Acadia caught us by surprise. We expected the beautiful oceanfront scenery and fall foliage, but we didn’t realize how much we would enjoy hiking here. On top of the incredible views, the trails have the perfect combination of fun terrain and manageable length. It is a perfect New England getaway.
Hikes to Do
The Beehive Loop Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles; Elevation Gain: 488 feet; Difficulty: Moderate
Of all the hikes we did in Acadia, this one was likely our favorite. It had the best views of the fall foliage while also offering a really fun trail and stunning ocean backdrop.
Based on the distance and elevation gain, you may assume that this hike is easy. You wouldn’t necessarily be wrong, but the trail requires a lot more climbing than you may typically do. Most of the way to the top is a true rock scramble. If you have some upper body strength though and take your time, you’ll be completely fine.
We highly recommend doing this trail early to avoid crowds. Lines tend to form as people slowly navigate the trickier climbing junctions. We started the hike around 8:45am which turned out to be perfect, as we rarely had to pass or wait for anyone on our way to the top. When we drove back by the mountain later in the day, we saw people waiting almost the entire way up.
Once you finish the short ascent to the top, take some time to enjoy the views. Maybe pack some breakfast like we did. There are plenty of large boulders to serve as seats and keep you comfortable while you relax.
The way down isn’t as exciting, but you’ll still get to stop at a very pretty lake to take some photos. All in all, this hike won’t take more than two hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day and maybe knock out another hike.
Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop
Distance: 2.1 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,053 feet; Difficulty: Hard
If you already did the Beehive trail and didn’t enjoy climbing up the exposed rocks, this hike probably isn’t for you.
The Precipice trail is exactly what it sounds like – a very steep and tall cliff that you climb more or less vertically. Getting to the top of this mountain would be next to impossible without rock climbing equipment if not for the strategically placed rungs and ladders along the mountainside. All that being said, we absolutely loved it.
The difficulty here stems from psychological barriers more than physical strain. Sure, you’ll get winded at points as you complete the steep ascent, but being able (and required) to use both your hands and feet avoids tiring out your legs too much. Plus, it is only a mile to the top. A fear of heights, on the other hand, could easily prove too much to overcome here. There are stretches on this trail where the only thing between you and a 300+ foot fall are a few inches of rock and a metal bar drilled into the cliff that you’ll be holding on to for dear life.
Rather than treating the hike itself as a burden, though, we recommend embracing it. How often do you get to climb a cliff right on the Atlantic coast with fall colors beneath your feet?! Making our way to the top made us feel like kids at a playground again. Fear of heights and all, we would do this hike again in a heartbeat.
During the climb and at the summit, you’ll be treated to some incredible views. We even saw two bald eagles flying around! Similar to from the top of the Beehive, you’ll have panoramic sights of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the surrounding mountains and forests. Honestly, the only reason we preferred the views at the Beehive were because the leaves in that area had undergone more of a transformation. If the trees around the Precipice had the same shades of yellows and reds (as they likely would have a week later), then this trail may have been our favorite.
Luckily for everyone, the way down from the summit is less steep than the way up. There’s no climbing involved here – just a quick descent down a rocky path along the mountain’s northern ridge. From this side, though, you’ll get a nice view of the town of Bar Harbor.
Like the Beehive, we recommend starting this hike early to avoid crowds. Waiting in lines is no fun when you’re standing on the edge of a cliff. Do yourself a favor and get started before 9:00am if you are visiting during peak season. Also, check the park’s website before making your way to this hike, as it closes seasonally for bird nesting and occasionally due to inclement weather.
Cadillac North Ridge Trail
Distance: 4.0 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,118 feet; Difficulty: Easy
The summit of Cadillac Mountain offers some of the most iconic views in the park. In fact, you can catch the sunrise here before you’ll see it anywhere else in the United States.
Because of this novelty and the stunning ocean backdrop, a lot of people choose to go to the summit at sunrise. Most drive up to the parking lot that’s at the summit (more on that below), but for the more adventurous and budget-conscious traveler, you can always hike the North Ridge Trail to the top.
Yes, it’s true that you can get the same great views without doing any hiking, but keep a couple things in mind:
- In the fall of 2020, Acadia National Park implemented a reservation system to limit traffic at the summit. These reservations cost a few dollars on top of the general park entrance fee, so you’ll save some money by hiking.
- The hike really isn’t bad at all!
Unlike the first two hikes we wrote about in this post, the Cadillac North Ridge Trail is a consistent, gradual incline to the top that requires you only use your two feet. It’s long and steep enough to give you a nice cardio workout, but the hike isn’t intense by any means.
