Acadia National Park protects pink granite mountains, spruce forests, glacial lakes and a wave-battered Atlantic shore on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, with smaller sections on the Schoodic Peninsula and the island of Isle au Haut. It is small by national park standards but among the ten most visited, with more than 4 million visits a year. The 27-mile (43 km) Park Loop Road links its highlights: Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, Jordan Pond and the road to the 1,530-ft (466 m) summit of Cadillac Mountain, where many visitors come for sunrise. Away from the road, 45 miles (72 km) of car-free carriage roads and more than 150 miles (240 km) of hiking trails, some climbing cliffs on iron rungs, reach quieter corners. The lively harbor town of Bar Harbor sits right next to the park. Plan around the seasons: the Loop Road closes to cars in winter, and from late May to late October you need a separate vehicle reservation to drive to the Cadillac summit.
Right now in Acadia National Park (McFarland Hill)
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Top tours in Acadia National Park
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Acadia at a glance
- Best months: late June to mid-October. July and August are warmest and busiest; September and the first half of October bring cooler days, fewer crowds and fall color, which usually peaks in mid-October.
- Time needed: one full day for the Park Loop Road and Cadillac; two or three days to add Jordan Pond, a cliff or summit hike, the carriage roads and the quiet west side or Schoodic.
- Getting there: Bar Harbor is about 1 hour by car from Bangor International Airport and 10 miles (16 km) from Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport, which has flights from Boston. From Boston, allow about 5 hours by car.
- Fees (as of October 2026): $35 per car for 7 days, plus $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and over without an annual or America the Beautiful pass. A $6 vehicle reservation is also required to drive Cadillac Summit Road until 25 October 2026. The park is cashless.
- Before you go: entry rules for international visitors (ESTA or visa), driving and tipping are in our United States travel guide.
Entrance fees and passes (as of October 2026)
A park entrance pass is required all year, for every part of the park, including if you arrive on the free Island Explorer bus. Vehicles must display the pass so it is visible through the windshield. Acadia does not accept cash: buy a digital pass on Recreation.gov before you arrive, or pay by card at the Park Loop Road entrance station (about 1 mile / 1.6 km north of Sand Beach), the visitor centers, the campgrounds or the 24-hour fee machine at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Some chambers of commerce and the Jordan Pond Gift Shop also sell standard passes.
| Pass | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | One non-commercial vehicle with up to 15 seats (including rental cars and RVs) and everyone in it, 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 | Up to 2 motorcycles, 4 riders, 7 days |
| Per person (foot, bike or bus) | $20 | Each person 16 or over; 15 and under free; 7 days |
| Non-resident fee | +$100 per person | Non-US residents 16 and over, unless entering with an annual or America the Beautiful pass |
| Acadia annual pass | $70 | This park only, 12 months; US citizens and residents |
| America the Beautiful pass | $80 residents / $250 non-residents | All national parks and federal recreation lands for 12 months; one vehicle or four people paying per person |
For international visitors: Acadia is one of the 11 national parks that charge non-US residents an extra $100 per person. Two adults from abroad in a rental car would pay $35 plus $200 here; the $250 non-resident America the Beautiful pass covers the car and waives the extra fee for the pass holder and up to three other adults, so it pays for itself on a single visit and is valid at every other national park for a year. The Cadillac vehicle reservation is separate and is not covered by any pass. US seniors 62 and over can buy a $20 annual or $80 lifetime pass; US military, US 4th graders and US residents with a permanent disability get free passes. US citizens and residents enter free on the remaining 2026 fee-free days, 27 October and 11 November.
Cadillac Mountain vehicle reservations
The 3-mile (5 km) Cadillac Summit Road climbs to the top of the highest peak in the park, with pullouts along the way, two summit parking areas, restrooms, a gift shop and paved paths between overlooks. In 2026, a vehicle reservation is required to drive it from Wednesday 20 May to Sunday 25 October, on top of your entrance pass.
- Price and booking: $6 per vehicle (motorcycles and mopeds each need one), sold only online on Recreation.gov, never at the park. Print or save the QR-code confirmation, as phone signal is unreliable.
- Release schedule: 30% of sunrise and daytime slots go on sale at 10 a.m. Eastern Time 90 days ahead; the other 70% go on sale at 10 a.m. two days ahead. You can book one sunrise reservation per seven days and one daytime reservation per day, and change the date or time for free before your slot.
