Acadia National Park is located near Bar Harbor, Maine, and about a 3-hour drive from Portland, Maine. I initially questioned if the extra 3-hour drive along the road trip was worth it, but the breathtaking fall foliage views quickly convinced me I made the right decision. While Acadia is the 5th largest US National Park, and the 3rd most visited, it is definitely on my list of Top 3 Favorite National Parks. Visitors travel from all over the US to get a glimpse of Acadia at peak foliage in Mid-October. Keep reading to learn more about how you can spend a day and a half in one of my all-time favorite parks!
Travel dates: October 28-29th, 2020 (2 days)
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Day 1
Park Loop Road
This scenic, one-way road takes you around the entire National Park within a 45-minute drive. I recommend starting off here to get acclimated to the park’s layout and plan which stops interest you for the remainder of your trip. A few quick stops I recommend, that are easily accessible from Park Loop Road, are Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs.
Review: Yellow – There were cute pullovers along the drive that we took advantage of to grab a few quick shots of the perfect fall foliage.
Great Head Trail
This moderate 1.4-mile roundtrip hike has amazing views of Sand Beach and the Atlantic Ocean coast. It is a short, yet rewarding hike for people that like a little adventure. There are some sections requiring you to climb rocks using your hands, making this a fun and interactive hike. It is most common to access via the Sand Beach parking lot and then walking across the length of the beach to the trailhead.
Review: Green – We loved this hike for many reasons and I would recommend this hike for most ability types. It was the perfect distance, not as heavily trafficked, and had beautiful coastal views. The easy sections of rock climbing made it more engaging than the typical flat hike.
Sand Beach
Sand Beach is a beautiful cove-like beach with astounding views year-round. In the summertime, it is a family-friendly destination known for swimming and in the fall it boosts top-notch views of foliage alongside the coastal rocks. It is easily accessible via the large parking lot, but make sure to get there early because spots fill up quickly during peak travel dates.
Review: Yellow – We spent a quick 10-15 minutes taking pictures here; the combination of fall foliage and the beautiful coastline made for a great photo opportunity. We then ventured along the beach to the Great Head Trail.
Day 2
Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain
The Cadillac mountain was by far the best sunrise I’ve ever seen. It is famously known as “America’s first sunrise,” making it a must-do stop when visiting Acadia National Park. I highly recommend marking this as your first stop in the morning and arriving over an hour before sunrise to secure a parking spot. Don’t worry – there is no hiking required for the view; the sunset is easily seen when you find a comfy spot to sit right along the parking lot.
Review: Green – At first I was nervous because it was a cloudy day and I feared the sunrise would not be as impressive, but we were above the clouds so the views were absolutely breathtaking. We saw the best views about 30 minutes before sunrise.
Bubble Divide Trail
These moderately difficult trails are a great way to knock off 3 scenic views in 1 hike. The Bubble Divide Trail starts at the Bubble Parking Lot, connecting North Bubble, South Bubble, and Bubble Rock. The hikes are primarily uphill, and similar to Great Head Trail, there are a couple of sections that require using your hands to climb. In total, the loop is just over 2 miles and should take about 1.5-2 hours to complete by most ability types.
Review: Green – We recommend starting with North Bubble, which has the best views, and then hiking to Bubble Rock, which is located just steps away from South Bubble. There are additional options to hike this trail via Jordan Pond; for this route, we recommend getting familiar with the park map and planning your journey ahead of time to avoid any confusion.
Beehive Trail
This thrilling hike was definitely one of my favorite hikes to date. It starts with a 0.6-mile uphill climb that involves climbing several iron rung ladders. As you climb, you will see gorgeous views that are arguably the best in the entire park. This is a moderately strenuous climb that I do not recommend in rainy conditions or for people with a fear of heights. For those who love a stimulating adventure and are physically in shape, this hike should be on your list while in Acadia. The climb from the trailhead to the peak took about 1 hour up with several stops and 30 minutes down the 1-mile Bowl Trail for a much easier route back.
Review: Green – While the hike initially seemed intimidating because it was rated, “difficult,” we were three moderately in shape 23-year-olds and found it to be manageable when wearing the proper footwear (e.g. sturdy boots). Be sure to consult the park staff to ensure the conditions are safe for climbing Beehive.
Recommendations We Missed
Ocean Beach Trail – Enjoy a family-friendly, mostly flat stroll along the 2-mile path from Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs. There are multiple parking areas along the trail, so it may be more feasible to complete only a section of the trail.
Jordan Pond – Walk this easy, flat 3.4-mile loop around Jordan Pond, taking about 2 hours to complete.
Precipice Trail – This is the most challenging hike in Acadia National Park with several iron rungs, handrails, ladders, and wooden bridges to help hikers navigate the climbing obstacles.
Comment below for other recommendations at Acadia National Park!
