Summary
$35
7-day fee
1 live
Camera
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is July–September, when around 59% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–April.
Plan Your Visit
Ocean & Rogue Wave SafetyThunder Hole risk▾
Park Entrance & Fees$35 · Cadillac Rd permit▾
Main Access
Usually Open
Mount Desert Island, via ME-3 from Ellsworth
Hulls Cove Visitor Center is the main gateway near Bar Harbor. Park Loop Road connects most of the island's key sights.
💡 The free Island Explorer shuttle (propane-powered, fare-free) runs seasonally and can save you from parking headaches in peak season.
NPS directions ↗
Schoodic Peninsula
Usually Open
Mainland section, via ME-186 near Winter Harbor
The quieter, mainland part of the park — no bridge or ferry needed, but a longer drive around Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor.
NPS directions ↗
Bar Island Tide CrossingLive tide data▾
Bar Harbor Tide Station
Current LevelLoading…
Next Low TideLoading…
Next High TideLoading…
NOAA Station 8413320 ↗
Campground Availability3 areas▾
Blackwoods Reservation Only ▾
LocationMount Desert Island, east side
SizeThe park's largest campground
Booking90% released 6 months out (1st of month, 10am ET), 10% released 14 days out
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Seawall Reservation Only ▾
LocationMount Desert Island, quieter west side
BookingSame 90%/10% release schedule as Blackwoods
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Schoodic Woods Reservation Only ▾
LocationSchoodic Peninsula (mainland)
NotesThe only campground on the mainland section; no RVs/trailers over 21 ft beyond the day-use area
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Landmarks & Trails7 stops▾
Park Loop Road4 stops▾
Cadillac Mountain1,530 ft
First US sunrise Oct 7–Mar 6 only (not summer) · 1,530 ft summit · Summit Road permit required
Thunder Hole~15 min
Wave-driven inlet, spray up to 40 ft · rogue wave risk even when calm
Sand Beach~30 min
Rare sand beach on this granite coastline; cold water year-round
Jordan Pond House~1 hr
Famous popovers on the lawn, a tradition dating to 1893
Trails2 stops▾
Precipice TrailCheck status
Exposed iron-rung climbing route · seasonally closed for peregrine falcon nesting (typically ~March–summer)
Beehive Trail~1.5 hrs
Short but exposed iron-rung scramble with big views
Schoodic Peninsula1 stop▾
Schoodic Point & Loop RoadHalf day
Quieter mainland section, granite shoreline, far fewer crowds
Things to Do8 categories▾
Hiking Trails6 trails▾
Ocean Path TrailEasy
Flat coastal walk along pink granite slabs from Sand Beach past Thunder Hole to Otter Point
4.4 mi RT
Jordan Pond PathEasy–Mod.
Boardwalk-and-boulder loop around Jordan Pond below the Bubbles; western half is notably harder than the eastern
3.3 mi loop
Gorham Mountain LoopModerate
Rocky coastal-summit loop with views of Cadillac and Otter Point; optional Cadillac Cliffs rock-scramble spur
3.5 mi RT
Beehive LoopStrenuous
Iron rungs and ladders up a 450-ft cliff above Sand Beach; very slippery when wet, pets prohibited
1.4 mi RT · 450 ft
Precipice LoopStrenuous
Non-technical rung-and-ladder climb gaining over 1,000 ft in under a mile; closed seasonally to protect nesting peregrine falcons
3.2 mi RT · 1,000+ ft
Cadillac South Ridge TrailModerate
Exposed granite ridgeline to Cadillac Mountain's 1,530-ft summit; the longer, more scenic route up
7.1 mi RT
Rock Climbing4 areas▾
Otter CliffPermit (groups)
60-ft sea cliffs with crack & face routes up to 5.12 and rappel access; group permit required for parties of 6–12, Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day
The PrecipiceUp to 5.12
Multi-pitch routes up to 5.12 with good corners and thin cracks; some beginner-friendly lines
South BubbleBeginner-friendly
1–3 pitch friction routes; one of the park's more popular beginner spots
Seasonal ClosuresSeasonal
Precipice, Jordan Cliffs & Beech Cliffs close to protect nesting peregrine falcons, typically early April–mid-August
Biking & Carriage Roads4 ways▾
Historic Carriage Roads45 mi
45 miles of crushed-stone roads; bicyclists yield to everyone, horses have right-of-way, 20 mph limit
E-BikesClass 1 only
Class 1 e-bikes permitted on carriage roads; Class 2/3, tandems, fat-tire bikes & dogs are not allowed
Western Mountain Gravel RoadsGravel
Seal Cove, Western Mountain & Lurvey Spring roads open to biking, away from the crowds; watch for ruts and downed wood
Park Loop RoadNo shoulder
Legal for biking but has no shoulder; NPS advises avoiding it roughly 10 AM–4 PM in peak season
Water Activities3 ways▾
Ocean Kayaking AccessMultiple sites
Public launch points at Bar Harbor, Northeast & Southwest Harbors, Seal Cove, Bass Harbor, Seal Harbor Beach, Hadley Point & the Bar Island gravel bar
Lake & Pond Boating10 hp max
Motors capped at 10 hp on Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, Echo Lake & the Hadlock Ponds; several smaller ponds ban motors entirely
SwimmingSelect spots
A handful of freshwater and ocean spots on Mount Desert Island permit swimming; ocean water stays a cold 55–60°F even in summer
Tidepooling3 spots▾
Wonderland & Ship HarborTide-dependent
Two of the park's best tidepooling trails, on the quieter southwest side of Mount Desert Island
Bar Island & Schoodic Peninsula±1.5 hr of low tide
Additional tidepooling areas; explore only within 1.5 hours before to 1.5 hours after low tide
Tidepool EtiquetteLeave No Trace
Stay on rocks, never remove or handle organisms, and rinse off sunscreen or bug spray before exploring
Winter Sports3 ways▾
Cross-Country Skiing & SnowshoeingDec–Mar
45 miles of carriage roads, groomed by volunteers once 6+ inches of snow falls on a frozen roadbed
Ice SkatingConditions vary
Possible on park lakes and ponds, though they rarely freeze smoothly or stay free of snow; check ice thickness first
Winter Park Loop RoadDec 1–Apr 14
Most of Park Loop Road closes to vehicles; only Ocean Drive (Schooner Head–Otter Cliff) and Jordan Pond Road stay open
Stargazing & Night SkyNot certified▾
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Acadia does not hold a confirmed International Dark Sky designation, but its island setting away from mainland light domes still offers strong stargazing, especially from Cadillac Mountain and Sand Beach on clear nights. The park runs active ranger-led night-sky programs. NPS night sky info ↗
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Bald Eagle
Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake
Peregrine Falcon
Nests on cliff faces
Common Loon
Ponds & lakes
Osprey
Coastal waters
Common Eider
Coastal shorelines
Park Contact Information