Where To Stay Acadia National Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • The Inn on Mount Desert, Bar Harbor.
  • The Harborside Hotel Marina & Spa.
  • The Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.
  • Harbour Cottage Inn.
  • Chiltern Inn.
  • Acadia National Park Campgrounds.
  • An Acadia National Park Airbnb.
  • An Acadia National Park Cabin.

How many days do you need in Acadia National Park?

Acadia National Park makes a great long weekend getaway. We recommend spending

two to three days

in Acadia National Park. This will give you enough time to drive Park Loop Road, do a few short hikes, bike the carriage roads, watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, and snack on popovers at the Jordan Pond House.

What is the closest town to Acadia National Park?

Where Is Acadia National Park? The park is about 160 miles from

Portland, Maine

, and about 50 miles from Bangor, Maine. The town of Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island, shares borders with the park and is a popular home base for those visiting the park.

Is 2 days enough to visit Acadia National Park?

The coastline is gorgeous and the lighthouses are adorable. Acadia National Park is very different from the California national parks I'm used to visiting, but it's no less stunning.

Visiting Acadia is a must if you want to spend 2 or 3 perfect days in Maine

.

Is Acadia National Park worth visiting?


It's worth just stopping and relaxing and enjoying the view

. Acadia National Park is a popular place, so expect some crowds (especially in the summertime). There are definitely less crowded stops along the way. Even during a busy fall week, we were able to find a few spots all to ourselves.

When should I go to Acadia National Park?

The best time to visit Acadia National Park in terms of pleasant weather is

between late spring and fall

. However, it's often crowded. A less busy time with great weather is the two weeks after Labor Day in September until mid-September, just before the leaf-peeping crowds arrive.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Acadia National Park?

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights,

can often be seen from in the northernmost parts of DownEast Acadia

. The best viewing time for the Northern Lights is August to October. So get outside on a crisp autumn night and look north.

Is Bar Harbor Maine worth visiting?

The vast majority of travelers use Bar Harbor as a jumping-off point for visiting Acadia National Park.

By far the best place to visit in Maine

, this exceptional park showcases nature at its absolute finest.

What is special about Acadia National Park?

One of the nation's most beloved parks, Acadia

protects a patch of coastal Maine where the north woods tumble down to meet the wild Atlantic

. The first national park east of the Mississippi River sprawls across half of Mount Desert Island, with small portions on smaller islands and the mainland.

How long does it take to drive the loop in Acadia National Park?

How long is the Park Loop Road and how long will it take to drive it? Planning for

three to four hours

, including some stops, is recommended for the entire 27-mile road. An audio tour of the Park Loop Road on CD is available for purchase at Hulls Cove Visitor Center.

What airport is close to Acadia National Park?

To reach Acadia National Park, you can fly into

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

and catch a direct flight to Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), served by Cape Air, Silver Airways, JetBlue and United Airlines, which is a short 10-minute drive from the park.

Is Katahdin in Acadia?

From the austere peak of Mount Katahdin and the recently designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument to

the rocky coast of Acadia National Park

, the state of Maine boasts a wide range of natural beauty mixed in with quaint New England charm.

What do I need to know before going to Acadia?

  • You may need a vehicle reservation. Acadia ranks among the top-ten most visited national parks, yet it's also among the smallest and most congested. …
  • The Island Explorer will be your lifeline. …
  • You can bring your pup. …
  • There's more to Acadia than MDI.

Do you need a reservation for Acadia National Park?

The National Park Service has established a vehicle reservation system for Cadillac Summit Road so visitors can find a place to park and have a safe, enjoyable experience.

Vehicle reservations are not required for other locations in the park or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bicycle, or taxi

.

What is Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park?

Thunder Hole is

a small inlet, naturally carved out of the rocks, where the waves roll into

. At the end of this inlet, down low, is a small cavern where, when the rush of the wave arrives, air and water is forced out like a clap of distant thunder. Water may spout as high as 40 feet with a thunderous roar!

Is Acadia National Park open during Covid?

Maine's Acadia National Park is

temporarily shutting down

in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Island Explorer bus service will also return in 2021 on a limited route along with indoor service at the Jordan Pond House restaurant. Another change will happen at campgrounds, which were closed entirely in 2020.

What is the deadliest National Park?

Going by its per-capita death rate, Denali is by far the most dangerous national park—ten times more so than

Great Smoky Mountains

, which sees less than one death per million visitors.

Why do people visit Acadia?


There are much higher mountains, longer trail networks, better options (there is no backcountry in Acadia), and more abundant wildlife in other places throughout the U.S.

I think visiting all of those other places is great and highly recommended.

Is Cadillac Mountain Sunrise worth it?

From October – March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the contiguous U.S. to see the sunrise! Hoards of people crowd the summit for sunrise and sunset, but

if you can get a parking spot, it's absolutely worth it

.

Are there bears at Acadia National Park?

Unfortunately, the chances of seeing a black bear in Acadia are only slightly higher than seeing a moose. Unlike moose,

there is a small permanent population of black bears on the island

. Every year, there are scattered reports of black bears on Mount Desert Island.

How do you get around Acadia National Park?

With 158 miles of historic trails made for hiking, Acadia is the perfect place to ditch the car and get outdoors. To reach the park, you can

hop on the Island Explorer, a free summer shuttle service that transports passengers from Bar Harbor Village Green to a variety of park destinations

.

Can you hike Acadia National Park at night?

Is Acadia National Park open at night?

The Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park is open at night

, which means you can drive into and around the park at night. You'll be able to visit Sand Beach and Jordan Pond House at night.

Can you see the Milky Way from Maine?

Moosehead Lake, Maine is one of the best stargazing places in the United States, and possibly even the world!

You can catch a glimpse of the Milky Way

, and on the right night, the Aurora Borealis. We have very little air or light pollution in Maine, so you can see the stars crisp and clear from many places.

Can you see Aurora Borealis in Maine?


The Northern Lights are visible a couple of times a year in Maine, usually during the winter months, but with sightings possible in the spring and fall

. If you're lucky, you might also get to see some epic star trails.

What is the best month to visit Maine?

The best time to visit Maine for good weather is between

June and August

. If you're hoping to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more laid-back holiday, the best time to visit Maine is during the spring or fall. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.

Why is Bar Harbor so popular?

It is the largest town on Mount Desert Island, Maine. So, what is Bar Harbor famous for? Above all,

it's known for its natural beauty, rich history, celebrity residents, Acadia National Park, College of the Atlantic, Jackson Laboratory … and, of course, delicious Maine lobster

.

How many days do you need in Bar Harbor?

Desert Island, they often ask how long they should plan to stay in Bar Harbor. While you can get a taste of what the island has to offer in a day or two, to really experience MDI, we suggest that you plan on spending

at least three days

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.