The trail is really well maintained and just a bit rocky. A decent portion of it is actually right off the road you’d take to the summit. There aren’t a ton of sights or notable stops on your way up, but you will pass a bird observation area usually attended by a park ranger. If you want to catch your breath, we recommend taking a pause here to see if you can spot any of the area’s hawks or eagles.
If you plan to do the hike at sunrise, keep in mind that Acadia can get VERY foggy, especially in the morning. Many people leave the summit without actually getting to see the sunrise. Rather than waking up early and taking this risk, we decided to do the hike in the afternoon on a clear day. The views were still spectacular, and we were able to get a more relaxed start to our day.
The parking area for this trail is just off the main Park Loop Road, and we do mean that there is just a parking area. There is no lot at this trailhead. You’ll need to find a spot to pull over just off the road, but don’t expect any challenges. We found a spot quickly despite doing the hike in the middle of the day.
South Bubble Mountain Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 493 feet; Difficulty: Easy
This short trail provides a great view of one of Acadia’s best-named attractions: Jordan Pond.
The Bubbles Divide trailhead parking lot is small, so you’ll want to get an early start to make sure you can find a spot. We did the hike around 9:00am on a Thursday and were able to grab one of the last available spots.
The gradual ascent to the South Bubble summit follows a well-maintained, forested path. You might break a sweat if you keep a good pace, but the trail isn’t challenging at all. We’d say this is one of the most kid-friendly hikes in the park. Aside from the surrounding trees and leaves overhead, there isn’t much to see on our way to the top, but the views at the summit are worth the wait.
Once you reach a clearing on the mountain’s summit, it isn’t immediately obvious which way to go. We were surprised to find markers going in two different directions. Don’t worry though – Jordan Pond is hard to miss. Head south if you have your bearings, and otherwise just walk a hundred feet or so in each direction until you spot the pond.
After taking some photos of the pond with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, you have a choice to make. You can head back down the mountain the way you came, making this an out-and-back trail. Or, you can climb down the steeper side of the mountain facing Jordan Pond before making a pit stop at the pond’s edge and looping back to the parking lot. We were pretty exhausted from our hikes the two days before, so we opted to take the easier path back the way we came. It definitely looked like the steeper route would offer better views, though, so keep that in mind when making your own decision.
Additional Activities and Attractions
- Jordan Pond: If you want to visit Jordan Pond without doing a hike, we highly encourage you to do so! The pond is beautiful with the surrounding foliage, and there is a nice walking path around the entire circumference. There is also a restaurant and large gift shop adjacent to the pond. Even with a moderately-sized parking lot and additional parking areas, though, finding a spot can be difficult. Like most parts of Acadia, heading here early in the day will help with crowds. For the best photos, we recommend taking a short stroll to the left once you get to the pond. From the short side of the pond, you’ll get a full view of the body of water with the Bubble Mountains in the background.
- Thunder Hole and Ocean Path: One of Acadia’s most popular attractions is Thunder Hole. This oceanside spot is known more for its sounds than its visuals, for if you visit at the right time, you’ll get to hear water crashing into the coastal rock formations and creating thunderous sounds. To maximize your chances of getting this experience, plan to visit two hours before high tide. Even while following this guidance, though, we didn’t really get to hear the thunder. Still, sitting on the rocks around the attraction, listening to the waves coming in, makes for a very relaxing stop. To get here, you can either drive and park at the Thunder Hole gift shop, or you can walk along Ocean Path. Rather than being a true hike, this level trail follows the coastline and includes beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Thunder Hole is about a half mile from the path’s trailhead at Sand Beach (also worth a stop if the weather is nice and you fancy sunbathing), so we recommend the walking option if you have time and are able.
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: Prior to coming to Acadia, we had heard about the spectacular views at this lighthouse in the southwestern portion of Mount Desert Island. We made a point to head there for sunset one weeknight during our visit…which in hindsight was a mistake. It was incredibly crowded. Parking space is limited, so we couldn’t even stop our car. Instead, we took turns jumping out of the car and running to the lighthouse while the other waited in traffic. The view itself is great, but it isn’t worth the crowds at sunset. We’ve heard sunrise is equally bad. Instead, we suggest heading here midday to appreciate the experience with fewer crowds. The lighting isn’t ideal, but it is inarguably a better experience overall.
