Things to do in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi and the only national park in New England. You can go hiking, biking or boating here during the warmer months and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling during the winter. No matter when you visit, you’ll be sure to find a favorite spot you’d like to revisit.

Hiking

Whether you’re a birdwatcher, rock-hound or botanist, you can find a well-maintained trail to match your interests and hiking abilities. Trails such as the Beehive and Precipice will challenge you with steep ascents but reward you with views of the Atlantic as well as the surrounding lakes and mountains. You can explore a variety of ecosystems—ranging from forests and meadows to marshlands and intertidal zones—by hiking the lowland trails and carriage paths.

Biking

You can rent a bicycle in Bar Harbor to ride along the carriage roads that wind through Mount Desert Island. You can also ride along the 27-mile-long Park Loop Road that connects the island to the surrounding villages. Along the way, you can stop at such destinations as Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs and Thunder Hole—where you can potentially hear the booming sound of waves crashing into the granite cavern. For a more challenging ride, you can bike along the Summit Road to the top of Cadillac Mountain.

Swimming, Boating and Fishing

You can explore the park’s lakes and shoreline by swimming, boating or fishing. You can rent a sailboat, motorboat, canoe or kayak or take a private or group boat tour.

Camping

You can stay overnight at Blackwoods or Seawall campgrounds, both of which provide easy access to the beach. The park is open year-round, so you can also use these campgrounds as your home base for a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing trip.