Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Acadia National Park, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Maine, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Acadian coastal forest + granite summits
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Sea Kayaking
- Beachcombing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Acadian coastal forest + granite summits
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: hiking
Topic summary
Granite peaks meeting the Atlantic on Mount Desert Island — carriage roads, rocky coastline, and the first sunrise in the US much of the year.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
- hiking
- camping
- backpacking
Climate suitability
Acadian coastal forest + granite summits
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Acadia National Park trip tools
How to get there
Reach Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island from the mainland via Maine State Route 3. Air access is available through Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport. Bar Harbor provides access to the largest parts of Acadia National Park. Hulls Cove Visitor Center and the Park Loop Road entrance station are in-person entrance-pass purchase locations.
- Hulls Cove Visitor Center
An in-person location for purchasing a park entrance pass. Credit and debit cards are accepted.
- Entrance Station on Acadia's Park Loop Road
An entrance-pass purchase location on Park Loop Road. Have a credit or debit card ready and display the pass visibly through the windshield.
- Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall
An additional in-person entrance-pass purchase location. Arrange Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations separately online if that drive is part of the trip.
Sources: nps.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Acadia National Park
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Sea Kayaking
Coastal crossings, tides, and protected camps.
Animals around Acadia National Park
Big gameMule DeerOdocoileus hemionus
GamefishStriped BassMorone saxatilis
Big gameJavelinaPecari tajacu
GamefishFlounderParalichthys spp.
Big gameBlacktail DeerOdocoileus hemionus columbianus
GamefishSmallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
Big gameWhitetail DeerOdocoileus virginianus
GamefishBrook TroutSalvelinus fontinalis
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Acadia National ParkAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Acadia National Park
Planning to fish Acadia National Park, Maine? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Maine are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Acadia National Park?
- A Maine fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Maine fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Acadia National Park may add its own fishing rules on top of Maine law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Acadia National Park
Thinking about hunting Acadia National Park, Maine? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Maine are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Acadia National Park?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Acadia National Park land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Maine?
- A Maine hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Acadia’s Mount Desert Island setting
Acadia National Park sits in coastal Maine, with its largest parts in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island. Cadillac Mountain is a defining feature: it is the highest point within 25 miles of the coastline of the eastern United States. The broader setting is Maine’s rugged, indented coast, where rocky shorelines and cool water call for a different approach than a warm-water beach trip. Bar Harbor is a popular destination in summer and fall, so treat the town and park as connected parts of the trip rather than separate stops. Plan around the areas you want to reach, especially if Cadillac is a priority. A park entrance pass and a Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation serve different purposes; having one does not replace the other.
Planning a Cadillac Mountain visit
Driving Cadillac Summit Road requires a separate vehicle reservation from May 20 through October 25. The reservation costs $6 and is sold online in advance, not at the park. It provides a timed entry rather than an assigned parking space, and parking outside designated spaces is prohibited. Reservations are per vehicle, not per person, and do not allow re-entry. Once admitted, drivers do not have a required departure time until the road closes to vehicles at 9 pm. The Island Explorer bus system does not serve Cadillac, so do not build a summit visit around that service. Visitors entering the area on foot, by bike, or by taxi do not need the vehicle reservation. No other park areas require this vehicle reservation.
Entrance passes and practical preparation
An entrance pass is required year-round. A standard private-vehicle pass costs $35, lasts seven days, and covers a private, non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 passengers or fewer and its occupants. Non-US residents age 16 and older must pay an additional $100 per person unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. Display the entrance pass where it is clearly visible through the windshield; federal lands passes should show the signature and expiration date on the dashboard. Passes are non-transferable, and the passholder must be present. Plan for cashless payment. Entrance passes can be purchased at locations including Hulls Cove Visitor Center and the Park Loop Road entrance station. Check park alerts before choosing a trail, and keep entrance arrangements separate from Cadillac’s driving reservation.
Route options
- Cadillac Summit Road
A driving option for visiting Cadillac Mountain. A separate $6 vehicle reservation is required May 20–October 25, with timed entry and no re-entry. Reservations do not guarantee a particular parking space, and the Island Explorer bus does not serve Cadillac.
- Park Loop Road
A road-based option within Acadia, with an entrance station where park passes can be purchased. The park entrance-pass requirement applies, but Cadillac’s separate vehicle reservation is not required for Park Loop Road.
Sample itineraries
- Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain · 1 day
Use Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island as a base for a Cadillac Mountain visit. If driving Cadillac Summit Road, arrange the required seasonal vehicle reservation separately from the park entrance pass. Leave time for Bar Harbor before or after the mountain.
- Mount Desert Island orientation · 2 days
Start at Hulls Cove Visitor Center, then explore along Acadia's Park Loop Road. Spend the second day visiting Cadillac Mountain and Bar Harbor. Keep the schedule flexible for coastal weather, and check current access conditions before choosing walks.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Plan flexible outings around coastal weather and check road and trail conditions before setting out. Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations begin May 20. An entrance pass is required even outside the vehicle-reservation season.
Summer
Summer
Bar Harbor is a popular summer destination; allow flexibility around visitor activity. Maine's coastal water remains decidedly cool. A shoreline visit should not be planned around warm-water swimming.
Fall
Fall
Bar Harbor remains a popular tourist destination in fall. Bring layers for coastal outings. Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations run through October 25; check current access conditions rather than assuming access after that period.
Winter
Winter
Check current road, trail, and service conditions before committing to an itinerary. Carry warm layers and weather protection for exposed coastal or mountain outings. The entrance-pass requirement remains in effect year-round.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Plan flexible outings around coastal weather and check road and trail conditions before setting out. Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations begin May 20. An entrance pass is required even outside the vehicle-reservation season. |
| Summer | Summer | Bar Harbor is a popular summer destination; allow flexibility around visitor activity. Maine's coastal water remains decidedly cool. A shoreline visit should not be planned around warm-water swimming. |
| Fall | Fall | Bar Harbor remains a popular tourist destination in fall. Bring layers for coastal outings. Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations run through October 25; check current access conditions rather than assuming access after that period. |
| Winter | Winter | Check current road, trail, and service conditions before committing to an itinerary. Carry warm layers and weather protection for exposed coastal or mountain outings. The entrance-pass requirement remains in effect year-round. |
Permits, fees & closures
A park entrance pass is required year-round. Display it clearly through the vehicle windshield. Passes are non-transferable, and the passholder must be present. A Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation is separate from park admission.
Fees: Standard entrance passes cost $20–$35; a private-vehicle pass costs $35 for seven days. Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations cost $6. Non-US residents aged 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. The park does not accept cash.
Reservations: Driving Cadillac Summit Road requires a reservation May 20–October 25, sold online in advance only. Entry is timed, with no re-entry; vehicles must depart by the 9 pm closure. Reservations are per vehicle and do not guarantee parking. No vehicle reservation is required elsewhere or for entry by foot, bike, or taxi.
Official source: Fees & Passes - Acadia National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · Verified October 18, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Maine's rocky coastline calls for careful footing. Wear grippy footwear and avoid stepping onto uncertain surfaces.
- Coastal water is decidedly cool. Avoid unplanned immersion and do not assume summer air temperatures mean comfortable swimming conditions.
- Coastal and mountain outings require weather flexibility. Carry protective layers and shorten plans if conditions exceed the group's comfort or equipment.
What to pack for Acadia National Park
- Grippy walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Windproof and waterproof outerwear
- Drinking water
- Food
- Daypack
- Navigation information
- Entrance pass for windshield display
- Credit or debit card
- Cadillac Summit Road reservation confirmation when required
Acadia National Park FAQ
- Where is a practical base for visiting Acadia?
- Bar Harbor sits on Mount Desert Island and contains the largest parts of Acadia National Park, including Cadillac Mountain. It is a popular tourist destination in summer and fall.
- How can visitors reach Bar Harbor?
- Road access from the mainland follows Maine State Route 3. Other options include Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport and ferries from Winter Harbor, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Confirm transportation schedules before planning around them.
- Does an entrance pass include Cadillac Summit Road access?
- Not by itself during the reservation season. Driving Cadillac Summit Road requires a separate vehicle reservation May 20–October 25. An entrance pass is still required.
- Does the Island Explorer bus serve Cadillac?
- No. Cadillac is not served by the Island Explorer bus system. Visitors entering by foot, bike, or taxi do not need a Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation.
- Does a Cadillac reservation guarantee a parking space?
- No. A reservation provides timed entry but does not assign a parking space. Parking outside designated spaces is prohibited, and reservations do not permit re-entry.
- Where can visitors buy an entrance pass in person?
- Options include Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the entrance station on Acadia's Park Loop Road, and Blackwoods, Schoodic Woods, and Seawall campgrounds. Bring a credit or debit card. Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations are sold online in advance, not at the park.