SamThe Do’s and Don’t of Acadia National Park
While Acadia might be small, there is still so much to do in the area. And with limited time during your travels, it can be so hard to know what you should and shouldn’t do. After living on the island for a short time, as well as constantly giving travel advice to tourists, I have curated this list of travel advice for Acadia National Park to help you know what is worth your time.
Please keep in mind that some of these are simply suggestions. They are my own personal opinion of where your time is best spent while on the island. So use the information to help you plan your trip, rather than dictate it. If you are really passionate about visiting a certain area, then please do it!
DO drive the Park Loop Road, but DON’T rush.
While the park loop road is often overcrowded and is one of the most visited areas of the park, it is that way for a reason. A lot of the iconic landmarks that people visit Acadia for are situated along the Park Loop Road. From Sand Beach, to Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs, the Park Loop Road is a must for anyone visiting Acadia National Park
However, I highly suggest you don’t rush through it. While the road is only 27 miles long and can easily be driven in an hour, part of the charm is the hidden gems. From cobblestone beaches, to rocky shorelines, and beautiful coves, there is so much to see along Park Loop Road beyond what you can see from inside your vehicle.
DO bike the carriage roads, but DON’T expect it to be easy.
The Carriage Roads are one of the unique gems of Acadia National Park, but a lot of people underestimate the trails. Originally designed for horse and carriage, these trails are enjoyed in modern times by bicyclists.
However, for those less proficient in biking, the trails can be an unexpected challenge. The trails are classified as rolling hills, and range in difficulty depending on which trails you decide to explore. There are 48 miles of carriage roads, so there are definitely trails to fit everyone’s ability levels. And don’t be scared to look into renting electric bikes! For anyone looking to avoid a workout, or anyone with physical limitations, the e-bikes are perfect for you.
Stay tuned for a blog post on the best carriage roads trails that I recommend!
DON’T forget to make a reservation for the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road.
A rookie mistake. You get all the way to Acadia National Park and are so excited to see the stunning views at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Only to be greeted by a ranger station telling you that you aren’t allowed through due to the lack of a reservation. There’s nothing that puts a damper on a trip quite like that feeling of disappointment. So make sure to not be that person!
Reservations are required for any vehicle trying to drive to the summit. However, you can hike or bike to the top of the mountain without a reservation (although a much more physically demanding route). You can book a reservation by visiting Recreation.gov and choosing your desired entry time. While your entry to the road is limited, the amount of time you spend up there is not! So take your time.
If you are looking to visit Cadillac for sunrise, be warned that it is incredibly difficult to land a reservation due to the high demand. Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise, so it is definitely a special experience. I encourage you to not get your hopes up too much, but defintiely give it a shot.
You can make up to one reservation per day for the daytime reservations, and one reservation per 7 days for the sunrise reservations.
DON’T spend all of your time in Bar Harbor.
A fatal flaw for people visiting the island. While Bar Harbor is fun, unique, and beautiful, there is a lot more to the island than just the tourist epicenter. I encourage you to go off and explore other towns on the island, such as Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Somerville. You will be able to escape the chaos of downtown Bar Harbor, while also getting a peak into what the local life is like here on the island.
DO explore the western side of Mount Desert Island.
While the iconic landmarks of Acadia are all on the eastern side of MDI, the western side is often overlooked. With beautiful swimming and paddling spots, such as Echo Lake, Long Pond, and Somes Sound, it is a great place to relax by the lake and enjoy your time in Maine. Additionally, there is a bounty of underrated hikes in this area of the island. Some of my favorites include Ship Harbor Nature Trail, Beech Cliffs Loop, and Acadia Mountain.
If you are spending a few days in Acadia, I highly suggest you take some time to explore this quieter side of the island. You may even see more wildlife in this area!
DON’T stress about where to eat lobster, but DO be picky about where you get a lobster roll.
A lobster is a lobster. And every restaurant on the island is sourcing their lobsters from the same oceans, meaning they will all be delicious. However, a lobster roll involves seasoning. And that’s when you need to start getting picky!
In Bar Harbor, the best lobster roll is going to be at Stewman’s Lobster Pound, down by the pier. The best part about Stewman’s is that they serve both a cold mayo style roll, and also the less common warm buttery style roll. The best of both worlds!
Throughout the entire island, the two best places for lobster rolls are Abel’s Lobster Pound and Beal’s Lobster Pier. Both serve the cold and hot versions of the rolls.
DO research hiking trails before taking them.
Acadia is a very family friendly, and dog friendly park. But with such a wide range of interconnecting trails, you can quickly end up on a trail that is too difficult. Especially if you have restrictions in terms of what trails you are comfortable with, I highly suggest you do your research on trails that interest you before you set out into the park. There are a multitude of trails that involve rock scrambling, thin ledges, and ladders. These would not be suitable for young children, dogs, or anyone with physical limitations including a fear of heights. A majority of trails are much more difficult than a lot of people realize. And you never want to end up on trails unprepared.
I highly recommend ordering one of these Map Adventure’s maps of the island before your travels. The map includes trails, roads, carriage roads, as well as elevation markers and other important information. This is an excellent tool to help you plan your adventures. It is also a great tool to have on hand in the national park where there is hardly any phone service.
DO be strategic about when you visit the park.
If you have the flexibility, both in the time of year you visit and the time of day you explore, I encourage you to use that to your advantage! The best travel advice for Acadia National Park is to strategically plan your visit and your activities. I know it is your vacation, so planning can be a nuisance, but it makes a huge difference!
Acadia’s entire tourist season is from May – October. However, the peak season is from late June – August. If you have the flexibility, I highly suggest that you visit Acadia National Park on our shoulder seasons. You will come across a lot less crowds, and experience the same level of beauty that Acadia has to offer. And in my personal opinion, the fall time can be even more magical here in Maine.
If you don’t have the ability to schedule your trip during the shoulder season, then there is still a lot you can do to make it a better experience. Acadia is always the busiest during the middle of the day. So get up early to explore the park or start your hike, or wait until after 4 pm to visit the more busy areas. This hack will really help you avoid the worth of the crowds.
While there is an endless amount of tips to be shared on the area, this is all of my top travel advice for Acadia National Park to help you make the most out of your trip. And keep an eye out for future posts with more helpful tips, tricks, and travel advice!
