-: Acadia is New England’s only national park, a rugged mix of granite peaks, rocky coastline, and quiet ponds on Mount Desert Island. Known for Cadillac Mountain sunrises, carriage roads, and lobster-shack towns just outside the gates.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

Summer
Fall

2-5

Yes — Cadillac Summit Road requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation, May–Oct

Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor

$35/vehicle (7-day) — $100/person nonresident surcharge applies (2026)

Why Visit?:

Acadia is the only national park in New England, which means you get glacier-carved granite peaks, cold Atlantic coastline, and quiet freshwater ponds all inside one relatively compact park — a rarity compared to the sprawling drives required at most Western parks. It's also one of the most approachable national parks for first-timers: paved carriage roads, short scenic hikes, and a free shuttle system mean you don't need serious backcountry experience to see the highlights.

What sets it apart is the combination of mountain and ocean in the same afternoon — you can watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain (the first place in the U.S. to see it for part of the year) and be swimming, or at least wading, in the Atlantic by lunchtime.

Things to Do:

Start with the classics: sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, the Park Loop Road, and a walk (or bike ride) along the carriage roads that wind through the park's interior. Jordan Pond Path is the easiest true "must-do" hike, ending at Jordan Pond House for popovers with a view of the Bubbles. For something more active, the Beehive or Precipice Trail offer iron-rung, cliffside scrambles with some of the best views in the park.

Don't skip the water — Sand Beach is cold but genuinely swimmable in summer, and a sunset paddle on Long Pond or Echo Lake is a quieter way to see the park away from the Park Loop Road crowds. If you have an extra day, the "quiet side" of the island around Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor Head Light sees a fraction of the visitors.

Get the Full Itinerary

Nearby Attractions:

The Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia's mainland section across Frenchman Bay, gets a fraction of Mount Desert Island's crowds while offering the same rocky coastline and granite views — a great add-on if you have an extra day. Downtown Bar Harbor itself is worth a few hours for the harbor walk, whale-watching tours, and lobster shacks.

Further afield, the Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle offer classic, quieter coastal Maine towns for anyone extending the trip beyond the park itself.