The jagged shoreline along Maine’s Atlantic coast makes Acadia National Park a favorite among travelers. There are no shortage of sensational seaside sights as rocky cliffs dramatically jut out into the blue crashing waves. We’ve rounded up the best of what to see in Acadia – including a hidden gem.
PERFECT LONG-WEEKEND GETAWAY
Acadia is the perfect destination for nature seekers needing to be savvy with their time. We spent just over 2 days there, but one could easily fit the many spectacular sights into a 2-day weekend.
(Fitting in a trip to Boston along the way? Check out our article, Boston with Teens, which details how Boston has something for everyone!)
By accident we found the most scenic and inspiring place in the park on the morning we left for the airport. We learned that this peaceful hidden gem is purposely not labeled on Acadia maps. Read on to find out why.
Plus to save you time on your Acadia adventure – we not only fill you in on what to see in Acadia, we’ve included things you can skip without regret.
So, first things first…
What to see in Acadia – DAY ONE
SUNRISE ON CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
There are many dramatic spots within Acadia to see the sunrise, but by far the most popular is Cadillac Mountain. And for good reason. It’s the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard and widely touted as the first place in the U.S. to see the sun rise (although that’s only true during half the year, but who’s keeping track?)
You’ll want to check the exact time of sunrise for the day you plan to view it. Then Leave Bar Harbor at least an hour prior to dawn to allow enough time to see the beautiful colors leading up to the sunrise.
It’s about a 15-minute drive from Bar Harbor to the top of the mountain. The parking lot will probably fill up, but then you can park along the side of the road.
You definitely won’t be alone at Cadillac Mountain. We saw people in small tents, couples wrapped in blankets, families bundled in hats and sweatshirts all spread out along the mountaintop.
While I’d rather see the sunrise in solitude, there was enough space between the crowds and the views were so dramatic that I don’t know why you’d choose any other place to see the sunrise in Acadia.
EARLY MORNING HIKE
After waking up bright and early to catch the sunrise, you should make use of the early morning hours to hike one of Acadia’s scenic trails. One of our biggest tips for exploring National Parks is to get up and going early before the crowds are out.
The crowd from Cadillac Mountain most likely went back to bed after the sunrise, because we hiked to Bubble Rock and only ran into one other family the entire way. It really makes for a different kind of experience when you are alone on your hike. It’s more peaceful, you can take in the views slowly without interruption, and you have more photo opportunities without other people getting in your way.
Bubble Rock is a 1-hour round-trip hike to a huge boulder that looks like it’s hanging off the edge of a cliff. It seems as if you could give it a little nudge and it would plummet to the ground below. But trust me, it doesn’t budge. I tried, as do most people visiting this unique sight.
The hike to Bubble Rock was easy and provided some impressive views at the end – I definitely recommend it.
BIKE THE CARRIAGE ROADS
If you’re tired after your hike (because you’ve been up since before dawn), you could go back to your hotel for a rest. But quite possibly the amazing views will energize you and you’ll want to continue making the most of your time at Acadia.
We grabbed a quick breakfast and then rented bikes to explore the Carriage Roads. I must say, it felt great to take in the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, complete the trek to Bubble Rock and experience a scenic bike ride all before noon on our first day!
You aren’t able to rent bikes inside Acadia, but Bar Harbor has a variety of vendors. We rented from Acadia Bike and then took the free Island Explorer Bicycle Express shuttle into the Park. Acadia Bike offers all kinds of bikes for young and old and also provides helmets. Make sure to grab a complimentary map of the Carriage Roads before leaving the shop.
Motorized traffic is not allowed on the Carriage Roads in Acadia making them ideal for biking. John D. Rockefeller funded these roads, built around 1913, after becoming upset that cars would be allowed in the park. These well-maintained roads are a scenic way to see the park.
We biked the 6-mile loop around Eagle Lake. It was a relatively easy route, but had a few challenging slopes to give us a good workout. Put this on your list of activities to do.
OLI’S TROLLEY
We don’t usually take narrated bus tours on our travels, but this turned out to be an enjoyable break from our very active – and very early – morning. We were traveling with two older family members who don’t do a lot of strenuous hiking, so this was especially nice for them.
Oli’s Trolley offers a few different tours. We took the 2.5 hour tour that stops at Cadillac Mountain Summit, Thunder Hole on Ocean Drive and the Jordan Pond area. Our tour guide, Jim, had a wealth of knowledge and made the trolley ride entertaining.
We’re told these tours fill up fast, but we were able to book ours online just one day in advance.
CHARMING BAR HARBOR
We spent a relaxing evening outside the park in Bar Harbor. There is no lodging inside Acadia, but the adjacent town, Bar Harbor, is extremely convenient and exudes charm at every turn. We spent three nights here and soaked up every little bit of it.
We stayed at The Inn on Mount Desert, which was within walking distance to a variety of superb restaurants. During your visit you’ll want to check out the Side Street Café for their scrumptious clam chowder and West Street Café for their super friendly staff, delicious crab cakes and mouthwatering Maine blueberry martinis.
What to see in Acadia – DAY TWO
THUNDER HOLE / GORHAM MOUNTAIN TRAIL / SAND BEACH
Our second day we were up early (although not as early as the previous day) and out for another beautiful hike. This time we hiked a 3-mile loop that started and ended at Thunder Hole. This included part of Ocean Path and a trek up Gorham Mountain – a definite highlight for our group. I can’t recommend it enough!
