One of the main reasons to visit Acadia in winter is that the popular US national park becomes far less-crowded and bearable. Acadia National Park Home to some of the most stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife on the Eastern Seaboard, Acadia National Park is open to explore year-round. Maine has an extremely low property crime rate so most likely you probably won’t have your wallet or camera stolen. See Acadia in new ways, from a boat, an outer island, or another place new to you. Which in a nutshell means – do it! At one point there is a 1000-foot vertical rock face of Mount Champlain that looks quite daunting to climb. Required fields are marked *. Be warned it gets very COLD! Visiting Acadia National Park offers the perfect blend of a rugged, outdoor adventure with the comforts and amenities of a bustling seaside town. The park is accessible everyone and having a mother who is handicap it is important that there are ways she can experience the park as well. 12. There are things to do in Acadia National Park for all levels of comfort with the outdoors. It is definitely a place you should make sure and visit if you are traveling in the north-eastern part of the United States. June- August: The summer is the best time of year in Acadia in terms of beautiful weather and swimming. Well Bar Harbor is where most of the restaurants, shops, and coffee shops are located. A great place for rock climbing and learning to rock climb is the rocky cliffs of the Maine Coast in Acadia National Park. If you are short on time, make sure to check out Rockland Harbor and the Breakwater lighthouse, which is just south of the park. If you want to stay at luxury hotels and eat fancy meals with a nice view, you are covered. Novice paddlers can hire a guide to take them along Frenchman Bay, while those more … There is no shortage of physical activities within Acadia National Park because there are loads of hiking trails and bicycle trails along the coastline. This is a type of food that you must eat while visiting in order to get the full Maine experience. Also, most tours start in the town. Visitors can explore on 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads. In total the rustic carriage roads cover 45 miles, the roads and 16 bridges were a gift of the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family. The park contains the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast of the United States, exposed granite domes, glacial erratics, U-shaped valleys, and cobble beaches. While there are a few spots you can stay on Mount Desert Island, the main hub for tourists, restaurants, shops, and hotels is Bar Harbor, Maine. Hulls Cove Visitor Center, normally open May 1, Sieur de Monts Visitor Center, normally open May 1. When the weather is nice be sure to take advantage and sit outside on the lawn for afternoon tea a tradition since the 1800s. Most of the hike is exposed rock face, where iron rungs and ladders make up most of the 1.6 miles round trip. However, it's often crowded. The majority of the park sits on Mount Desert Island, so named by Samuel Champlain in 1604. The French Riviera, or Cote d’Azur, as it’s locally known, is world renowned for its stunning natural beauty along the rugged Mediterranean coastline. Let’s continue with a look at a few reasons why you should make Acadia National Park your next destination. This is one of the top activities so be prepared to not be the only one up there. From beaches to caves, here are five things to do in Nerja! It is better to be prepared for three seasons in one day to enjoy your time. This is where you will find some of the only budget options close to Acadia National Park. Some people mistakenly believe that the name comes from summer trips to the coast, but … Hotels and Lodging in Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor Hotels “The Quiet” side of Mount Desert Island, Things to see and do in Acadia National Park in Maine, 2. Acadia National Park is a wonderful place to visit in the summer time as well as throughout any time of the year so don’t forget this list when you are trying to plan your next visit to New England. How many days do you need to visit Acadia National Park? Allow about 1.5 hours before and after high tide to fully enjoy the land bridge and hiking around Bar Island. I don’t even need to tell you how much healthier it would be to keep your body active by cycling around the island compared to driving your own car or riding the free shuttle bus. After watching a sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain (a tradition), then head down into the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. Its mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows, and coastlines contribute to a diversity of plants and animals. Next time I will be sure to rent bikes from … Whether you want to take a horse drawn carriage ride, run, or ride a bike the trails bring you through a romantic New England Scenery with sweeping vistas that will truly understand the extent of the beauty of Acadia. Be sure to check the tide charts, since you do not want to get stuck out there! Also, most tours and excursions leave from Bar Harbor. Fuel up for your adventure before you head out for the day. A getaway in Acadia National Park in winter is a unique adventure. The park may reevaluate these dates depending on the everchanging situation of the pandemic. Encompassing more than 37,000 acres, Acadia National Park, the first national park in the eastern United States, celebrates 100 years of conservation this summer. My recommendation would be staying for four days minimum to explore Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and try a few different outdoor activities. It is recommended to book ahead for reservations at Jordan Pond House since its’ so popular. Drive along The Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park, 4. A lifeguard is on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, otherwise the beach is unmanned. There are so many small and wonderful places to visit that surround Acadia National Park! Acadia National Park History One of the most unique historical aspects of how Acadia National Park formed is that it is due to the vision and donations of private citizens like George B. Dorr and Charles W. Eliot who anticipated the dangers that over-development would bring to this coastal wonderland and acted quickly to prevent it. Overlooking some of the jagged cliffs in Acadia National Park. If you don’t live in Europe, most likely you haven’t heard of this small landlocked country located between Spain and France in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains. 10 Things to Visit on Top of the Rock of Monaco. Like to stay close to the action? 6 Reasons to Visit Acadia National Park Lakes Rock climbing is on my bucket list. The point: Hiking in Acadia National Park is amazing for all levels. Acadia might not be the oldest national park in the nation, but it is the oldest east of the Mississippi River! `. Maine’s culture is known for it delicious seafood and famous lobster. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Visit in winter, spring, or late fall, to experience Acadia at its most peaceful. Acadia is right on the Atlantic Ocean, therefore has a lot of shoreline to explore! The road is one way and begins at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on the Northside of Mount Desert Island near route 3. Whether you find a good flight into Boston Logan International (BOS), Portland International Jetport (PWM), or Bangor, you probably need to rent a car to experience Acadia National Park in all its’ glory. Desert Island. Since the summer of 1916 visitors have been flocking to the National Park on Mount Desert Island, a mere three hours from Portland, Maine and only 4.5 hours away from Boston. People were wrapped up in blankets and warming up with their thermoses waiting for the sun to come up. Acadia National Park is located 5 minutes outside of Bar Harbor, Maine, which is on Mount Desert Island. It is one of the smallest national parks in the United … Bar Harbor is the heart of island activity, including lodging, shopping, and dining. Our previous stops included Niagara Falls and the Adirondack Mountains in New York. If you have a fear of heights the precipice trail is probably not for you. Others choose to visit in October when the leaves turn the park into a breathtaking view in every direction. *Check what seasons different trails are open. These are a few of the official campgrounds offered by the National Park Services located in or close by to Acadia National Park. If you love Maine you know that we all affectionately refer to her as Vacationland. However, this comes with huge crowds, so hiking on trails may not be as pleasant during this time. It will cover 7 days of exploring the loop road, and other sections of the park. Boston to Acadia National Park is a 4.5-hour drive that passes Portland, Kittery, and Kennebunkport, Maine. The Columbus day in mid-October ends the heavy crowd and rates drop. Acadia National Park should be on anyone’s list of places to visit because it is one of the jewels of New England due to its pristine wilderness that is gorgeous all year round! I recently read that Acadia was the ninth most visited National Park in 2015 with over 2,800,000 visitors. When I went in September there were plenty of spots and while the water was cool it was a pleasant place to walk around. How to get to Acadia National Park in Maine? In season when hiking around Acadia National Park you may come across wild blueberry plants. Sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain is stunning.