Perfect Acadia National Park Day Trip – Itinerary 2024

Remember wanting to open every gift at once on your birthday? That’s how we felt on our visit to Acadia National Park in June 2024. While we had four days to enjoy the park’s pristine beauty, we turned our first day in the park into an Acadia National Park Day Trip. 

During our twenty-four, more like 18, hours in Acadia National Park, we explored many of its unique attractions. If your trip is longer than a day, you can simply spread your exploration to make your time more enjoyable and comfortable.

Ironically, our planning and exploration allowed us to visit some of the most popular attractions of Acadia without the huge crowds. True we didn’t catch sunset at Bass Harbor or Thunder Hole at high tide, but we enjoyed the beauty of both locations!

Ready to discover how to create the perfect Acadia National Park Day Trip?

TL;DR: Your Ultimate Acadia National Park Day Trip

Planning a day trip to Acadia National Park? Here’s a quick overview to help you make the most of your visit:

• Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain: Start your day with a magical sunrise.
• Beehive Trail: Thrilling hike with iron rungs and stunning views.
• Sand Beach: Relax and enjoy the unique coastline.
• Thunder Hole: Visit during high tide for the best experience.
• South Bubble Rock: Hike and enjoy panoramic views.
• Exploring Bar Harbor: Enjoy ice cream and the charming downtown area.
• Pro Tips: Plan ahead, use the Island Explorer shuttle, and dress in layers for variable weather.

Maximize your adventure with these highlights and tips for an unforgettable day in Acadia.

Planning Your Visit to Acadia National Park

Here is a quick map of Mt. Desert Island and many of the places we mention throughout our article.

Vacation planning is one of the most critical elements of visiting a National Park. Since our vacation time is limited and most national parks are a long distance from Kentucky, we spend months planning our trips. 

The best time to visit Acadia National is during the summer months. In our view, mid- to late June is the best time to visit because the crowds are smaller than during the peak months of July, August, and September. October would also be a lovely time to visit to see the beautiful fall foliage.

Fun Facts About Acadia

• Size – Acadia is just under 50,000 acres, with approximately 35,000 on the Mt. Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula. The remaining 15,000 acres are located on islands off the coast of Maine
• Annual Visitors – Annually, over 4 million visitors explore Acadia!
• Timed Entry – Timed Entry, vehicle reservations, is required to DRIVE to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Entry passes are required for sunrise access and throughout the day. 
• Entry Fees – Acadia charges daily admission to the park. As of 2024, daily fees range from $20 to $35 for 7 days of access. Or purchase an America the Beautiful National Park Pass!
• Hiking – Over 120 miles of hiking trails are available at Acadia National Park
• Carriage Roads – Over 40 miles of carriage roads crisscross the park’s interior!
• Island Explorer – Free shuttle buses, Island Explorer, operate from late June through mid-October
• Escape the Heat of the South – Perfect temperatures welcome visitors during the summer months.

Park Pass and Reservations

Acadia National Park fees, as of 2024, are

• Entrance Fees for 7 days (unless noted):
  • Private vehicle: $35.
  • Motorcycle: $30
  • Walk-in or Bicycle-in: $20 per person
  • Acadia Annual Pass: $70, good for 1 year
  • Annual America the Beautiful Pass: $80, good for 1 year to ALL National Parks. Good for the pass holder plus 3 adults. Includes only entry fee.
  • Children 16 and under are FREE!

• Additional Fees:
  • Cadillac Mountain: $6, per day if you want to drive to the summit for sunrise OR any other time of day! You can hike to the summit for free

We purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80 from REI (generally fast shipping or pick up in the store). The pass works for all of the following:

• Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
• Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
• Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
• USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.usda.gov
• National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
• US Army Corps of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil

Inside Scoop: Other than at Cadillac Mountain, we were never asked for our annual pass or to pay an entrance fee. At Cadillac Mountain, we showed our park pass and timed admission ticket for sunrise!

Pro Tip: When parking in the park, along the road, or in a designated parking lot, always display your admission ticket in your vehicle. Otherwise, you risk getting a ticket!

