The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary in Acadia National Park
When you think of Maine, you think of beautiful sandy beaches and delicious lobster dinners. Despite being located on Maine’s coast, the 49,000 acres of Acadia National Park are not known for the typical Maine attractions.
Acadia National Park instead offers a uniqueness not found anywhere else in the state, which is one of the reasons it is among the most visited national parks every year despite being one of the smallest. Acadia National Park offers coastal views, rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful mountain views, making it the perfect place for a weekend getaway!
Although you can spend an entire week exploring the park, you can see most must-see attractions in 3 days in Acadia National Park. I have been visiting Acadia National Park since I was a kid, so I know the park really well! This guide has everything you need to know to create the perfect 3-day itinerary in Acadia National Park.
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Tips for Visiting Acadia National Park
Start your days early. Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the US, with over 2.5 million visitors per year, and has high crowds, especially during the peak season. Starting your day early allows you to enter the park without waiting in line and see some of the must-see attractions before most people arrive. It also gives you the most time to explore everything on your 3 days in Acadia National Park.
Consider riding the shuttle. If Acadia National Park is busy, you can ride the free Island Explorer shuttle to most of the must-see attractions on your itinerary. Many of the parking lots in Acadia National Park are small, so riding the shuttle brings you where you need to be without worrying about parking.
Buy your vehicle registration for Cadillac Mountain in advance. Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain in Acadia National Park and is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset. It’s also easy to get to with its auto road! The park has implemented a vehicle reservation to reduce the crowds on the summit, so you need to make your reservation in advance.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park
Winter is an underrated time to visit Acadia National Park! Although some of the Park Loop Road closes in the winter, there are many things to do, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing with a guide, and snowmobiling. And the best part? Winter is one of the quietest times to visit Acadia National Park! You can enjoy the beautiful area without the crowds! We have visited Acadia National Park in the winter a few times and love how quiet it is. And the views are stunning when there is fresh snow! It is an underrated time to visit.
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Acadia National Park once the snow melts and everything blooms! The snow and cold weather may linger into late spring, so it tends to be quieter than summer and fall. Once the snow melts, many facilities and roads reopen, so you have access to everything the park has to offer.
Summer is one of the best times to visit Acadia National Park because the weather is beautiful and all roads and facilities are open. You can enjoy everything the park has to offer while enjoying the sunshine! It is also one of the busiest times in the park, so you will not be alone while exploring.
Fall is arguably the most beautiful time to visit Acadia National Park when the leaves begin to change. The fall foliage in Acadia National Park is unmatched and takes over the entire park! If you plan it right, you can enjoy the park during its most beautiful time. You can use the Maine Foliage Tracker to help plan your 3-day itinerary!
Nearest Airport to Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is in the northeast part of Maine. The two closest airports to Acadia National Park are Bangor International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. The nearest airport to Acadia National Park is Bangor International Airport which is only one hour from the park entrance. Although Bangor International Airport is the largest airport in Maine, there may not be many flights.
Boston Logan International Airport will have the most flight options but is a five-hour drive on I-95N to Acadia National Park. If you are flying into Boston, I highly recommend adding time to your Acadia National Park itinerary to accommodate traffic, which is long during the summer and fall seasons.
How to Get Around Acadia National Park
Rent a car. Although Acadia National Park is among the smallest national parks in the US, you need a car to explore it. Renting a car is the easiest way to get around the park, especially if you want the flexibility of being on your schedule.
Ride the Island Explorer. The Island Explorer is a free shuttle that operates from early summer to mid-fall and stops at many must-see attractions. It is a great way to get around Acadia National Park if it is busy but is only open seasonally.
Walk the Ocean Path Trail. The Ocean Path Trail travels along the east coast of Acadia National Park, passing many of the popular attractions. It is a great way to avoid traffic and parking while enjoying the stunning views!
Where to Stay Near Acadia National Park
It is always good to be in an area where restaurants, grocery stores, ice cream shops (who does not love a good ice cream cone), and everything else you need is nearby. Bar Harbor is the perfect place to find a place to stay when you visit Acadia National Park because it has everything conveniently located nearby, including the entrance to Acadia National Park. There are also many nearby towns offer cheaper accommodations.
Note: Many accommodations in Bar Harbor book up as far as a year in advance. Once you create your Acadia National Park itinerary, I highly recommend booking the Acadia National Park hotels as soon as possible.
