A Quick Guide to Visiting Acadia National Park
Did you know that Acadia National Park was the first national park in the northeast US? This park contains plenty of gorgeous ocean views and serene forest trails. In the fall, it is a great place to see all the beautiful fall foliage colors that are well-known seasonal attractions throughout New England. This post lists some tips for anyone interested in visiting Acadia National Park.
I spent the past few days exploring Acadia National Park for the first time. It was such a beautiful national park, especially during the fall season, and I had a great time hiking around and exploring!
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How much does it cost to visit Acadia National Park?
You will need an Acadia Pass or a National Park Pass to visit Acadia National Park. An Acadia Pass is valid for 7 days. The most common type is a $30 vehicle pass, which admits one car and all of its occupants. If you do not have a car, you can get an individual pass for $15. You can find a complete list of Acadia Pass types here.
If you are planning to visit more National Parks, an Annual National Park Pass costs $80 and is valid at all National Parks for a calendar year.
Where can you stay while visiting Acadia National Park?
There are several campgrounds both inside and outside Acadia National Park if you want the full National Par experience! However, these are quite popular and may book up quickly, so be sure to reserve a spot in advance.
You can also stay right in Bar Harbor if you want to be within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in town. There are options for small hotels, inns, and several Airbnb rentals.
The town of Ellsworth is a quick drive away from Acadia National Park, so you can also look into finding a place to stay there if you can’t find a spot right on Mount Desert Island, which is where the park is located.
Hiking trails in Acadia National Park
I loved the hiking trails and many gorgeous overlooks in Acadia. Some of the more popular hikes include the Beehive Trail, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain.
However, there are also a lot of less-populated hiking trails that you can check out if you want a respite from the crowds. I suggest taking some time to explore a bit further off the major trails! There’s a lot to see besides the main attractions.
Most popular hikes in Acadia National Park
- Beehive Trail
- Precipice Trail
- Jordan Pond Path
- South Bubble Trail
- Cadillac Summit Loop
- Jordan Cliffs Trail
- Ocean Path
If you’re new to hiking, you can check out a guide to getting started here!
Bar Harbor town
A small, charming resort town with a population of about 5,000 residents, Bar Harbor is a great place to stroll around and grab some souvenirs or ice cream while taking a break from hiking.
The beach in front of the town is where you can access the land bridge to Bar Island, a small island near the town. One cool thing about this land bridge is that it is only traversable during low tide, but be sure to pay attention to the tide times so you don’t get stranded!
Island Explorer bus (free!)
One of my top tips would be to take advantage of the free Island Explorer buses that go throughout the park. When I visited, there was a LOT of vehicle congestion, and parking at trailheads was limited. It was so much less stressful to park at the visitors center in the morning and then just use the buses for the rest of the day.
I found the Island Explorer buses to be super easy and convenient, and the fact that they reduce emissions in the park was a plus! I especially recommend using the bus service if you plan to visit Bar Harbor. Even on the days when there was less congestion on the trails, the town was pretty crowded, and you do have to pay for most parking spots.
Island Explorer bus schedules and routes can be found here.
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I had an amazing time exploring Acadia for a few days, and highly recommend taking a trip to check it out for yourself! I hope this post is helpful to you as you plan your own visit to Acadia National Park!
