Acadia National Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
98 reviews for Acadia National Park
98 reviews in English
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Review from NH Snow Man B.
Wolfeboro, NH
5/25/2012
Acadia National Park is sacred ground. It is unspeakably beautiful.
The park is very accessible for the handicapped. You can view it's world class beauty from one of the many roadside stops along the loop.
It is my one true happy place on this earth.
If it's at all possible for you to visit, don't pass it up.
It changed my life. -
Review from Loli L.
San Francisco, CA
4/24/2012
Pretty much the best thing in Maine. Lakes that are referred to as ponds, a wonderfully sandy beach, fantastic views from atop a bubble mount, small lovely wooden bridges, and tons more. I totally appreciated the marked trails.
After two days I doubt we'd seen even a quarter of it. I would totally come back for more and I now understand why so many people do. -
Review from Derek B.
2/19/2012
If you are into nature, or parks, or great views, or just having a good time....you need to check this place out. There are really options for any kind of tourist here...you can stay in your car and drive, you can hike, you can bike, you can climb, you can swim, and I think in the winter you can even cross country ski.
I highly recommend at the VERY least, driving your car around the loop and getting out to stop at the lookout points. Above and beyond that, just have a great time. We did the loop, got out at a few points and did some of the shorter trails, and even checked out the beach for a minute.
Most importantly, if you have the time, and you should make sure you do, drive to the top of the mountain, and get out and walk around. It's amazingly gorgeous up there, the views are spectacular. I've heard sunrise/sunset up there is awesome, but we didn't time it well enough to do either.
I'm sure there is way more stuff there than we even saw in a full day of exploring, I'd love to go back. -
Review from Sam R.
Cicero, IN
5/3/2012
Took a one week vacation here. It was the best vacation of my life. Seriously. Everything about this region of Maine has captivated me and made me want to come back over and over and over again. It is too amazing for words.
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Review from Cindy L.
1/18/2012
It's absolutely beautiful here -- I just wish it wasn't so far from NYC!!
Besides being gorgeous -- they have fun trails. Try the Precipice Trail!! It's so fun but it's also really hard. My family and I for some reason didn't heed the recommendations but this trail involves climbing at parts & is incredibly difficult. There are times when you have to hold onto the metal bars they attached to rocks bc it's so steep. Bring lots of water, good hiking shoes, & good hiking partners. I saw many people turn back around because it was so hard. If my 55+ parents can do it, you can too!! Once you reach the top, not only do you feel accomplished but you also have see some beautiful scenery!
Come to watch the sunset!! or if you're a morning person -- sunrise! -
Review from Doug W.
11/16/2011 1 photo
Breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking!
I've been to many National Parks,but the rugged seashores at this one were stunning!
I do think it's funny that they call Mt. Cadillac a mountain.
Back to the ship and one day steaming to St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. -
Review from Kate H.
Castleton-on-Hudson, NY
12/3/2011 1 photo
I've been going to Mount Desert for the last 17 years and I would live there if I could either find a job or win the lottery. There are so many amazing thing on this little rocky island.
First off - the negatives:
the park loop road can be INCREDIBLY crowded in the summer
Bar Harbor sucks when a cruise ship docks
way too many tacky souvenir shops
the fog can cut off the views
yeah there's bigger mountains somewhere else
the water at Sand Beach is so cold only my crazy husband and daughter and a bunch of French Canadian tourist from the Gaspy Peninsula are crazy enough to swim there
The positives:
GET OVER THE NEGATIVES!
This is one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast. I'm not a religious person but here I can see the hand of God.
The various opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are astounding - buy yourself a basic AMC trail guide or talk to the many knowledgeable rangers - there's a walk for almost anyone - Wonderland on the west side (aka the quiet side) is wheelchair accessible for someone with one of the chairs with nubby tires.
Check out Great Head, Wonderland, Ships Harbor, Pretty Marsh, Get out of your car and walk the beautiful pink granite on the park loop road, stop at Otter Cliffs and enjoy the sea.
Take a nature cruise, eat a lobster, grab a book and sit on the rocks, hike a ladder trail or rent a mountain bike or take a horse drawn carriage ride on the many miles of carriage roads.
