Maine is home to the beautiful Acadia National Park where you find a lot of coastal hills and waterscapes. Hiking on trails, swimming on beaches and riding bicycles along the Carriage Roads are some of the best things to do. But the Acadia Park Loop drive might be your best experience in the park. This national park sits on the historic Mount Desert Island, which humans have inhabited for more than 5,000 years. So do not wait any longer and begin your Acadia National Park tour now! Below is your proper travel guide for a trip in this coastal wilderness.
Tip: An Acadia National Park Pass is compulsory for all visitors in the age of 16 and above.
Best Things To Do In Acadia National Park
You can explore the whole park by doing a lot of things here. From taking a long drive on the Acadia Park Loop to hiking to popular peaks like Cadillac Mountains you are in for an adventurous trip.
Drive On The Acadia Park Loop
Acadia Park Loop is a 27-mile loop where you can see some beautiful lakes and mountains all along the drive. The best way to start your journey on the Park Loop Road is to drive from Hulls Cove Visitor Centre. Once you reach the centre enter Paradise Hill Road and keep driving south until you reach the Park Loop in minutes. Do stop at your favourite spots and take your time visiting them as you continue your trip on Acadia’s Park Loop Road. While doing that make sure you park your vehicle at the allotted parking spots and not everywhere.
Hiking The Trails Of The Park
Hiking is truly the best thing you can do in this park. Start your hike in Acadia National Park with the Jordan Pond Path. It is because this trail goes right along the shore of Jordan Pond. The next trail that you cannot miss is the Bar Island Trail. Once you make it to the trail you will get an incredible visual of the ocean on either side of the sand trail that connects the park with Bar Island.While these hiking trails are comparatively easier, hikers consider Cadillac Mountain Loop and Precipice Trail some of the most challenging trails in the park
Visit The Sand Beach
The Sand Beach is one of the most visited places in the park. Enter this beach by hiking on the Great Head Trail on the Park Loop Road. The Beehive Trail and Ocean Path are two other trails on this beach that you can hike on. Once you get to the beach look out for the amazing view of you standing on the sandy turf and the granite mountains facing the vast Atlantic Ocean. While nobody is stopping you from swimming in this beach think before you do because the Atlantic waters can be as cold as 55°F. You must also be aware of the seasonal rules of Sand Beach. Learn about more such beaches in Maine in this blog right here.
Explore The Cadillac Mountains
Cadillac Mountain has to be the most popular place in this park. To hike on this mountain there are three trails in the park. The most common trail is the North Ridge trail which is a 4.4-mile loop that takes you directly to the peak. You can take another shorter 2.5-mile loop called the George Path directly from the Park Loop Road. But visitors choose the South Ridge Trail for one of the best hikes in this park. This is believed to be the longest trail in Acadia and is famous for its forested terrain which people love hiking.
Take Bicycle Rides On Carriage Roads
The Carriage Roads in this park are extremely good for walking and cycling. One of the best loops that you can find on the Carriage Roads is the Around the Mountain loop. You can find beautiful spots like Chasm Brook’s Bridge here. Another loop you will have fun cycling on is the Eagle Lake Loop which will give you a serene view of the lake. Carriage Roads also offers access to hidden waterfall in this park called the Hadlock Falls. You will get to know about more from this blog. Besides bicycles no other vehicle is allowed on Carriage Roads and stay prepared because there won’t be many restrooms here.
See The Famous Thunder Hole
Thunder Hole got its unique name from the loud “boom” sound that occurs when the waves hit the inlets and release the air trapped inside it. The waves will become very powerful during a storm making the sound even louder. This phenomenon can be seen best just before the high tides occur. You can hike on the 2.2 mile Ocean Path Trail to reach here. Visit this spot with your family and friends and see the beautiful aquatic life. But stay vigilant and make sure you don’t come too close to the shore.