- Entry windows in October 2026: sunrise slots allow entry from 5:30 to 7 a.m. from 1 to 15 October and 6 to 7:30 a.m. from 16 to 25 October (a 90-minute window); daytime slots run 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (30-minute windows). There is no set departure time, but the road closes to vehicles at 9 p.m., and you can’t re-enter on the same reservation.
- Vehicle limits: no RVs, trailers or vehicles longer than 21 ft (6.4 m), including bike racks; they are turned away even with a reservation.
- No reservation needed if you walk, cycle or arrive by taxi, or for any other part of the park. The Island Explorer bus does not go up Cadillac.
- After 25 October: you can drive up without a reservation until the road closes for the winter on 1 December. The summit road stays closed to cars until mid-April.
Sunrise on Cadillac ranges from about 4:45 a.m. in mid-June to 6:15 a.m. in mid-October. It is often cold, windy and foggy on top even in summer, so bring a warm layer; if the summit is fogged in, the drive down still has fine views.
The Park Loop Road and seasonal closures
Built between 1921 and 1958, the 27-mile (43 km) Park Loop Road is the classic scenic drive on the east side of Mount Desert Island. Start at Hulls Cove Visitor Center and follow signs for the one-way section toward Sand Beach, which runs along the coast past Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff before turning inland to Jordan Pond and the Cadillac turnoff. On the one-way stretch you may park in the right-hand lane unless signs say otherwise, so watch for parked cars and cyclists. Speed limits are 25–35 mph (40–56 km/h). In July and August parking lots at Sand Beach, Jordan Pond and Thunder Hole fill by mid-morning: arrive early, come back later or take the Island Explorer.
- Winter closure: the Park Loop Road and other paved park roads are open to vehicles from 15 April to 1 December. From 1 December to 14 April (reopening depends on the weather), most of it, including the Cadillac road, is closed to cars and open to walkers, skiers, cyclists and snowmobiles.
- Open all year: the scenic ocean section from Schooner Head Road to Otter Cliff Road, and Jordan Pond Road from Seal Harbor to the Jordan Pond parking lot. The entrance station at Schooner Head Road stays open for passes.
- Unpaved park roads close to vehicles from 15 November to 14 May.
- Low bridges: several stone bridges on park roads are lower than many RVs: 10 ft 4 in (3.1 m) at the Stanley Brook entrance and 11 ft 6 in–12 ft 2 in (3.5–3.7 m) near Fabbri, Blackwoods and Sieur de Monts. Check your height before you go.
The Island Explorer bus
The fare-free, propane-powered Island Explorer links Bar Harbor, the other island villages, campgrounds, hotels, trailheads, carriage road entrances and park sights, and is the easiest way to avoid full parking lots. In 2026 the Loop Road, Acadia Gateway Center and Schoodic routes started on 20 May, and all routes run until 12 October 2026, on reduced fall schedules since mid-August. There is no service up Cadillac Mountain or in winter. You still need a park entrance pass when you ride into the park. Buses carry up to six bikes (no e-bikes, fat-tire bikes or tag-alongs), allow leashed pets on the floor, and stop wherever the driver deems it safe if you wave. A seasonal Bicycle Express van with a bike trailer shuttles cyclists between downtown Bar Harbor and the Eagle Lake carriage road entrance. Real-time bus locations are in the myStop app.
Top things to see in Acadia
Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff
On the one-way stretch of the Loop Road, Sand Beach is a small crescent of shell-sand beach between granite headlands; the park puts summer ocean temperatures at 50–60 °F (10–16 °C), so most people only paddle. A short walk south, Thunder Hole is a narrow inlet where incoming waves trap air and boom loudly, best about two hours before high tide in rough seas; stay behind the railings, as big waves have swept people off the rocks. The coastal Ocean Path continues to Otter Cliff, one of the highest headlands on the US Atlantic coast. Note that since 31 August 2026 the southern section of Ocean Path, from opposite the Otter Point parking lot to its end, has been closed for repairs.
Jordan Pond and the Jordan Pond House
Jordan Pond, the park’s deepest lake at 150 ft (46 m), mirrors the rounded twin peaks of the North and South Bubbles. The flat 3.3-mile (5.3 km) Jordan Pond Path circles it on gravel and boardwalk. Visitors have taken tea and popovers on the lawn of the Jordan Pond House since 1893; in 2026 the restaurant is open until 26 October and the gift shop until 2 November. The pond is Seal Harbor’s drinking water, so swimming is not allowed. Afternoons are very busy, and the parking lot is small.