America the Beautiful Passes are available from the USGS as well.

Starting Your Day

Acadia’s Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain

Sunrise in Acadia is truly magical. From the moments of first light on the horizon to the sun slowly rising from across the Ocean the experience is uniquely Acaida!

Why is the Sunrise in Acadia So Special?

From early October to early March, Acadia is the first place in the United States to feel the sun’s rays. During the summer, when we visited, the sun rose at 4:51 AM. That’s pretty darn early. So, some other place in the lower 48 might have been catching the sun’s rays before 4:51, but we were among the early birds who watched the sunrise on America on June 28!

Alright, Early Bird. Do you want to catch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain?

Planning is critical to make this happen!

First: The NPS opens 30% of Cadillac Mountain Sunrise reservations 90 days in advance. We booked our reservation in late March. 

The remaining 70% of sunrise reservations are “opened up” two (2) days in advance. 

Sunrise reservations are competitive, so make sure to make them early. The NPS charges $6 for the reservation. 

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting for more than one day, try to reserve multiple days. This increases your chances of seeing a sunrise. We reserved June 28 and June 29. June 28 was picture-perfect. June 29 was cloudy and overcast, and it was impossible to see the sunrise!

Second: Plan the night before. A 2:30 or 3 AM wake-up call is EARLY! We recommend having clothes, blankets, snacks, coffee, etc., ready to go so you can get out the door quickly and get the best seat in the house!

Third: With reservations AND your park admission ticket in hand, make your way to the Cadillac Road entrance and go through the NPS entrance station. The mountain road is steep, curvy, and dark, so drive carefully! FWIW we arrived about 2:50 AM and we were the first car on the mountain! We got the perfect spot.

When you arrive and the sky is glowing in the first light of the day, don’t get discouraged. Throughout the LONG wait for the sun to actually rise, the sky turns more and more gorgeous!

Insider Tips: Cadillac Mountain top is exposed to the elements. Plan for wind and cooler temperatures. Dress in layers to stay warm or cool, but most likely warm! We took blankets to help keep us warm. With the wind whipping the temperature felt much cooler than the upper 40s! 

Capturing Sunrise Pictures

Use a tripod to capture the best pictures. I set my phone to time-lapse as the sun began to peek over the horizon, and the video image I captured is one of my favorite pictures ever!

Once the sun rises, the show on Cadillac Mountain is largely over. So, go explore the park before the rest of Bar Harbor wakes up!

What Are Acadia’s Main Attractions for your Day Trip?

Acadia is home to amazing natural attractions that are unlike any other national park. Home to the first rays of the sun, pristine carriage roads, pop-overs on the lawn, and so much more, these are some of the can’t-miss attractions on your Acadia National Park day trip.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is an inlet along Acadia’s coast where the ocean’s waves crash in and roar like thunder. To really hear the power of the ocean and watch the ocean sprays reach 40 feet in the air plan to visit during high tide.

We visited during the lower tide of the evening and early morning. The thundering was neat, but not the truly magic thundering that gives this spot it’s name. 

Pro Tip: Thunder Hole is crowded at high tide. Parking is limited. So, decide if this is going to change your life. We didn’t think hearing Thunder Hole at it’s loudest was worth the effort!

The rocky coast surrounding Thunder Hole is comprised of pink granite. A benefit of visiting during the evening is the softer light shining on the granite, which brings out the pink and warmth of the granite. During the harsh light of high tide, the views of the coastline will be diminished!

Sand Beach

A great majority of Acadia’s coastline is rocky and not suitable for swimming or catching some rays. Sand Beach’s sand is mostly crushed up sea shells from years of pounding surf! Definitely not the sugar soft sand of Florida’s panhandle that we enjoy!

After hiking the Beehive Trail, we strolled down to Sand Beach to feel the ocean, walk along the beach, and otherwise say we visited. If you want to swim and enjoy a day in the sun get here early because this large section of usable coastline fills up fast!

