Our adventure began with a drive from New Hampshire into the beautiful state of Maine, where as vanlifers we set up our base in Ellsworth’s Walmart (as it was the closed Walmart to Acadia). The next morning, fueled by excitement, we headed straight to Hulls Cove Visitor Centre at 8am (open at 8:30am) to pick up a fresh American National Parks pass.
Little did we know what was meant to be a 40 minute drive turned into 1 hour as traffic was already banking up over the one lane bridge to Mt Desert Island. The visitor centre was then already busy by the time we got in there. And by the time we were on the road the crowds were forming. This meant the rest of our fun filled day was enjoyed with many others by our side.
Below are some tips on how to avoid the crowds and see the amazing attractions Acadia has to offer.
WHat we cover
- Things you should know before going
- Hulls Cove Visitor Centre
- Beehive Trail
- Sand Beach
- Thunder Hole
- Otter Cliff Overlook & Otter Cove
- Bar Harbor Town
- Cadillac Mountain
- Jordan Pond Loop
- Bass Harbor Head Light Station
- Ship Harbor Trail
- Southwest Harbor Town
- Conclusion
Things you should know before going
- Acadia National Park has been ranked in the top 10 National Parks of many reputable sources for its natural beauty and fascinating history. It is home to the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard and was once owned by George Dorr and the Rockefeller’s who donated the land to the government.
- The main section of Acadia is on a one way loop road which starts just outside of Bar Harbor town and goes around to just before Jordan Lake. You can access Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Lake from a two way road. This means if you pass a trail or attraction that you want to see, it will take at least 40 mins to get around again.
- Go early! The summer and fall months are very busy in Acadia National Park so start your journey early to beat the traffic, crowds and to score yourselves the best parks. We left Ellsworth at 8am on day 1 and didn’t get into the park till close to 10am. Day 2 was much better as we left Ellsworth at 6:30am.
- If you don’t feel like driving you can park at the visitor centre and there is a free on and off shuttle bus that takes you to all the main spots on the loop and down to Southwest Harbor. http://www.exploreacadia.com/routefinder.html
- Staff are everywhere: They are there to point you in the right directions so don’t be shy to ask questions.
Day 1:
Visitor Centre
Address: 25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
How to get there: follow highway 3 from Ellsworth and turn off at the sign for visitor centre
Opening hours: 8:30am-5pm, 7 days a week
What a lovely way to start off our experience in Acadia National Park. The only way to get there though is by ascending 52 stairs through a glorious rainforest area. There were 2 desks; one for information and one for purchasing passes. The staff were efficient and very helpful. If you have brought passes online and are just stopping by for information there is no need to climb the steps as there are staff members stationed at the bottom, in the carpark to help with any questions you have.
As this was our first national park of many (if all goes well) we opted for the National Parks pass which was $80 per vehicle. If you are only planning to visit this National Park it is $35 per vehicle for 7 days or $20 per person for 7 days.
Public transport is also fantastic within and around Acadia, there are buses going from Ellsworth and Bar Harbor to the visitor centre then do the full loop road. For more information click the link:
Beehive Trail
Address: Bar Harbor, ME 04609, located near entrance to Sand Beach
How to get there: follow the Park Loop Road, it is the first hike after the pass checkpoint station. If you head in on a busy day like us you’ll notice cars are already parked on the side of the road as soon as you pass the checkpoint. If this is the case we advise parking as soon as you see a spot available.
Our first stop was meant to be the Percipice Trail but unfortunately it was closed for preservation and restoration. So, to The Beehive Trail we went. Let me tell you, this trail was buzzing with activity (pun intended). It was quite busy, but the energy and thrill of climbing up a cliff face made it all worthwhile.
The climb was surprisingly manageable, considering we were bouldering up a cliff face and thanks to the many participants that banked the path that made the ascent a bit slower but definitely safer. This gave us lots of time to take numerous photos, videos and chat to the hikers in front and behind us. The reward? Breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and greenery that left us in awe.
The hike down was pleasant, overlooking the vast amount of trees and was mostly in shade cover to Ivory’s delight. If you are heading back to the carpark park you want to always take the path to the left to do the loop trail. We accidentally took the first right which took us to The Bowl Lake which was nice but a bit of an unnecessary detour.
Ebony & Ivory Tip: bring a snack to enjoy at the top overlooking the views.
Ebony & Ivory Tip: put on lots of sunscreen; while you climb up the boulders you are completely exposed to the sun and there is nowhere to hide from it while you wait to ascend.
Ebony & Ivory Tips: If you are afraid of heights or you simply don’t want to wait to climb the cliff you can opt to hike up the back path instead. It takes you all the way to the top, to the same view as if you were to climb the boulders.
Sand Beach
Address: Bar Harbor, ME 04609
How to get there: if you have done the Beehive Trail leave your car where it is and walk from there. If you are at the Beehive Trail follow the Satterlee Trail to the right down to the carpark then down the stairs to the beach. We accidentally followed the Satterlee Trail to the left which led to the Sand Beach Connector then to the Great Head Trail then to the beach. A very unnecessary detour.
After our thrilling climb and accidently taking the wrong path (the long way, again), we cooled off at Sand Beach, which was a refreshing break on a hot day.
