National park · United States
Acadia National Park
Go for 2–3 days based in Bar Harbor: drive the one-way Park Loop Road early (before 8:00 in Jul–Aug), walk Cadillac Summit or Ocean Path, and buy the $35 vehicle pass at Hulls Cove — or skip the car and ride the free Island Explorer bus.Go for 2–3 days based in Bar Harbor: drive the one-way Park Loop Road early (before 8:00 AM in Jul–Aug), walk Cadillac Summit or Ocean Path, and buy the $35 vehicle pass at Hulls Cove — or skip the car and ride the free Island Explorer bus.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
198 km²76 sq mi
approximate
Established
1916
Best months
Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 198 km²76 sq mi
- About 49,000 acres total: roughly 30,300 acres on Mount Desert Island, 2,728 on Isle au Haut and 2,266 on the Schoodic Peninsula (check).
- Established
- 1916
- Best months
- Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Acadia is the only national park in New England and the easternmost on the US mainland, spread over Mount Desert Island plus the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. It is small — about 49,000 acres (198 km²) — but draws around 4 million visits a year, so the whole game is timing: early mornings, shoulder months, and the free propane bus instead of a second car. Pink granite summits, glacier-carved lakes and a 45-mile network of crushed-stone carriage roads closed to cars make it a walking and cycling park more than a driving one.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1916First protected as Sieur de Monts National Monument; renamed Lafayette National Park in 1919 and Acadia in 1929 — the first national park east of the Mississippi.
Size and age
198 km²76 sq mi · national park since 1916
About 49,000 acres total: roughly 30,300 acres on Mount Desert Island, 2,728 on Isle au Haut and 2,266 on the Schoodic Peninsula (check).
Why go
- Granite summits meet the Atlantic: Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the US Atlantic coast, is reachable by car or on foot.
- The carriage roads — 45 miles of car-free crushed stone — are some of the best cycling in the eastern US.
- Ocean Path and the Jordan Pond shorewalks put you on the water in under an hour from the car.
- It is the darkest stretch of coast in the eastern US: on a clear night the Milky Way is visible from park pullouts.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanPark Loop Road partly closed; ice storms; most services shut
- FebColdest; snow and ice on trails
- MarIce storms regular; carriage roads often icy
- AprQuiet and cheap; some roads still gated
- MayTrails dry out; campgrounds open mid-month
- JunLong days but fog is common
- JulPeak crowds and parking queues; fog
- AugBusiest month; book lodging and Cadillac passes early
- SepWarm sea, thinner crowds after Labor Day
- OctFoliage usually peaks in the first two weeks; book months ahead
- NovBare trees, empty roads, cold nights
- DecQuiet; snow and rapid weather changes
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peregrine falcons (Precipice and Jordan Cliffs closures)Mar–Aug · Climbing routes close in nesting season; check current closures. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Bald eagles and seabirds along the shoreApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Harbour seals and porpoises offshoreMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Fall songbird and hawk migrationSep–Oct · More than 270 bird species recorded in the park. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Boston
I-95 north to Augusta, then Route 3 east via Ellsworth to Mount Desert Island.
5.5–6.5 h
Open the page →
From Bangor, ME
Route 1A east to Ellsworth, then Route 3 onto the island.
1–1.5 h
From Portland, ME
I-95 north, then Route 3 east from Augusta.
3.5–4 h
From New York
I-95 north through Massachusetts and Maine, then Route 3.
9–10 h
Open the page →
From Bar Harbor airport (BHB)
Small airport about 10 miles from the park; limited flights, mostly via Boston.