If you can't find something wonderful to do then go away and leave it for the rest of us.Listed in: Best Places to be Outside in…
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Review from Jillian S.
Boston, MA
3/29/2012
One of the most gorgeous places on the planet, can't say enough good things. The hiking, biking, kayaking are amazing, and even if you just drive around and stop for pictures, that's great too. it's breathtaking, there is nothing like the rocky Maine coast. The sunrises and sunsets on Cadillac shouldn't be missed. Mile and miles of carriage roads for biking, walking, or horse drawn carriage rides, mountains to climbs, lakes and ponds...simply breathtaking! Been here over half a dozen times and we are constantly discovering new gems. Driving around at dusk looking for wildlife is very rewarding and relaxing!
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Review from Julie D.
9/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
First visit to Acadia. I have been wanting to visit for at least 3 years now, so great to finally visit.
Things that impressed me: Loved the rocky coast line. The Park Loop Road is very nice for sight seeing from the car. Lots of great locations to stop. Thunder Hole is incredible. You could stand there for hours and watch the water surges. Sand Beach is also very beautiful.
We were disappointed by Cadillac Mountain. Both days we visited, the views from the mountain top were buried in fog. As a result, we didn't even bother to give the "sunrise" visit a try.
This place is a hiker's paradise. Lots and lots of hiking trails. We were on a very short time frame to visit. But we were very surprised at the size of the park. I expected it to be about the size of Yellowstone. But in reality, it is a fraction of the size. We hope to visit again, hopefully during a different time of year. -
Review from Aj P.
2/12/2012 6 photos
One of my favorite summertime places to go. Some of the most stunning views I have ever seen. There is a secret little campground that I like close by where you can get your lobster right from the lobsterman at like $3 a pound. Acadia is special.
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Review from Jennifer E.
Providence, RI
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was one of the most incredible parks I have ever been to. Hands down. Where the mountains meets the ocean in gorgeous Bar Harbor, Maine, you have the majestic Acadia National Park. Spectacular hiking, woodsy and quiet camping areas, great shopping and dining in Bar Harbor, and fantastic wind-ey and scenic roads through the forest. My experience in Acadia was well worth the six hour drive from Providence, RI.
If you get the opportunity, hiking up to the top of Cadillac Mountain is an experience in itself. Sure you can drive up to the top, but where is the adventure in that? We camped for two nights in the Blackwoods Campground, which was amazing and very peaceful. It was also very close to views of the ocean and one of the few trails that you can take up to the summit of Cadillac. -
Review from Brian M.
9/17/2011
Acadia is a beautiful combination of rocky mountains, rugged coasts, wooded wildness, peaceful lakes, and expansive oceans. We saw a beaver paddling through the fog on Jordan Pond, the full moon shimmering on the waves and glowing on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, deer grazing on the side of the road before dawn, views of nearly the entire island from atop Penobscot Mountain, and miles of always changing scenery along the carriage roads. We drove, walked, kayaked, camped, hiked, and biked until we had no more energy to do anything else over the course of a week and there were still things that we didn't get to see.
At one point in our travels we started talking to an elderly couple who didn't have the youthful energy to make their way along the trails. They were enjoying their trip every bit as much as we were though. With the park loop road you can see some fantastic views without even getting out of your car. You can drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to take in the entire island and surrounding ocean. There are plenty of very easy paths to walk along including over 40 miles of carriage roads and a path along the edge of Jordan Pond with many of the parks biggest mountains towering over you. And, of course, the popovers at Jordan Pond can be enjoyed by one of any age or athletic ability.
At the end of the day you can retread from the park and head to Bar Harbor to do anything from bar hopping to fine dining or souvenir shopping to antiqueing. Or you can settle down around the fire at one of the two campgrounds inside the park or one of the many campgrounds just outside the park.
Don't like the crowds? Me either, that's why we went during the week in September. Vacation scheduling make it so that a summer weekend is your only choice? No problem. The park is split into several parts and the vast majority of people stick to the eastern part of Mount Desert Island. There's still the western part of the island, several separate islands that can only be reached by ferry, and the Schoodic Pennisula which is the only part of the park attached to the mainland and it gives you a good view of the island itself from the outside.
