Maine's coastal park features rocky beaches, woodlands, granite peaks, and Cadillac Mountain where visitors can catch the first sunrise in the US. Scenic drives and hiking abound.
Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England, located primarily on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, with additional units on the Schoodic Peninsula and the Isle au Haut. The park protects 49,000 acres of rocky coastline, granite peaks, mixed forest, and freshwater ponds that together create one of the most visually distinctive landscapes in the eastern United States. Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet the highest point on the US East Coast, is one of the first places in the continental United States where the sun rises from early October through early March — a detail that draws visitors before dawn to the summit. The scenic Park Loop Road, a 27-mile one-way circuit, connects the park's major viewpoints and trailheads including Thunder Hole (where incoming waves compress into a narrow chasm and produce a thunderous boom), Sand Beach (the park's primary ocean swimming area), and the Beehive (a cliffside trail with iron rung ladders for a short and thrilling scramble). Jordan Pond, a pristine glacially formed lake in the park's interior, is best known for the Jordan Pond House — a National Park Service concessionaire restaurant serving traditional popovers and jam on a lawn overlooking the pond and the twin rounded mountains called the Bubbles. The 45-mile Carriage Road network, built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. between 1913 and 1940, winds through the park's forested interior on packed gravel surfaces closed to motor vehicles and popular with cyclists, walkers, and horse-drawn carriage tours. Park entrance is managed by timed vehicle reservations from late May through mid-October; these are released on recreation.gov two months in advance.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; visitor centers vary
- Best for
- hikers, nature lovers, photographers
Location
Acadia National Park, ME 04609
44.3386, -68.2733 View on map
Highlights
- Watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain summit — one of the first sunrise points in the continental US
- Drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road past Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and Otter Cliff viewpoints
- Cycle or walk Rockefeller's 45-mile Carriage Road network through forested interior
- Eat popovers with jam at the Jordan Pond House overlooking the glacially formed pond and the Bubbles
Tips for visiting
- Drive Park Loop Road early morning
- Watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain
- Try popovers at Jordan Pond House
When to visit
Late September and early October bring the finest fall foliage, excellent weather, and the dramatic early-sunrise window on Cadillac Mountain. June and July offer summer wildflowers and the full Park Loop Road open, with manageable crowds before the August peak. October through May sees far lighter visitor numbers; the park is open year-round.
Accessibility
The Carriage Roads throughout the park's interior are packed gravel and accessible for wheelchairs and hand cycles. The Ocean Path coastal trail and Jordan Pond loop have accessible sections. Sand Beach has a beach wheelchair available from the lifeguard station. The Cadillac Mountain summit parking area has accessible restrooms and a paved path to viewpoints. Many cliff trails are not accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation to enter Acadia National Park?
Timed vehicle reservations are required for popular entry points including the Cadillac Mountain summit and the Park Loop Road area from late May through mid-October. Reservations are released on recreation.gov two months in advance. The Schoodic Peninsula does not require reservations.
When can visitors see the first sunrise in the US from Cadillac Mountain?
Cadillac Mountain is one of the first locations in the continental US to receive sunrise from early October through early March. A separate sunrise reservation is required for the summit parking lot during peak fall months; check the park's recreation.gov page.
What is the best hike in Acadia National Park?
The Precipice Trail is considered the park's most dramatic hike: a 1.6-mile round trip with iron rung ladders and open cliff faces. The Beehive Trail is a shorter but similarly vertical option. Both close seasonally for peregrine falcon nesting (typically spring).
Is Acadia National Park suitable for families with young children?
Yes. The Carriage Roads, Jordan Pond loop, and Ocean Path (a flat coastal walk) are well suited to families. The Beehive and Precipice trails require rock scrambling and are not suitable for very young children. The park's tide pools along the Shore Path in Bar Harbor are a popular family activity.