Adventure travel | Destination Guides | Outdoor Adventures

Acadia National Park Itinerary For A Perfect Coastal Adventure

ByRoadTrip Honeys January 31, 2026

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You’ll find Acadia National Park tucked along Maine’s wild coast, where rocky cliffs slam into the Atlantic and pines crowd the winding trails. The air hits you with salt and pine, and quiet coves break up the steady crash of waves. It’s one of those rare spots where you can catch the sunrise on a mountaintop and end up with your toes in the sand before lunch.

When you’re planning a visit, you’ve got choices to make. Maybe you’ll park your RV under the tall trees, camp at a breezy seaside site, or grab a cozy room at an inn near Bar Harbor. Every option keeps you close to the park’s scenic drives and peaceful trails. Acadia hands you a slice of coastal Maine at its most rugged and, honestly, most inviting.

Planning to Visit Acadia National Park

Heading to Acadia National Park on Maine’s craggy coastline? You’ll want to map things out, especially if you’re weaving it into a bigger New England road trip. The park sprawls across Mount Desert Island and a few nearby areas, mixing scenic drives, rocky shores, and forest trails. Every day feels like it deserves its own plan.

Park Entry Options

Type	Cost	Duration	Where to Buy
Vehicle Pass	$35	7 days	Recreation.gov or park entrance
Annual Pass	$80	1 year	America the Beautiful program

The seven-day vehicle pass covers your whole crew. If you’re hitting more national parks this year, the annual pass is a no-brainer.

Cadillac Mountain Access

If you want to drive up Cadillac Mountain for sunrise or sunset, you’ll need a timed entry permit. They’re cheap but go fast, so snag one early on Recreation.gov. Didn’t get one? No sweat—you can always hike up on one of the well-marked trails for those same killer views.

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Camping Tips

Bar Harbor and the park’s campgrounds fill up fast in summer. If you’re hoping to camp inside Acadia, book your spot early. You’ll find RV-friendly sites, but private campgrounds nearby usually offer more wiggle room.

Best Time to Visit

Acadia stays open all year, but May through October is prime time. July and August can get crowded, but September and early October bring cooler air, fiery leaves, and way shorter lines at the big sights.

RV Travel Advice

Most of Acadia’s roads fit RVs up to about 35 feet. Still, those roads get tight and parking’s a headache, so it’s easier to unhook and use a smaller vehicle for exploring. Trust me, your trip will run smoother that way.

3-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary

Day 1: Iconic Acadia Sights and Coastal Trails

Kick off your adventure on Mount Desert Island by driving the famous Park Loop Road. This 27-mile loop twists through forests, past cliffs, and hits overlooks that show off Maine’s raw beauty.

Pull over at Sand Beach, a rare, sandy stretch squeezed between granite. The Atlantic’s always cold, but the scenery—big cliffs, pounding surf—makes you forget about the water temperature.

Take the Ocean Path Trail next. It’s an easy walk hugging the coast from Sand Beach to Otter Point. Stop at Thunder Hole if the tide’s right and watch the waves explode in a spray and a boom. It’s nature’s own show, and you’ll feel the rumble in your chest.

You’ll also get views of Otter Cliffs, some of the tallest headlands on the east coast. Pretty impressive, honestly.

Spend your afternoon at Jordan Pond. The water’s calm, and you’ll see the North Bubble and South Bubble mountains reflecting on the surface.

Walk the Jordan Pond Path—it’s a peaceful two-hour loop with new views around every corner. For lunch, grab a table outside at Jordan Pond House Restaurant. Their popovers and jam are a tradition, and honestly, they’re worth the wait.

As the sun drops, head into Bar Harbor for dinner. Grab a lobster roll at Side Street Café or something lighter at Thrive Juice Bar. Afterward, stroll the Shore Path along Frenchman Bay—the evening light makes everything glow.

Day 2: Peaks, Paths, and a Coastal Sunset

Wake up early and get to the top of Cadillac Mountain for sunrise. It’s the highest point on the North Atlantic coast, and the views stretch forever. If you’ve got a timed-entry pass, drive up the Cadillac Summit Road. Or, if you’re feeling energetic, hike the North Ridge Trail. Bring a thermos and a jacket—the wind up there can catch you off guard.