If you live in the northeast then you need to make it a point to visit here at least once during your lifetime. If you're a fan of hiking, biking, or just being outside in general then you should head up this weekend. -
Review from Leah W.
8/5/2011
I love Mount Desert Island. What better way to see its beauty up close than to gain entrance to Acadia National Park? From Cadillac Mountain to Sand Beach, it just doesn't get any better.
Acadia is such a unique blend of forest and ocean. The Park Loop is so relaxing. Drive to the top of the mountain, hike up to Bubble Rock, check out Thunder Hole (but watch out, it can get wild!), sink your feet into the pink grains of Sand Beach. Despite its consistently cold temperature, the water is worth a dip. This is one of the few sandy public beaches in Maine, so do it up!
I have to say, however, that one of the coolest parts of Acadia is not on the Park Loop. Wonderland, a hiking trail off 102A, near the Seawall, is definitely worth the drive to the Quiet Side. Have I used the word unique yet? How about surreal? Dreamy? Gnarly trees, colorful plants, interesting terrain, a beautiful granite beach, this is the stuff of imagination.Listed in: Nice place to visit..., Just Beachy
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Review from Zach M.
8/3/2011
Not a place for tech junkies.
I hiked Cadillac Mountain with a friend of mine and went off-roading. The hike itself is easy as we actually ran up it because of all the false summits. The park itself is very scenic and the only reason why it got a 4/5 for me. I'm young and everyone in the park seemed like a Florida snow bird that was up North for their summer migration. Also, the whole time I was in Bar Harbor something that kept coming to mind was the fact if you relied on electronics for entertainment, you'd be so bored. I've gone hiking in Colorado and there's usually like a small town with at least 1 tech savvy store. I'm not saying a Sharper Image or Brookstone but maybe an internet cafe or sports bar with flatscreens... not here. Overall, it was pretty damn fun and the people of Bar Harbor are incredibly nice. -
Review from Jeff W.
9/5/2011
Oh Acadia, how beautiful you are compared to the Garden State!
I've been coming to Maine for 15 years now and I never get tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.
Sitting up on the peak of Cadillac Mountain or taking a stroll around Seal Harbor or even driving around Park Loop Road...all of it is absolutely amazing.
There is something for everyone, and if you don't feel like driving, L.L. Bean runs a shuttle service for free to help conserve resources.
It's a 9 hour drive for me, but it's worth it. Make sure you upgrade your flash drive to take lots of pictures! -
Review from Renee M.
Bucks County, PA
1/26/2012
Waited too long to go! Absolutely breathtaking! Heading back as I barely got to scratch the surface of all this gorgeous park has to offer. If you are in the area, do not miss it!
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Review from Caitlin G.
Boston, MA
9/25/2011
Amazing. Fabulous. That is all.
I've been coming here during the summer since I was ten years old, for over twenty years, and Acadia never loses its beauty. You always see and learn new things about the park each time, there's always something fresh to appreciate. Sand Beach is one of my favorite places in the world as well as Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole.
I have such fond memories of Acadia and all that surrounds it, and look forward to returning each year. -
Review from Margaret M.
San Diego, CA
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This park is absolutely breathtaking.
They offer a little something for everyone including; beaches, hikes, day hikes, horseback riding, camping, biking, swimming and boating. There is so much to do here you really do need to make a weekend or week of it. Plus Bar Harbor is within minutes and is full of more laid back things to enjoy like dining, shopping and sunset cruises. The entire area just drips vacation heaven.
We enjoyed the day at Sand Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. It seriously competes with beaches in the Caribbean, and you truly feel like you are on a desert island. The sand is white, the water is a striking blue and there are several hiking trails surround the beach up on the cliffs which offer stunning views for a picnic lunch.
Only downfall is that if you are just coming for the day you still have to pay the 7-day $20 Park Pass cost. They should really consider a day park pass, but other than that this place is perfect. -
Review from Don G.
Boston, MA
2/5/2012
We had a great time. Much to do and see. We will be back
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Review from John G.
Camp Hill, PA
9/14/2011
God's Country!!!
Thank-you Lord for sharing it with us.
Enough said. -
Review from Jane K.
