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Respect all posted signs and notices and stay updated on temporary closures. The air is crystal clear, so at night youll find some of the best stargazing in the east and during the day every vista stretches even further. (This post contains affiliate links. If youre visiting in summer, disembark at Duck Harbor Landing near the trailheads and campground. Acadia National Park Crowds Can Be Unbearable. Hike nature preserves and granite quarries. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Ever wish a local would just take you around and put you on all of the best spots? Hiking shoes are helpful in Acadia to protect your feet from the rocks and to have more sturdy footing. 102 A for an easy stroll to gorgeous beach. Check out: 3 Unique Things To Do In Acadia National Park. In the spring the carriage roads often close due to muddy conditions. We cant wait to share these secret spots with you! Get your National Park Camping Reservations Secrets FREE GUIDE HERE! The campground has five tent sites with lean-tos, potable water from a hand pump, clean privies, and free firewood. Just keep in mind that the surrounding towns dont fully reopen until Memorial Day weekend so lodging and food options will still be limited. It is both spectacular and packed during the summer. Plan Your Visit Basic Information Start here for essential park information, from directions to entrance fees to hours of operation. The best time to visit Acadia National Park depends on what youre looking for. During the Acadia National Park Maine peak season, the park can seem a bit like a traffic jam. The ferry does charge an additional fee to transport bikes. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Looking to enjoy the beautiful rock gorges and waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park NY without the huge crowds? Pro Tip: Its important to note that the main area of Acadias Park Loop Road is one-way. Best Time to Go to Acadia National Park, Maine Quiet Water Paddling: This main paddling destinations on this side of the island are Long Pond, Echo Lake, and Seal Cove Pond. The trail ends at Squeaker Cove. When visiting Acadia, always be prepared for a rain shower or a windy day. The average . Purchases keep the lights on for this blog at no additional cost to you. Acadia hidden gems to explore? Popular Times to Visit Acadia National Park Average Tourist Volumes Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. It's pleasant weather for hiking and other outdoor activities. But is that too early? November in Acadia National Park brings a significant drop in temperatures--20s to 40s degrees Fahrenheit. The Precipice Trail is also usually open in September which is a huge advantage for adventurous hikers. Read on to find out how to avoid crowds at Acadia National Park. Places to Go Explore various destinations and learn about highlights, visitor services, and ways to get there. Most people get out to snap a photo at the overlook and then drive on. The Island Explorer bus system will be running with limited routes and capacity for the 2021 season, but it will still traverse most of the park. Click here for a more detailed guide to these routes. You can also bring your bike or rent one in town and bike into the park. There is also very limited parking, and finding a spot can be a stressful challenge. Its the jewel of the North Atlantic coast: a rare meeting of ocean and mountains, with evergreen forests fanning out from craggy granite peaks onto miles of rugged coastline. Just 10 percent of the parks visitors make it here for a more laid-back experience of Acadia. Weather in early September is generally divine, but temperatures start dropping by the end of the month. The lunch rush at Jordan Pond House is as famous as its popovers, so go later the day. Only Class-1 e-bikes are allowed. Each season provides a unique perspective to the rocky coast of Maine, so here are the best times to visit Acadia National Park, depending on your itinerary. Theres really nothing else like it. The eastward viewpoint Schoodic Head (440 ft) is at the end of the trail past the intersection with Anvil Trail. Worst Time to Visit Acadia National Park - taketravelinfo.com For the most part, the seaside ledges are level with road so there are lots of spots to pull off for a picnic, birdwatch or just take in the view. The ledges are slippery and a fall can be fatal. Many people still would like to visit a sandy beach during their Acadia vacation and there are a few options. But when is the best time to visit? Five miles out to sea and home to fewer than 80 year-round residents, Isle au Haut is the least visited part of the park with only about 10,000 visitors a year. It has some neat amenities including a 100-seat amphitheater for programs and activities, and a fireplace nook in the visitor center. From June to August it gets crowded but don't let that keep you away. It is worth a visit even if the park is crowded. Winter sports equipment, such as snowshoes and skis, can be rented in Bar Harbor. The hiking trails pass through the same lush forest onto open ridgelines and rugged peaks, but the lower foot traffic makes them feel more untamed. If youre new to the park, one of the visitor centers is the best place to begin. In conclusion, Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake are the two biggest bodies of water on the east side. Fall is also the busiest season for cruise ships, which dock in Bar Harbor and disgorge thousands of passengers onto the towns narrow streets. The camp is on the islands west side and has platform tents with canvas sides that are equipped with cots, blankets, mattresses, and pillows for two to five people. The Best Times to Visit Acadia National Park for Good