Maine is one of my favorite places, honestly, it’s tied with New Hampshire for first place. Something about these places makes it easy to shut out work and truly be in the moment. This was my second trip to Acadia, but my first time bringing Oban. Experiencing it with him was something I will never forget.
Where to Stay
For our trip, we stayed in an Airbnb in Southwest Harbor. It was about a 15 minute drive into the park, and away from the crowds of Bar Harbor. To be honest, I think next time I would stay closer to Bar Harbor, which is where we stayed on my first trip. The house we stayed in was nice, but I missed the convenience of being able to walk into town after a day hiking. I also recommend staying in a house if possible. On our first trip we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. While the hotel itself was lovely, was lost the convenience of being able to pack lunch easily for hiking and eating breakfast in the room. Give some thought to your travel preferences when booking accomoodations. A final thought on booking a place to stay - book early! Especially if you plan to travel during peak foliage, we booked about 7 months in advance. Peak foliage season (mid October) is the most crowded time in Acadia (it is also beyond magical), so make sure you book early.
Hiking in Acadia
There is a seemingly endless amount of hiking trails in Acadia, with something to meet every persons’s skill and activity level. From easy carriage trails to challenging climbs there is something for everyone. The trails are very well marked and easy to navigate, but I do still recommend bringing a map just to be safe. Many of the trails are steep so think about the order in which you plan your hikes and how much you want to take on in a day. Below are a few trails and sites I love, but there are countless others to explore:
Cadillac Mountain: I would recommend hiking up if you’re up for the challenge. The views of the water and coastline along the way up are incredible, and the feeling of satisfaction when you reach the top is worth it. It is however a real challenge. Bring lots of water because it’s straight up with lots of exposure. We hiked up in the morning and enjoyed lunch from the top. There is also a bathroom in the gift shop at the top and a place to refill your water bottles. Sunset or sunrise are amazing from the top, we drove back up the following night for sunset with a cooler full of snacks. It was an amazing evening sitting out on the rocks, and Oban enjoyed a nap on the cold ground! Note: at various times of the year, advanced reservations are required to drive to the top of Cadillac, be sure to check before you go!
Bubble Rock: Bubble Rock is a giant rock that is precariously perched on the side of the South Bubble summit. We started the hike along the Bubbles Divide Trail from the Bubble Trail Head parking lot. There is a trail to access it from the Jordan’s Pond Loop, but there is a very steep ascent which requires near vertical climbing. If coming with a dog you can easily carry it might be doable, but given Oban’s size, we took the more gradual route from the trail head. Either route leads to the top! Once there not only do you get to enjoy Bubble Rock, but the views of Jordan’s Pond are vast and sweeping. From other view points you can see the harbor and the little islands that surround Acadia. It’s a really cool sight to see the formation and a great place to take in the vastness of your surroundings.
Great Head Cliffs & Gorham Mountain Trail: Located near Sand Beach, the walking path along the Great Head Cliffs is unreal. I don’t think there are many places like this in the Northeast. Gorham Mountain Trail is a great way to get above the cliffs and take in the views. If you’re there in the in fall, taking in the colors against the water from this vantage point it one of the best in the park. It is a very rocky hike up, but not overly challenging. Just pay attention to where you’re walking to keep steady footing. The summit has a pretty steep drop off so be mindful of that if bringing a dog or kids. After hiking back down, I’d recommend heading over to the cliffs for a picnic lunch. It’s an amazing spot to listen to the sound of the ocean and take it all in.
Jordan’s Pond: Jordan’s Pond is basically where all tour groups and busses descend upon the park. It’s more crowded than Cadillac Mountain Top, and getting a parking spot is a massive waiting game. However, if you’re inclined, the restaurant offers amazing popovers and it’s a pretty spot to take a few minutes to relax. However, there is always a very long wait. I recommend putting your name down, and exploring the trails nearby, then coming back for a popover and tea or coffee!
The Carriage Trails: One of the best ways to cover a ton of miles in Acadia is by bike. Given how very steep the park is, we rented electric assist bikes in town during our first visit to the park. It was AWESOME! There are endless miles of carriage roads in Acadia and we got to see way more on bikes than we would have on foot. The bikes were super easy to rent in Bar Harbor and the guys in the shop were super helpful in getting us started.
Other Field Guide Notes:
Groceries: there is a Hannaford grocery store in Bar Harbor, but recommend bringing up as much as you can. The prices are cheaper and you can be sure to get what you want.
Dining: Bring lunch and snacks into the park with you - once there, Jordan’s Pond is really the only place buy food, aside from some sandwiches in the gift shop. Bringing lunch gives you the flexibility to eat wherever and whenever! However, both Jordan’s Pond and Cadillac Mountain are great places to use the restroom and refill water bottles.
What to Wear: Check the weather before you go and frequently throughout your trip. This past October it was unseasonably warm some days, and cold and raining others. In general I recommend bringing a hat and a rain jacket just in case, regardless of the time of year. If you plan to hike in Acadia, hiking boots are a must. The terrain is steep and rocky so you’ll want the support and stability of a hiking boot.
Dog Notes: Acadia is one of the few dog friendly National Parks. However, I would recommend making sure your dog is used to hiking steep and rocky terrain before heading out on the tails. Be sure to pack enough water for you and your dog as there aren’t streams along with the way for them. If your pup has sensitive paws (like Oban), I’d suggest some hiking booties for them. Oban’s paws tear super easily, and the boots were a savior. Finally, be sure to pick up after your dog, so that Acadia remains dog friendly!
Wrapping it all up:
Acadia was the first National Park I visited, and a place I love to return to. If you’re able to visit during the middle of October for the fall foliage, you will not be disappointed. The colors are otherworldly and the temps are great for hiking. Though I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed visiting at any time!
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