Acadia National Park

Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person/cyclist (valid for 7 days)

Established: July 8, 1916 (as Sieur de Monts National Monument)

Location: Maine

Nearby Communities: Bar Harbor

Park Size: 49,000 acres

Reservations: While reservations are not required to enter the park, they may be required for certain activities.

Visitor Centers: Hulls Cove is the main visitor center. There is a small ranger station on Isle au Haut.

Hike or drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain to be the first in the United States to see the sunrise. Due to the curvature of the Earth, you’re only first from October 7 to March 6. No matter when you go, it’s a stunning view.

Scale Champlain Mountain on iron rungs via the Precipice Trail. Too much? The Beehive is another great option!

Birdwatchers will adore Acadia! See peregrine falcons dive-bombing to protect their nests, or take a boat tour to spot puffins in the ocean.

Marvel at the stars, and maybe even the Milky Way, from the shores of Sand Beach.

Access the main park via Maine Highway 3, also known as Bar Harbor Road, from the mainland.

The Schoodic Peninsula is near Winter Harbor on Highway 186. From there, turn on Schoodic Loop Road.

Different parts of the park are also accessible by boat!

The closest airports to Acadia National Park are Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), Bangor International Airport (BGR), Portland International Jetport (PWM), and Boston International Airport (BOS).

The closest cities to Acadia National Park are Bar Harbor (3 miles, 8 minutes), Bangor (44 miles, 1 hour), Portland (172 miles, 3 hours), Portsmouth (222 miles, 3.5 hours), and Boston (278 miles, 4.5 hours).

Campgrounds in the Park: Blackwoods Campground, Seawall Campground, Schoodic Woods Campground, Duck Harbor Campground, Wildwood Stables Campground (for visitors with stock animals)

Campgrounds Near the Park: Mount Desert Campground, Oceanside KOA, Hadley’s Point, Echo Lake View, Somes Sound View, Quietside Campground, Forest Ridge Campground, Acadia East Campground

Highest Rated Hotels: Bar Harbor Inn and Spa, Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, Holiday Inn

Bargain Hotel Prices: High Seas Motel, Acadia Pines Motel, Acadia Ocean View Motel

Winter: Acadia is relatively accessible all year with the exception of winter. The park roads are not plowed in the winter, but carriage roads are open and groomed for cross-country skiing. Many trails close in winter as well.

Autumn: Fall is a popular time to visit due to the beautiful changing leaves.

Spring: This season can be muddy as things start to melt. However, you’ll have many of the trails and roads to yourself.

Summer: Summer brings the best weather and the largest crowds. July and August are particularly busy months.

Acadia National Park is one of the most dog-friendly national parks in America.

Your pup can even become a bark ranger!

Dogs are allowed on all trails in the park with a few exceptions. These trails all include ladders that dogs, despite their best efforts, cannot climb.

• Precipice
• Beehive
• Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain
• Beech Cliffs Trail
• Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain)
• Jordan Cliffs Trail between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road

Of course, where dogs are allowed, they are required to be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Owners must clean up after their pets.

As for other locations in the park, please note that most lakes in Acadia are public drinking water sources. Therefore, dogs (and humans!) cannot swim in them. Pets are also not allowed at Sand Beach, Dutch Harbor Campground, the Wild Gardens of Acadia, and inside public buildings.