Milwaukee, WI
8/15/2011
LOVED my trip here this summer. biked the entire loop road and even up cadillac mountain -- which was brutal but i can say i did it! great views of the ocean and the carriage roads are gorgeous.
jordan pond house, though touristy, is absolutely worth a stop. the popovers are melt in you mouth light and the lobster roll is one of the best i've had because it wasn't smothered in mayo. -
Review from Eddie D.
6/27/2011
A must visit while in Bar Harbor. Stop by the visitor center and watch a 15 minutes film about the park first. A drive on the "Park Loop Road", stop along different area such as the Beaver Dam Pond, the Overlook, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pound House, and finally Cadillac Mountain at elevation 1,530 feet. Looking down to the town of Bar Harbor and to the Atlantic Ocean is a view you can't beat. Try going there and watch the sunset, you do not want to leave.
Make sure you know your vehicle height limit, there are few low underpasses to go through. And watch your speed limit while in the park, they do have speed control in the park. Not that you want to speed through this beautiful place. -
Review from Michael C.
Warwick, NY
8/11/2011
Simply one of the best National Parks in America.
Maine is beautiful. Bar Harbor is beautiful. Acadia is spectacular! I've camped here twice, I've visited here about 5 times. As a lazy trunk photographer, it doesn't get any better. There's a one-way mostly two-lane 25 mph loop road through the park. You can stop anywhere along the way in the right lane, get out of the car with your camera and tripod, set up your shot of the scenery that may include lakes, trees, hills, mountains, and the ocean - and not have to walk more than a few feet from your parked car. Photographer's Nirvana!
Highly recommended in any season. Autumn is obviously the best season in New England. Go. Enjoy! -
Review from Amanda A.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/26/2011
Catching the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain's summit.
You must.
Go at astronomical dawn--the beginning of twilight, way before the actual sunrise (see http://www.sunrisesuns...). Be sure to get up there that early, before the actual sunrise, so that you can watch the sky over the horizon morph into the dramatic, exaggerated pinks and bright honey colors. The sky paints in unbelievable colors before your eyes--you will never forget this amazing sunrise! -
Review from Susanne J.
Philadelphia, PA
11/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
There is just too much about Acadia that I love to include in a Yelp review, so I will be brief.
Do yourself a favor, though. Ditch the Jersey Shore for one summer (at least) and head to Maine to see something other than a boardwalk. Acadia will be good for you, the nature beginner. There are miles of walking trails that accommodate bikes and strollers. You can enjoy a carriage ride. There are a fair amount of easy hikes that will lead you through groves of evergreens to tide pools filled with tiny treasures.
Treat yourself to some delicious ice cream and popovers at the Jordan Pond House where you can pretend that you're relaxing on a summer's day in the 1900's. Breathe in crisp, pine-scented air and keep your eyes open for eagles soaring over The Bubbles. Marvel at the sounds coming from Thunder Hole during hurricane season.
Ride a bike or a scooter. Drive park loop road (you can do this in a couple of hours whereas you could never feasibly fully cover other national parks) Take in the view of the Porcupine Islands from Cadillac Mountain. Learn about the indigenous populations and early settlers of Mount Desert Island. Take lots of pictures. Don't take the wildlife.Listed in: When in Maine...
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Review from alison k.
11/7/2010
For the big 100 I had to pick somewhere truly awesome to review and Acadia clearly fits the bill! I am just so gutted that we didn't visit sooner in our US adventure, but I am so happy that we have spent a few short hours in the park and got to experience a taste of this rich resource.
Even on a rainy late October day the views were still spectacular, the trails were still very well-kept and the park was by no means devoid of other visitors.
I fully intend to come back here again on a vacation, once we are back in the UK. You could totally spend a fortnight here - so many trails, ranger walks, boat trip to cranberry island, biking routes...
It is clear why this has been designated a National Park - the ocean, the hills, a sandy beach, forest and history melding together. Wonderful, wonderful area to explore.Listed in: A walk on the wild side
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Review from Martha S.
Jacksonville, FL
National parks are a source of pride for the country and I truly enjoy going to them. I especially appreciate it when they have things that everyone can do (activities you can take grandma in a wheelchair to) and activities for fit and active people (mountain climb on wire ladders chiseled into rocks). That being said, Acadia is a prime example of such a park. When My husband and I went, we looked at all the trail info were overwhelmed with what to pick from! There was so much to do and so little time to do it in since it was the second part of our Maine adventure after hiking up and across Katahdin. Luckily we stayed at an EXCELLENT bed and breakfast (review is coming, i promise) and got some great direction from some people we met there.