Bar Harbor Hotels and Campgrounds:
The Best 3-Day Itinerary in Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park has so much to offer, so your 3 days in the park will be packed with hikes, beaches, cliffs, and everything in between. If you want to make the most of your time, I highly recommend starting your day early to avoid crowds and have the most time in the park! I also recommend seeing the sunrise and sunset at least once in your 3 days in Acadia National Park!
Day 1 in Acadia national park
The first day on this 3-day Acadia National Park itinerary has some of the most popular attractions along a scenic drive. Whether you are flying into Maine or driving to the park, this is the perfect way to start your itinerary because it is an easy day to take in the views.
The Park Loop Road is a beautiful 27-mile scenic drive looping around Acadia National Park. Many of the must-see attractions are along the loop, so driving along the road is a perfect way to spend the day and see all the park has to offer! You can explore Park Loop Road in a few hours, but I recommend allocating most of your first day to exploring the drive.
Schooner Head is one of the first overlooks and offers views of the ocean and the Egg Rock Lighthouse. I highly recommend walking the path from the parking lot to the rocky coast! This is our favorite spot because it tends to be less crowded even though the views are stunning!
Sand Beach is one of the most popular areas in Acadia National Park for good reasons! The scenic beach surrounded by cliffs is the perfect place to picnic, swim, or relax. If you want to hike, the Great Head Trail is perfect. The easy 1.6-mile trail begins on the east side of Sand Beach and loops around the peninsula, providing beautiful views! If it is really crowded when you arrive, I recommend coming back here later in the day. We visited right before sunset, and it was less crowded!
Thunder Hole is an iconic spot on Park Loop Road. It is a small area carved out of the rocks and has a thunder sound when waves crash in it. If the ocean is calm, you will not hear the loud sound, but on a day when the waves are big, especially after a storm, you will be impressed by the sound! I have visited Thunder Hole for years, and I still love hearing the roar of the ocean.
Otter Cliff is one of the most popular cliffs in the park, offering beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. Otter Cliff sits 110 feet tall and is one of the highest headlamps north of Rio de Janeiro! You can take in the views from the cliffs or enjoy a walk along the Ocean Path Trail.
If the park is super crowded, you could opt to walk the Ocean Path to the attractions listed above, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff! It begins at Sand Beach and ends at Otter Point (over 2 miles one way). Ocean Path is easily one of my favorite hikes in the park!
Jordan Pond is at the base of the North Bubble and South Bubble Mountains which you can see across the pond. You can enjoy an easy walk around the pond to take in the views. If you are hungry, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the Jordan Pond House while taking in the scenic views. The restaurant is expensive but is a great place to eat in the park!
If you want to end your day with a hike, especially for sunset, I got you! North Bubble and South Bubble are two famous mountains along the shores of Jordan Pond. The trail to North Bubble and South Bubble is short and offers some of the best views in the park! The 1.6-mile roundtrip trail begins on the Bubbles Divide Trail, and at about 0.3 miles, the Bubbles Divide Trail diverges. I recommend continuing right to North Bubble first then making your way over to South Bubble, so you gain the most elevation first. Both mountains offer stunning views overlooking Jordan Pond. North Bubble and South Bubble have my favorite views in the park!
Day 2 in acadia national park
The second day of your 3 days in Acadia National Park itinerary has an iconic sunrise spot and adrenaline-pumping hikes!
Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain in the park and the best sunrise spot in Acadia National Park. During certain times of the year, Cadillac Mountain is one of three places in Maine to see the sunrise first in the US! You can drive to the summit via the Cadillac Summit Road if you make a vehicle reservation ahead of time. Once at the top, you can walk along the 0.5-mile Cadillac Summit Loop to enjoy 360° views. Cadillac Mountain is one of my favorite sunrise locations in the park. Every time we have visited it has been crowded, but the views are worth it!
If you want to hike to Cadillac Mountain instead of driving, the Cadillac North Ridge Trail is for you! It is one of the shortest trails to the summit, making it perfect for a sunrise hike. The 4-mile roundtrip trail begins on Park Loop Road and gradually ascends to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Cadillac North Ridge Trail passes Great Hill and wildflowers and travels near the Cadillac Summit Road. Once you reach Cadillac Mountain, you can hike along the paved path until you find a spot to watch the sunrise.
