People know Acadia National Park as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast.” It is no wonder this is one of the most visited parks in the country. This was our 3-day itinerary for Acadia National Park that provided different perspectives of the park and covered most of the major areas and attractions.
This has been on my National Parks travel wish list. I’m so glad we finally visited this gem. It is starkly different from our parks out on the west coast and exceeded my expectations.
The landscapes were incredible. Acadia National Park protects over 47,000 acres that cover part of the Atlantic Ocean coastline, verdant forests and granite mountains on a spectacular portion of the Maine coast.
We found that at least two days is a good amount of time to explore the park and see the major sights. If you’ll be doing quite a bit more hiking and/or biking, adding one or two days on top of this itinerary would be ideal. Here are things to do in Acadia National Park with our 3-day itinerary.
Day 1 – Doing the Loop Road
We spent the first day of our 3-day itinerary for Acadia National Park with a busy day of sightseeing, driving and stopping at many scenic places. Mount Desert Island, also known as MDI, hosts most of the park.
The scenic Park Loop Road is the 27-mile main roadway that connects the jaw dropping coastlines, lakes and mountains of the park. Most of the park is one way except for a section near the Wildwood Stables.
Most visitors enter through the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and where Park Loop Road starts. We went through the town of Bar Harbor first and entered the park through the Sand Beach Entrance station.
Stop at Sand Beach
Our first stop was Sand Beach. This is one of the “few cold-water, shell-based sand beaches in the world’.
This is the park’s only sandy ocean beach and one of the two beaches for swimming (the other one is Echo Lake Beach). This small beach, at 290 yards long, was a pleasant surprise to find among the mountains and forests of this park.
Living in San Diego, it was a bit weird for us to see this beach without palm trees. However, it offered a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and granite rocks. The stretch of sand was a great place for relaxing and picnics.
We found a couple of people swimming here and there may be lifeguards at certain times since we saw a tower. The water averages at around 55 degrees during the summer. Brrrr for us Californians! While this beach is family-friendly, it does not allow pets from May 15 to September 15.
There are several changing rooms and restrooms by the parking lot. The parking lot filled up fast but we were able to park along the road. The Island Explorer shuttle bus also stops here every 30 minutes.
The beach was a great place to explore and see what marine life you spot along the way that has washed ashore. 70% of the sand here consists of broken marine creatures like mussels and sea urchins and shell fragments.
We walked all the way to the other side and climbed on the rocks. It was a great place to relax and enjoy the views.
Walk Ocean Path Trail
The Ocean Path trail connects Sand Beach to Otter Point and goes along the coastline for about 1.5 miles. We found many people walking this very scenic path. Unfortunately, we chose to skip this walk.
But, if you have time and aren’t here during the middle of the day or around lunchtime, this makes for an easy and family-friendly trail with spectacular vantage points to get to the next two spots on the route.
Thunder Hole
Thunder Hole is just down the road from Sand Beach. This is another popular spot for visitors to stop.
It earned its name from the thunderous sound and roar you may hear when the waves crash into the underwater caverns. There was a stairway leading down to a small platform to watch the crashing waves and hear the sounds up close.
An area filled with granite stones and rocky cliffs that contribute to coastal Maine’s amazing beauty adjoins the Thunder Hole. There were quite a number of people here just enjoying the views and the ocean air or having picnics. We loved hanging out here.
Otter Point
I admit we stopped at Otter Point because my son thought we may spot some otters. The name had to mean something.
Although we didn’t spot any river otters here, we were greeted with some spectacular coastline views. We spotted a lone fisherman here during our stop and his boat completed this scenic photo.
Jordan Pond
This iconic body of water currently graces the cover of Acadia National Park’s map. You know it has to be a must stop attraction.
Jordan Pond is the park’s second largest body of water at 187 acres. It holds the distinction of being the clearest lake in Maine and the deepest lake in Acadia, reaching 150 feet.
Glaciers carved the U-shaped valley where the pond sits, framed by mountains. In addition to being a wildlife habitat for some birds, beavers and frogs, the lake is also a water supply for the nearby communities.
Hence, swimming, wading, any other body contact, and pets are not allowed here. However, non-motorized boats like canoes and kayaks are permitted.
We really enjoyed walking along the shore of the pond. It was so calm and in some areas, very clear. The reflections were beautiful especially of the twin North and South Bubbles mountain peaks.
If you have some time, the 3.4-mile long Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail is a wonderful path that follows the shoreline of the pond. It is a great way to spot some wildlife and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
While at Jordan Pond, don’t miss the historic Jordan Pond House which is the park’s only full-service restaurant. The eatery is known for their baked popovers (a light, buttery pastry) and homemade ice cream.
