Acadia National Park Park

Address: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME (parkwide)

Website: https://www.nps.gov/acad/

Hours: Park open 24 hours; visitor centers seasonal (check website)

Admission: $30 per private vehicle (7-day) - check NPS site for current fees

Acadia National Park protects coastal and island landscapes on and around Mount Desert Island off the central Maine coast and was established as a national park in 1919. The park preserves a mix of rocky headlands, forests, lakes, and shoreline with a long history of conservation and public recreation.

Visitors use the Park Loop Road and numerous trails for scenic drives, hiking, cycling, and shoreline viewing; signature features include Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole. The park also includes carriage roads and historic structures built with local stone.

The park grew through land donations by private citizens and philanthropic efforts in the early 20th century and has been managed to balance public access with habitat and shoreline protection. Facilities and seasonal services concentrate on Mount Desert Island.

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island and nearby smaller islands off the central Maine coast; Bar Harbor is the principal nearby town and gateway, and the park is about 275 miles northeast of Boston by road.

• Sunrise and access: Cadillac Mountain is a popular sunrise destination in autumn and winter when it is often the first place in the continental U.S. to see sunrise; timed parking and road access can be restricted during peak season.

What to See#

• Cadillac Mountain: **Cadillac Mountain** is the park’s highest point at 1,530 feet and is known for sunrise views that are among the first on the U.S. Atlantic coast during parts of the year.
• Jordan Pond: **Jordan Pond and Jordan Pond House** feature a clear glacial pond with walking trails and a historic house known for its tea and popovers facing the Bubbles rock formations.
• Park Loop Road: **Park Loop Road** is a scenic drive that connects Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and various overlooks; the full loop covers about 27 miles of roadway through coastal terrain.
• Sand Beach and Thunder Hole: **Sand Beach and Thunder Hole** are coastal features on Mount Desert Island offering shoreline access and a natural pocket where waves create audible surf and splashing at Thunder Hole.

By car: Acadia National Park is centered on Mount Desert Island near Bar Harbor, Maine. From Bangor it’s about a 45-60 minute drive east to Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island via US‑1A and ME‑3; from Portland expect a considerably longer drive. Once on Mount Desert Island follow Park Loop Road and signs to the park’s visitor centers and parking areas.

Public transit: During the summer season the Island Explorer shuttle provides free service from Bar Harbor and other island communities to Acadia trailheads and visitor facilities.

• Arrive very early if you plan to watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain-the area is extremely popular and parking fills fast; for a day visit, start at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to get current road and shuttle information.
• Use the free seasonal Island Explorer shuttle to reach popular spots like Jordan Pond and Park Loop Road attractions during the summer to avoid parking headaches in Bar Harbor.
• Drive the Park Loop Road early or late in the day to avoid tour-bus congestion at the main pullouts; if you want quieter trails, build time for the carriage roads away from the shoreline.