20 min
From Bangor airport (BGR)
Closest airport with major airlines; rent a car and drive Route 1A.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Desert Island east side | Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Ocean Path, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond and Cadillac Summit. | Open with an entrance pass; Cadillac Summit Road needs a timed reservation. |
| Carriage road network | 45 miles of car-free crushed-stone roads and stone bridges across the island's interior. | Open to walkers, cyclists and horses; no motor vehicles. |
| Schoodic Peninsula | Quiet mainland section near Winter Harbor with a one-way loop road and few visitors. | Open with the same pass; about an hour's drive from Bar Harbor. |
| Isle au Haut | Rugged island section reached by mailboat from Stonington, with primitive camping. | Mailboat only; Duck Harbor camping by advance permit. |
Sketch map
- 1Hulls Cove Visitor Center · Headquarters≈44.409, -68.247Entrance pass sales and park information.Map ↗
- 2Sand Beach entrance station · Gate≈44.329, -68.185Map ↗
- 3Cadillac Summit · Summit≈44.353, -68.227Map ↗
- 4Jordan Pond House · Town≈44.321, -68.256Tea and popovers; reservations advised.Map ↗
- 5Blackwoods Campground · Sleep≈44.313, -68.213Map ↗
- 6Seawall Campground · Sleep≈44.239, -68.305Map ↗
- 7Schoodic Point · Viewpoint≈44.335, -68.059Mainland section near Winter Harbor.Map ↗
- 8Duck Harbor, Isle au Haut · Sleep≈44.060, -68.610Mailboat access from Stonington.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle entrance | US$35 | vehicle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate — confirm current rate with NPS. |
| Motorcycle entrance | US$30 | motorcycle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| Per person (walk, bike or bus) | US$20 | person | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | Covers entrance at Acadia and other federal fee areas for a year; 2026 estimate. |
| Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation | US$6 | vehicle | Timed reservation on top of the entrance fee; required for much of the season (check dates). |
| Blackwoods or Seawall campground | US$20–40 | site per night | Rates vary by season and site type; 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance pass permit or guide
Cadillac Summit Road reservation permit or guide
Campground reservation permit or guide
Backcountry camping no permit
Park rules
- Entrance pass
- Required for all vehicles and for walkers and cyclists entering the loop road area; display it on the dashboard.
- Cadillac Summit Road
- Timed vehicle reservation needed for much of the season in addition to the entrance pass (check dates).
- Backcountry camping
- Not allowed anywhere in the park; use Blackwoods, Seawall or Duck Harbor.
- Drinking-water ponds
- Swimming is banned in ponds used for public water supply; ask at the visitor centre which lakes allow it.
- Fishing
- Ocean fishing is open; freshwater lakes and ponds need a Maine state licence.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings at campgrounds; no fires on trails or carriage roads.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bar Harbor
Hotels, inns and hostels of every level, 10–20 minutes from the loop road.
In the park
Blackwoods Campground
Open year-round, about 300 sites, no hook-ups; reserve May–October.
In the park
Seawall Campground
Quieter west-side campground near Southwest Harbor; part of it is first-come, first-served.
In the park
Duck Harbor, Isle au Haut
Five primitive lean-to sites reached by mailboat; advance permit required.
Safety
Cold ocean water and hypothermia high
Cliff edges and wet rock medium
Crowds and parking queues medium
Winter ice and closed roads medium
Accessibility
- The Park Loop Road, Cadillac Summit and the visitor centre are drive-up with short paved walks.
- The Ocean Path and Jordan Pond Path have rough sections; the carriage roads are the smoothest option for wheels.
- Island Explorer buses are wheelchair accessible and carry bikes on front and rear racks.
Visiting lightly
- Ride the free propane-powered Island Explorer instead of adding a second car to the loop road.
- Stay on marked trails on the granite summits — the alpine vegetation is thin and slow to recover.
- Pack out all rubbish; there is little bin capacity along the carriage roads.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Acadia National Park?
A private vehicle pass is $35 and covers seven days (2026 estimate). Motorcycles pay $30 and walkers, cyclists or bus passengers $20 per person. The $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers Acadia and other federal fee areas for a year. Cadillac Summit Road also needs a timed vehicle reservation costing a few dollars on top.
What are the best hikes in Acadia National Park?
For most visitors: Ocean Path (about 2 miles one way, easy, along the shore), Jordan Pond Path (3.3-mile flat loop) and the Cadillac Summit trails. Precipice Trail is the hard one — iron rungs and ladders, closed in spring for nesting peregrines. The carriage roads are the best option on two wheels.
When is the best time to visit Acadia National Park?
September and October: warm sea, clearer air and thinner crowds after Labor Day, with foliage usually peaking in the first two weeks of October. May and June are quieter but foggy. July and August are the busiest — start before 8:00 or take the Island Explorer bus. Winter is quiet but much of the loop road closes.
Do I need a reservation to drive up Cadillac Mountain?
Yes for much of the season: a timed vehicle reservation is required in addition to the entrance pass, booked online in advance. Dates and hours change by year, so check the park website before you plan a sunrise drive.
Can I camp in Acadia National Park?
Only in the three park campgrounds: Blackwoods (year-round, about 300 sites), Seawall (mid-May to September) and Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut, which needs an advance permit and a mailboat. Backcountry camping is not allowed anywhere in the park.
Do I need a car in Acadia?
Not necessarily. The free Island Explorer bus runs through the park in season with bike racks, so you can leave the car in Bar Harbor. A car helps for Schoodic Peninsula and for early starts before the buses begin.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go