Acadia National Park is the crown jewel of the Maine coast and one of the most spectacular national parks in the eastern United States. The park's 49,000 acres encompass the dramatic rocky shoreline, forested mountains, and pristine lakes of Mount Desert Island — a landscape of extraordinary beauty that has been drawing visitors since the 19th century.

Acadia is also the most visited national park in New England and one of the top ten most visited parks in the country. Despite its popularity, the park maintains a genuine sense of wildness — the rocky coastline, the fog-shrouded mountains, and the cold, clear waters of the surrounding ocean create an experience that is genuinely different from any other national park.

By Car: Mount Desert Island is accessible from the mainland via Route 3 from Ellsworth. Bar Harbor is about 50 miles from Bangor (1 hour) and about 280 miles from Boston (5 hours).

By Air: Bangor International Airport is the closest major airport, about 50 miles from Bar Harbor. Portland International Jetport is about 160 miles away.

By Ferry: Bar Harbor Ferry operates seasonal ferry service between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

The Island Explorer: A free shuttle bus system serves the park and the surrounding communities during the summer season (late June through Columbus Day). The shuttle is the best way to avoid parking congestion at the most popular trailheads.

Cadillac Mountain (1,530 feet) is the highest point on the East Coast north of Brazil and the first place in the continental United States to see the sunrise from October through March. The summit is accessible by car (Cadillac Mountain Road) or by hiking trail, and the views are extraordinary — on a clear day, you can see the surrounding islands, the Maine coast, and the open Atlantic.

Sunrise on Cadillac: Watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain is one of the great experiences in the national park system. The combination of the first light of day, the panoramic views, and the sense of being at the edge of the continent creates a genuinely moving experience.

Reservations: Cadillac Mountain Summit Road requires a timed entry reservation during peak season (late May through late October). Reservations are available at recreation.gov and sell out quickly.

Best Time: Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise for the best experience.

The 45 miles of carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the early 20th century are one of Acadia's most distinctive features — a network of car-free roads that wind through the park's most beautiful landscapes, crossing 17 hand-crafted stone bridges.

Cycling: The carriage roads are the finest cycling destination in Acadia, with a network of routes suitable for all skill levels. Bicycle rentals are available in Bar Harbor.

Hiking: The carriage roads are also excellent for hiking, with gentle grades and beautiful scenery throughout.

Best Routes:

• Eagle Lake Loop (6 miles) — a beautiful loop around Eagle Lake, with excellent views of the surrounding mountains
• Jordan Pond Loop (3.3 miles) — a beautiful loop around Jordan Pond, with excellent views of the Bubbles (two rounded mountains)
• Around the Mountain Loop (11 miles) — a longer loop that circles the central mountains of the park

Ocean Path (4 miles round trip, easy)
A flat, paved path along the rocky shoreline between Sand Beach and Otter Point. The path offers excellent views of the ocean, the rocky coast, and the surrounding mountains.

Jordan Pond Path (3.3 miles, easy)
A beautiful loop around Jordan Pond, with excellent views of the Bubbles and the surrounding mountains. The Jordan Pond House at the end of the trail serves excellent popovers and afternoon tea.

Beehive Trail (1.4 miles round trip, moderate-strenuous)
A challenging trail with iron rungs and ladders up the face of the Beehive, a small but dramatic peak above Sand Beach. The views from the summit are excellent.

Gorham Mountain Trail (1.8 miles round trip, moderate)
A beautiful trail to the summit of Gorham Mountain, with excellent views of the ocean and the surrounding coast.

South Bubble Trail (1.6 miles round trip, moderate)
A trail to the summit of South Bubble, with excellent views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The famous "Bubble Rock" — a large glacial erratic perched on the edge of the summit — is one of the park's most distinctive features.

Precipice Trail (1.6 miles round trip, very strenuous)
The most challenging trail in Acadia, climbing the face of Champlain Mountain via iron rungs and ladders. The views from the summit are extraordinary, but the trail requires a good head for heights.

Acadia Mountain Trail (2.5 miles round trip, strenuous)
A beautiful trail to the summit of Acadia Mountain, with excellent views of Somes Sound — the only true fjord on the East Coast.

Thunder Hole — a dramatic sea cave on the Ocean Path — is one of Acadia's most popular attractions. When the waves enter the cave at the right angle and speed, they compress the air inside and create a thunderous boom that can be heard from a distance.

Best Time: Mid-tide, about 2 hours before high tide, when the waves are most active. Check the tide tables before visiting.

Sand Beach — one of the few sandy beaches on the rocky Maine coast — is a beautiful crescent of sand in a dramatic setting between two rocky headlands. The water is cold (typically 55–60°F in summer), but the beach is excellent for sunbathing and exploring the tide pools.

Bar Harbor is the gateway town to Acadia and one of the most charming coastal towns in New England. The town's position on Frenchman Bay, with views of the Porcupine Islands, is one of the most beautiful settings in Maine.

Where to Eat:

• Café This Way — the best breakfast in Bar Harbor, with excellent eggs Benedict and creative morning dishes
• Havana — the finest restaurant in Bar Harbor, with exceptional Latin-influenced cuisine
• Thurston's Lobster Pound (nearby Bernard) — the best lobster pound near Acadia

Where to Stay:

• Bar Harbor Inn — a beautiful historic inn on the waterfront, with excellent views of Frenchman Bay
• The Bluenose Inn — a beautiful inn on a hill above Bar Harbor, with panoramic views of the bay and the surrounding islands

Reservations: Acadia requires timed entry reservations for the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road and the most popular parking areas during peak season. Book at recreation.gov well in advance.

The Island Explorer: Use the free shuttle bus to avoid parking congestion. The shuttle serves all major trailheads and attractions.

Weather: Maine's weather is unpredictable. Always bring layers and a rain jacket, even on sunny days.

For more Maine adventures, see our Maine Coastal Guide, Maine Lobster & Seafood Guide, and Maine Outdoor Adventures. Also see our Best National Parks for First-Time Visitors.