Hi there - I’m heading to Acadia on October 12th from Vermont. I have a few options to drive there - northern route or southern. Wondering if anyone could recommend one over the other? We are heading to the Boston area afterwards so I’m leaning towards the northern route. Thanks in advance!
Arrived via Freeport and the scenic route last Sunday. The week progressed from cool rain to mild sunshine. No regrets about hiking in the rain. Parking got progressively worse at the hot spots, but the trails were peaceful. Departed yesterday. Bar Harbor was bustling. "No Vacancy" signs everywhere. Leaves are starting to pop.
Family is taking a week long trip to Maine to visit ANP and plan on staying near Ellsworth. Have never been to ANP or Maine for that matter.
We are trying to decide if we should schedule our visit for the last week of June (June 26 to July 3) or mid to late July 2027.
Is there any benefit in one versus the other? Will crowds at the park be any different? Any significance between inland lake water temperatures between those dates? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
We’re in Acadia now and my daughters are hoping to find some tide pools with starfish and maybe some sea glass. Anyone have a suggestion where to go? Thanks.
I’m trying to understand the late end of the timed entry passes. We want to go up for the sunset, but do the timed entry passes stop at 3:30, meaning the latest you can drive in is about 4:00? That’s all I’m seeing. Or, do I have to get online at 10:00 am EST to secure, say, a 4:30/5 pass, do they sell out? We are driving from PWM, our flight gets in at 11, so 3:30 is cutting it a little close! Thanks!
Planning my first solo trip to catch peak/late fall foliage and spend 2 days exploring Acadia on a budget. I'll be flying into Portland (PWM) and taking Route 1 up to Mount Desert Island.
A few details and constraints:
Recovering from a leg injury a few months back, so I need to keep things low-impact. The goal is mostly scenic drives, scenic pull-offs, and short, flat strolls (no rocky scrambles or steep inclines).
How biting are the wind and cold right on the coast around this time? I’m totally fine with crisp autumn weather and layers, but if open coastal lookouts are brutally freezing or miserable, I'd like to prepare mentally and pack accordingly.
Sticking to a budget, so I’m looking at staying around Ellsworth rather than Bar Harbor (Bangor feels a bit too far for a 2-day base).
A few quick questions:
What are the best flat, gentle trails or viewpoints in Acadia that give great payoff without risking a healing leg? (e.g., how manageable are Ocean Path or parts of the Jordan Pond loop?)
Any must-stop roadside foliage view or cheap eats along Route 1 between Portland and Ellsworth?
Appreciate any advice or local insight!
Didn’t get a reservation for the sites released today unfortunately and prepared to pay for somewhere to pitch our tent!