Planning your first trip to Acadia National Park? One of the biggest questions you’ll probably have is, “What should I pack?” I will answer that question and a lot more.

After spending three days exploring Acadia in the middle of October, hiking trails like the Beehive, Ocean Path, Great Head, and Ship Harbor Trail, I quickly realized there were a few things I was really glad I packed…and a few things I definitely didn’t need.

Quick Acadia National Park Packing Checklist

Before we dive into everything, here’s a quick checklist:

Comfortable hiking shoes or trail runners
Small hiking backpack or fanny pack
Reusable water bottle
Gatorade, Powerade, or Liquid I.V.
Snacks
Rain jacket
Sweatshirt or long sleeve
Hat
Advil / Icy Hot
Sunglasses
Thick athletic socks if going in the fall
National Park Pass
Cadillac Mountain reservation (if applicable)
Swimsuit (summer visitors)

1. Comfortable Hiking Shoes

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t overlook, it’s your shoes.

Acadia’s trails are rocky, uneven, and can become slippery, especially after rain. If you’re planning on hiking popular trails like the Beehive or the Precipice Trail, having good grip is incredibly important.

Personally, I don’t think you need bulky hiking boots unless that’s what you’re comfortable wearing.

A good pair of trail runners or lightweight hiking shoes worked perfectly for me.

Even if you’re not a hiker, you can still see the park with a narrated bus tour!

2. Bring a Small Backpack (Not a Huge One)

One mistake I see people make is bringing huge hiking backpacks.

Honestly, you don’t need one.

If you’re hiking trails like the Beehive, you’re climbing ladders, scrambling over rocks, and squeezing through tight sections. A giant backpack just gets in the way.

A small hiking backpack or even a sling bag works much better.

You’ll have enough room for water, snacks, your phone, and a rain jacket without carrying unnecessary weight.

3. Water and Electrolytes

Don’t underestimate how much water you’ll need. Especially in the summer

One reusable water bottle
One bottle of Gatorade or Powerade

Another great option is bringing two water bottles and mixing Liquid I.V. or another electrolyte packet into one of them.

I’m a pretty heavy sweater, so electrolytes are always one of the first things I pack.

While we were hiking the Beehive Trail, we actually saw a man who had to be airlifted off the mountain. I don’t know exactly what happened, but dehydration and heat-related issues happen more often than people realize.

Come prepared.

4. Pack Plenty of Snacks

Hiking always burns more energy than you think.

Some of my favorite trail snacks are:

Granola bars
Honey Stinger waffles
Rice Krispie Treats
Trail mix

They’re easy to throw into your backpack and give you a quick boost before finishing your hike.

5. Dress in Layers

I visited Acadia in the middle of October.

The mornings were definitely chilly, but by the afternoon it warmed up quite a bit.

Since Acadia sits right on the coast, the ocean breeze can make it feel cooler than the temperature says.

I’d recommend packing:

Sweatshirts
Long sleeve shirts
Light jackets
Comfortable hiking pants

Layers are your best friend because you can always take them off as the day warms up.

Tours: 3 Hour Private Acadia National Park Bus Tour of Cadillac Mountain and Park Loop Road

6. Don’t Forget a Lightweight Rain Jacket

Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, I’d still pack one.

Mine stayed folded up in my backpack most of the trip, but it’s one of those things you’re glad to have if the weather changes.

It’s also a good idea if you’re taking any boat tours like:

Lobster fishing tours
Whale watching tours
Seal watching tours
Lighthouse cruises

Being out on the water can get windy and chilly, even on a sunny day.

7. Thick Athletic Socks

Nothing fancy here.

A comfortable pair of thick athletic socks is all you really need.

You’ll be walking a lot throughout the park, so keeping your feet comfortable and blister free will make a world of difference.

8. Screenshot Your Reservations Before Entering the Park

This is one of my biggest tips.

Don’t rely on cell service.

Service can be spotty once you’re inside Acadia, especially on some of the trails.

If you’re visiting Cadillac Mountain, make sure you’ve already:

Downloaded your reservation
Taken a screenshot
Saved any important confirmations

It’ll save you a lot of frustration later.

5 Things I’m Glad I Packed (and 2 Things I Wish I Had)

After spending three days exploring Acadia, these were the items I was happiest I brought.

Trail/hiking shoes
small pack back/ fanny pack
lightweight, rain jacket
Electrolytes
Snacks if you’re hiking

Things I Wish I Packed

Swim Suit
- If you’re visiting in the summer, there are several lake and beaches you can jump into. Makes for a great impromptu swim to cool off
Advil / icy hot
- I learned the hard way that running down on the rocks is not the best for your knees and you will definitely feel it the next day.

What to Pack for Each Season

Not sure when to go? Check out my guide for the Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park

Spring

Spring weather changes quickly.

I’d recommend packing:

Rain jacket
Hiking shoes
Layers
Sweatshirt
Water bottle

Summer

Summer is the busiest time to visit Acadia.

Don’t forget:

Shorts
T-shirts
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Hat
Sunglasses
Plenty of water and electrolytes

Fall (My Favorite Time to Visit)

This is when I visited, and I honestly loved it.

The crowds were smaller, the weather was comfortable, and the leaves were just starting to change.

I’d pack:

Long sleeve shirts
Sweatshirts
Hiking pants
Rain jacket
Sunglasses
Comfortable hiking shoes

Winter

If you’re visiting during winter, pack plenty of warm layers, insulated boots, gloves, and a winter jacket. This goes without saying.

FAQ’s

Should I bring bear spray?
- No need for bear spray in Acadia
Can I bring my dog?
- Absolutely. I saw plenty of dogs throughout the park. Most trails are very dog friendly. The only exception is trails like the Beehive or the Precipice Trail. I wouldn’t recommend taking your dog on either of those because of the climbing sections.
Should I bring bug spray?
- If you’re visiting during the summer, yes. When I visited in October, bugs really weren’t an issue.
Do I need trekking poles?
- Not really. I actually think they get in the way on trails like the Beehive since you’re climbing with your hands.
Can you see the Northern Lights from Acadia National Park?
- You absolutely can in the fall or winter! We actually got to see them when we were there!

Final Thoughts

Packing for Acadia National Park really isn’t complicated.

The biggest things I’d focus on are comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, electrolytes, layers, and a small backpack.

Don’t overpack.

You’ll spend most of your time hiking, exploring Bar Harbor, or enjoying the incredible scenery, so keeping things simple will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Planning Your Acadia Trip? Read These Next

If you’re still planning your trip, check out some of my other Acadia guides:

These guides are all based on my own experience visiting Acadia and are designed to help first-time visitors spend less time researching and more time enjoying the park.