- Sunrise Viewing: If you want to enjoy an Acadia sunrise while avoiding the more crowded areas (see: Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and Cadillac Mountain), we recommend heading to Otter Cliff. It’s breathtaking. Sure, you don’t have the lighthouse backdrop that you might get elsewhere, but you have unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean with the sunrise colors lighting the surrounding cliffs. The crowds are also minimal here. Even if like us you don’t enjoy waking up early, you have to watch at least one sunrise while in Acadia.
- Hadley Point: This hidden gem in the northeastern part of Mount Desert Island is our favorite spot for sunset. We stumbled upon this beach as we were arriving to Acadia and looking for somewhere to quickly see the sunset along the coast. Largely deserted, we were able to appreciate the colors reflecting off the ocean while walking along the pebble shore without worrying about crowds. You’re unlikely to find a more serene experience in the park.
- Bar Harbor and Frenchman Bay: The town of Bar Harbor is worth a visit for more than just meals. It has a wide collection of boutique shops and a few nice areas along Frenchman Bay where you can sit down, relax, and listen to street musicians. If you choose to stay in town, you can even conveniently watch the sunrise over Frenchman Bay just a few steps from your hotel.
Where to Eat
Time for lobster! Coming from western Pennsylvania, we made an effort to enjoy some fresh seafood at least once per day while in Maine. It was everything we hoped for and more. If you don’t like shellfish, though, there are plenty of other great options around Acadia.
- Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound: Without a doubt, this shack had our favorite lobster on Mount Desert Island. It wasn’t even close. The lobster rolls here were perfect, and the clam chowder and desserts were delicious as well. It is well worth the drive to the southwestern part of the island. We recommend having an early dinner to avoid any lines and enjoy their outdoor seating before it gets too cold.
- Side Street Cafe: For a lobster roll closer to Bar Harbor, Side Street Cafe is a great option. While we don’t think the quality here was on par with Charlotte’s (mainly because the bread wasn’t as great), they really pack the lobster in. You’ll be hard pressed to find a larger lobster roll on the island. This restaurant is right in the heart of town and can get quite busy, but it’s an easy stop for a pickup order.
- Jordan’s Restaurant: We wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to have a lobster roll for breakfast. If you’re in the mood for something different, though, Jordan’s Restaurant has a great selection of delicious food. Our favorite items on the menu had to be the blueberry pancakes with real Maine maple syrup. Both the blueberries and syrup are well worth the surcharge. Bring your appetite to this restaurant, as the combo plates are sure to leave you stuffed.
- Mount Desert Island Ice Cream: We love ice cream, so we’re always biased towards local ice creameries. That being said, MDI Ice Cream was pretty awesome. They have a good combination of traditional and unique flavors, so they cater to all palates. We decided to get our orders to go and enjoy them at the nearby Agamont Park.
- Mount Dessert Bakery: Pun intended. We stopped by Mount Dessert Bakery each morning before our hikes to grab some coffee, hot cocoa, and breakfast to go. The bagel sandwiches are fantastic (especially on a mountain top), and the delicious coffee and hot cocoa always hit the spot. You can also place your order ahead of time to make it a really quick visit.
Other Tips & Tricks
- Where to Stay: While Bar Harbor is the place to be, hotels there are pricey. You’ll have to treat yourself if you want to have that convenience. Since we were traveling on a budget, we opted to stay at the Belle Isle Motel just 10 minutes north of Bar Harbor. The motel was fine and had clean rooms; they were just really small. It got the job done, though. There are also plenty of camping options around Acadia, but pay mind to the weather if you decide to go that route. With rain in the forecast and dropping temperatures, we figured avoiding our tent was the right call.
- When to Visit: The first couple of weeks in October mark high season for Acadia, as the foliage is really starting to transform into a great collection of colors. If you want to appreciate that scenery and are willing to deal with some crowds, plan to visit around this time. Note that the weather does start to get chilly then, though. Summer will have better temperatures if you plan to camp during your trip. Also, try to visit during the week if possible – especially if you visit during high season. We were in the park Tuesday through Thursday and still had to deal with crowds at certain points.
- Park Reservations: This past Fall Acadia tested out a reservation system for the busiest sections of the park. With the nation still battling COVID, this system also helped everyone enjoy the nature more safely. We didn’t find out about this requirement until we got to Mount Desert Island, but luckily we didn’t have any trouble securing a reservation. Specifically, you’ll need a reservation to visit the southern part of the park (Beehive Trail, Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, etc.) and a separate reservation to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain. These reservations are on top of the park entry fee, which is always required and does not have time restrictions. Plan ahead to make sure you can explore the park on your ideal schedule.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan
