7 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Acadia National Park
I’ve went to Acadia National Park last year, and while it was absolutely incredible, there are some things with the park that I wish I knew prior to going. Take it from someone who has been there. These are my top 7 mistakes that you need to avoid when visiting Acadia National Park for the first time, so you can be sure to have an awesome trip!
1. Not Going Early in the Morning
This one is huge. When visiting Acadia, it’s very important to note that parking is extremely limited, especially at the more popular trailheads and scenic spots. If you roll up at 10 or 11 a.m., you might spend more time driving in circles looking for a spot than actually hiking.
The earlier you get there, the less time you have to sit in traffic waiting to get in and the easier it is to find a spot to park. Believe me when I tell you. I would arrive no later than 7 or 8 a.m. at the latest.
One of the days we were rolling in around 11 a.m. and got turned away because the park was too crowded and there were no spots. We had to come back later in the day. Avoid this by showing up very early, or after 5pm, especially on the weekends.
2. Forgetting to Register for Cadillac Mountain Sunrise
Yes, you need a reservation to drive up to Cadillac Mountain for sunrise, and yes, they sell out fast. This is the best spot, in the entire country, to see the first rays of sun hit the U.S. and it’s absolutely worth it.
If you forget to book your pass, you’ll miss out on one of the most iconic views in the park. Reservations are available online at Recreation.gov, and they’re cheap, just plan ahead.
If you don’t have a car, you can book a shuttle as well.
3. Not Staying Near Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is the perfect home base for your Acadia adventure. It’s super close to the park entrance, has tons of restaurants, shops, and cute spots to walk around, and it just has that small-town Maine charm.
If you’re trying to save money, opt for an Airbnb because the motels and inns close to the town can be quite expensive.
We opted for the Airbnb, we were about a 50 minute drive from the park, which was very annoying. After a long day of being outside, hiking and eating, having to drive 50 minutes back to the Airbnb wasn’t very fun. We definitely saved money doing it this way, but next time, I would just opt for the convenience and stay closer to Bar Harbor.
4. Skipping a Guided Tour
I say this in most of my articles, but I love taking some kind of tour when i go to explore a new area. You learn so much from an experienced guide and it’s an amazing way to see a new area.
Booking a tour is actually one of the best ways to experience Acadia. Whether it’s a boat tour, a day tour of the park, or even a local food tour, you’ll learn a lot, meet people from all over the world and see things you might’ve missed otherwise.
Pro tip: The lobster boat tours are fun and you learn how lobster fishers make their living—very Maine. You can book a boat tour here!
5. Not Trying the Lobster (Even if You Think You Don’t Like It)
Okay, I get it. Some people think they don’t like seafood, or the idea of eating something that was crawling around in the ocean kind of freaks them out. I know because I am one of those people. I love myself a regular fish fry, but as far as seafood goes. Not a big fan.
But listen: You’re in Maine. This is the place to try lobster. Whether it’s in a buttery lobster roll, steamed with drawn butter, or in a hearty lobster bisque, just give it a try. Even if it’s just once. You can’t come all the way to Maine and not say you gave it a shot.
If you’re someone who doesn’t think they’re going to like it. Get a lobster roll or lobster bisque. The lobster roll with butter was actually delicious. And of course mixing the lobster in with chowder, can mask a lot of the taste. Either way. Just try it.
6. Only Sticking to the Main Spots
Yes, places like Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole are amazing (and you should definitely see them). But Acadia is full of hidden gems and quieter trails too.
Take time to explore less-crowded areas like the Ship Harbor Trail, Wonderland Trail, or Schoodic Peninsula. You’ll have to drive further into the park, but the further in you go, the less crowds there are and the more peace there is.
You’ll avoid the crowds and see a side of Acadia most people miss.
7. Underestimating the Hikes
Some of Acadia’s trails look short on paper but are steep and challenging; especially ones like Beehive, Precipice, and Jordan Cliffs. These are no joke and involve iron rungs, ladders, and exposed cliffs.
The Beehive trail is the most famous hike in the park, and as long as you’re in decent physical shape, you should be able to do this.
Make sure you know what you’re getting into before starting a trail. There’s no shame in choosing a more relaxed walk like Ocean Path, Ship Harbor Trail, Gorham Mountain Trail or Jesup Path if that’s more your speed.
You’re already doing your research by reading this article. I have another great article you can check out right HERE that will go more in depth on the hikes there are in Acadia National Park.
Mistakes to Avoid when Visiting Acadia
You’re already being proactive by reading this article. With these tips and by checking out my other articles on Acadia and Bar Harbor, you will be ready to go!
As someone who is from the North East, I’m very proud of Acadia as I feel like being there, seeing the foliage, climbing the rocks, eating in the small fishing town of bar Harbor, really capsulates what the North East is about.
When you’re visiting Acadia National Park, come in with an open mind and truly embrace this amazing area.