Must do:
Make sure you stop by the Ranger Station/Gift shop. You need to pick up a day pass to park your car (national park thing)--i think it is like 10 dollars or something. While you are there, buy the CD they have for the Car Audio Guide, and grab a map. The audio guide is excellent to give you an idea of what you are looking at throughout the park, and gives you good history and information you may otherwise not know about.
My husband and I did two of the trails:
There is one with BREATHTAKING views over a beach on cliffs, for perfect daredevil pictures called the "Great Head Trail". I think Ill post a picture, since it seriously can not be described in words.
Then there is another one, with a balanced rock on a ledge called the "Bubble Rock Trail".
And of course, If there is only time for ONE single thing to do at Acadia(Aside of course from watching the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain), you MUST go and have tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House overlooking Jordan Pond and the two "Bubbles"
Go. Go now. It is beautiful. -
Review from Madhuri I.
New York, NY
6/15/2009
I ran barefoot on the warm sand.
I walked into the icy sea.
I stared at the morning sun.
I drank in the trees on rocky cliffs.
I heard the thunder hole
I saw through the fog
below Cadillac mountain
I slipped on the otters cliff
And earned a purple bruise
on my behind. You're saying now,
"I didn't need to know that."
I wet my feet
In the little stream
I scaled the hill
Slid down some mush
Looked past the rocks,
As the ocean lapped up
some blue from the sky.
And then with a heavy heart
I bid 'em all
goodbye. -
Review from Meg C.
Philadelphia, PA
9/26/2008
I was pretty unimpressed with this park. Maybe it had been hyped up too much for me, but I was expecting a lot more.
Granted it is a huge park, but there are way, way too many roads for cars. The entire island, actually, is pretty unfriendly when it comes to bikes and pedestrians. At least that was my perception. There are definitely trails, but I feel like we spent half our time on the island driving. It just seems ironic to have people using so much gas in preserved area, I hope they toy with the idea of allowing shuttles exclusively. It seemed like a cruel joke to drive 11 hours away from the city I live in to be surrounded by sooo many cars and people.
Maybe I would have liked it more if we had visited in the fall rather than the summer. The weather sucked most of the time, so that put a damper on things. The mountains-near-the-ocean aspect of it was cool. But I think I prefer nicer coastline and more impressive mountains separately rather than just okay together. I did find some cool tide pools, but it was nothing extraordinary.
The only thing I really got out of my visit was a whole lot of jokes containing the phrase "Thunder Hole."Listed in: The best of nature
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Review from Nick M.
Franklin, MA
6/9/2009
This place is absolutely worth the drive from Boston. I could easily spend a week here hiking everything and you should too. There's also kayaking, ocean boat rides, cycling on the carriage roads, horse-drawn carriage rides, plane rides over the island, in addition to hiking.
A bit of a tourist trap during peak detracts from the outstanding mountain views, but this is true of all spectacular summits in New England these days. Cadillac and Champlain mountains are the two peaks you should definitely climb, in addition to the Bubbles and Beehive. I've also heard Sargent Mtn, Pementic Mtn and Dorr Mtn are pretty nice. Jordan's Pond, Eagle Lake and Echo Lake are nice bodies of water to explore from the summits as well as from the water. Go early in the morning while others sleep and you'll have the trails all to yourself. I will repeat that last part, wake your ass up early (5-6am) and try to get 2 major hikes in each day to make the most of your experience here at Acadia.
My recommendation is to get a TOPO map of the area. I went into Bar Harbor and picked up one by the AMC. If you're from Boston, stop into Globe Book Store in Harvard Square and ask for "Discover Acadia National Park" produced by the AMC.
Wandering into historic Bar Harbor, you'll notice it is a modern tourist trap disguised as a quaint old fishing town. Visit the man in the green bus down by the pier for an exhaustive history of the island. He knows more than anyone on the island.
I drove up Cadillac Mtn at 4:00am and found it foggy, so I missed sunrise. By 7:00am it burned off and you could see the view, but I went to the Bubble Rock parking area and hiked the north bubbles instead.
