Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
5
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  • Gregory M
    Westchester, Illinois274 contributions
    Fantastic natural wonder
    Acadia National Park was the first National Park east of the Mississippi. It was started in the early 1900’s when a group of far sighted residents and summer residents decided that the natural beauty had to be preserved and started buying up land on Desert Island and eventually donated it to the United States. Most of the Park is backcountry and should not be taken lightly, but there are a number of well known attractions that can be enjoyed by all. You can start by driving the Park Loop, a 28 mile drive to familiarize yourself with the area. We were there before the season started and didn’t need a pass to drive to Cadillac Mountain. That was the good news and the bad news because even before noon it was crowded. There is an easy half mile trail around the summit. In season, you have to reserve a driving pass to go on Cadillac drive because they limit the number of people allowed there. It is a popular place to watch sunrise. After driving up the winding two lane road in the daytime we decided to pass on the sunrise because we would have to be at the summit by 4:30 a.m. and did not want to try to navigate the drive in the dark. The views from the top are spectacular. From there, we made our way down to Jordan Pond House. Because the weather was so warm and beautiful and the Park was pretty busy, the restaurant decided to do a soft opening two days before its scheduled opening so we were fortunate to be able to enjoy their famous lobster stew and popovers. The next stop was supposed to be Sand Beach, but it was so crowded we decided to go back to Bar Harbor and return the next morning to finish up. It was a good choice. Bright and early he next morning we were able to get to Sand Beach with few other visitors. Sand Beach is an anomaly in this part of the country because most beaches are granite rocks, but this beach is situated so the tides bring in shells which were then broken down to form sand. Just outside the beach starts the Coastal Trail, a 2.2 mile one way easy trail along the shoreline with beautiful vistas of the granite shores and crashing waves. A little way past the Beach you come to Thunder Hole which you hear long before you see. It is a natural cave cut into the granite cliff. When a wave rushes up the narrow channel the are trapped in the cave is forced out with a resounding clap like thunder. Like most National Parks, Acadia is a must see!
    Visited May 2021
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 22, 2021
  • HeardItBothWays
    Easton, Pennsylvania2,402 contributions
    A Stunning National Park with Diverse Trails That's Particularly Amazing in Autumn
    My husband and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Maine because it was forecasted to be peak foliage and we thought it was the perfect time to see Acadia National Park. The park is beautiful, especially at peak foliage, with a huge selection of diverse trails. The infrastructure of the park struggles with crowds, especially during this pandemic. When we decided to go, we forgot it was a holiday weekend so there would be higher than normal crowds, which made our visit somewhat less enjoyable but we managed to find some places to escape the crowds. There's a scenic park loop drive that circumnavigates the park with many scenic overlooks. Many of the trails are accessible from it. The Sand Beach entrance is inaccessible without a timed reservation due to COVID. It's only $2 but times fill up fast, especially for desirable times such as near high tide when Thunder Hole is most active. Reservations are also currently required for Cadillac Summit. The views throughout the park are beautiful with a mix of coastline, mountain, and forest views. We enjoyed taking in the views along the park loop drive. Cadillac Mountain was beautiful but so crowded it was hard to enjoy it. We very much enjoyed the Penobscot Mountain Trail. It was rated as moderate but had a great deal more rock scrambling than we expected. We had a lot of fun with it, though, and made it to the top to catch the tail-end of the sunset and hiked back in the dark. We only saw a few other people on the whole trail on our way up and no others on the way down, so it was a perfect trail to stay isolated on our trip. We also hiked the Jesup Trail but quit midway because it was overcrowded and the narrow wooden walkways made it difficult to social distance. We'd love to return for a midweek trip in the future to avoid the crowds. I would definitely recommend visiting Acadia National Park, especially during peak foliage!
    Visited October 2020
    Written October 15, 2020
  • Cheryl S
    Salisbury, Maryland55 contributions
    One of our most adventurous vacations ever!
    My family and I visited Acadia national Park. We stayed on the quiet side of the island which was perfect for us. We able to watch the sunrise at several times from various locations as well as the sunsets.We did everything from biking the park Loop road, biking up and down a Cadillac Mountain, hiking the beehive as well as all other types of hikes both on the quiet side and other side of the park. The carriage roads were also perfect for a running and biking. We were able to swim in lakes here (although most were cold) . We also visited the Schoodic peninsula which was amazing! In the park we also enjoyed a kayak tour with pinniped kayak and rock climbing instruction with Acadia mountain guides. It was nice because they were not as many people in the area since the cruise ships were not running. Most of our trails that we hiked had little to no other people. Everyone here was very cautious and wore masks when encountering others. It is a beautiful area full of outdoor adventures!!
    Visited August 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Sharon B
Enfield, NH174 contributions
Jun 2021
Acadia National Park (including Schoodic Point & Isle au Haut ) has many beautiful popular & lesser known places to enjoy stunning ocean views and natural beauty, I find new places to explore, as well as old favorites, each of the 20 years I have visited.

