Acadia National Park is a stunning natural wonder located along the coast of Maine, in the United States. The park is a total of 49,076 acres that is home to a unique blend of mountains, forests, lakes, streams and ocean views. You can explore the diverse ecosystems and wildlife, including moose, black bears, and bald eagles.
I went to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor area in June of 2023 for a total 5 days. We have been planning a trip to explore Acadia for about 2 years and the wait was worth it.
Where to Stay:
There are a variety of lodging options available around Acadia National Park and in the town of Bar Harbor.
- Acadia National Park campgrounds: If camping is your preferred lodging , there are three campgrounds in the park that offer both tent and RV sites: Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods.
- Bar Harbor Hotels and Inns: Within the town of Bar Harbor, you will find multiple different traditional lodging experiences. Some of the popular choices: The Bar Harbor Inn, The Harborside Hotel, Spa and Marina, and The Saltair Inn.
- Vacation Rentals: You can always get a rental house. There are multiple different options around the area. You can use Airbnb and Vrbo.
We stayed in Ellsworth which was about 25 minutes away from the park. The hotel that we stayed in was the Hampton Inn Ellsworth/Bar Harbor. It cost about $240/ night.
How to get into the Park:
There are four different entrance that you can use to get into Acadia: Hulls Cove Entrance, Cadillac Mountain Entrance, Sieur de Monts Entrance, and Stanley Brooks Entrance.
It cost about $35 for a 7 day entrance pass. If you have the national park pass then you will be able to use it to get into the park for free.
Hiking:
Beehive Trail: This hike is not for people that are really afraid of heights you are on the side of the mountain using different rails to climb up the side of the mountain. It is a harder hike just because of that section. It is about a 1.5 mile hike with 500 ft of elevation that takes you in a circle. When you come to the part of the trail that you split in two directions if you go right you will hike up with the rails and the climb if you go left it is much easier and requires no climb. Makes sure you get to the trail early to get parking because the parking lot fills up quick!
Ocean Path Trail: This is an out and back trail that is about 4.5 miles where you will gain 375 ft of elevation. During this park you can see Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Boulder Beach, Otter Cliffs Rocking Climbing, and Otter Point.
Cadillac Mountain: There are multiple different ways to get up to the top of the mountain. You can drive up there or hike. The hike itself is more difficult due to the elevation. You are hiking on rocks most of the way and could be very slippery if it is raining. It is an out and back trail that is 4.2 miles where you gain 1,128 ft of elevation but it is worth the hike.
Jordan Pond Path: This is a 3.1 mile loop trail that you get only 42 ft of elevation. It is the easiest hike out of all the ones we have done. You are hiking all the way around the pond.
Bar Island Trail: This is a very cool out and back trail. You have to pay attention to when low tide is in order to have access to this trail. If you plan on doing this hike plan it out. You have access to the trail about 1.5 hours before and after high tide. It is a 2.1 mile hike where you can gain 216 ft of elevation if you go on to the island.
Where to eat:
Bar Harbor:
Stewmans: (Rating: 3.75/5) This place was great! It is right on the water, there was many options for food and they don’t take reservations so you are able to walk up and get a table.
Bar Harbor Beer works: (2/5) This is a brewery located in down town Bar harbor. This was an ok spot to stop and get a drink.
Mt Desert Island Ice cream: This is a super charming ice cream spot with unique flavors of ice cream.
Acadia Perk: Located right next to the ice cream shop, above and has all your coffee needs. Plus it is Friends themed!
The Terrance Grille: (4/5) It is also located right on the water in Bar Harbor Inn Hotel. It is such a cute restaurant that is first come seating that has amazing food.
Atlantic Brewing Company: This is a very popular brewing company in the area. It is connected to a BBQ restaurant you could also eat at.
Bar Harbor Lobster Company: (5/5) You need to go here! This is the best lobster I had the whole trip and has seating tucked back in the woods.
Jordan Pond House: (3.75/5) This is the only restaurant located within Acadia National Park. You need to make reservations for this place. We booked are reservations 2 weeks in advanced and it was the last one available for that day. The food was very good and was in the perfect location.
Ellsworth:
Union Lobster Pot: (5/5) This Lobster and the Bar Harbor Lobster Company, Lobster are both amazing and it is hard to decide which one was better. This place is located on a river. And if you are staying in Ellsworth is worth the trip!
Margaritas: (3/5) This is a basic Mexican restaurant but the food is pretty good and they have great Margaritas!
Airline Brewing Co.: (3/5) This is a very small Brewery with only a few seats on the inside but the food was good and so were the drinks!
Fog Town Brewing: Great beers and they also had pizza if you are hungry!
What to do:
Explore Acadia National Park: This is a gorgeous national park with plenty to explore and should be on any ones bucket list.
Hiking: There are over 100 miles to hike with in and around the park. I recommend using All Trails to find different trails in the area.
Biking: There are plenty of places where you can get bike rentals to explore the island and the park.
Exploring Bar Harbor: Bar Harbor is such a delightful little town with many different restaurants and shops to explore.
Sunrise at Cadillac mountain: You need to get a reservations if you want to watch the sunrise. It is the first sunrise in the continental US and tickets sell out within seconds. You can reserve the tickets 2 days in advance at 10 am at the link above and they are $6. If you can’t get the sunrise tickets and do not want to hike to the top of the mountain you can get a timed entry just to drive up to the top to see the views.
Sail boat tours: There are multiple different boat tours that you are able to take through out the island.
Whale watching: You can take whale watching tours out from Bar Harbor but look to see what seasons are the best to spot whales. There are certain parts of the year that is better then others. I have heard it is rare to see whales while on the tours.
Kayaking: You are able to rent kayaks while in Bar Harbor if that is something you enjoy.
Rock climbing: There are different classes and climbing schools you can use to try and rock climb in Acadia.
Itinerary:
Day 1: We flew into Bangort airport which is the closest airport to the park. It is only about an hour away from the entrance. Our flights were delayed, so we were unable to do a lot on the first day beside dinner.
Day 2: We went into the park. The first hike we did was Beehive. Then we did the Ocean Path Trail which is right beside where you park for Beehive. After our hike, we went into Bar Harbor and did Lunch at Stewmans. Then explored around town and headed home. We did dinner back in Ellsworth.
Day 3: First stop was Cadillac Mountain hike. Then went to Jordan Lake and did the hike around the pond and had dinner at the restaurant by the lake. Then we went back to the hotel and eat in Ellsworth for the night
Day 4: We woke up early and did the Bar Island Trail. Then explored Bar Harbor again. We did lunch at the Terrace Restaurant. We headed back the hotel got ready and went to Atlantic Brewery and then had dinner at Bar Harbor Lobster Company.
Day 5: We headed back home.
Things to know:
- They have a free shuttle service that goes all over the island called Island Explorer! It has 11 different stops that will take you all over the park. This link gives you more information on the routes and an app you can download to find the buses.
- Staying in the Bar Harbor area is going to be more expensive then staying outside of the city. Just find things that your budge allows.
- Before going on a hike make sure the hike itself is not closed. There was a few closed when I was there.
Up to the Sky 
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