Insider Tip: Dogs are NOT allowed on Sand Beach!

Beehive Trail

The Beehive Trail is thrilling for most hikers. With iron rungs drilled into the rockface, this hike is sure to get your blood pumping!

Following our breathtaking sunrise on Cadillac Mountain we drove over to the Sand Beach parking lot and walked to the Beehive Trail. Hikers first cross a boulder field on an uphill hike before getting to the steeper sections.

At the top of the boulder field, hikers have a decision to make…turn right and climb the iron rungs along the side of the cliff or go left and hike up the back side of the Beehive. We turned right and loved the thrill of being exposed to the rock face and the climb! Hikers are only allowed to climb UP the iron rungs. No climbing down from the Beehive summit. 

The views from the Beehive include Sand Beach and the coastline of Acadia. The soft morning light was turning harsher, and the beautiful blue and green water was quickly turning darker blue.

Arriving early has advantages like easy parking at Sand Beach and very few hikers on the trail. We hiked by the Beehive a few days later while hiking the Gorham Mountain Trail and saw a steady stream of hikers heading up the Beehive. In our view, this would take out some of the thrill!

Pro Tip: Stay Safe! If you are afraid of heights, this is NOT the trail to get over that fear! Hike around the backside and meet up with your friends or family. 

Quick Beehive Trail Tips:

• The Beehive Trail Loop is 1.5 miles and has 500+ feet of elevation gain!
• Dogs are NOT allowed on the Beehive Trail!

South Bubble Rock

“We hiked up here to see that!” exclaimed Madeline. Overall the rock itself is impressive because it is out of place. South Bubble hitched a ride on a glacier and was deposited in it’s current resting spot. 

While our 15-year-old was unimpressed with the rock, she 100% loved the rock scramble to reach the summit of this trail and the views back across Jordan Pond as the sunset! We had a fantastic day seeing sunrise and sunset over the course of 19 hours! 

We accessed South Bubble from the Jordan Pond loop trail late in the day. The South Bubble Trail turn-off is nearly opposite the Jordan Pond. Reaching the rock scramble involves hiking across a boulder field, like the Beehive Trail, and then committing to the rock scramble. 

Finn and Sara made it to the rock scramble and then decided to wait behind as the Jack, Madeline, and I ventured ahead.

I understand South Bubble Rock can be reached from a backside trail with less rock scrambling, but the scramble was fun! Again, stay safe and know your limits. Pushing beyond your ability places others in danger!

Cadillac Mountain

We only visited Cadillac Mountain once, at sunrise. We may have visited again if we had a daytime vehicle reservation but we didn’t. And we didn’t feel like taking the Cadillac North Ridge Trail (4.2 miles) to the summit. 

While Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in the park and the tallest mountain on the east coast (1530 feet) there are so many stunning views throughout the park it’s best to let other visitors enjoy the panoramic daytime views!

Exploring Bar Harbor

Gateway towns can make or break your experience in a national park. We found Wall, South Dakota, West Yellowstone, Gatlinburg, and Springdale (Zion) to be awesome! They have such a cool vibe, great shops, plenty of restaurants, etc., and are just fun places to be. 

While towns like Jackson Hole and West Glacier / Whitefish were much “higher-end” towns, and I didn’t feel comfortable, it made it more challenging to feel the good vibes of the nearby park.

Town of Bar Harbor, Maine

Downtown Bar Harbor is a super cool gateway town to Acadia National Park. From the Village Green with the piano in the gazebo to the electric atmosphere of families walking around laughing and smiling to the old school hotels/motels Bar Harbor is like stepping back to a pre-mass commercialized world! We loved our stop overs and walking around town.

We recommend grabbing ice cream from one of the many shops around the Village Green and enjoying the afternoon with your hand scooped cone. 

The harbor is picturesque as well. All the boats moored in the harbor are so peaceful, bobbing in the water.

Pro Tip: Parking is limited and geared for smaller vehicles. So, plan ahead AND plan to pay for parking. We recommend the Island Explorer Shuttle. Shuttles drop passengers at the Village Green which is close to all the fun! 

