National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS / Victoria Stauffenberg · Public domain
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 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.
Entrance Fees
Getting There
Roads and entrances can close temporarily. Check current conditions on nps.gov (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Entrances & departure points
- Directions to Hulls Cove Visitor Center (opens in a new tab)
Hulls Cove Visitor CenterMain
Bar Harbor, ME · Visitor center open May–Oct; Park Loop Road closed Dec 1–Apr 14
- Directions to Cadillac Mountain Entrance (ME-233) (opens in a new tab)
Cadillac Mountain Entrance (ME-233)
Bar Harbor, ME · Closed Dec 1–Apr 14
- Directions to Sieur de Monts Entrance (opens in a new tab)
Sieur de Monts Entrance
Bar Harbor, ME · Park Loop Road access closed Dec 1–Apr 14
- Directions to Stanley Brook Entrance (opens in a new tab)
Stanley Brook Entrance
Seal Harbor, ME · Closed Dec 1–Apr 14
- Directions to Schoodic Peninsula (Schoodic Loop Road) (opens in a new tab)
Schoodic Peninsula (Schoodic Loop Road)
Winter Harbor, ME · Open year-round
Separate section on the Schoodic Peninsula; about an hour's drive from Mount Desert Island
- Directions to Isle au Haut Boat Services (mail boat to Isle au Haut) (opens in a new tab)
Isle au Haut Boat Services (mail boat to Isle au Haut)
Stonington, ME · Isle au Haut Boat Services · Year-round mail boat; Duck Harbor service in summer only
Island section reached only by boat from Stonington
Airports
- BHB
Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport · Trenton, ME
ClosestSmall airportCape Air only, year-round flights to Boston on small planes.
- PWM
Portland International Jetport · Portland, ME
Major airport
Distances are approximate road distances; tap a distance for live driving directions.
Towns to stay in
Activities
Top Hikes
3.2 mi · 1,000 ft gain · loop
Iron rungs, ladders, and sheer cliff faces up Champlain Mountain with ocean views. Seasonally closed for peregrine falcon nesting.
Starts at: Precipice Trailhead
1.4 mi · 450 ft gain · loop
Steep granite staircases, iron rungs, and exposed cliff faces with dramatic views of Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Gulf of Maine.
Starts at: Beehive Trailhead
4.4 mi · 1,100 ft gain · out & back
Exposed granite ridge hike to the highest point on the eastern seaboard with sweeping views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Schoodic Peninsula.
Starts at: Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead
7.1 mi · 1,350 ft gain · out & back
The longest single-summit trail in the park, ascending through forest to an exposed granite ridgeline with panoramic Atlantic Ocean views.
Starts at: Cadillac South Ridge Trailhead
Upcoming Events
As a Friends of Acadia drop-in volunteer, you’ll see a new side of Acadia, feel a deeper connection to the park, and leave this national treasure a little better than you found it. Our Drop-in Stewardship Volunteer Program occurs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from June through the end of October. While being led by our amazing Volunteer Crew Leaders, you’ll help with important work like cutting back vegetation, clearing drainage features, building bogwalk, tread work, weeding carriage roads, and other tasks. Projects run from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., weather permitting, and no experience or reservation is required!
Wetland Revival – Walking the Path of Restoration
Join a ranger on a mostly level 2.3 mile walk through the Great Meadow, to learn how Acadia National Park, the Schoodic Institute, and Friends of Acadia are working together to restore a damaged wetland. Accessibility: You may request sign language, live audio description, assistive listening devices, or other accommodation for any scheduled park event or program at Acadia by contacting us at least 10 days in advance at 207-288-3338, option 0, or acadia_information@nps.gov. Learn more at https://go.nps.gov/AcadiaAccessibility
EeeK of Ecology Halloween Festival for Children
Visit the Schoodic Institute campus of Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor to trick-or-treat through learning stations about different National Parks. Encounter friendly spiders, learn about ravenous endangered species, ghoulish invasive species, ghosts, and more! Create a work of art in our Creepy Craft Corner and enjoy the day! (For children 12 and under, with an adult.)
Best Time to Visit Acadia
Best time to visit: June, September–October
The best time to visit Acadia National Park is June and September–October. Park Loop and Cadillac Summit roads are open, and September–October bring fall color (peak mid-October) with smaller crowds than July–August.
In those months, average highs are 57–69°F at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Visitor numbers peak in August, so these months are usually less crowded.
Monthly averages at Hulls Cove Visitor Center (110 ft). Climate normals (1991–2020): PRISM Group, Oregon State University.
Weather & Climate
Located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Acadia experiences all four seasons. Summer temperatures range from 45-90F (7-30C). Fall temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C). Typically the first frost is in mid-October and first snowfall begins in November and can continue through April with an average accumulation of 73 inches (185 cm). Winter temperatures range from 14-35F (-10 - 2C). Spring temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C).