I've noticed a significantly increased popularity of use spring, summer & fall at the Mount Desert section of Acadia, Best bet for avoiding significant crowds while hiking trails, biking carriage trails within the park, or to avoid crowds along beautiful ocean drive is to arrive VERY early if you need a parking spot or to get out for any of these activities.

Also, for 2021 you must reserve a time online if you want to drive up Cadillac Mountain at any time of day. Wonderful place to watch either sunrise or sunset from or to walk around and enjoyy fabulous distant ocean and island views in all directions. The $6.00 online reservation & use charge per car, is in addition to the daily, or weekly park pass that you purchase to drive on the park loop road.

Sand Beach parking lot continues to be popular for beach & hiking trail access to the Beehive and Great Head. Best to get to these areas VERY early in am to park in lot, otherwise park along road and plan for a long walk.

Parking is also hard to find at Jordan Pond House for delicious popovers and other interesting food at the restaurant inside or at covered picnic tables on the lawn with a great view of Jordan Pond. The restaurant does not take advance reservations. Just tell them when you arrive and you will be given a pager when your table is ready (45 min-1 hr. wait). Pass the time in the gift shop, or walk the boardwalk trail along one side of Jordan Pond for more views.

Lastly, note Carriage trails around Eagle Lake are closed until Sept. 2021 due to construction.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott B
Wantagh, NY669 contributions
Aug 2020
Tide Pooling was great - 1.5 Hours Before til 1.5 Hours After Low Tide. During covid, give yourself an extra hour to get a park pass at the office, there was a single file outside with only one register issuing passes indoors. And, a separate line for information too, so you'll be in line twice. Or you can get your pass online.

There are a couple of places to do tidal pooling, one is at Bar Harbor in the town and there is national park permit parking just as you enter town, but otherwise it is all metered. The other place to see tidal pools was a 30-40 minute drive from the park HQ, so if you want to go there, then you'll really have to go early to get your pass and drive across the park.

We were able to see while flipping rocks... small and large crabs, starfish stuck to the bottom of rocks, a sea urchin, tiny shrimp, mussels, and a lot of live sand dollars. The tide goes out and comes in quick so you only have 1.5 hours before and after the low tide, and don't get trapped out on the island if you walk to it.

