Notes From the Road

The Maine coast is filled with impeccable beauty, charm, and a chance for adventure, and no place offers all of these quite like Acadia National Park. This Weekend Guide to Acadia National Park goes into depth about this New England national park, Bar Harbor, and the surrounding area to help you plan your next weekend trip or longer to Northeast Maine:

Exploring and Hiking in Acadia National Park

There are 63 National Parks in the United States, but Acadia National Park is the only one in New England. With over 47,000 acres and gorgeous coastline this park has something unique to offer for everyone. Similar to many of the national parks, the entrance fee is $35/per vehicle, and if you plan to visit more than 2 national parks in a year we recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) which covers entrance fees for national parks and national recreation areas for the entire year.

Gorham Mountain Trail and Cadillac Cliffs Hike (Moderate)

There are many hikes to choose from in Acadia, but we ended up completing the Gorham Mountain Trail, a 3-mile loop trail which also has an optional side hike, the Cadillac Cliffs Trail, that we chose to include. This was a moderate trail that had everything we were looking for and more: less crowded wooded trail, panoramic views of the Maine coast, and an additional challenge route through Cadillac Cliffs that had slight rock scrambling, metal rungs, and rock slots and caverns.

Beehive Trail (Hard) & Ocean Path Trail (Easy)

Starting our day in the park we had planned to hike the Beehive Loop Trail, which is probably the most popular and most challenging hike in Acadia. The trailhead for both the Beehive Trail and the Ocean Path Trail can be accessed from the Sand Beach Parking Lot, which is the first lot after you enter the park. The Beehive Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail, known for it’s rung and ladder climb sections and ascending steep granite staircase on the cliff. We had a difficult time finding parking in the Sand Beach Parking Lot and noticed the trail was crowded, which we could see from the lot below, so we ultimately decided to find a different hike, but if you are up for a challenge we believe it is popular for a reason. Another much easier and flatter hike that we walked along briefly is the Ocean Path Trail, which can be started at most points along the Park Loop Road and is an out-and-back 4.5 mile trail. This is a great one to do with the whole family that can be as short or long as you want, and allows for many opportunities to stop and explore the rocks.

Drive the Cadillac Summit Road (Reservation Required)

Visitors to Acadia National Park have the ability to drive on the three-mile Cadillac Summit Road to reach the highest peak of the park on top of Cadillac Mountain, but reservations are required May 22-October 27. Vehicle reservations cost $6 and you can reserve up to 90 days in advance or two days in advance, as 70% of reservations are set aside for 2 days prior. If you are one of the lucky ones you may even be able to reserve a highly coveted Cadillac Summit Road Sunrise reservation, which is so popular due to Acadia National Park being the first place in the United States to see the sunrise for a better part of the year. Reserving your chance to drive up Cadillac Mountain is so worth it, in our opinion, as the 36o views get more incredible with each turn as you climb the peak and the short trails at the top give way to breathtaking views below. There is also a Cadillac Mountain Gift Shop at the top to stamp your parks passport and get souvenirs.

Jordon Pond and Beaches in the Park

Some additional recommendations for your time inside Acadia would be visiting one of the beaches in the park like Sand Beach (pictured above), Boulder Beach, or Little Hunters Beach (trail under repair). The Sand Beach Parking Lot also houses multiple trailheads, so it’s a great starting point. In the middle of the park you will also find Jordon Pond and the corresponding restaurant, gift shop, short hikes and grab-and-go cafe. The Jordon Pond House has been in operation since 1893 and offers views of the pond and mountains from the lawn or inside, and they’re famous for their popovers.

Taking a Harbor Cruise Tour

While we were at the top of Gorham Mountain we noticed a harbor cruise ship in the water below and decided to look into taking one on our second day of the weekend, and we were pleasantly surprised! We researched several options that left both from Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor which ranged from $38-$65 and ultimately decided on the Sea Princess Scenic Nature Cruise. They have cruise options of: Morning Cruise, Afternoon Cruise, Seals & Fiords, and a Sunset Cruise depending on your interests.

Wildlife Sightings and Historical Places

We decided to take the Morning Cruise for $39/per person, which included a guided tour by a National Parks Ranger, wildlife observation of birds and seals, exploration of a local island, and a view of the park from the water. This cruise left from Northeast Harbor, which is on the opposite corner of the park to Bar Harbor, and had easy parking options. Within 5 minutes of leaving the harbor we spotted a Bald Eagle and an Osprey and their nests. We cruised past Bear Island Lighthouse, and other historical sites, and learned about their history in the park. One of the highlights was passing a small island and seeing both harbor seals and gray seals swimming and basking in the sun. We also had the chance to see Acadia from a different angle and learn about some historical events that shaped its history.

Visiting Little Cranberry Island and Islesford

Part of the Harbor Cruise involves a 45-minute stop on Little Cranberry Island, also known as Islesford, where we were able to roam freely around the island. We spent our time checking out a pottery studio and shop, exploring the beach for sea glass, walking past historic homes, buildings, and lupin fields, and meeting a friendly neighborhood cat. The island also includes the Islesford Historical Museum, an art gallery, a snack shack, and a temporally closed restaurant The Islesford Dock, where the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants first worked as a fry cook. After exploring the island we loaded back on the boat and returned to harbor passing mansions, more of the national park, and through Somes Sound.

Checking out Bar Harbor and Local Activities

Visiting the Acadia National Park area is incomplete without a stop into the adorable town of Bar Harbor. Here you will find a plethora of shops, bookstores, restaurants, and the occasional craft or art fair in the village green, and many more activities inside and outside of town.

Dining and Shopping Downtown

We enjoyed a fantastic breakfast at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast prior to our hike in the park, and would definitely recommend. Some places we would consider for next time include: Lompoc Cafe (adorable patio), Fogtown Bar Harbor Brewery, Thirsty Whale, and Langosta. There were many shops and bookstores to collect souvenirs from your visit, a dine-in movie theatre for a rainy day, and many cute inns and places to stay near the waterfront. During low tide you can even walk the Bar Island Land Bridge, which connects Bar Island to Bar Harbor.

Enjoy Mini Golf and Ice Cream

If you are looking for an interactive activity outside the park, we recommend a round of mini golf at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. You are able to choose between two different course options ($10.50 adults, $9.50 children) or both. After you get your fill of mini golf, head across the street for an ice cream pick-me-up at Udder Heaven Ice Cream Retreat.

Camping at a Local Campground

There are so many options for types of places to stay depending on your style or budget such as cottages, motels and inns, and glamping, but if you want to add to the adventure and save a bit of money camping is a great option. We stayed at Bar Harbor Campground, which had a pool, showers, and a great view of the harbor, but there were many other options in the area.

Walk Coastal Villages and Local Gardens

If you want to get out of the bustle of Bar Harbor and get a small town feel visit Northeast Harbor. Stop in for a coffee or ice cream at McGrath’s, rent a bike from a shop to ride around, or enjoy seafood at a local restaurant. Seal Harbor and Southwest Harbor can also be explored nearby. Another affordable activity in the area is the Somesville Museum & Gardens, which has a suggested donation of $5. There is so much to enjoy in the Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor area, and we hope you visit!