So, expect some lines if you want to try these tasty treats. Unfortunately, we came here after the restaurant was closed so I guess we’ll need to return to eat one of these famous popovers.
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain on Mount Desert Island at 1,530 feet. It’s hard to miss it and seems to keep watch over the island and park. If you’re visiting between October 7 and March 6, this happens to be the first place in the USA to watch a sunrise.
Reservation for Cadillac Mountain
Due to the heavy traffic during the summer months, visitors must make a reservation to go up to the Cadillac Summit Road in late May through mid-October. Reservations are $6 per vehicle and only sold online through recreation.gov and are not available for purchase at the park.
RVs and trailers are not allowed to go up this road. The free Island Explorer bus also does not go up this road.
30% of the reservations are available 90 days prior to each date while the remaining 70% are released at 10 AM EST two days ahead of the specific date.
Print or save a digital copy of your reservation with the conformation code. Sunrise and sunset times run out quickly.
If you really want to come here during sunrise, it is highly recommended you either get tickets well in advance but risk the weather situation or wait a couple of days out to check on the weather but risk not having any more time slots available.
Going Up Cadillac Mountain
This rounded peak mountain was formed millions of years ago and shaped during the Ice Ages. The mountain is made up mostly of pink granite and pine forests.
There is an entrance station where rangers will check your reservation. You can enter up to 30 minutes after your reservation time.
The road goes about 3.5 miles up to the summit. This was a narrow, two lane road that winds its way up to the mountains. There are several turnouts along the way to enjoy the views. There are two parking areas at the summit along with a small gift shop and restrooms.
It is easy to see why Cadillac Mountain is such a popular spot in the park. Once we reached the summit and walked out into the rocks and towards the edge, the panoramic views were spectacular.
It was a bit foggy with some sprinkling during our visit (around 4 PM) but we could still see quite a bit of the area. We were able to spot the Cranberry Islands, Bar Harbor and part of the mainland.
I’ve seen photos of people here during sunrise and it looks so pretty. We’re not morning people but we may definitely come back here for sunset on a clear day next time.
You can choose to start or end your visit to the park at Cadillac Mountain. We actually ended our visit at Jordan Pond because we thought late afternoon would give us better weather on the mountain.
Once you’re done with your day going on the Park Loop Road, head to Bar Harbor for some dinner and stroll along the waterfront. Bar Harbor offers many charming stores and a variety of restaurants.
Day 2 – Cruise and Bass Harbor Lighthouse
For a different perspective of Acadia National Park, go on one of the scenic nature cruises offered in the area. We went on the three-hour morning cruise on the Sea Princess that left from the Northeast harbor. There are several companies that offer similar cruises for a shorter duration or that go to other routes.
An Acadia National Park Naturalist Program ranger was there throughout our cruise and provided some great information. It was wonderful to learn all about the wildlife, history and landscapes of the area. We highly recommend doing this cruise if you have time.
Our first major attraction sighting was Bear Island Lighthouse located on a tiny island. Built in 1839, this 31-foot high brick lighthouse is still in operation to help with navigation. Though, it is closed to the public and best seen from the water.
The ship stopped briefly and long enough for us to watch some sea birds and adorable harbor seals and their pups crawl from the ocean on to another small island. We didn’t have a camera so we couldn’t capture them properly on our phones.
A Stop at Islesford
The cruise stopped at Islesford which is a 200 year old lobster fishing village in Little Cranberry Island. This was one of the small islands visitors see on top of Cadillac Mountain.
We stopped here for 45 minutes. It was long enough to see some of the unique structures like the Islesford Congregational Church with its iconic steeple and beautiful handcrafted sea glass windows.
Islesford is very laidback and where life is slower and people get around using golf carts. Lobster traps and colorful buoys lined the dock area. Many of the houses were so charming and had vibrant and well maintained gardens.
Go to the small Islesford Historical museum which is free and right by the dock. This museum was founded in 1919 and run by the National Park Service. It shows various artifacts, photos and exhibits about the residents and their lives here in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
This was the harbor area below. There were only a few stores here including the waterfront Islesford Dock Restaurant which was closed during our stop, a lobster shack, a pottery store, the Islesford Dock Gallery and Winterworks (a very quaint shop with many handmade items and local artwork).
You have to admire the residents who must really love living on a small island to stay here even through the harsh Maine winter months. There are 142 year-round residents on the island.
We spent the last part of our cruise going into the Somes Sound Fjord going past some extravagant summer mansions. These homes with some amazing sea views were beyond incredible.
Visiting Northeast Harbor and Bernard
The cruise ended right around lunch time. There were some dining options at the small town of Northeast Harbor near where the ship docks. We opted for a bit more of Maine and headed to the town of Bernard to eat at Thurston’s Lobster Pound.
