A complete guide to Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located in the beautiful state of Maine, which also happens to be my home state! Acadia is a drive of between two hours forty five minutes and three hours fifteen minutes to the East of Portland depending on which way you go. I highly recommend you take the longer route 1 and enjoy some of the wonderful small towns Maine has to offer.
Getting Your Park Pass
You will need to get your park pass before entering the park. A park pass can be purchased online through the National Park website or you can stop at the Acadia National Park/MDI Chambers Info Center & Fee Station located on Route 3 before you get to Mount Desert Island (MDI). If you happen to miss it because of your excitement to get to Acadia you can also stop at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at the beginning of the Park Loop Road off of Route 3. Be sure to pick up your maps & local guides while there.
About Acadia National Park
Acadia is one of the top ten most visited national parks in the United States. It encompasses over 35,000 acres and includes 158 miles of hiking trail, 45 miles of carriage roads and 27 miles of auto road. You can enjoy hiking, biking, sea kayaking and of course swimming!
While visiting the park be sure to check out some of the great towns that are on MDI. If you are looking for some hustle and bustle then Bar Harbor is the place you want to be. It boasts a large downtown area with lodging, restaurants, gift shops and museums. If you are looking for a small town feel with a slower pace then I highly recommend Northeast Harbor. Both are located on the East side of MDI and Acadia. If you want even more peace and quite then I recommend staying on the West side of MDI and Acadia in Southwest Harbor located on Route 102.
Check out our links below to discover all Acadia National Park has to offer!
Acadia National Park Hiking
Hidden Treasures
Gorham Mountain & Cadillac Cliffs
Ships Harbor Trail
Beginner Hikes
Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail
Intermediate Hikes
Advanced But Worth It Hikes
Beachcroft & Champlain Mountain
Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail
Camping & Lodging Options
The Best Camping In And Around Acadia National Park
Find Your Perfect Motel Near Acadia National Park