The Ultimate Fall Experience in Acadia National Park

Acadia is one of the most magical places in the country during the fall time. But there are so many secrets to know about the park before you can fully enjoy the beautiful fall colors that it has to offer.

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage

The general guideline for New England foliage is to anticipate peak colors around the first week of October. However, I will say that this is not a perfect science. The colors fluctuate yearly based on a wide range of environmental factors.

If you have the flexibility, I always suggest waiting as long as you can to plan your trip. By this point fall foliage predictors will be released, and it will give you better insight into what is expected for that given season.

However, if you need to plan in advance, I would stick to the first two weeks in October for the best chance at seeing fall colors. I will warn you in advance that our peak colors only last a couple days, so the chances of coincidentally hitting that exact point is pretty unlikely. But the fall colors in Acadia come in phases and if you come during this time frame you will get to see some type of color!

Just remember, this isn’t an exact science. And if you don’t get to see peak color change, don’t be too upset. There is so much beauty here that it is enjoyable regardless!

Quick Ecology Lesson!

Time for some quick background information on the ecology of Acadia National Park that will be essential in helping you get the best out of your fall experience here.

When you google “Acadia Fall Foliage” you are going to get stunning photos of red, yellow, and orange trees scattering the landscape here. So a lot of visitors assume our entire landscape is full of these deciduous trees. But that’s definitely not the case.

Acadia actually used to have almost no deciduous trees, until a disastrous wildlife in 1947 drastically changed our landscape ecology on the island. The burning of the forests gave deciduous the opportunity to take over in these new growth areas. Therefore, the best areas to go leaf peeping are where the wildfire drastically altered our forests. All other areas of the park are what we consider ‘old growth forest’ where it is composed of all evergreen trees. Below I have actually included a map of the eastern part of Mount Desert Island in regards to the area that was destroyed by the fire. This will help give you reference to the best areas to visit.

As you can see, it’s actually incredibly important to not go into your fall experience in Acadia without some research. But don’t worry, while this coveted information can be hard to come across online, I am going to share all of the best activities and spots throughout Acadia during the fall time!

Beehive Trail

This is one of my all time favorite fall hikes here in Acadia. The views of the red, orange, and yellow trees are so stunning as you quickly ascend the cliffside to the 500 ft summit.

With rung ladders and walks along ledges, you get the most spectacular panoramic views. However, if you are at all scared of heights, you will hate this! Be warned that this is definitely one of the most popular hikes in the entire park. So if you want to avoid crowds, I highly suggest getting an early start, or waiting until later in the evening. Otherwise it might feel more like an amusement ride that you are waiting in line for.

Precipice Trail

This trail sits just adjacent to the Beehive Trail, so you get a lot of the same foliage views. However, this trail is coveted in Acadia for being the most challenging and most dangerous of all the hikes.

This trail has a ton of ladders that scale the cliffside of Champlain Mountain. There is also some rock scrambling and walking along incredibly thin ledges. It is definitely not a trail for the faint of heart, but for those open to the challenge, you will be heavily rewarded with stunning views of the coastline and beautiful fall colors.

Jesup Path

This is one of the most stunning fall hikes in Acadia, and it is also one of the most accessible! A boardwalk that starts at Sieur de Monts will take you along the back side of Great Meadows, and through a beautifully forested marshland. The walk itself is primarily on a flat boardwalk, making it an accessible experience for anyone to enjoy. And if you want to learn a bit more about the nature surrounding you, there are informative plaques along this walk.

Drive Park Loop Road

This is a must-do regardless of when you visit Acadia. But the landscape seems to come alive in the fall. Like I previously mentioned, there are areas that are much better than others for viewing fall foliage along the park loop road. So take that into consideration during your drive.

My personal favorite areas to drive during the fall are around Eagle Lake, both on Park Loop Road and on route 233.

Explore the Carriage Roads

The carriage roads are one of the gems of Acadia. They deserve to be explored no matter what time of year you are visiting. But when exploring Acadia in the fall, the carriage roads are one of the best places to go. Check out my guide to the carriage roads for all the best tips and information to best plan your adventures through the park!

Asticou Gardens

Northeast Harbor is one of the hidden gems on the island in regards to tourism. Almost none of our tourists visit the quaint little town, unless they are staying in the area. But Northeast Harbor has so much to offer. For starters, it is where a lot of our rich history lies here on this island. But it is also home to the oldest hotel on the island, the Asticou Inn. It was opened to the public in 1883, which made it the largest hotel in the entire U.S. at the time.

While the Inn itself is a beautiful sight, the main event is the Asticou Gardens that are attached to the property. With the perfect selection of native plants that turn vibrant reds and oranges during fall ,combined with the beautiful reflection of the pond centered in the gardens, it makes the Asticou Gardens one of the most beautiful places on the island.

Sieur de Monts

One of the main epicenters here in the park, Sieur de Monts area is a stunning place to explore at any time of year. However, the maples and birch trees shine so bright in the fall. And with there being so many different activities in the immediate area, it is a great place to explore. You will find hikes ranging from beginner to advanced, the Wild Gardens of Acadia, the Nature Center, and much more!

Drive to the Summit of Cadillac Mountain

The summit road to the top of Cadillac Mountain is a great way to see fall foliage. As you drive up the mountain, you will get stunning views of fall foliage all around. The overlook of Eagle Lake on the summit road is one of my favorite fall views. This is one of the most vibrant foliage areas on the whole island!

Cadillac Mountain is also a great place to go if you find that you hit the fall season a little early. The colors on the mountain will change far before the rest of the island!

Pro Tip: Reservations are required to drive on the Summit Road. You can head to Recreation.gov to book your entry time. All information regarding the reservations can be found on the booking site.

Jordan Pond Area

This is one of my favorite places to explore during fall. The colors are so vibrant, and there is so much to do and see in this area.

There is a wide range of hikes in this area, ranging from easy to difficult. For easy hikes, check out Jordan Pond Path, the Carriage Roads, and even the Jordan Stream Path. All of these hikes will keep you on ground level and are relatively flat. But there are also hikes that will give you a stunning overlook of the trees. I highly suggest South Bubble, Jordan Cliffs, and Penobscot Mountain.