This was a highly rated restaurant serving fresh locally caught seafood. We were so happy to have stopped here.
The line wasn’t bad at around 1:30 PM and moved pretty quickly. We opted for a lobster roll, crab roll and steamed mussels and steamed clams. Though, many diners were eating the huge lobsters.
Go for the outdoor dining for views of the water and village. We loved this adjacent outdoor building with all the colorful lobster buoys. Head to the nearby Bass Harbor Head Light after your lunch.
Bass Harbor Head Light
The Bass Harbor Head Light is one of Maine’s iconic lighthouses and have been used many times as the symbol of Acadia National Park. Its unique vantage point clinging to the cliffs makes it very photogenic. The lighthouse is accessible via Route 102A.
The brick lighthouse was built in 1858 upon a stone foundation. It is perched 56 feet above the water below. There is also a fog bell and tower. It is a National Register of Historic Places and operated by the US Coast Guard.
Parking is free but limited so you’re likely to see a long line of cars waiting for parking spots especially during the busy summer season and during sunset. Once you finally park, there are two paths to take that will lead you to different vantage points of the lighthouse. We waited for about 15 minutes on an August weekday afternoon.
The right side (if you’re facing the ocean) will lead you close to the lighthouse, bell and tower. If the weather is nice, you may even see the neighboring islands. The interior is not accessible to the public.
The left side of the path goes into the trees that will take you to some stairs with beautiful ocean views along the way. The stairs end towards the cliff and the rocks below the lighthouse. Be very careful when coming here especially with the kids.
There are no guardrails or clear pathway among the rocks. We found ourselves scrambling and climbing through these rough surfaces, jagged edges and some slippery spots.
We didn’t go to the water’s edge for safety reasons. There were quite a few people there already. Pack your patience to get unobstructed shots of the lighthouse.
Day 3 – Explore the Schoodic Peninsula of Acadia National Park
The Schoodic Peninsula portion of Acadia National Park isn’t on many people’s radar or itinerary but we highly recommend it especially if you have an extra day. This area was absolutely gorgeous and such a pleasant surprise.
This is the only part of the park that is located on the mainland. It is about an hour from the Mount Desert Island Hulls Cove Visitor Center where many visitors enter from.
We were planning to do some hiking on our third day but the lady at a visitor’s center highly recommended Schoodic Peninsula as a must visit area. Several websites deem it as “uncrowded and unspoiled” and that sealed the deal for us.
We ended up doing the six-mile (10 km) loop and spent several hours here. Pair it with exploring the many towns and villages in the area for a wonderful day of exploration. Here are some must stop places while exploring the Schoodic area.
Driving the Schoodic National Scenic Byway
The Schoodic National Scenic Byway took us through some picturesque towns on the way to the park and peninsula. We stopped at Winter Harbor for a picnic lunch while watching the lobster boats and ferry. Visitors can take ferries between Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor during the summer.
Frazier Point
There was no entrance station or visitors center as we made our way into the park. Our first stop on the loop was the Frazer Point Picnic Area.
This was such a fantastic stop and despite our great lunch view, we wished we could have gone here instead. There were several picnic tables, fire pits and even a small pier.
There were also small coves and rocky beaches to explore and find interesting marine creatures that washed up. This area provided wonderful views of the neighboring islands on Frenchman’s Bay. It was so scenic here and definitely a great place to rest or have a picnic.
Schoodic Peninsula Coastline
Once we left Frazier Point, the loop road became a one way road with the shoreline to the right side. While the topography and landscape of the granite boulders look very much like the areas in Mount Desert Island, there was such a sharp contrast in crowds and traffic. We were the only car on the road most of the time.
There were plenty of designated car turnouts to stop and enjoy the views or relax on the peninsula’s western shores. We took advantage of most of those turnouts to really appreciate the beauty and silence of this area.
One of the things we really loved about this coastline were the rugged landscapes. All these granite rock formations were incredible. This area also gave a different vantage point of Mount Desert Island and Cadillac Mountain across the water.
This was one of our favorite stops that looked straight across into the Winter Harbor Lighthouse on Mark Island. This brick lighthouse was built in 1856 with the addition of the two-story light keeper’s house and a boathouse later on. The island and lighthouse are now privately owned and inaccessible to the public.
We also stopped at this area with small coves and beaches with a rocky walking path. It was an ideal place to explore the many things that washed off the shore.
Schoodic Point
The main attraction on the peninsula’s loop is Schoodic Point. This rocky area on the southern tip had plenty of parking spaces and many spots for visitors to explore, relax and enjoy the views. It is easy to spot Mount Desert Island here on a clear day.
Ancient volcanic activity created these incredible rock formations. They provided the perfect platform to look out into the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Be sure to explore the many nooks and crevices between the rocks. We found interesting marine life and even this area with cool reflections.
