Acadia National Park is a 47,000 acre wooded, mountainous area located on the Atlantic Coast in Southern Maine, off Mount Desert Island. You will find mountains, lakes, walking paths, hiking, rock climbing, and way more! Making Acadia National Park the perfect spot for the whole family! I visited Acadia National Park in October 2020 with my mom for a birthday road trip! I’ve listed my favorite areas in the park in this Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do Blog.
Mount Desert Island East Side
The park is divided into 5 different sections: Mount Desert Island East Side, Mount Desert Island West Side, Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, and Outer Islands. This Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do Blog only includes areas in Mount Desert East side, as it is the most visited spot in Acadia National Park.
Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do
- Drive the 27 Mile Park Loop Road – Entrance fee $30/vehicle, or National Park Pass
- Walk the Cadillac Summit Loop Trail – Reservation needed $2/vehicle (new in 2020, subject to change)
- Soak Up Some Sun on Sand Beach – Reservation needed $2/vehicle (new in 2020, subject to change)
- Walk the Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail – Free, no reservation needed
- Hike the Precipice Loop– Free, no reservation needed
- Hike the Beehive Loop Trail -Free, no reservation needed
- Walk the Ocean Path – Thunder Hole & Otter Point – Free, no reservation needed
- Explore the Carriage Roads – Free, no reservation needed
- Visit the Wild Gardens of Acadia – Climb the Emery Path – Free, no reservation needed
- Take a Picture at Bubble Rock – Free, no reservation needed
1. Drive the 27 Mile Park Loop Road
The 27 Mile Park Loop Road is located on Mount Desert Island East Side. Visitors agree that it is the quickest most efficient way to see the park. You can drive to all 10 attractions I’ve listed above utilizing the Park Loop Road. Do note the loop is mostly one way so make sure you have a clear plan of the attractions you want to visit because once you pass them you are unable to turn around.
You will enter the Park Loop road and will be charged $30 per car unless you have an annual national park pass ($80 per vehicle). You will also receive a map that will help you get to all the best spots! Bathrooms are frequent on the path, although food options are scarce. I recommend packing your own lunch. The 27 Mile Park Loop Road is a great option for the elderly, young children, or people who are not looking to do a lot of walking or hiking. Efficiency brings the 27 Mile Park Loop Road to number 1. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
2. Explore Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is arguably the biggest attraction in Acadia National Park. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the East Coast of the U.S. and is the first place in the U.S. to view sunrise! Once you are at the top of Cadillac make sure to walk the 0.4 Mile Cadillac Summit Loop for the best coastal views. The loop is perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Coastal views brings the Cadillac Mountain to number 2. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
There are two options to getting to the mountain.
How to Get to Cadillac Mountain
- Drive up the mountain using the Park Loop Road – estimated 15 minute drive to the top parking lot
- Due to COVID and the popularity of this attraction a reservation is needed. You can book your reservation on the Acadia National Park Government site for $2.00/Vehicle. (Reservations were new in 2020 and may change in the future)
- Hike Cadillac North Ridge Trail to the summit – estimated 2-4 hour hike to the summit
- This is a moderate 4.4 mile out and back hike. There is no charge for this hike.
3. Soak Up Some Sun on Sand Beach
Sand Beach is the second most popular attraction in Acadia National Park. The beach is 290 yards long and is surrounded by mountains. The beach is just a great place to hang out and catch some rays or take a dip in the ocean. I’d recommend coming here after a hike for lunch and relaxing.
