Known for its majestic cliffs, stunning hikes, and beautiful Sand Beach, Acadia attracts nearly four million visitors every year, making it one of the most visited National Parks. The busiest months are July, August, and September, and parking, popular trails, and viewing sites can be clogged. However, gems lay hidden off the beaten path.

This guide will help you navigate Acadia National Park with ease so you can explore all the park has to offer without the worries of parking or lines. 

History of Acadia National Park

First established as Sieur de Monts by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and changed to Lafayette National Park in 1919, Acadia finally landed at its current name in 1929. While it is not certain, the name Acadia is said to come from explorer Giovanni Verrazano, who sailed through in 1524 and remarked that the landscape of what is now Acadia reminded him of a part of Greece called Arcadia.

Encompassing 49,052 acres across three park areas, Acadia provides visitors with an array of landscapes and sights to enjoy, from wooded trails to scenic cliffs, fields, ponds, and beaches. Miles of carriage roads give bikers and walkers a chance to ditch their cars and explore the park in a new way. Most of these roads were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps starting in 1933. 

Hiking in Acadia National Park

Some of the most popular hiking trails at Acadia are Beehive Loop, Cadillac Mountain, the Precipice Trail, and the Jordon Pond Path. Beehive Loop is a short but steep hike with a ladder and rungs that gives a great view of Sand Beach; Cadillac is a popular hike for visitors looking to enjoy the first rays of light at sunrise.

Fun fact: from October to March, Cadillac Mountain gets the first sunrise light in the continental U.S.; the Precipice Trail, another ladder and rung hike, is a bit longer and more strenuous than the Beehive Loop, but hikers are rewarded with gorgeous views.

The Jordan Pond Path circles the shore of Jordon Pond, with plenty of opportunities to look for loons, beavers and peregrine falcons. Jordon Pond is a public water supply, so swimming is prohibited. 

Things to Do in Acadia

While these hikes and visiting spots are popular for good reason, there are plenty of other gems at Acadia for you to enjoy peacefully.

Beaches

If you’re feeling a beach visit but want to avoid the crowds at Sand Beach, head to Seal Harbor Beach, which is south of Acadia’s popular Park Loop Road. Taking the Island Explorer Shuttle is a great way to access this beach and skip the hassle of parking in the small lot.

Besides Sand Beach, Seal Harbor Beach is one of few traditionally sandy beaches in the park, as many of Maine’s beaches are rocky or rugged coastline. Traditionally chilly, the water is refreshing and offers a respite from the summer heat.

There’s also a floating dock just offshore that, at high tide, is fun to jump off into the water.

Photography

If you’re looking for scenic photo opportunities, such as those popular off Acadia’s Park Loop Road, you can take an hour’s drive to access a different and much quieter part of the park: the Schoodic Peninsula.

Many visitors are unaware of this part of the park, and much of it flies under the radar. The Schoodic Loop Road is the best way to see the beautiful views and access any hiking trailheads or spots to snap a photo or have a snack. The Anvil Trail, 1.1 miles in length, provides hikers with ocean and mountain views after a few rock scrambles to get up!

Picnics and Berrypickings

For picnics, head to Frazer Point, where flat rocks provide a perfect area to lay out a picnic spread. If you happen to be in Schoodic Peninsula from mid-July to mid-August, you might just get your hands on up to two quarts (National Park limit) of wild Maine blueberries at Blueberry Hill.

Wild Maine blueberries are small, sweet, and packed with flavor and nutritious antioxidants. If you’re not there during blueberry season, chances are you’ll run into some berries baked into locally made muffins or churned into ice cream. 

Also See: National Park Pass!

Hiking

For alternative hikes that won’t be as crowded as the popular trails, consider a hike up Day Mountain from the Day Mountain Trail, a 2.6 mile out and back trail with a view that rivals Cadillac with a nearly 360-degree view.

For a longer, more challenging 4-mile out-and-back trail that bags four peaks in one go, consider the Bald Peak, Parkman Mountain, Gilmore Mountain, and Sargent Mountain Loop. While moderately short, the trail packs a punch with some scrambling and steep sections, but the views of Penobscot and Cedar Swam Mountains (and Blue Hill and Camden Hill on a clear day) are worth the journey. 

Local Towns

While Bar Harbor is most famously associated with post-Acadia shopping, food, and accommodation, there are plenty of other quaint New England towns in the residing area that won’t be as overrun.

Consider Winter Harbor, close to the Schoodic Peninsula, is a small fishing town accessed by the Schoodic National Scenic Byway. Enjoy Schoodic Arts for All for music or theater offerings. If you’re feeling hungry and adventurous, head to The Pickled Wrinkle for some pickled sea snails.

No joke, these are a local favorite. Or, if you’d like something a little more familiar, head to the Fisherman’s Galley for lobster rolls and homemade pies. 

Conclusion

If you really feel determined to visit the aforementioned classic Acadia spots but want to skip the crowds, aim to get to your desired destinations early in the morning or late in the evening.

For hikes, early morning or late in the afternoon are great times to start. (Make sure you’ll have enough time to finish before dark, though!) Take The Island Explorer shuttle if you want to skip the parking woes or aim to visit the park in May or June. 

Either way, Acadia National Park will always deliver on the amazing landscape that makes coastal Maine so special.