On the drive down from Cadillac Mountain, make sure to stop at Blue Hill Overlook! The overlook offers stunning views of the ocean. If Cadillac Mountain is very crowded, Blue Hill Overlook is a great alternative to watch the sunrise.
Are you ready for adrenaline-pumping and iconic hikes? The Precipice Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Acadia National Park because it offers incredible views and a fun trail with iron rungs and ladders. The hike is very steep and not suitable for small children or anyone who does not like heights. The Precipice Trail brings you to Champlain Mountain, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding area!
Note: The Precipice Trail is closed during certain parts of the year for falcon nesting.
Next, it is time to tackle another iconic hike in Acadia National Park! The Beehive Trail is similar to the Precipice Trail because it is steep and travels along a cliff. Because of this, the trail is not suitable for small children or anyone who does not like heights. The 1.5-mile loop will travel counterclockwise, so you follow the Beehive Trail first. The Beehive Trail is very steep and travels along a cliff with iron rungs to help you along the way. The views are breathtaking along the entire trail and on the Beehive. If you have time, I recommend hiking the Precipice Trail and Beehive Trail, but if not, you cannot go wrong with either one you choose!
Once you get your fix of adrenaline-pumping hikes, you can enjoy the afternoon exploring Bar Harbor! You can eat delicious food or explore Bar Island if the tide is low. When it is low tide, you can walk across a small strip of sand to Bar Island and explore the small island’s beauty! Bar Harbor has some of our favorite restaurants along the coast of Maine!
If you are up for a sunset hike, you can hike to Gorham Mountain! The Gorham Mountain Trail is a 2-mile roundtrip trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and ocean! I think the views rival the beauty of nearby popular trails, making it a great way to escape the crowds. Gorham Mountain is also a fantastic alternative to Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunrise and sunset! We have also found it much quieter.
Day 3 in acadia national park
The last and final day of this 3-day itinerary in Acadia National Park visits one of my favorite lesser-known areas with an iconic lighthouse and beautiful views. The western section of Acadia National Park is often overlooked but has stunning views and hikes! You can add as many attractions to your final day, depending on when you have to leave the park.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is the most well-known and photographed lighthouse in Maine and is the perfect place to watch the sunrise! You can see the lighthouse from the shoreline or by hiking an easy 1-mile trail to get an up-close and personal view of it. We always love watching the sunrise from here!
If you want to spend your day relaxing, you can visit Echo Lake Beach. The beautiful beach is perfect for a picnic, relaxing, or swimming in the beautiful waters. It is a small beach, but we love visiting it because it is quieter than other beaches in Acadia National Park.
If you want to hike, there are plenty of options! The 1.2-mile Beech Mountain Loop is a fantastic hike that offers beautiful views of Long Pond and has a fire tower on Beech Mountain. I recommend hiking the loop clockwise, so you can ascend on the steep section of the trail and have an easy descent.
If you are looking for a longer hike, Acadia Mountain is perfect! Although it is not the tallest mountain in Acadia National Park, it does not lack views, making it one of my favorite hikes. There are a few ways to hike Acadia Mountain, with the most popular being the Man O War Brook Trail. The hike travels along an easy path leading you to a beautiful overlook where the brook meets the ocean before heading up to Acadia Mountain. Acadia Mountain offers breathtaking views of Somes Sound and Echo Lake.
Alternative hike: If you are looking for an even longer trail, you can hike a loop with Acadia Mountain and Saint Sauveur Mountain. I recommend hiking the 4-mile loop counterclockwise to Saint Sauveur Mountain first.
Overview of the 3-Day Itinerary in Acadia National Park
Day 1 in Acadia National Park:
Park Loop Road
Schooner Head Overlook
Sand Beach
Thunder Hole
Otter Cliff
Jordan Pond
North Bubble and South Bubble Mountains
Day 2 in Acadia National Park:
Cadillac Mountain
Blue Hill Overlook
The Precipice Trail
The Beehive Trail
Bar Island
Gorham Mountain
Day 3 in Acadia National Park:
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Echo Lake Beach
Beech Mountain
Acadia Mountain
What to Pack for Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park has classic New England weather, so I highly recommend preparing for unpredictable weather. It is also crucial to pack proper hiking gear! Every time we have visited, the weather has changed last minute.
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
If you are looking for a weekend getaway in the beautiful vacationland state, Acadia National Park is the perfect location! I have visited for years, so I can provide you with an incredible 3-day Acadia National Park itinerary, including the best attractions!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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