Our adventure began witnessing the waves at Thunder Hole. They crash into the naturally formed inlet and can produce thunderous sounds. If the waves are big enough, it can be an awesome sight to see – and hear! But even if not, the area is gorgeous with large rocks to climb on, sit atop and gaze out at the ocean.
From there it’s only a short walk to the beginning of the Gorham Mountain Trail. The picturesque trek up Gorham Mountain includes an optional trail that splits off to the right called Cadillac Cliffs. I recommend taking this path as they both end up at the same amazing summit.
Cadillac Cliffs is a fun climb as you hike up and over boulders while navigating rocky steps surrounded by trees. (The arrangement of boulders creates crevices just large enough for kids to hide in.) The hike to the 525-foot summit is moderately challenging and is one of the most fun hikes I’ve done.
The top of the mountain presents you with the most expansive and breathtaking view of the bright blue ocean and rocky coast below. Be assured you’ll want to sit atop the summit soaking in the panoramic scenery for quite some time (possibly forever).
My three children (ages 15, 13 and 10) continue to rave about this trek. My teenage son gave Gorham Mountain 9 out of 10 stars, saying, “For it to have 10 stars there would have to be a Gatorade fountain at the top and a water slide down to the bottom.” Makes perfect sense.
From there we continued down the mountain to the scenic Sand Beach. We relaxed and waded in the cold ocean water. (The water temperature here rarely exceeds 55 degrees in the summer.) Then we returned to Thunder Hole.
We spent a total of three hours hiking this Thunder Hole-Gorham Mountain-Sand Beach loop.
One thing to note: You are going to want to graze on the Maine blueberries growing wild on your Acadia hikes. Yes, that’s right. Disregard your mother’s stern warning never to eat wild berries. From July to mid-September blueberries grow wild in Acadia National Park. You’ll definitely want to taste these tiny sweet treats along the trail.
ECHO LAKE
After lunch we took the kids swimming at Acadia’s Echo Lake. It may not be quite as scenic as Sand Beach, but this freshwater lake is warmer and relatively shallow making it a great place to take a dip.
BYPASS BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE
There is so much not to miss in Acadia, but Bass Harbor Lighthouse is not one of them. With so many scenic vantage points in the park, this is one you can skip with no regrets. The lighthouse itself is underwhelming. It’s better viewed from a boat out on the water. But if you’re just walking up to it, it’s small and not very impressive. Photographers who manage to snap beautiful photos of it are taken from the vantage point of the water or down a rather steep cliff on slippery and dangerous rocks looking back at the coastline.
BE CAREFUL OF BEEHIVE TRAIL
Our group of travelers included two seniors, 5 children and at least one adult scared of heights (okay, that person is me!) So we did not climb Beehive Trail. We heard this trail is not for the faint of heart. From what we witnessed we could definitely see why. After our Gorham Mountain hike we looked up to see the Beehive Trail hikers sky-high above us. Our jaws dropped open as we watched them navigate narrow exposed rocky paths. And even though safely on the ground, at least one of us was getting dizzy just watching them. (Yes, me again.)
The Beehive trail is described as steep, strenuous and not suitable for small children or those afraid of heights. If any of those apply to you or your group, just move on and don’t regret passing by. Otherwise, if you’re a risk-taker, go for it and be awarded with stunning scenic views from the summit. Just be careful and don’t look down until you safely reach the top!
HIDDEN GEM IN ACADIA
Just when you think you’ve seen the best jagged coastline panoramas Acadia has to offer, you stumble upon possibly the most scenic Acadia view during the serene early hours of your last morning in the park…
At least that’s how it happened for us.
The rocky shore just a short walk down from Schooner Head Overlook is the most underrated gem in Acadia. The dramatic views, peaceful sounds, and majestic rocks envelop you creating the perfect escape and solitude.
This idyllic area actually lies just off the Park Loop Road a short distance from the Sand Beach entrance station. Our plan was to walk the Great Head Trail, but we ventured down this path instead. It was possibly the highlight of our entire Acadia adventure!
We were there around 7:00 a.m., which was probably the reason we didn’t see another soul the entire time – just how we like it.
Wondering why this place isn’t more talked about, I found out that the nearby Anemone Cave used to be labeled on Acadia maps, but has since been dropped from formal Acadia literature. The Park Service doesn’t want people venturing into the cave and becoming trapped if the tide comes in too quickly. Signs for the area have been removed as well as the railings leading people down the cliff to the entrance. I don’t recommend exploring in the actual cave. It is far too dangerous and there has been at least one death reported. The big boulders surrounding the area, however, provide the perfect backdrop for extraordinary expansive seaside views.
We couldn’t believe that we almost left the park without discovering this Acadia hidden gem! If you go, make sure you visit in the early morning to experience the same peaceful solitude we enjoyed. You won’t regret it.
Do you have a favorite area of Acadia National Park? What hidden gems have you accidentally found on your travels? Leave a comment, we’d love to hear from you. Plus, if you’re making your way up to Acadia from Boston, be sure to check out our Boston article.
Like it? Pin It!
I loved the variety of terrain in Acadia. We hiked through forests, along the coast, and over mountains. It was like having several different hikes in one.
Yes! The variety is great. Hiking through the park is such a fun experience.