Cadillac Mountain
The bare granite summit has a 360-degree view over Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands and Bar Harbor. Besides driving (with a reservation in season), you can hike up: the North Ridge and South Ridge trails are long but steady climbs, and you need no vehicle reservation on foot. Stay on the paved paths and marked rock at the top to protect fragile plants.
The carriage roads
Financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the early 20th century, 45 miles (72 km) of broken-stone carriage roads, crossed by hand-built stone bridges, wind around lakes and mountainsides, closed to cars. They are perfect for cycling, walking and, in winter, cross-country skiing. Popular loops circle Eagle Lake and Witch Hole Pond. Bikes can be rented in Bar Harbor; check the park’s rules before riding an e-bike. Horse-drawn carriage tours from Wildwood Stables run until 15 October 2026.
Cliff and summit hikes
Acadia’s “ladder trails” climb cliffs on iron rungs and handrails. The best known, the Beehive, starts near Sand Beach and climbs a sheer face in a short, steep loop; the Precipice is harder still and closes in spring and summer for nesting peregrine falcons. They are not for anyone afraid of heights, and dogs are not allowed on ladder trails. Gentler choices include Gorham Mountain, the South Bubble (for the Bubble Rock boulder), Great Head and the coastal Ship Harbor Trail. Since 21 September 2026, the eastern section of the Beech Mountain Loop Trail has been closed for repairs; three other routes reach the fire tower on top.
The quiet side, Bass Harbor and Schoodic
The western half of Mount Desert Island, around Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor, is calmer. Bass Harbor Head Light, a working 1858 lighthouse on a rocky point, is a favorite at sunset; the parking lot is small. Echo Lake has a lifeguarded freshwater beach in summer. An hour’s drive from Bar Harbor, the Schoodic Peninsula is the park’s only mainland section, with a one-way loop road, surf crashing on Schoodic Point, bike paths and a campground. Schoodic Head’s summit road has been closed for repairs since 31 August 2026.
Peaks and mountains
- Cadillac Mountain
Beaches
- Sand Beach
Nature
- Jordan Pond
- Otter Cliff
Other sights
- Thunder Hole
Monuments
- Bass Harbor Head Light
Other things to do in Acadia
- Hiking: more than 150 miles of trails, many linked into loops. Carry at least a liter (32 oz) of water, follow the blue blazes and use a proper topographic map. See our hiking guide.
- Cycling: the carriage roads are some of the best car-free riding in the eastern US; the Park Loop Road is hilly and busy. See our cycling guide.
- Boat trips: from Bar Harbor, sail on a schooner, kayak along the shore or take a whale-watching cruise to offshore feeding grounds in summer and early fall. See our boat trips guide.
- Tide pools: at low tide, look for sea stars, periwinkles and crabs at Ship Harbor or Wonderland, and walk the gravel bar to Bar Island from Bar Harbor (check the tide times: it is only exposed for about three hours around low tide).
- Islands: the Islesford Historical Museum on Little Cranberry Island and the remote trails of Isle au Haut, reached by mailboat from Stonington, show another side of the park.
- Night skies: Acadia has some of the darkest skies on the East Coast; try Sand Beach or Schoodic Point on a clear, moonless night.
Activities and best months
- LandMayJunJulAugSepOctDriving up Cadillac Summit Road needs a $6 vehicle reservation on Recreation.gov (20 May-25 October in 2026; 30% released 90 days ahead, the rest two days ahead), separate from the entrance pass; vehicles over 21 ft are not allowed.
Bar Harbor and the island villages
- Bar Harbor: the island’s main town, on Frenchman Bay just north of the park, with hotels, inns, lobster restaurants, ice cream shops and the Shore Path along the water. It is the hub for whale watches, bike rentals and the Island Explorer, and busy with cruise-ship passengers on some days.
- Northeast Harbor and Somesville: quiet villages with a yacht harbor, gardens and the much-photographed white bridge of Somesville.
- Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor: working fishing harbors on the quiet side, with lobster pounds and boat trips.
- Ellsworth: the mainland town at the start of Route 3, with chain motels, supermarkets and the Acadia Gateway Center, where you can park and ride the bus in season.