We then drove the rest of the park for some really great views of the landscape, sat on the beach for a while, and enjoyed the fresh air. The park was busy throughout, even with covid, but still very beautiful. Lots of hiking trails for those who love to trek. Take a day minimum on your trip to visit this wonderful park.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bobby Z.
Chesapeake, VA31 contributions
Oct 2020
This is a beautiful national park that has ocean views, mountains, lakes, trails, and plenty of activities. Acadia National Park is one of the most visited of the national parks with 3.5 million visitors annually. The trails range from easy to difficult and some feature "bouldering" and some have ladders for steep climbs. The Jordon Pond House features pop overs that are light and flavorful served with butter and strawberry jam. The park in the fall is bursting with color. If you choose to be a leaf peeper, plan to visit before mid-October. Since the park is so popular you will need to make reservations in advance for park access overall, Sand Beach access, and Cadillac Mountain access. Sand Beach and Cadillac Mountain entrance times are scheduled and you can enter those areas within 30 minutes before or after of the scheduled time. Access recreation.gov to make reservations.
Written October 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian M
Hartford, CT563 contributions
Aug 2020
...and this park lives up to its moniker.
This is iconic scenery in every way: from the cotton candy clouds to the towering pines to the crashing surf. Your senses are engaged at every level.
It's no wonder why the Hulls Cove Visitor Center has a line out the door and down the walkway. If you're unfamiliar with the park, I would certainly recommend that you get a heads-up from the park rangers. They're going to mention the must-sees, of course: Cadillac Mountain, Bass Harbor Head Light Station, Jordan Pond, and a dizzying array of other sights.
If you're only there for a day (who would volunteer for that?), Cadillac Mountain is going to command your attention. Jordan Pond is a jewel of the park, as well.
The hiking options are innumerable and the trails are well-maintained. I also observed a fair amount of restroom accommodations...so you're experience doesn't have to be that "wild".
Enjoy!
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sadiedust
Toms River, NJ101 contributions
Jul 2021
The trails in Acadia National Park were clean, well marked, and the views stunning. I visited the last day in June and the first week in July. I would recommend going early or visiting and hiking in the evening to avoid crowds. There were very few people out and about at those times. You could hear the silence of nature and feel the energy of the various ecosystems in the park then. Loved the diversity! There was a heat wave with temps in the high 90s but there were many shaded areas or the beach areas (one crowded area mid day) to take refuge in. The rangers and volunteers there were helpful and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this park!
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LoveToTravelGal
Ventnor City, NJ726 contributions
Oct 2021
We could not secure an overnight reservation in Bar Harbor that was at least somewhat in our price range so we wound up driving an hour and a half to see Acadia.
I do agree that this park is not as spectacular as the parks out west but it is still very beautiful.
What I was not expecting were the crowds. We went on a weekday not the weekend.
Since we had a reservation for Cadillac Mt (thank goodness) we asked a ranger for a suggestion of what to do before our reservation time and she suggested a drive out to Jordan Pond. Well we drove around and around numerous times to find a parking spot to no avail. We wound up not being able to get of our car to enjoy any of the sights. It was so frustrating.
I am so glad that we were able to go to the top of Cadillac,gorgeous views.But even that parking lot was full and we had to wait till someone left.
We were so frustrated with the crowds that we did not bother to do anything else in the park and left. We then drove to Bar Harbor to have lunch and that was as packed as the park.We drove in and out of town on numerous roads and could not secure a parking spot ! We drove all the way back to Camden where we were staying feeling very deflated by this one day on our coastal New England vacation. I do understand that this has a lot to do with the current situation as far as travel and Covid.But I was not expecting this.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Blovesfood
Bensalem, PA456 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We started the day with a drive up through the Park Loop. We ended up spending the day in the park, you can very easily get carried away with a short wander into a beautiful area. Don't see a time limit on yourself for being in the park. We stopped at Jordan Pond and walked on the rocks and then found ourselves back in the car and on our way up Blue Hill and finally Cadillac Mountain summit. All have beautiful views and it's uplifting and inspirational just to be in that park.

Be sure to have a cover for your ears or ear plugs and ladies should put their hair up. The wind as you get higher gets both cooler and more forceful. I do not recommend anyone wear a hat that could fly off during a big gust. Definitely wear your walking shoes, sun screen, and bug repellant.
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

S C
Waterville, ME177 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
I had not been to Acadia in over forty years, but still remembered the sounds at Thunderhole! Knowing that there wouldn’t be as many visitors as last summer, we decided to go. We arrived before the store at the Hull entrance opened. Therefore we could not get a map for the trails, and we were looking for how difficult they were, which was not available on the website as far as I could tell. Cell service was not very good so the all trails app was unavailable, darn. We drove along the Park Loop Road and stopped at the various outlooks. It was beautiful and most of the park visitors we wearing masks and social distancing. We parked at Sand Beach and after checking out the beach walked the ocean path trail. There were lots of places to go out onto the rocks for fabulous ocean views. As we got into the afternoon, more visitors arrived and now only about half were wearing masks. We stopped at Thunderhole, which was not too crowded, but oh my gosh, most people walking down the steps for the view were touching and leaning on the railing. We sat on the rocks for an hour or so and watched streams of visitors there. I will not go again until the Covid scare is over.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RHtravels
Rocky Hill, CT681 contributions
Sep 2020
We enjoyed our time here and there was something for everyone in our family from easy walks to Otter cove to more difficult trails, like Precipice and Beehive. Be sure to catch a few sunrises from Cadillac mountain- arrive at least 45 minutes before sunrise in order to secure parking and a place to view. We saw dolphins from the Schooner Head overlook, so pack some binoculars. The Ocean Path walk was the most beautiful to me because of the water. The 27 mile park loop drive is a nice way to get your bearings on Day 1 and then plan your adventures, or if you don't want to hike you can just drive and park along the way to catch many of the main sights. There are plenty of areas to pull over and catch the views and several parking areas that fill up quickly. The Jordan Pond House is a nice place to take a break. Enjoy!
Written September 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hgtravl
Marlton, NJ1,582 contributions
Nov 2019
We visited Acadia mid November to find the island empty, silent and missed the foliage.

I assume the leaves change early Oct. it was still a beautiful trip. I would argue this was the best time to visit- besides us driving around, maybe 4 cars passed the entire day?

We could stop at each “parking lot” area with no issue. Oh and the entrance fee area was closed.

If you want to avoid the packed crowds, late fall is for you.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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