Acadia National Park is a destination for more than two million visitors each year. With many different facilities and attractions in the park, there is something to interest everyone.
The average visitor spends three to four days in the area, although you easily could fill a week with activities in the park and nearby attractions. Listed below are some suggestions based on length of stay. Use the information on this website to tailor these activities to suit your own interests. Whatever you chose to do, remember to take some time to relax and enjoy your time in the park.
The list below is intended for visits between mid-April and October. Many facilities and roads are closed during the winter; for more information, visit Operating Hours and Seasons.
If you have...
Half-Day
- Stop at the visitor center to pick up a map and park newspaper (the Beaver Log), pay your entrance fee, watch the 15-minute orientation video, and plan your visit using the 3-D map of Mount Desert Island.
- Drive the 20-mile Park Loop Road for breathtaking views of ocean, mountains, and forests. Don't forget the 3.5-mile road up Cadillac Mountain. Driving the entire road, including short stops to read wayside exhibits or enjoy the scenery, takes three to four hours.
- Walk the 1/3-mile loop trail (part of which is accessible) atop Cadillac Mountain.
One Day
- Take a short walk on a trail or carriage road.
- Participate in a ranger-led talk or walk.
- Investigate the Nature Center, where you can learn about plants and animals and how the park manages them.
Multiple Days
- Explore the park's scenic 45-mile carriage road system on a bike or horse-drawn carriage tour.
- Hike through forests and up mountains on 125 miles of historic hiking trails.
- Visit the west side of Mount Desert Island, including stops at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Carroll Homestead guided trail, and the Ship Harbor or Wonderland trails.
- Take one of our ranger-narrated boat cruises to learn about sea life, island history, and more. Other ranger-led walks, talks, hikes, and amphitheater programs are available daily from late May to early October.
- Have tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House, a tradition for more than a century.
