Acadia National Park mountain has one of the first views of the sunrise in the continental USA from October through March. Many people flock to see this stunning view.

The biggest hurdle to see the sunrise is getting up around 3-4 am to drive to the mountain. I will say, missing a bit of sleep is absolutely worth it. The sun exemplifies its warmth creating an orange sky along with a great panorama view of the ocean which reflects the sky’s beautiful colors. It is one of my favorite sunrises I have ever witnessed, and it was one of my most cherished memories of my Acadia National Park trip.

Please note, there is now a reservation system for this activity and you can read more on it here.

Drive The Park Loop Road Acadia National Park

Another one of Acadia National Park activities is driving on the Park Loop Road. It is a 27-mile, one way road beginning at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. The road has many places to stop, take pictures, and simply take in the views. Another option is to walk the Ocean Path trail (which I talk about below). The most notable stops are:

• Sand Beach
• Thunder Hole
• Otter Point
• Jordan Pond
• Cadillac Mountain

Sand Beach

Sand Beach is one of the most popular places to visit in Acadia National Park. It is located in a small inlet between the granite mountains and Mount Desert Island. Many families come here and enjoy the beach all day. Changing rooms, restrooms, and an on-duty lifeguard (May-September) are at the site. As an aside, the Oceanside Trail is accessible from the parking lot.

Walk The Ocean Path Trail

• Rating: Moderate
• Length: 4.5 miles
• Elevation: 374 feet elevation gain
• Trail Guide: Click Here

If you want to get out and stretch your legs a bit, you can walk the Ocean Path Trail from Sand beach up to Otter Point. This can be a better option than driving because you can explore many of the activities on Park Loop Road without having to worry about parking. Most people take their time on this walk and just take in the glorious views. The most popular spot is, of course, the Thunder Hole.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is a small inlet of naturally carved rocks, where the waves roll into and make a thunderous boom. On calm days you might wonder why this area is so popular, but on days where the waves get wild, you might witness water spout up as tall as 40 feet! The reason why it got its name is because the crashing of the waves makes thunderous sounds.

Otter Cliff

Otter Point and Otter Cliff are great places to take sunset photos. We spotted rock climbers in this area, and we could also see Sand Beach in the distance.

Eat Lobster Rolls

One of the first things I did on the trip to Acadia National Park was eat a lobster roll. I heard so much about the rolls that I was very excited to eat my FIRST lobster roll. Living in North Texas, where lobster isn’t a big deal, I knew I had to try it out. Oh my, goodness was the roll was delicious. We don’t get to eat great seafood often, so I made sure to eat seafood all weekend. It was glorious!

Please note that I talk about all the restaurants we ate in Bar Harbor below.

Bike The Carriage Road

Another one of Acadia National Park attractions includes the 45 miles of carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller between 1913 and 1940. The carriage roads are the perfect place for biking in Acadia National Park. The roads do not allow any motorized vehicles. Bike rentals are available at Acadia Bike. A bicycle express shuttle is available, which will pick you and your bike up a block away from the bike shop. The bus will drop you off near the carriage roads.

I recommend printing out the Acadia National Park carriage roads map beforehand. Jameson and I used the free Acadia National Park Map and got lost.

Eat The Famous Acadia National Park Popovers

One of the best places to eat in Acadia National Park is Jordan Pond Restaurant. Best known for their famous popovers (a hollow bread roll), this restaurant is a must in your Acadia National Park adventure.

Because of the restaurant’s popularity, getting a table at the restaurant during prime time can be difficult. Sadly, they do not take reservations anymore. It is now on a first come first serve basis.

Jordan Pond

I love the views of Jordan Pond, but I will say that I’m not too fond of the crowds. I have been here many times during the day, and early morning is best to get away from the large crowds.

The most iconic view of this area is the Two Bubble, as shown in the photo above. You can hike around the whole Jordon Pond if you are up to it. Or you can also hike up to the Bubbles, which I talk about below.

Schoodic Point

Schoodic Point is located about an hour and a half away from Bar Harbor and on the park’s East side. You can do a few short hikes here, like Sundew Trail and Alder Path Trail.

Eat Blueberries

When visiting Acadia National Park, I noticed blueberries were everywhere! There were blueberry drinks, ice cream, pie, pancakes, and even blueberry buffalo wings! I made sure to take advantage and eat as many blueberry foods as I could.

The blueberries are sweet and ripe from July through August, and there are even opportunities to pick your blueberries on the hiking trails. Wild blueberry picking is allowed in Acadia National Park.

Hike The Beech Mountain Trail

• Rating: Moderate
• Length: 1.2 miles
• Elevation: 351 feet elevation gain
• Trail Guide: Click Here

Want to get away from the crowds? This side of the park tends to have fewer people and still has fantastic views and a fire lookout. Unfortunately, the fire lookout at Beech Mountain trail was closed when I went. We still enjoyed this hike, mainly because we were one of the few people on the trail.

Watch The Sunset At Bass Harbor Lighthouse

When you travel to Acadia National Park, one of the best things to do is watch the sunset next to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. What no one mentions is how crowded this particular activity is. The area is small for the number of people that flock there to see the event. So if you are dead set on taking sunset pictures, here are my tips on getting the perfect photos:

• Get there an hour before sunset to get the best spot.
• Parking can be crazy but not impossible. Try driving to the parking lot to see if there are any spaces. We parked far away thinking there were not going to be any spots, but when we got to the parking lot, it was pretty empty. People just assumed there would be no spots.
• People will get directly in front of your camera. Kindly ask them to move out of your shot. They usually do.
• The rocks are very sharp, so you might want to bring a blanket to get more comfortable.
• Enjoy the beautiful colors. I noticed many people took this activity too seriously. Don’t forget to just have fun.