Unfortunately, there was no shade so make sure to take a beach umbrella in the summer months. The ocean temperature is also very cold (10-16C) even in the summer months.
Thunder Hole
Address: Bar Harbor, ME 04609
How to get there: If the weather isn’t too hot and you are up for it. Opt for walking the path along the Park Loop Road where you can walk all the way around to Otter Cove and back checking out all the views and sites along the way. If you prefer to drive, be warned parking all around the loop can be difficult to find. You may have to wait for a park or miss an attraction because of limited spots.
We drove around to the highly anticipated Thunder Hole, which is a natural rock inlet that when the waves come crashing into the rock shore it makes a loud thunderous sound. Unfortunately our timing was off and we saw the natural wonder at low tide so there wasn’t any booming sound coming our way.
Try to get there one to two hours before high tide to be there for the natural phenomena otherwise we have heard sunrise and sunset is particularly beautiful there too.
Otter Cliff Overlook & Otter Cove
Address: Park Loop Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660
Next, we explored Otter Cliff Overlook and Otter Cove, both offering stunning coastal views and a spot to sit and rest your feet. For surf enthusiasts Otter Cove is said to have a good wave once and a while. Particularly in the winter months. To Ivory’s disappointment there was no break the day we went.
Bar Harbor Town
Address: 1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Parking: most of Bar Harbor is paid parking but we found free parking at Bar Harbor Tennis Court and walked into town. Link here
Finally, we made our way to Bar Harbor, the island’s largest town. Souvenir shops, craft stores, book shops and a variety of restaurants made it a great place to relax and soak up the afternoon and local atmosphere. And oh, the ice creameries and bakeries! Don’t get me started.
If you are in the area for low tide don’t miss out on walking over to Bar Island to see the town from a distance. Just make sure to be back well before high tide as you could be stranded out there.
Day 2:
Cadillac Mountain
Address: Paradise Hill Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
How to get there: follow highway 3 to Bar Harbor then turn right onto Eagle Lake rd, from there turn left onto Park Loop Rd and follow signs for Cadillac Mountain.
Early to rise again, we reserved our tickets to Cadillac Mountain, a must-do when visiting the mountain. For more information and the link to tickets: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm
Tickets are $7 per vehicle and you must enter within the time frame stated on your ticket. Once in you can stay for as long as you want. If you aren’t interested in paying to visit you can hike up the mountain from various routes.
The sunrise atop this mountain was truly awe-inspiring. We enjoyed parking the car with a viewpoint and eating our breakfast up on the mountain. From October to March Cadillac Mountain is the first place to see sunrise in the US.
It’s fun for the family too; there are numerous blueberry plants for the kids to go searching and picking blueberries to eat. We saw them at both viewing areas.
Jordan Pond Loop
Address: Seal Harbor, ME 04675
How to get there: from Cadillac Mountain follow the Park Loop Rd around and you’ll see signs for Jordan Pond.
Parking: parking is limited here. Even though we started early we spent too much time at Cadillac and had to wait 20 mins for a spot. Go early or late in the afternoon.
Following our mountain adventure, we embarked on the Jordan Pond Loop. The serene beauty of this walk was spectacular. As mentioned it is a loop track, we suggest starting the trail going right as that’s the way most of the traffic goes. There are 3 sections to the loop. The first being a regular path, after the bridge you get to the boulders navigating your way along the waterfront then lastly the boardwalk which is pretty narrow.
If you are interested in going to the famous Jordan Pond House restaurant for their popover afternoon tea. Be sure to book well in advance; at least 2 months. They were fully booked when we went.
Bass Harbor Head Light Station
Address: 116 Lighthouse Rd, Bass Harbor, ME 04653
How to get there: continue south on the Park Loop Rd, then Stanley Brook Rd until you turn right onto highway 3 heading west, turn left onto the 233, take another left onto the 102 South and take it all the way down to the lighthouse.
Then, we made a quick stop at the Bass Harbor Head Light Station, to admire the small lighthouse on the edge of the rocks and take in its rugged beauty.
Ship Harbor Trail
Address: Ship Harbor Trail, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
How to get there: follow the 102 east it is only 3 mins along the road
The Ship Harbor Trail provided another opportunity to savor the island’s coastal charm, complete with rock pools and many scenic views to enjoy along the way.
Southwest Harbor Town
How to get there: continue North along the 102 until you reach the small town on Main st
Before we wrapped up our Acadia adventure, we stopped in the trendy suburb of Southwest Harbor. Cute boutiques, charming cafes, and a lovely little park offered a delightful contrast to the park’s wild beauty. We even stumbled upon Sawyer’s Farmers Market, where we savored fresh and organic goodies, including the most delicious blueberry pie and apple cider. It was a fitting finale to our adventures in Acadia National Park.
Conclusion
Acadia National Park had us hooked from the very start, with its diverse experiences and breathtaking landscapes. Yes, the traffic in and out can be a bit hectic, but it is well worth the visit. Feeling very blessed to have experienced Acadia as our first US National Park.
If you’re up for a mix of heart-pounding hikes, stunning views, and the charm of coastal towns, Acadia National Park is the place to be. It’s a nature lover’s paradise and a quaint New England gem all rolled into one. This National Park is definitely going to be hard to beat.
Stay tuned for more adventures as we continue to explore other national parks!
