Acadia National Park: Everything You Need to Know

One of North America’s most beautiful coastal parks, Acadia National Park, is every New Englanders paradise – where pine trees meet the ocean. From its sandy beaches to its wild woodlands and picturesque ponds, Acadia has something for everyone. Known for being the first national park east of the Mississippi River, it is also one of the first places to watch the sunrise from the United States.

The park situated on Mount Desert Island, is nothing like its desert name alludes to. Acadia stays cool well into the summer months, and attracts tourists of all ages to explore its natural forests and shores. In the summer, you can take a boat out for whale-watching, sailing, and have a crisp, cold one with a lobster after a long day out on the water.

But when the leaves begin to change, Acadia is one of best places to witness the fall foliage before the snow rolls in. New England winters are terrifying enough to steer away weary travelers, but Acadia’s carriage roads are perfect for cross country skiing and the Park Loop Road stays open through the wildest winter storms for snowmobiling.

We visited Acadia National park in peak season on the 4th of July holiday weekend. Even with the threat of COVID-19 raging through the North East, tourists were not deterred from visiting the park. Here’s everything you need to know about beating the crowds when planning your visit to Acadia National Park during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acadia is located about 5 hours north east of Boston, Massachusetts. It passes through Portland, the largest city in Maine. On the three hour stretch from Portland to Acadia, be on the lookout for moose crossings as you approach the park!

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (and avoid long lines at check-in), all visitors are encouraged to purchase a parking pass online before they arrive. The only in-person pass sales currently available are the Sand Beach Entrance Station on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Woods Ranger Station on the Schoodic Peninsula. Private vehicles passes are $30 per week both online and at the gate.

Camping in Acadia

The park has two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, one campground on the Schoodic Peninsula, and five lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut.

Due to COVID-19, campgrounds at Acadia National Park will open no sooner than August 1st. Backcountry camping and “out-of-bounds” camping is not permitted.

Although campgrounds in Acadia National Park are closed through August 1st, some private campgrounds outside of the park remain open. Please see the list of private campgrounds here. We stayed at Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort, which offered tenting with fire rings and picnic tables on a first-come, first-serve basis for $47 per night. If you’re not planning your stay during peak season, Bar Harbor Campground is slightly cheaper, but they do not accept advance reservations or credit cards.

Best Things to Do

Once inside the park, make sure to stop by the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at the start Acadia’s scenic Park Loop Road. Park Loop Road is a 27-mile route with breathtaking views. If you can bear to get up at the crack of dawn for the earliest sunrise from the states, park loop road will take you to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for a panoramic view of the park. If you’re really ambitious, you can hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain from town (via several trails) to the 1,530-foot summit.

After catching the sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, you can take Park Loop Road back down the mountain to the Sand Beach Parking Lot. From there, you will find the trailheads to some of our favorite hikes in the park.

Beehive Trail

Although not as intense as Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, it is every thrill seeking hikers dream. If you are scared of heights, my only recommendation for you is to stay home. Beehive Cliffs Trail is packed with granite steps through switchbacks, iron rung ladders, handrails and other obstacles. Beware: there are sections of this hike that are very narrow. If you’re a skilled hiker like myself who can run right up the mountain without looking back; prepare to wait. Be patient and use the extra time to stretch, enjoy an ice cold beverage, or take an instagram-worthy photo of the incredible views. Depending on your speed, give yourself 2-4 hours to complete this 2 mile hike climbing 450 feet elevation. Once you get to the top, sit back and have a cold one with lunch. You earned it!

For lunch, my boyfriend and I couldn’t decide between sandwiches, so we brought both! We used the leftover bacon from breakfast for BLT’s with applewood smoked bacon, mayo or ranch (whatever you prefer!), handpicked lettuce and tomatoes from the garden, with a pinch of salt and pepper on Italian bread. For desert, we brought crunchy peanut butter and jelly with lays potato chips sandwiched between the potato/brioche bread we use for mountain pies. Yum, yum!

The Bowl Trail

If you see the iron rungs towering above you and are looking for an easy way out with stellar views, the Bowl Trail is for you. If you want the panoramic views the Beehive offers without scrambling up the nearest cliff, you can hike up the family-friendly Bowl Trail which leads down the back side of the peak.

Gorham Mountain Trail

The Gorham Mountain Trail is the 2nd most popular trail at Acadia and a lot more family (and dog) friendly! As compared to the Beehive Trail, this one is fairly moderate. With its 525 foot summit, Gorham Mountain has one of the most spectacular views of the island. Once you reach the summit, relax and breathe in the ocean breeze.

Ocean Path

Speaking of the ocean, Ocean Path is another family-friendly trail that stretches between Sand Beach and Otter Point. Along the way, you will spot Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff. Although Park Loop Road runs right beside the hiking trail, you can’t possible get the full experience from your car. To access Ocean Path, begin hiking from Sand Beach parking lot, Otter Point parking lot, or many lots in between. To span the 2 miles trail, you’ll need to set aside 2-3 hours to explore this shore.

Sand Beach

After a long afternoon of hiking, you’re finally ready to relax and cool off. Sand Beach is the perfect spot to take a dip. Bring your wet suit if you have it! Although the kids don’t seem to mind, the water rarely exceeds 55 degrees. Although this is a perfect spot for the family to relax, unfortunately, no dogs are allowed from May 15 – September 15.

Jordan Pond

If diving into sub-55 degree water just isn’t your thing, head over to Jordan Pond for a calm afternoon. Although motor boats are not permitted, this pond is perfect for canoeing or kayaking. The launch site for these is near the Jordan Pond North parking lot, right beside the Jordan Pound House. This is the only full service Restaurant in Acadia National Park.

Best Underrated Things to Do

Sunset

Since the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain is so popular, it’s easy to forget that there is an equally incredible view of the summit at sunset. If you’re like me and not a morning person, try to catch the sunset over Cadillac Mountain or the Sand Beach. You won’t regret it!

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

The area west of Somes Sound is off the beaten path and much less visited. It features trails along the shore of Long Pond (1 mile) and Bernard Mountain (3.2 miles). Down along the coast is a beautiful lighthouse that you can’t miss, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

Lobster

If you’re like me and hate seafood, trying Lobster is not the first thing on your list. But for an authentic Maine experience, you must give it a try. Before our 4th of July feast, I never had lobster in anything but mac n cheese or a lobster roll. So when it arrived to our table with eyes, antennas, and all, I did not know where to start. To avoid ruining a romantic evening with a How-To Eat a Lobster Youtube video, here’s how to eat a lobster:

• Twist off the large claws and crack open with a nutcracker like you would crab legs.
• Twist the tail off of the body.
• Crack the tail and underside and remove the meat.
• Dig in!

Acadia National Park is an incredible park to visit in any season. Home to a triple-threat: world-famous lobster, island life, and wild wilderness, it is a must-stop shop in the Northeast. From its sandy beaches to soaring summits, Acadia will take your breath away with memories that will last a lifetime.