Acadia National Park

Located in the depths of Maine, Acadia National Park is known for its beautiful coastlines, fall foliage, and unique hikes. In this guide you will find everything you need to know before visiting including trail recommendations, sample itineraries, packing list, and other resources to ensure you have a seamless trip!

Disclaimer: This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers.

---

Beehive Trail

---

Travel

Airports

• Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (15 min drive)

• Bangor International Airport (1 hour drive)

• Portland International Airport (3 hour drive)

• Boston International Airport (4.5 hour drive)

Transportation

• The best way to get to Acadia National Park is to rent a car and make the drive if coming from anywhere except Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport

  • From the end of June until Columbus day the park offers a free shuttle system from Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport into the park

• There is a free shuttle system once in the park that can take you to all the sites and campgrounds!

---

---

Permits

• America the Beautiful Pass (Annual National Park Pass)

  • If you have this you this you do NOT need an Acadia Park Entry Pass

• Acadia Park Entry Pass

• Cadillac Mountain Lottery

---

Must see sites

• Jordan Pond

• Cadillac Mountain

• Thunder Hole

• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse (best sunset spot)

• Park Loop Road

• Beehive Trail

• Precipice Trail

• Ocean Path Trail

• Carriage Roads

• Beech Mountain

---

Packing List

This is a packing list specifically for hiking and camping in Acadia, if you are looking for an all inclusive gear list, click here!

• Hiking

  • Day pack (15-30L)

  • Water Bladder (3L)

  • Hiking boots

  • Hiking socks

  • Hiking pants

  • Hiking tank

  • Hiking long sleeve shirt

  • Puffer jacket

  • Sun hat

  • Sunscreen

  • Bugspray

  • Satellite phone

  • Trekking poles (optional)

  • Snacks

  • First aid kit

  • Rain jacket

  • Headlamp

• Camping

  Campsite

  • Tent

  • Sleeping bag

  • Sleeping pad

  • Blow up pillow

  • Sleep wear

  • Camping chair

  • Camp Sandals

  • Lantern

  • Headlamp 

  Eating

  • Kitchen stove and fuel

  • Lighter

  • Eating utensil and dishware

  • Water Filter

  • Meals

  • Snacks

  • Water bottle

  Misc

  • First aid kit

  • Paracord

  • Satellite Phone

  • Toiletries

  • Quick dry towel

  • Portable Charger

Resources

Kendall’s All Trail Link

Kendall’s Acadia National Park Google Map

---

Sunset at Bass Harbor

Sample Itinerary

Each night has a camping or hotel option for you to choose from!

Day 1 (Travel Day)

• Depending on what airport you fly into and what time your flight lands, either stay the night near the airport or go ahead and make the drive into the park

• If able to drive into the park the same day you land, camp at Blackwoods Campground

  • Permits release 6 months in advance

• Hotel Options

Day 2

• Cadillac Mountain for sunrise (Need Permit)

  • From Cadillac Mountain, choose from one of many hikes that start at Cadillac Mountain

• Hike Precipice Trail

• Drive the rest of the Park Loop Road

• Drive to Jordan Pond

  • Has restaurant you can eat at

• Drive back to Blackwoods Campground and stay the night

• Hotel Options

Day 3

• Hike Beehive Trail (start early as this trail is one of the most popular in the park and will get very crowded)

• Hike Ocean Path Trail

  • This trail includes Sands Beach, Thunder hole, and Otter Point

• Drive up to Bar Harbor for lunch

• Drive to Bass Harbor Lighthouse for Sunset

• Camp at Seawall Campground

• Hotel Options

Day 4

• Hike Wonderland Trail

• Hike Beech Mountain Trail

• Camp at Seawall Campground

• Hotel Options

Day 5 (Travel day)

• Drive back to airport and fly home

---

Beech Mountain

---