Once the sun’s up, switch gears and hit the Carriage Roads. John D. Rockefeller Jr. built these 45 miles of gravel routes, and they’re closed to cars. You can walk, bike, or even ride in a horse-drawn carriage if you’re feeling fancy. The Eagle Lake Loop is a local favorite for cyclists—about six miles, with woods, water, and those classic stone bridges.

Need a break? Stop at Jordan Pond House again or unpack a picnic at one of the old bridges. The Carriage Trails link up with lots of other paths, like the Jordan Cliffs Trail or the hike up to South Bubble. If you’re up for a bit of a scramble, check out Bubble Rock—it’s a giant boulder perched right on the edge.

Later, drive out to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. It’s a postcard-perfect Maine landmark, and the red-roofed lighthouse looks incredible at sunset. Get there early since the parking lot fills up fast. If you want a quieter spot, try Seawall or hike the Beech Cliff Ladder Trail for a different sunset view.

If you need a hand planning, Earth Trekkers lays out a solid Acadia National Park route that covers these highlights.

Day 3: Hidden Gems and Peaceful Trails

For your last day, check out Acadia’s Quiet Side in the western part of the park. You’ll dodge the crowds and still see some of the best scenery around.

Start with the Wonderland Trail—it’s a quick, flat walk along the coast, and the tide pools are loaded with barnacles, tiny crabs, and little fish. Not far away, the Ship Harbor Trail winds through spruce woods before opening up to sea views. Both are easy and good for any skill level.

After your walk, drive into Southwest Harbor. It’s a laid-back fishing village with a few shops and no rush. Grab a lobster lunch at Beal’s Lobster Pier—you can watch the boats unload right at the dock. If you’d rather keep it light, Little Notch Bakery has fresh sandwiches and pastries every morning.

Cool off with a swim at Echo Lake Beach. The water’s warmer than the ocean, and families love it. If you’re itching for a little climb, head up the Beech Mountain Trail. It’s a short, steady hike to a fire tower with one of the best views of Somes Sound—a rare fjard left by glaciers.

Got extra time? Drive out to Schoodic Peninsula on the Schoodic Loop Road. The coastline’s even wilder there, and you’ll get a great view back toward Cadillac Mountain across the water.

When night falls, kick back at your campsite or cabin. If the sky’s clear, look up—Acadia’s dark skies are unreal. The Acadia Night Sky Festival happens every year, with telescope viewings and photo workshops. There’s something about the park under the stars that just feels right after a long day outside.

For more planning ideas, check out New England with Love’s three-day Acadia itinerary or Two Wandering Soles’ guide to three days in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Both have great tips for timing, parking, and linking up your stops.

Where to Stay

Picking the right place to stay around Acadia really depends on your travel style. If you want to camp inside the park, Blackwoods Campground puts you in the woods near the ocean. Bar Harbor Campground has hookups and water views, while Smugglers Den Campground out in Southwest Harbor is quieter and family-run, plus there’s a pool and trails close by.

If you’d rather sleep in a real bed, look for hotels in Bar Harbor. The Bar Harbor Inn and Spa sits right on the water. The Bar Harbor Grand Hotel mixes modern comfort with classic Maine charm. Want to be close to downtown but avoid the noise? Try The Inn on Mount Desert.

Final Tips for Visiting Acadia

Pack layers if you want to stay comfortable—temperatures bounce around all day. Mornings sometimes bite with a chill, and those ocean breezes? They’ll surprise you and cool things off fast in the afternoon.

Bring some bug spray. Black flies love late spring, and they’re relentless.

Cell coverage drops out in a lot of places, so I always grab offline maps before heading into the park. Nothing’s worse than getting turned around and realizing you can’t load a map.

Kick off your hikes early if you want a shot at parking near Cadillac Mountain or Jordan Pond. Those lots fill up before you know it.

Take it slow out there. I like to soak in the quiet trails, then treat myself to a slice of blueberry pie or a hearty lobster dinner at a local lobster shack. Maine flavors just hit different after a day outdoors.

You don’t have to drive everywhere. Hop on the Island Explorer Shuttle or Island Explorer Bus and let someone else handle the wheel for a change.

Rent an e-bike if you’re feeling adventurous. Or maybe paddle with Maine State Sea Kayak—that’s always a blast. If you’re into sailing, give Sail Acadia a try and see the coast from a whole new angle.

If you’re flying in, most folks use Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport. And hey, if you plan to visit more than one national park this year, the America the Beautiful Pass saves you a bunch.