The Island Explorer is the perfect way to access the park all day or until about 6 PM or so when the shuttles begin making their final runs.

Hiking and Trails

Acadia offers over 120 miles of hiking trails, while the Schoodic Peninsula offers an additional 7.5 miles of hiking trails! In addition to the hikes mentioned above (Beehive and South Bubble), here are a few more worth checking out. 

Ocean Path

The Ocean Path is a super easy hike that follows Acadia’s rocky coastline from Sand Beach down to Thunderhole and continues to Otter Cliff. The trail is 2.4 miles down and then 2.4 miles back and generally flat…gaining 375 total feet of elevation. 

Get ready for stunning views along the entirety of this trail. Since the Ocean Path is a very easy trail, it gets crowded, particularly during peak visiting hours of the day. 

We recommend taking the Island Explorer to Thunder Hole and walking back to toward Sand Beach. This makes the trail one way because you can catch the Island Explorer at Sand Beach and head to your next destination.

Jordan Pond Loop Trail

Starting at the Jordan Pond House, we hiked this trail counter clockwise. At the northern end of the trail, we joined the South Bubble Rock Trail. When we arrived back at the trail we decided to retrace our path along the eastern side of Jordan Pond. 

We chose this option because the sun was setting and the views were better on this side of Jordan Pond.

The western side of the Jordan Pond Loop includes a number of wood boardwalks for hikers. These are okay and likely would remind us of Congaree NP or Yellowstone, we were content with the packed dirt path of the eastern shore.

Jordan Pond is spectacular and I think every angle of this lake are fabulous.

Jordan Pond Loop Trail is 3.1 miles and dead flat!

Dogs are permitted on this trail. 

Gorham Mountain Trail

Gorham Mountain Trail is a 3.0-mile loop trail that takes hikers through a cool flume-style gorge and then on 3 iron rungs to climb back to the main trail. Picture this as the Beehive Trail, which is suitable for younger kids!

We found the trail well-marked and in excellent shape. At the summit, we found a quiet place to sit and enjoy our lunch while looking out over Sand Beach. The sky was grey and cloudy, but the views were spectacular.

We cheated on Gorham Mountain and rode the shuttle to Thunder Hole, hiked the Ocean Trail, and ended our hike at Sand Beach, where we took the Island Explorer back to Hulls Cove Visitor Center!

Precipice Trail

If Gorman Mountain is like a junior Beehive Trail, Precipice is like Beehive’s older brother. The Precipice Trial is another iron rung-style trail that requires climbing the side of the rockface to reach the summit. 

This sounded amazing and thrilling. 

Unfortunately, Peregrine Falcons were reintroduced to the area some years ago and nest in this area. The Precipice Trail is closed during nesting season, which overlaps most of the popular summer months (mid-April through August)! Darn wildlife!

We have to come back!

Historic Carriage Roads

John D. Rockefeller, Jr envisioned visitors exploring interior of Mt. Desert Island without automobiles. Ironic considering his family generated their wealth selling gasoline. Anyway, Rockefeller’s dream was for visitors to slow down and truly enjoy all the beautiful surroundings.

The network of 40 miles of carriage roads grew from his vision. We highly recommend taking time to explore beyond the park loop road and get deeper into the park.

Horse-drawn carriage rides are available at the horse stable within Acadia. Hiking is a good way to get on the carriage roads if you want to get a small taste of the 40+ miles. 

Bicycling the carriage roads is a great way to cover many of the roads in a shorter time. Bike rentals are available in Bar Harbor. We paid about $125 for 4 standard (not e-bikes) for about 3 hours, which was plenty of time for the OCU crew!

Pro Tip: If everyone in your group is over 16, we recommend splurging on e-bikes! The carriage roads are surprisingly hilly, and e-bikes are the best way to really explore the roads without getting tired!