I hiked up Cadillac Mtn via "North Ridge Trail" went down the "Gorge Path". My recommendation is to climb up the Gorge; you'll be greeted with intense mountain streams, tons of glacier carved rock everywhere which makes for step-like rocks and a short hike with a tremendously rewarding summit view. If you've never seen the ocean from a mountain, Cadillac Mtn is one of the best places in New England both for a sunrise and sunset. Plan your hikes around a TOPO map and the shuttle if it is running.
Thunder Hole is great during the tourist season, but is more of a murmur in the off peak season. It is near Great Head and Otter Cliff.
Most of Maine's beaches are rocky; go to Newport Cove and locate Sand Beach for the only sand beach on the island. Ocean temps make for a brisk swim; try Echo Lake's west side for slightly warmer water.
Acadia Park has 5 lighthouses, can you find them all while you're there? Locate Bass Harbor Head, Bear Island, Baker Island, Egg Rock and Great Duck Island. Bass Harbor is the only one accessible via automobile and Great Duck Island's isn't visible from the park.
Carriage roads are one of the finest examples of crushed granite meant for horse drawn carriages. I want to say there's 45-50mi of these trails, so rent a mountain bike in town and you'll have a great time.
The park doesn't charge to drive up Cadillac Mtn if you drive in the right gate. $20 will get you 7 days access anywhere, which is a must if you're going to be there for more than 2 days.
One final tip: bring hiking boots, high quality cushioned socks and your feet will not suffer from blisters. The hikes are about 2-4 hours each round trip.
The best part about Acadia is that it offers what I call the "best of" all in one park. Outstanding deep wooded hikes, short climbs up mountains with rewarding scenic vistas, gorges, lakes, ponds, beaches and a bit of rocky boulders, all in a few short hours of hiking. What impressed me was that the hiking is so diverse on the trails so you really get to see a lot of different things in a short amount of time.
Having been to several National Parks, this was my first trip to Maine. The coastal towns and parks are full of subtle, calming beauty in a familiar tourist setting. Cadillac's ocean views are worth it if you've never been, as is the rest of the park. Maine's coastal area is rugged, but isn't on the same scale as Yellowstone or say Colorado's Pike's Peak. New England's beauty and dare I say charm is more about all the little nooks and crannies of activity hidden everywhere, waiting to be found. And with 200K acres, there is a lot of exploring one can do in a week long getaway.
Off Rt 1 in Maine, Acadia National Park comes highly recommended for a truly authentic New England hiking experience. Read my reviews of local restaurants! -
Review from Deanna D.
7/24/2009 3 photos
Absolutely beautiful and peaceful park! The hiking trails were very well marked and really enjoyable. The scenery is magnificent!
The views from the top of Cadillac mountain of all islands, the surrounding mountains and rocky cliffs left me with a tranquil feeling.
I cannot wait to back. Its definitely worth the 5 hr. drive from Boston.
There's lots to do on in the park including hiking, mountain biking and kayaking or you can just sit on the beach and enjoy the scenery. What ever makes up happy =)
You won't be sorry that you came to this special place. -
Review from Will H.
Swarthmore, PA
7/4/2010
Acadia is one of the gems of American parks. John D. Rockefeller's heavy involvement in its establishment and early maintenance has left the park well-maintained and highly accessible. The carriage roads make a great bicycle ride or walk, and the hiking trails cover a lot of territory. Both have excellent views. Some sections are closed regularly for wildlife protection, but there is more than enough park left to enjoy.
Highlights: carriage roads, Jordan Pond House, mountaintop trails. -
Review from Shaun-Mathieu S.
North Hollywood, CA
8/24/2009
A rich, lush forest permeates the land of Maine's Mount Desert Island with it's beauteous serenity. And that forest would be Acadia National Park. The first park ever established east of the Mississippi River. I was fortunate to come here on multiple occasions on my trip back east.
The highly informative Hulls Cove Visitor Center is situated near the main entrance to the park, and should be your first stop on your visit. Here one can get parking passes (which are mandatory - it's $20.00 per auto for a one week pass), sign up for park tours, or browse the bookshop for a souvenir.