There are also plenty of seating areas. If you’re like my husband you may even find a good enough spot for taking a nap. Apparently, the ocean breeze and waves crashing were great background noise.
While it is certainly possible to spend hours lounging, viewing or napping at Schoodic Point, there are some options if you want to explore the surrounding area further. The area has seven hiking trails which include pathways to the coast or through forests up to the top of Schoodic Head.
Blueberry Hill
There is a small parking lot at Blueberry Hill before exiting the park. It’s another great stop for coastal views and neighboring islands like Little Moose Island. If you want to head to the top of Schoodic Head, go across the road to the Alder Trail.
Visit a Winery
We ended our afternoon in the Schoodic Peninsula at Maine’s first winery in Gouldsboro about 12 miles from Schoodic Point. Bartlett Maine Estate Winery was such a wonderful gem to stop.
This was a small, homegrown and locally-owned operation. They produced award winning fruity wines and spirits from local berries and fruits.
I loved their blueberry dessert wine and my husband enjoyed their rum. The tasting room is small but the service was exceptional. If you’re traveling with kids, there were some outdoor seating areas where my teens hung out.
If you’re driving, end your day with a dinner at Ruth & Wimpy’s Restaurant in Hancock near Ellsworth. You can’t miss the giant lobster in front.
This was probably the most reasonably priced lobster dinners and lobster rolls we had throughout our five days in Maine. The portions were generous, service was fast and food was delicious.
Getting to the Schoodic Peninsula
This area is only four miles as the crow flies from the Mount Desert Island and main area of Acadia National Park. But, it is actually 45 miles from Bar Harbor. We stayed near the Ellsworth area which was about 20 miles away and made it easier to get to the peninsula.
If you’re in the Bar Harbor area and don’t want to drive, there is a ferry service that will take you to Winter Harbor during the summer. Then, the free Island Explorer Bus Service provides transportation from the dock to the park areas.
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Tips for 3 Day Itinerary for Acadia National Park
Start your visit as early as you can. Work around the busy times at the park which are usually around lunchtime or right after lunch when it gets too crowded. For example, we knew to stay away from the Jordan Pond area around lunch or go to the beach around 9 AM. Don’t got to Cadillac Mountain during sunrise or sunset time if you want to avoid crowds.
Park Entrance passes. For the fastest and most convenient entry, print out the park passes in advance at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPass . Buy the annual pass ($80) which is a great deal and will get you access to all the parks around the country. It will also get you through the entrance faster.
You can also get the passes at the various visitors center or entrances. Please keep in mind that some of the visitors centers will be very crowded during the busy season.
Use the shuttle bus. The Island Explorer Bus Shuttles runs from late June through Columbus Day in October. The complimentary buses run throughout the park and the communities around the area. This is a great solution if you don’t want to deal with looking for parking.
Get Lodging Early. Reserve your lodging as soon as you have your dates and especially if you’re traveling during summer and holiday weekends. Most of the hotels in Bar Harbor, which is right outside the park, was sold out and any available rooms were going for $700/night.
Going Hiking. The park has over 120 miles of hiking trails and paths with various difficulty levels. Visitors can park along the Park Loop Road during hikes.
More Tips for Visiting Acadia National Park
Biking on the park. Several rental bike stores are in Bar Harbor. There are several bike paths and trails throughout the park including the old carriage roads. If you’re on the Schoodic Peninsula, the Schoodic Loop Road is a great family-friendly one way road with minimal car traffic.
Spray some mosquito or bug repellant. There is a lot of foliage, forest and still water around this park. Spray generously to avoid bug bites.
Wear layers. Weather can be unpredictable here as we saw during our visit in early August.
Pack a picnic. There are so many wonderful places to have a picnic around the park. Pack many snacks and lunch and stop somewhere uncrowded and enjoy the surroundings. This also saves time so you don’t need to go outside of the park for lunch.
Get Updated. Keep in mind that closures of roads and attractions can happen. Please visit the park website for updates.
Winter options. Most of the park facilities and services are closed during the winter months. The Park Loop Road is also closed except for two miles. Visit the website for updates and plan accordingly.
Here are some other tips for visiting National Parks with kids.
Check out these Acadia National Park tours for your trip!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
I love this park! And I just realized that it’s been too long since I’ve been. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
Thank you for your informative article. We will be driving along the New England Coast in mid-September, with Acadia Nat’l Park as our destination. I laid out our itinerary, but will now need to tweak it as I did not know which direction the Park Loop flows until now. So I noticed it runs clockwise? Thanks again.
This is an excellent article! Thank you so much for posting this helpful info. We have planned most of our trip based on your suggestions :)!