Nearby destinations
- Portland (Maine)180 km
Getting there
Mount Desert Island is joined to the mainland by a causeway on Route 3. From the south, take Interstate 95 to Augusta and Route 3 to Ellsworth, or Interstate 95 to Bangor and Route 1A to Ellsworth, then Route 3 to the island. A car is the most flexible way to get around; in summer and early fall you can leave it at your hotel and use the Island Explorer.
| From | Distance to Bar Harbor | Route and time |
|---|---|---|
| Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) | about 10 miles (16 km) | Route 3; about 20 minutes. Flights from Boston; the Island Explorer serves the airport in season |
| Bangor International Airport (BGR) | about 50 miles (80 km) | Route 1A and Route 3; about 1 hour; national airlines and car rental |
| Portland, Maine | about 175 miles (282 km) | Interstate 295/95 and Route 3; about 3–3.5 hours |
| Boston, MA | about 280 miles (450 km) | Interstate 95 north; about 5 hours without traffic |
Many visitors combine Acadia with a road trip through New England: see our Boston travel guide for the airport and city, and our Cape Cod travel guide for the Massachusetts coast. Portland, Maine, with its lighthouses and Old Port, makes a good stop on the way.
When to go and how long to stay
Acadia has a short, glorious summer and long cold winters. Fog is common in spring and early summer, the ocean stays cold all year, and the weather on Cadillac and the other summits can be very different from Bar Harbor’s. Most park facilities open in May and close in October, and by November the island is very quiet. Winter brings snow, ice and the Loop Road closure, but also cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the carriage roads.
| Season | Average high | Average low | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 42–64 °F (5–18 °C) | 25–45 °F (−4 to 7 °C) | Slow, foggy spring; Loop Road opens mid-April; services open in May; black flies in late spring. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 74–79 °F (23–26 °C) | 54–60 °F (12–16 °C) | Warm days, cool nights, sea fog; peak season with full parking lots and the most bus service. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 71 °F falling to 48 °F (22–9 °C) | 53 °F falling to 33 °F (12–0 °C) | Crisp and colorful; peak foliage mid-October; most services close by late October. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 33–38 °F (0–3 °C) | 15–22 °F (−9 to −5 °C) | Cold, snowy and quiet; Loop Road closed to cars; no camping in the park. |
Figures are NOAA 1991–2020 normals for the Acadia National Park weather station at park headquarters on McFarland Hill, about 470 ft (143 m) above sea level, near Bar Harbor. It averages about 56 inches (1,411 mm) of precipitation a year, with the wettest months from October to December and the driest in July and August, when it rains on about 6 days a month. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; storms that reach Maine usually arrive weakened, as remnants, but can bring heavy rain, high surf and road damage.
Weather month by month
Acadia in one day
Catch sunrise on Cadillac (with a reservation in season), then drive the Park Loop Road’s one-way section: Sand Beach, a walk along Ocean Path to Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff. Have lunch or popovers at the Jordan Pond House and walk part of the Jordan Pond Path, then end the day in Bar Harbor, or at Bass Harbor Head Light for sunset.
Two or three days
Add a morning hike up the Beehive or Gorham Mountain, a bike ride on the carriage roads around Eagle Lake, and a whale-watch or schooner trip from Bar Harbor. On the third day, explore the quiet side (Somesville, Echo Lake, Ship Harbor and Bass Harbor) or drive to the Schoodic Peninsula.
Where to stay near Acadia
There are no hotels or lodges inside the park; everyone stays in the towns around it or camps. Summer and early fall book up months ahead, and many inns close from late October to May.
- Bar Harbor: the biggest choice of hotels, inns and B&Bs, walking distance to restaurants and on the bus routes; the most convenient base.
- Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Bass Harbor: smaller inns and cottages on the quiet side, closer to the western trails.
- Trenton and Ellsworth: cheaper motels on the mainland, 20–40 minutes from the park.
- Camping: Blackwoods (east side, open 1 May to 19 October in 2026), Seawall (quiet side) and Schoodic Woods (20 May to 12 October), and Duck Harbor on Isle au Haut. All sites must be reserved on Recreation.gov: 90% are released six months ahead on the first of each month and the rest 14 days ahead. There is no winter or backcountry camping and no overnight parking in the park.
Room taxes: room rates are usually quoted before tax. Maine charges a 9% tax on rentals of lodging (hotels, inns, campgrounds and vacation rentals) as of October 2026, and 8% on prepared food and drinks in restaurants. Some hotels add their own resort or service fees; check the full price when you book.
Practical tips for Acadia
- Go cashless: the park accepts only cards and mobile payment; Recreation.gov sells both passes and Cadillac reservations.