We drove the Park Loop Road, a one-way oval that allows a view of scenic vistas. From here we stopped at Sand Beach. One thing that surprised me is how cold the water of the Atlantic is compared to the Pacific. Quite icy. We also hiked around Jordan Pond, and rather large body of water in the midst of the park. A predominantly flat path borders the perimeter of the lake, with other hiking paths nearby as well. It was a gorgeous hike, and quite easy for non-hikers.
There is also the Jordan Park House, a small restaurant where one can have tea. We checked this place out, but I wasn't impressed. It's crowded and somewhat commercial. You would be better off getting tea in town. Another aspect I loved were all the stone bridges, remnants of day gone by when carriages were the main mode of transport. All of these have been incorporated into the park roads. We also visited Cadillac Mountain, but that will be getting it's own review later. Acadia National Park is a must-do if you are on vacation here. It's simply breathtaking.Listed in: My Trip to Bar Harbor
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Review from Joel S.
Trabuco, CA
10/7/2010
If you've been to the Western national parks -- Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, Crater Lake, etc. -- Acadia might strike you as diminished or failing to live up to the same level of magnificence. You may be annoyed by the way that locals gentrified the local nature with stone stairways leading up the granite mountains or the broad thoroughfares open to cyclists and wagons known as the Carriage Roads. You may not be impressed with Thunder Hole if you catch it on a calm day at low tide and Sand Beach may bore you.
But great landmarks is not where I have found the Acadia that I have come to love. Nay, I have found it in the details -- the mushrooms growing in the woods, the red maples dropping their leaves in the autumn, the roots bending at water's edge on Jordan Pond.
Pick your season carefully: summers will be thronged with people who seek easy experiences in nature and they will bring their kids who have no regard for the gentleness of Acadia's beauty. Go in the early autumn when the leaves turn from green to fire or in spring when the hordes have not yet arrived.
Favorite spots: Schoodic Point in a storm, Bass Harbor Lighthouse, the walk to Bar Island, the North Ridge trail up Cadillac Mountain, the loop around Witch Hole Pond. You may find your own. -
Review from Susan A.
8/19/2011
Spectacular!
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Review from Madeleine M.
Maple Shade, NJ
10/27/2008
Oh man, oh man. So many of my middle school/high school summer vacation memories are sent against the beyond-stunning backdrop of Bar Harbor.
I have spent so much time on Cadillac Mountain and I wish so hard I could relive the bike rides, the hiking trails, the car rides to the top of the mountain and the utterly awe-inspiring scenery of the area.
Some of the trails are a bit wicked, so be warned. Even at the peak of my body's ability to have the living tar beaten out of it, I remember reluctantly walking my poor bike up the trails' steepest inclines.
But the scenery. My God. I can't say enough good things about. Pushing yourself to your physical limits isn't too bad when every breath you take is filled with pine and blueberry.
I've only been in the Bahh-Habbah area over the summer, so I really can't account for what it's like in the other three seasons. But I'm convinced that the world would be a much better place if everyone spent a few mid-summer days tooling around Acadia National Park. It's that peaceful, beautiful and humbling. -
Review from Anna R.
8/22/2007
When most people think of national parks, they think of those out West. Well, Acadia's awesome and it's in one of the prettiest locations in the country in Bar Harbor, ME. It may seem like a trek to come visit...it is, because there's really nothing else to do in this part of Maine except enjoy Bar Harbor. Other parts of Maine at this latitude are really dead.
The trails are outstanding for hiking and biking. Driving to the top of Cadillac Mountain is also a spectacular site. You see mountains, valleys, and ocean. You can't lose! -
Review from Cristina G.
Washington, DC
10/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great park, beautiful scenery! A must if in the area. Glad we traveled here to see the fall colors.
Trails to hike: Beehive, Ladder then down South Dorr Mountain Ridge Trail. -
Review from Samantha E.
Alexandria, VA
7/14/2011 7 photos
Stunning! My family may not like the outdoors very much but everything about this park was perfect! We only drove up Cadillac Mountain and stopped by the lake but it was all so picturesque and beautiful.
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Review from todd s.
NY
9/29/2007
beautiful place. Take some of the park ranger tours.
There is a lot of private property around the park so you have lots of hotel and restaurant choices and don't have to suffer with low quality, high priced single source concessions.