Cruise All Over Acadia National Park
Cruising is an incredible way to explore this park. This gives you a great opportunity to take a look at all the islands in the park closely. Take a boat ride from the available boating services here in the park especially in Bar Harbour Island. You will witness beautiful visuals of marine animals that live in the Atlantic with coastal mountains soaring high all around. These boat rides take roughly 2 hours to complete which means you must be prepared for the sunlight. Carry sunglasses and sun protection products all the time. But wearing layered clothing will work when you are cruising on cold ocean waters.
How To Travel To Acadia National Park?
For travelling to Acadia National Park you have to know the right routes to Mount Desert Island. The fastest route to the Island is the I-95 route which takes us to Augusta. We will reach the island after taking Route 3 from Ellsworth. The route from Portland is even better because you drive on the scenic US-1 North highway. You will drive along the beautiful coast of Maine before entering the Island here. While the best way to travel is your personal vehicle you can also take the Maine Charter Bus rental and car rentals. In the park you can take the Acadia National Park bus transportation to many places like the Sand Beach.
Tip: If you need more information on travelling in Acadia National Park check their official website.
Top Spots To Relax In The Park
You can take some breaks while going on this strenuous but adventurous trip in the park. Acadia has got you covered for that with some underrated spots that have fewer crowds. Let’s get right to these places.
- Jesup Path Boardwalk: The Jesup Path Boardwalk and Hemlock Path Loop is truly picturesque trails. This 1.5-mile short path is a relief from the crowded trails of the park. Walk and stroll between the Hemlock trees and bring the kids here for sure.
- Seawall Picnic Area: This picnic spot located near the Seawall Campground is a good place to settle down and see the breathtaking views of stars and sunset. You can see the amazing Cranbury Island from the elevation in this picnic spot.
- Echo Lake Beach: This is a small lake beach perfect for stopping by and swimming in waters that are much warmer than Sand Beach. Echo Lake Beach offers a wide range of facilities. From restrooms and changing rooms to the shuttle bus services which consist of private group tours, all of it is available here.
- Schoodic Peninsula: It is a new spot for visitors that was opened in 2015. The Schoodic Peninsula is a good place to get perfect views of the Atlantic shore. The Anvil trail leads you to the Schoodic Head which is at the top of the summit.
- Sieur De Monts Spring: Sieur de Monts is often called the “Heart of Acadia”. With fewer crowds it becomes easily one of the quietest places to be in the park. Sieur de Monts Spring carries a rich historical significance and you can visit the Wild Gardens of Acadia just near the springs.
Important Safety Measures
You have to keep a few things in mind before visiting Acadia National Park. These safety tips will help when we hike on tough trails in this park.
- Do not hike alone on the moderate and strenuous trails of the park. If you are with your family and friends that is good. But if you have come alone go on a hike with a fellow visitor or it would be even better if you find a trained hiker. Being prepared for any accident is a must.
- Carry enough food and water because hiking makes you lose a lot of energy. Make sure the food items are shelf-stable foods like nuts.
- A first aid kit is a must in the park because it helps in treating scratches and allergies.
- Use tweezers to take ticks out of your skin after each hike. Be extra careful with your pets because they can lick those ticks while trying to pull them out.
- Pet animals are not allowed on tougher trails. Do not leave them alone either. And do not forget to put a leash on them.
- Do not disturb the wildlife here and feeding them is strictly prohibited.
- You can still enjoy this park without taking strenuous hikes. Understand the limits of your body before trying to scale the heights.
- Carry your trail maps all the time. Do not trust the signboards blindly without knowing the way.
Final Thoughts
Acadia National Park is a wonderful holiday spot that attracts people from all over the country. From Cadillac Mountains to Sand Beach every spot in this park is worth a visit. Even the places with fewer crowds like Seawalls Picnic Spot and Sieurs de Monts Springs can be great additions to your itinerary. Follow the safety guidelines and have an incredible time in this Maine gem.