A reservation is required for the Sand Beach entrance at $2/vehicle. Reservations started in 2020 due to the increased number of visitors from COVID-19. It’s possible the reservation requirement may change in the future so make sure to check before you go! A sunny place to relax brings Sand Beach to number 3. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
4. Walk the Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail
Jordan Pond is absolutely beautiful due to the surrounding wildlife and mountains. My mom and I loved the Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail because of how gorgeous the never ending views were! The loop is 3.4 miles and is completely flat, which makes it perfect for all ages and dog walkers! Do note the ease of this trail makes it quite accessible and it can be congested at times. The easiness of this trail brings Jordan Pond to number 4. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
5. Hike the Precipice Loop
The Precipice Loop is for the thrill seeker since the hike includes: metal rungs and ladders, narrow pathways along cliffs, and rock climbing. This hike is considered strenuous although it is only 3.2 miles round trip. This hike is not for children or those scared of heights. Although this hike is challenging, it does provide rewarding views at the top of Champlain Mountain. I did not do this hike since I was with my mom but I guarantee Faris and I would have done it together! Extreme hiking brings the Precipice Trail to number 5. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
6. Hike the Beehive Loop Trail
If the Precipice Loop is too extreme for you check out the Beehive Loop Trail. This hike is still considered moderate to difficult but short at only 1.4 miles. The hike is steep with some exposed cliffs and iron rungs. This trail won’t take you too long but it will provide awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean! This is a fairly popular hike, so get here early! Atlantic views brings the Beehive Loop Trail to number 6. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
7. Walk the Ocean Path – Thunder Hole & Otter Point
The Ocean Path is a 4.5 mile out and back trail with almost no elevation. The walking path starts at Sand Beach and runs parallel to the coast line on Mount Desert Island. The path leads to Thunder Hole, which is a great place to stop and take pictures.
Thunder hole is on the coastline and is made of rocks and cliffs. When the waves get high enough they clash into the rocks and create a thunder sound!
When you are done with Thunder Hole, continue on the path until you reach the end at Otter Point. Otter Point is filled with unique rock formations and views overlooking the beaches. You will find more walking paths and wildlife here!
Do note this walking path falls between the water and the Park Loop road so if you weren’t in the mood to walk you can drive along this route to both Thunder Hole and Otter Point. This walking path is great for young families but is not for someone looking for more extreme adventures. Clashing waters brings the Ocean Path to number 7. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
8. Explore the Carriage Roads
John D Rockefeller Jr., a skilled horseman and philanthropist, donated 45 miles of carriage roads. Rockefeller wanted to travel on a non-motor road in order to use his horse and carriage into the heart of Mount Desert Island. Rockefeller was a craftsman and his roads were a true work of art, he purposely placed the roads to be surrounded by nature and overlook the best views on the island.
Today the roads are well kept due to the volunteer work and financial backing from Friends of Acadia. Make sure to check these roads out and take a long walk through history! You can even take a horse carriage ride on these roads. History brings the Carriage Roads to number 8. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
9. Visit the Wild Gardens of Acadia
If serene nature walks is your thing then the Wild Gardens of Acadia is for you. The garden is home to over 300 native species. When you first pull into the parking lot it does not look like anything special. Don’t judge a book by its cover, make sure to walk past the brown building to get a true feel for this place!
Besides the natural habitat you will find the Abbe Museum, Nature Center, and multiple walking paths. If you are feeling adventurous head to the 0.8 mile Emory Path, which is mostly stone steps going up a mountain. You will be rewarded with views of the Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Natural Wildlife brings the Wild Gardens of Acadia to number 9. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
10. Take a Picture with Bubble Rock
Bubble Rock is a large boulder that was moved by glaciers and now sits at the edge of a cliff. The entire view from this point is breathtaking and is deserving of some pictures. In order to get here you must hike a short family friendly walk at 1.4 miles round-trip. It gets packed here quickly so make sure to head this way early! The picturesque view brings the Bubble Rock to number 10. on our Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do List.
Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do Conclusion
Acadia National Park is is absolutely stunning and the perfect little getaway for all ages. You will find mountains, cliffs, ocean, beaches and more! I could spend days exploring Acadia National Park! I hope this Explore Acadia National Park: 10 Best Things to Do Blog helps you plan your own Acadia National Park adventure!
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