Go Whale Watching

Bar Harbor Whale Company offers many tours throughout the year. There are tours on whales, seals, puffins, lighthouses, Acadia National Park, and sunset tours. The tours availability depends on the season.

Hike The Precipice Trail

• Rating: A strenuous hike
• Length: 2.6 miles for the loop hike
• Elevation: 850 feet elevation gain
• Season: Middle of August through Fall. The trail is closed in the spring and summer for the Peregrine Falcon nesting.
• Important information: Most people hike up the Precipice Trail and then hike down the Champlain North Ridge Trail. The Champlain North Ridge Trail is a relatively easy way down.
• Trail Guide: Click Here

The Precipice Trail is one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park. The trail has many exposed routes, and it is not suited for people with a fear of heights, small children, or dogs. If you can get to the end of this rewarding hike, you are met with a splendid view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Another one of the famous Acadia National Park trails is the Beehive trail. This is a perfect alternative if you are at Acadia National Park during the Peregrine Falcon Nesting season. The Beehive is similar to the Precipice trail, except it is shorter and easier.

Hike The Beehive Trail

• Rating: A somewhat strenuous hike
• Length: 1.5 miles total
• Elevation: 508 feet elevation gain
• Season: Spring through fall
• Time: 2-4 hours
• Trail Guide: Click Here

Do you want to hike a shorter version of the Precipice trail? Try out the Beehive Trail! It has glorious views of Sand Beach, and it is another excellent scrambling/climbing trail. This can be a challenge for people afraid of hikes, but it is still easier than Precipice Trail.

Check Out Echo Lake Beach

Did you know you can go swimming in one of the lakes and there is a lifeguard? Echo Lake Beach is on the southern shore, and there is a lifeguard from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The lake is much warmer than Sand Beach, so definitely head here on a beautiful summer day.

Hike Up To South Bubble Mountain from Jordan Pond

• Rating: A strenuous hike on the way up to South Bubble from Jordan Pond
• Length: Around 1.5 miles total
• Elevation: 492 feet elevation gain
• Season: Spring through fall
• Time: 2-4 hours
• Trail Guide: Click Here

Located right next to Jordan Pond, South Bubble is a perfect way to get a glorious view of Jordan Pond. There are two ways to get to the top of South Bubble. One option is to park at the designated South Bubble parking lot. While the parking lot seems obvious, parking is very limited. The second way is to park at the Jordan Pond House parking lot and hike to South Bubble. I recommend the second option for ease and the opportunity to hike around the pond.

I also recommend arriving at Jordan Pond early as it can get quite busy. When we left after lunch, the whole area was a madhouse.

When you get to the South Bubble peak, I recommend checking out bubble rock and maybe the North Bubble Peak.

Go Rock Climbing

While we were on the Loop Drive, I noticed a few rock climbers climbing on the cliffs next to the ocean. As a former rock climber, I recommend trying out this great sport, especially in a national park such as this one. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is known to have the best guides in Acadia.

Visit Bar Harbor Maine

I fell in love with Bar Harbor. The town is cute, lively, and radiating with happy, positive energy. Located only a few miles from Acadia National Park, visiting this busy little city is necessary. The town is filled with shops, restaurants, ice cream shops, hotels, and bars. Visiting this cute town is one of the best things to do near Acadia National Park.

One of the best things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine, is to EAT! I can’t describe to you how much seafood we ate here, and it was all so delicious. Below I list some of my favorite restaurants.

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• My favorite breakfast spots
  • 2 Cats Restaurant: Wow! The food here was on another level. By far, my favorite breakfast spot. It was a little slow but what does it matter when you are on vacation. The food was excellent.
  • Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast: The food was good here as well. I recommend getting there early because it can get crowded.

• My favorite lunch and dinner spots
  • The Thirsty Whale: Great drinks and food. I loved the atmosphere.
  • Side Street Cafe: Mainly known for their Mac and Cheese. I loved eating here for lunch and sitting at the patio.
  • The Terrace Grille: A perfect spot for lunch on a beautiful day. My husband Jameson loved their Lobster Mac and Cheese.

• Favorite coffee shops and bars
  • Choco-Latte
  • Coffee Hound Coffee Bar
  • Cottage Street Pub
  • Leary’s Landing Irish Pub

Acadia National Park Tours

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Final Thoughts On Things To See In Acadia National Park

Well, that is it on my 21 best things to do in Acadia National Park list. Acadia doesn’t have the ginormous mountains or canyons that seem to go on forever, but I still fell in love with this national park. It has a contagious, fun, and vibrant atmosphere that is simply intoxicating. I will definitely go back. Make sure to check out some of my other posts of other national parks in the United States:

• The 12 Best National Parks on the East Coast
• The Ultimate Guide To Death Valley In One Day
• Big Bend Hiking Guide
• Best Hikes In Shenandoah National Park
• 11 Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
• The Best Great Smoky Mountain Hikes

Also, follow me on Instagram, where I discuss all things hiking, camping, and backpacking. You can get ready for your next outdoor adventure!  Follow Me Here.

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