Additional Activities Near Acadia and Mt. Desert Island

Three seasons out of the year, Acadia and Mt. Desert Island offer tremendous opportunities for outdoorsmen to experience nature. Mud season (e.g., when the snow melts and the skies fill with rain) is not a great time to enjoy the outdoors. Bet you thought I was going to say winter is not good.

And for us, well, it would be cold and not ideal. But a lot of people enjoy cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, etc. So, explore all year!

Wildlife Watching

Acadia and Mt. Desert Island are home to very diverse wildlife. This area is home to wildlife ranging from whales to bald eagles. We understand black bears and moose do not live on Mt. Desert Island.

Birding enthuasist will enjoy the interior the park along the carriage roads. Grab your bike and head to a more remote pond like Witch Hole Pond or Bubble Pond. 

Other good places to spot wildlife are:

• Jordan Pond: Great for bird watching and spotting deer.
• Cadillac Mountain: Offers opportunities to see various bird species and occasionally larger mammals.
• Seawall: Good for observing marine life and seabirds.
• Schoodic Peninsula: Less crowded and excellent for bird watching and spotting seals. Less than 0.4% of all visitors venture to Schoodic!
• Somes Sound: Provides opportunities to see birds, marine life, and occasional sightings of larger mammals.

Here are a few tips to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife:

• Early Morning and Late Evening: These times are best for spotting many animals, as they are most active during these hours.
• Quiet Observation: Move slowly and quietly to increase your chances of seeing wildlife. We have kids, so we don’t do anything quietly!
• Binoculars and Cameras: Bring binoculars or a spotting scope for better viewing and a camera to capture sightings.
• Stay on Trails: To protect wildlife and their habitats, stick to designated trails and observation areas.
• Guided Tours: Consider joining a ranger-led program or a guided tour for expert insights and better chances of seeing wildlife.

Tidepooling

While we walked across the exposed sandbar to Bar Harbor Island, we saw tons of people tide pooling. What is tide pooling? It’s looking in the small shallow pools left behind for the small sea creatures left in the pool. 

What You Can Find When Tidepooling

• Marine Invertebrates: Starfish, sea urchins, anemones, barnacles, crabs, snails, and sea cucumbers.
• Fish: Small fish such as gobies and blennies that can survive in shallow, fluctuating water conditions.
• Algae and Seaweed: Various types of algae and seaweed provide food and habitat for tide pool inhabitants.
• Mollusks: Limpets, chitons, and mussels that cling to rocks and surfaces.
• Sponges and Corals: In some areas, you might find small sponges and corals adapted to the intertidal environment.

Best Times for Tidepooling

• Low Tide: The best time to explore tide pools is during low tide when the water has receded, revealing the pools.

Equipment

• Sturdy Footwear: Non-slip shoes or boots to protect your feet from sharp rocks and slippery surfaces.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

• Be Cautious: Watch for waves and slippery rocks to avoid accidents.
• Respect Wildlife: Handle creatures gently and return them to their pools. Do not remove organisms from their habitat.
• Leave No Trace: Take all your belongings and trash with you to keep the environment clean.
• Check Tides: Use a tide chart to plan your visit and ensure you have enough time to explore safely.

Locations for Tidepooling

• Rocky Coastlines: Areas with rocky shores are ideal for tidepooling. Check out Bar Island Sand Bar, Ship Harbor, or Wonderland for tidepooling opportunities in Acadia!

Boating and Kayaking

As a national park surrounded by water and having so many lakes and ponds exploring Acadia by water is a great way to see another side of this amazing national park.

Some options include kayaking. Hadley’s Point has kayaking launches for kayak exploration. 

Can’t bring your kayak? No problem! Take a tour with Acadia Sea Kayaking Adventures or another operator. 

If power boating is your speed, consider the mail boat to Isle au Haut. This one of a kind experience will highlight a unique way of life for the residents of Isle au Haut.

And if you want to work for your dinner, consider “working” on a lobstha boat for the day. I get motion sick, so this was 100% no-go for me! 

Puffin and whale-watching tours are also available, but some YouTube videos we watched made this look awful! So, we passed!

