Brian and I are back from our Northeastern getaway! From Boston, Massachusetts to New Brunswick, Canada, we explored rugged coastlines, charming towns, and the natural beauty that defines this region. But it was our time in Maine that stole the show. Acadia National Park was the highlight of our trip, where we climbed over boulder fields and navigated iron rungs to reach stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, framed by warm autumn tones.
Planning a Trip to Acadia National Park
Maine has long been on our radar for both its lobster and its diverse landscape. Photographs of rocky shorelines and autumnal woodlands called to us from afar, but its premium rates and timing considerations kept us from making the trip. It wasn’t until this year that we prioritized visiting Maine, rearranging travel plans, and scheduling time off to fully enjoy our experience in Acadia National Park.
As many of you may already know, we prefer to travel during the shoulder and off-seasons. It’s generally more affordable and less crowded, which are two major wins for a couple of budget-minded introverts! This approach paid off beautifully during our adventures in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska, where we had an absolute blast exploring outside of the peak tourist season.
Though Acadia National Park’s peak season is generally from June to September, we knew we wouldn’t be able to escape the crowds completely. With gorgeous fall colors on the way, Brian and I planned our visit within the first window of color changes, but outside the height of peak fall foliage. This intentional timing allowed us to explore the park as autumn gently rolled in, all while avoiding the fray of weekenders and tourists rushing to picture-perfect viewpoints.
As we planned our trip, we learned the following:
Acadia National Park is open year-round, but certain facilities close during the winter.
While considering the timing of our trip, we noted when the shoulder season edged into the chilly constraints of winter. Brian and I are huge fans of rock-bottom prices and solitude, but not at the expense of missing out on some of the park’s best attractions.
For instance, in the off season, the iconic 27-mile Park Loop Road through Acadia National Park mostly closes to vehicle traffic. This scenic route connects visitors to a variety of hikes and landmarks through Acadia’s mountains, lakes, and shoreline. Other facilities and services that temporarily close include a number of trails, roads, visitor centers, and museums. We planned our trip to ensure we experienced the park’s highlights before seasonal closures came into effect.
Arrive earlier or later in the day to avoid crowds.
Brian and I previously read that lunchtime is generally one big cluster of cars, crowds, and commotion. We quickly learned how true that was during our first full day in Acadia! In fact, we flat-out decided to leave the park for lunch in Bar Harbor, only to encounter even more crowded spaces. We ate lunch at our hotel and took a two-hour nap, returning to a much quieter park later in the afternoon.
To avoid crowds on and off the trails, it’s best to explore Acadia National Park early in the morning or later in the day. We found that traffic picked up around 10:30am and quieted down around 2:30pm.
Hop on the shuttle or keep a careful eye out for parking.
A fare-free bus system offers shuttle service to park destinations, campgrounds, and local communities from summer to mid-October. It offers a convenient way to explore the park and its surroundings without the hassle of driving around town and securing parking.
Parking can be a major headache, especially if it’s during a weekend or peak season. Since the Park Loop Road is mostly a one-way route, missing a parking opportunity near an attraction will require you to park farther away or loop back, which could significantly impact your travel time. Not all attractions offer designated parking lots, so it’s important to keep an eye out for open spots along the right side of the road.
I’d also like to mention that Brian and I noticed several parking lots with signs indicating that they were full. We recommend driving through them anyway, as we discovered that the signs weren’t always accurate and there were usually available spots.
Anticipate high costs for accommodations and dining.
Maine is expensive. It’s an expensive place to live and visit! Sought after for its natural setting, mild climate, and amazing seafood, the state attracts tourists all year round. The increase in tourism has led to a rise in prices for everything from housing and dining to local attractions.
With the exception of camping, visitors should expect to drop some serious cash for accommodations. Brian and I stayed at the Best Western Acadia Park Inn for three nights. Had we not used credit card points to split the cost, we would have paid more than $1,000 out of pocket. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty steep for us!
Dining is a whole other matter. We’re usually happy grabbing a few groceries for our stay, but found the prices high and the selection weak. It turns out that many locals prefer to shop in a different city about 40 minutes away, where it’s more affordable! In any case, most of the in-town dining options reflected popular tourist trends, with tourist pricing to match.
Visit the quieter side of Acadia National Park.
If you have time, take the opportunity to explore all of Acadia National Park, including the lesser-visited Schoodic Peninsula and the West Side of Mount Desert Island (MDI). The East Side of MDI features the park’s most popular and frequented attractions, such as the historic Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain, and Jordan Pond.
The quieter side of the park offers a more relaxed experience with stunning scenery and fewer crowds. Home to secluded beaches, picturesque lighthouses, and peaceful hiking trails, Brian and I really enjoyed slowing down and wandering through the serene landscape. In fact, we ventured over to this side of the island during the midday rush on the East Side. It provided a fantastic escape from busy crowds.
A backpack is a lifesaver.
Brian debated bringing along a daypack on our trip. We usually travel pretty minimally, so adding an extra bag took a lot of consideration. After our visit to Acadia, we can both safely say that a backpack is a major lifesaver!
We initially thought we could easily carry our water bottles in our pockets. However, after scrambling boulders and climbing ladders, it became clear to us that our pockets wouldn’t have been very practical. We were so relieved to have our trusty backpack with us! It was such a convenience to not have to worry about our water bottles falling out or getting in the way.
A backpack is essential for Acadia, if not for the carrying convenience, then for the hands-free mobility required for climbing over rugged terrain.
General Guidelines
If you’re in the midst of planning a visit to Acadia National Park, you’re likely to come across a number of tips and suggestions. Brian and I believe that the insights above are super helpful to exploring the park. In addition to these tips, here are some other general guidelines to consider as you plan your adventure.
- Download offline maps for uninterrupted navigation even when you’re without data connection.
- Vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road, a 3-mile drive to the park’s highest peak.
- Dining reservations are highly recommended for the Jordan Pond House.
- Double-check the difficulty level of each trail before hiking.
- Use the AllTrails app to access additional trail information.
- Many trails connect with one another; consider combining them to make loops and longer routes.
Embrace the Beauty of Acadia
No matter how much time you have or what your interests may be, we believe you’ll discover plenty to explore in Acadia National Park. From its diverse hiking trails to its scenic shorelines and lush, vibrant woodlands, the park offers a soulful adventure through the great outdoors. Whether you choose to savor quiet moments in less-traveled areas or join in on the thrilling climb up Champlain Mountain, there is something for everyone.
So, consider our advice, grab your gear, and get to exploring! You won’t regret it.
2 Responses
I was excited to get the post, but disappointed in the lack of photos. Perhaps you can do a follow-up with a few?
Don’t worry! I have a couple of posts in the works with photos to share 🙂 Stay tuned!