- Beat the crowds: visit popular spots before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., use the Island Explorer, and have a backup plan when a lot is full. Never park outside marked spaces.
- Check current conditions: trail and road repairs, beach water-quality notices (the Sand Beach lagoon, not the beach itself, had a swimming warning in early October 2026) and storm closures are posted on the park’s Current Conditions page.
- Off-season: in 2026, Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open until 31 October and the Sieur de Monts Nature Center until 17 October; in winter, information and passes are available at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
- Safety: granite is slippery when wet, and falls from cliffs and ladder trails are the park’s most serious accidents; stay back from edges and off wet rock by the sea, where rogue waves strike at places like Thunder Hole and Schoodic Point. Ocean water is cold enough to cause cold shock. Check for ticks after hikes, and be ready for fog and fast weather changes on summits. Call 911 in an emergency; signal is patchy.
- Rules: keep pets on a 6-ft (1.8 m) leash and off ladder trails; no swimming in lakes that are public water supplies, such as Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake; leave firewood at home; drones are not allowed.
- Time zone: Maine uses Eastern Time with daylight saving time; in midsummer the sun rises before 5 a.m.
What to pack for Acadia
Bring layers for every season: even in July, a fleece and windproof rain jacket are essential for Cadillac at sunrise, boat trips and foggy days. Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip handle granite ledges and rooty trails; add gloves for ladder trails. Pack sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent (black flies in late spring, mosquitoes and ticks in summer), a reusable water bottle and a printed trail map. In fall, add a warm hat and gloves for early mornings; in winter, microspikes, warm boots and skis or snowshoes for the carriage roads.
Acadia travel FAQ
How much does it cost to enter Acadia National Park in 2026?
$35 per car, $30 per motorcycle or $20 per person on foot, bike or bus, valid 7 days, as of October 2026. Non-US residents aged 16 and over also pay $100 each unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Do I need a reservation for Cadillac Mountain?
Yes, to drive Cadillac Summit Road from 20 May to 25 October 2026: a $6 vehicle reservation on Recreation.gov, plus your entrance pass. Walkers, cyclists and taxi passengers don’t need one, and none is needed from 26 October until the road closes on 1 December.
When are Cadillac sunrise reservations released?
30% go on sale at 10 a.m. Eastern Time 90 days ahead and the remaining 70% at 10 a.m. two days ahead. You can book one sunrise reservation per seven days.
When does the Park Loop Road close?
Most of it, including the road up Cadillac, closes to cars from 1 December to 14 April, depending on the weather. The ocean section from Schooner Head Road to Otter Cliff Road and the road to Jordan Pond stay open all year.
Is the Island Explorer free, and when does it run?
Yes, it is fare-free, although you still need a park entrance pass. In 2026 it runs until 12 October, with the main routes starting in late June and some routes from 20 May. It does not go up Cadillac.
Can you stay inside Acadia National Park?
Only by camping: there are no hotels or lodges in the park. Book Blackwoods, Seawall or Schoodic Woods on Recreation.gov, or stay in Bar Harbor and the other island towns.
What is the best time to visit Acadia?
September to mid-October for cooler weather, fewer crowds and fall color, which usually peaks in mid-October. July and August are warmest but busiest.
Can you swim in Acadia?
Yes, at Sand Beach (very cold ocean water), Echo Lake Beach and Lake Wood. Swimming is not allowed in lakes that supply drinking water, including Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake.
What taxes are added to hotel bills near Acadia?
Maine’s 9% lodging tax, as of October 2026. Restaurant meals carry 8% tax. Some hotels also add their own fees.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Fees, the non-resident fee, passes and fee-free days, Cadillac Summit Road reservations and entry windows, Park Loop Road and winter closures, bridge clearances, 2026 opening and closing dates, campground release rules, current trail and road closures, the Island Explorer rules, Jordan Pond, hiking rules and directions come from Acadia National Park (National Park Service) and Recreation.gov; the 2026 Island Explorer calendar from Explore Acadia (Downeast Transportation); lodging and meals tax from Maine Revenue Services; hurricane season from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; climate from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the Acadia National Park station. Some distances and drive times, trail details, the Bar Island crossing and the Schoodic ferry are flagged for checking. Conditions change, so check the park’s alerts before you travel. For entry rules, driving and tipping, see our United States travel guide.
Also: nps.gov · NOAA NCEI normals 1991–2020, Acadia National Park (McFarland Hill) (climate)
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)