Stargazing

While the East Coast experiences tremendous light pollution, Acadia is a dark sky destination! If you want to check out the cosmos, head to Sand Beach or Cadillac Mountain (hike up in the evening because Cadillac Summit Road closes in the dark).

In the summer months visitors will need to stay up late because the sun sets around 9 PM in June and July!

Accommodations

Camping

We love RV camping! The space, outdoor fun, and freedom of bringing your own bed are tough to beat. Acadia and Mt. Desert Island are the perfect place for a camping adventure. 

We stayed at Hadley’s Point Campground, ranking highly on our Best RV Campground review. Other excellent options include Bar Harbor Campground, Mt. Desert Narrows, and Oceanside KOA. 

The National Park Service offers 3 campgrounds inside the park. Blackwoods is close to Otter Cliffs, Seawall is near Bass Harbor, and Schoodic Woods is located on the Schoodic Peninsula. All three have RV campsites. As with most NPS campgrounds, spacing can be too small for big rigs, so do your research. FWIW our 40 foot fifth wheel doesn’t fit in most NPS campgrounds!

Hotels

Mt. Desert Island has a wide range of hotel offerings, from luxury resorts like The Bayview Hotel to more affordable options like the Seasider Motel. Most hotels get good reviews. 

We think an important ranking factor is proximity to the Island Explorer shuttle line. Easy access to shuttles and FREE transportation is critical!

Sample Itinerary for an Acadia National Park Day Trip

We plan our national park adventures using a number of resources like: Dirt In My Shoes, Guide Along, NPS, YouTubers like Adventures of A+K, and more! From all of these sources here is how we planned the perfect day trip in Acadia. FWIW we stayed in Acadia for nearly 4 full days, but the itinerary below reflects our first day in the park!

Early Morning Exploration

2:30 AM Wake-Up Call – Sunrise waits for no man

3:00 AM Arrive at Cadillac Summit Road for check-in and drive to the summit

• Grab a seat, wrap up with blankets (think warm thoughts), set up our cameras, and wait…
• Capture the BEST sunrise ever!
• Head down to the park loop road and turn on our Acadia Guide Along app for a personal tour of the park as we drive! We love Guide Along! “Justin” shares so many fun stories along the journey.

5:30 AM Arrive at Sand Beach Parking Lot and head up to Beehive Trail

• Enjoy the Beehive Trail by ourselves because the rest of Mt. Desert Island was asleep!
• Walk down to Sand Beach to feel the ocean and look back on the Beehive summit. Wow! We did that!!
• Head to Thunder Hole to hear the Thunder

Arrive at Thunder Hole, and well, the inlet is not thundering…the tide was too low. And to add insult the sun was too high in the sky for the pink granite to show to pretty pink tones.

7:30 AM or so headed back to Hadley’s Point Campground for some breakfast. While driving the Park Loop Road finish listening to Guide Along.

9:00 AM grabbed a ride on the Island Explorer to the Village Green to hike the Bar Island Sand Bar. You have to time this right and low tide lined up with some time we had!

• Hiked the sand bar to the island
• Hiked to the high point of the island for a view back across the harbor to downtown Bar Harbor
• Headed back to Bar Harbor to find a shirt to show off we visited the cool place

Midday Activities

12:00 PM Take the Shuttle to Bass Harbor Lighthouse

• Get dropped off about half a mile from the lighthouse and make the easy walk down.
• Take the trail near the restrooms to the beach to capture the best picture of Bass Harbor Lighthouse.
• Hustle back to the shuttle stop to catch it before we get “stranded” for 2 hours! 

3:00 PM Arrive back at Village Green and enjoy ice cream and dog treats…Yes, dogs can ride on the shuttle. Finn isn’t a fan of public transportation.

3:30 PM Shuttled back to Hadley’s Point for dinner and “chill” time.

Evening Exploration

6:00 PM Drive to Jordan Pond to hike the Jordan Pond Loop and to South Bubble

8:30 to 9 PM Capture amazing sunset pictures over Jordan pond. Then head back to the campground! 

