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Acadia is one of the most popular national parks in the U.S. because even though it’s small, it packs a big punch with its iconic coastlines, mountains, hikes, and lighthouses. I visited Acadia as part of a New England Coastline Road Trip. So here are some of my favorite Acadia National Park photos to inspire your travel plans!
The Ultimate Acadia National Park Guide
Most of Mount Desert Island is part of Acadia National Park, so there are several coastal towns to choose from with incredible hotels and dreamy vacation homes. If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, I suggest Smuggler’s Den Campground, and if you want to glamp, opt for Under Canvas Acadia.
My top recommendations for Acadia are to hike a portion of the Ocean Path, walk around the Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, drive the Park Loop Road, see the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, rent motorized bikes to bike the Carriage Roads, and do a sea kayaking tour.
Here are my top Acadia National Park photos to inspire your next trip!
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For Planning The Rest Of Your Northeast Trip
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Acadia National Park Photos To Inspire Your Next Trip
Recommended Tours in Acadia National Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay when visiting Acadia National Park?
Most of Acadia National Park is on Mount Desert Island, and I recommend staying on this island instead of the more remote Schoodic Peninsula section of the park.
Mount Desert Island has lots of coastal towns with incredible hotels and dreamy vacation homes, and Bar Harbor is the most popular and expensive of these towns. As a general rule of thumb, the further west you go on the island, the less crowded and cheaper your accommodation will be.
If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, I suggest Smuggler’s Den Campground, which is right outside Acadia’s limits in Southwest Harbor. The RV parks inside Acadia are very rustic, with no hook-ups. If you want to tent camp, then the four in-park campgrounds will be best for you. All RV and tent campsites are seasonal and usually open from early May to mid-October.
Glamping sites are some of my favorite national park accommodations. So if you want to camp in luxury with all the comforts of home, I recommend Under Canvas Acadia, which is usually open from mid-May to early October.
How many days do you need in Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor is the most popular home base for exploring Acadia National Park. I recommend spending at least five days in Acadia National Park. This will give you plenty of time to hike, bike, drive the scenic drives, and thoroughly explore this national park.
How long does it take to drive Acadia National Park?
The Park Loop Road is 27 miles long, and you should plan on spending a full day driving this loop, hiking along the route, and stopping at overlooks.
What is the best time to visit Acadia National Park?
September – October is the best time to visit Acadia because the summer crowds will have dispersed, and the foliage will be changing. Late September to mid-October is the peak time for leaf-peeping. Hotels and vacation homes will have reduced rates, and temperatures will drop as well – into the 40s and 50s – so bring warm clothes. Some restaurants, tour operators, water activities, campsites, and RV parks will close for the season beginning in October.
November – February is the off-season. Temperatures will be below freezing, and many of Acadia’s hikes and scenic drives will be closed. A few hotels and restaurants will remain open, but most vacation homes are closed down for the winter. You will be driving in snow, so please bring or rent an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. You can score some great hotel deals in these months, and you can rent snow gear and do guided snow activities.
March – May is the shoulder season. Some vacation homes will be available, more hotels will be open, and most of the park’s facilities, trails, and scenic drives will re-open (weather dependent) by mid-April. You’ll still be able to get some bargain accommodation rates, and it’ll feel like you have the park practically to yourself. Temperatures will rise from the mid-20s in March to the mid-50s in May. These are the rainiest months of the year, so always have rain gear with you, be prepared to hike in the mud, and it’ll be foggy.
June – August is Acadia’s peak travel season because these are the warmest and driest months of the year. Daytime temperatures can climb to the high 70s, but the nights will be in the 50s, so bring layers. If you’re going to visit in the summer, you should book hotels, campsites, RV sites, and vacation homes at least a year in advance, and you should book tours and bike rentals several months before your trip. Rain and mud are always a possibility, so keep rain gear with you. You’ll want to do the popular hikes and drives early in the morning to find parking and beat the crowds.
Is Bar Harbor worth visiting?
Yes! Bar Harbor is the most popular place to stay when visiting Acadia National Park. But even if you don’t stay here, this picture-perfect coastal town is worth a visit.
Can you drive through Acadia National Park?
Driving the 27-mile Park Loop Road is one of the most popular activities to do in Acadia National Park.
How much time do you need in Acadia?
I recommend spending at least five days in Acadia National Park. This will give you plenty of time to hike, bike, drive the scenic drives, and thoroughly explore this national park.
What town is closest to Acadia National Park?
Bar Harbor is the closest and most popular town for visiting Acadia National Park.
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This post of Acadia National Park photos is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post of Acadia National Park photos are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post of Acadia National Park photos are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