Downtown Bar Harbor has great food options if you don’t want to go back to your campground or hotel. This would help save some time.

If your schedule allows, spend an extra day or two at Acadia to enjoy bicycling the carriage roads, exploring the Schoodic Peninsula, shopping in Bar Harbor, and hiking many of the other trails throughout the park!

FAQs on Exploring Acadia National Park on a Day Trip

Can I see all of Acadia on a Day Trip?

No, but you can see a lot. The park is about 5 hours from Boston, which is the closest large airport, so plan to stay a couple of days. 3 or 4 well-planned days will give you plenty of time to see this park. Huge national parks like Yellowstone or Glacier demand longer stays. Whereas smaller parks like Acadia, Mammoth Cave, or Hot Springs take less time. 

No matter your time, you will be glad you visited!

Where Should I Stay?

Downtown and nearby villages have a lot of hotel, VRBO, and campground options. 

If you’re camping, we recommend Hadley’s Point Campground. This family owned and operated campground is really nice and in a perfect location to explore Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park!

Hotels are really expensive in Bar Harbor and on Mt. Desert Island. Consider staying in a cabin at Hadley’s Point Campground for better value and a more fun experience all around!

Do I Need a Car?

In short, Yes. Getting to Mount Desert Island requires some ground transportation unless you are super rich and have a helicopter!  

Once you’re on the island, we recommend using the Island Explorer shuttle. During peak times of the day, from 9 to 6, driving and parking are challenging. Remove that stress from your life and enjoy the slice of paradise by taking the FREE shuttle!

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

We visited in late June and it was perfect. The weather was gorgeous. Crowds were on the “smaller” side. All the flowers are in bloom and everything is green. 

Later, summer gets busy and so does the fall. I’m sure fall is vibrant with the autumn colors. We will definitely visit again in the fall when the leaves come alive! 

The Spring or mud season is definitely NOT the time to visit!

How Much Does It Cost to Visit?

Plan on an entrance fee to the park which ranges from $20 to $35 per week. Or you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass for $80 and enjoy an entire year of national park admissions! 

If you want to drive up Cadillac Summit Road, plan on paying $6 for the entrance fee. 

Lodging (hotels and VRBO) can be pricey depending on the season. We found campgrounds to be very affordable! We paid about $65 per night at Hadley’s Point. 

Food and drinks can really eat into your budget. If you want fresh lobster every day break out the big bills. Just because it’s caught a few miles away doesn’t make it super cheap! We enjoyed lobstha rolls from Tracy’s Seafood in Schoodic…2 for $25! Ice cream in downtown Bar Harbor will set you back a few bucks. Four ice creams were $30 at one place. Still less expensive than Jackson Hole!

What Do I Need to Pack?

This depends on the time of year. We visited in the summer and had layers. Most days were warm enough for shorts and short-sleeves. Watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain we bundled up in layers and long pants. I wish I had my winter jacket…but I run cold!

Gear Recommendations

• Osprey Day Lite Pack
• Hiking Boots. I like my Alterra’s. Sara and Madeline like Solomon. And Jack complains about every hiking boot!
• Rain Jacket. I have an REI jacket and Sara, Madeline and Jack wear North Face. We like breathable rain jackets. These have been one of our best investments EVER!
• Rain Jacket
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen / Bug spray
• Trekking Poles. Not really necessary unless you have bad knees.

Conclusion: Acadia National Park Day Trip

Our day trip to Acadia National Park was a whirlwind adventure, much like the excitement of opening gifts on a birthday. In just 24 hours, we managed to explore many of the park’s most iconic attractions, all while avoiding the largest crowds. 

From the breathtaking sunrise on Cadillac Mountain to the serene beauty of Sand Beach and the thrill of hiking the Beehive Trail, our first day in Acadia was nothing short of spectacular. 

With careful planning, you too can make the most of a single day in this incredible park, but if time allows, consider extending your stay to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty and diverse activities that Acadia has to offer. 

Happy exploring!

About Us

We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!

Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!