Weather - Travel Even though the snow has melted, the early spring is still considered the off-season. Visitation has surged almost 60 percent in a decade, leading to severe crowding at many park destinations. If you ask the locals for a great place to beat the crowds in Acadia, most of them will tell you to go to Little Hunters Beach. May 24th through October 22nd, the peak season Acadia National Park. What to Save? Climate Change Forces Brutal Choices at National Parks The summer crowds disperse as the high average temperatures drop to the chilly 40s and 50s, but the lack of crowds makes a fall visit even more enjoyable. Want perfect summer temperatures and lots of things to do? What is the closest airport to Acadia National Park? Schoodic Peninsula sits just across Frenchman Bay from Mount Desert Island. Most people who visit Acadia drive. Compare that with Grand Teton National Park, which received roughly the same number of visitors in 2019 but is 310,000 acresmore than six Acadias. Full-time RVers and Florida residents share hacks to book even the most difficult state park camping reservations. Check out one of these least visited national park ideas for your next adventure! Adventure Tips: Do not confuse this location with Hunters Beach that is farther down the road. The highlight of this scrappy bit of coastline is Schoodic Point. Rather camp or even rent a small cabin for your Acadia trip. Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. An RV Living Family Shares The Cost Of Living Full Time In An RV Per Month, 2023 Complete Florida State Park Camping Guide (+ Hacks To Book State Park Reservations Florida), 27 Least Visited National Park Ideas To Skip The Crowds In 2023, 19 Things To Do In Congaree National Park: The Mosquito Meter Park, Acadia Hidden Gems: Secret Spots To Avoid Crowds In Acadia National Park, 2023 Schoodic Peninsula Complete Guide: The Quiet Side Of Acadia, 7 Hacks To Visit National Parks Without A Reservation In 2023. Discounted passes are available for motorcyclists and people who enter the park without a vehicle, including cyclists and hikers. But summer can also bring thick fog that blankets the island for hours, or sometimes days. Best Times to Visit Acadia National Park | U.S. News Travel Vanessa, Your email address will not be published. The night skies arent quite as clear as in fall, but its possible to see the northern lights. AMC authors Jerry and Marcy Monkman call it the wildest part of Acadia because of its rough-hewn oceanside cliffs, deserted beaches, and 18-miles of rugged mixed-use trails. We're a couple from England and will be visiting Acadia NP for just one day, on Sunday 9th Sept. We're staying in Deer Isle and were thinking of getting up very early to maximise our time, arriving in Acadia around 7/7.30am. Weather, Prices, and Crowds in Acadia National Park Spring (aka Mud Season) definitely has its pros and cons. In other words, visitors don't come here to lounge all day, so the beach itself never feels overcrowded. You can also stop by the islands themselves to get out and explore. The entire peninsula is a great place to avoid crowds. If youre hiking a peak, stash one or two in your pack since the higher elevations are often colder and windier than sea level. Know your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before you fly. The average snowfall on Mount Desert Island is 61 inches. You can book your reservation in advance. And although winter and spring are often overlooked, both offer great activities if you know where to look. As a local, July and August are the most pleasant months for warm weather, but the changing of seasons in September and October bring an array of colors that shouldn't be missed. What's The Worst Time To Visit Acadia National Park? Acadia National Park is in Maine, along the Atlantic ocean coast. It is more crowded than Seal Harbor Beach but it is really scenic. Eagle Lake Loop is an easy to moderate ride through the forest along the perimeter of Eagle Lake. Some years may see as little as two feet of rain, while others may receive as much as six feet. This is the perfect time to visit with cooler weather and fewer Acadia crowds. 4 years ago Save Hi all. Cyclists do share the roads with horses and pedestrians and are required to yield to other traffic. From easy strolls along coastal paths to summit climbs to thrilling cliff walks, there is something here for everyone. The vehicle daytime registration is a timed-entry reservation with a30-minute entry window. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! However, the amount of rain that falls can vary significantly from one year to the next. On the clearest days you can see Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, from the summit of Cadillac Mountain. While the peak dates can vary from year to year, you can expect the best fall colors to happen between October 5 to 18. It is a single park loop road that takes you around the peninsula past many beautiful overlooks. With more than four million annual visitors, Acadia is one of the country's most popular national parks. What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Acadia National Park? How Do You Avoid Crowds In Acadia National Park? While the amount of rain that falls in Acadia National Park can vary depending on the time of year, the park does tend to experience a fair amount of precipitation. The worst times to visit Acadia National Park is during the summer months. Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park Visual Story Getting There: Take the passenger-only ferry from Stonington, ME, an hour and a half drive from Bar Harbor. The view from the carriage road that leads to the summit of Parkman Mountain. With some of them, you just can't be too careful. They host a magnificent system of picturesque bridges, along with mountain vistas and waterfalls. The most beautiful places in the world can still be difficult to enjoy if you cant find a place to be to enjoy it. Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park - Destguides 1. Spring is also when local businesses come out of their long winter hibernation. As a result, visitation typically peaks in July and August, with visitors often spending several days exploring all that Acadia has to offer. September offers great temperatures with far fewer visitors in Bar Harbor and other Mount Desert Island towns. Also, keep in mind that unlike many other national parks there arent always hard boundaries between the park and private property. The campground is open May 15 to October 15. The park doesn't see many visitors in winter, but it's the perfect time to visit for the dedicated adventure traveler ready to brave the freezing temperatures, Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. It has breathtaking views of Cadillac and Pemetic Mountain and the Bubbles. The only accommodations within Acadia National Park itself are two campgrounds, both of which are regulated by the National Park Service (NPS) and can be booked two months in advance (recommended as most sites sell out immediately after reservations are live). When the snow sticks, Acadia National Parks carriage roads are fabulous for cross country skiing. Keep in mind that this is a very popular time of year to visit the park. Schoodic Head Loop takes you to best viewpoint in the trail network. Our national park obsessed family spent 2 summers of a lifetime exploring Acadia and found a few amazing hidden spots. The Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park: Complete Guide You can enter and drive through the park at anytime, no reservation needed. By the way, always ask the locals for ideas when you travel! Melting ice and snow keep things soggy in April and May, but by late spring the island has often dried out and temperatures can be divine. Its a 50-mile drive on coastal roads that takes just over an hour. Acadias many ponds, including Jordan Pond pictured here, make for stunning scenery whether youre on the water or above it. July and August are the peak visitation for Acadia. What if I told you that there are many Acadia National Park hidden gems and secret locations to enjoy without the crowds? This national park is rife with natural habitats and birds only in this area. Some routes stop running really early. If you arent visiting Bar Harbor or Acadia National Park from a cruise ship, then you will want to look up the Bar Harbor Maine cruise ship schedule. Several parks including Yellowstone. It may be warm and sunny one day then spitting snow and ice the next. I would love to hear about your experiences. Fall foliage generally peaks between October 1322, but the dates vary from year to year. Getting There: Most visitors drive to Schoodic from Bar Harbor. For those who prefer to stay land-bound, there are nature preserves all over Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle-full of trails, coastal views, and granite quarries. By Maine standards its crazy, but New Yorkers will probably appreciate the peace and quiet.). The Ultimate Acadia National Park Travel Guide - Outside Online Re: Bug report? Note that the Acadia National Park Island Explorer shuttle doesnt go to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Exploring The Quiet Side Of Acadia: Schoodic Peninsula. Twenty-seven-mile Park Loop Road is the main drag. The park is extremely popular during this time, and it can be difficult to find a parking spot or even a place to hike. The weather is also hot and humid which can be uncomfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. Please leave me a comment! Keep tabs on the foliage with Maines fall foliage tracker. June is one of our preferred times to visit Acadia National Park. Many of the hotels, restaurants, and shops in the surrounding towns close for the season. Looking for beautiful fall foliage? 7 years ago Save You need to invest in DEET. Theres also more fog, mist, and haze than other times of the year. But what if I told you there are a few secret spots to avoid crowds in Acadia National Park? It is the only national park campground that can accommodate larger RVs. Once at the top, you can stay as long as you like but cant re-enter again on the same day. It has a very long steep wooden staircase down and it is really hard to walk on the rounded pebbles. Keep reading to find out the best time to go to Acadia National Park. But snow that falls tends to melt quickly. Most of the beaches in Acadia are beautiful rocky beaches. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to Pin & Tweet it. There are no carriage roads so bikers will be less spoiled; aside from that, its nearly identical to the east side. 6-mile long Schoodic Loop Road traverses the outer of edge of this thickly forested headland, where the waves crash into the pink granite ledges with enormous force. A canoe or a kayak is a great vantage point for bird and wildlife watching. Sand Beach is a great place to stop and take photos of the scenery. (This is all relative, of course. There's an easy way to find these lesser-known destinations: the Passport to Your National Parks, a $12.95 spiral-bound booklet first created in 1986. Pro Tip: Acadia National Park 2023 vehicle reservations are required to visit the summit of Cadillac Mountain anytime of day from May 24th through October 22nd, the peak season Acadia National Park. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To learn more about sea kayaking opportunities speak to a local outfitter and consult guidebooks, such as the Monkmans Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park and AMCs Best Sea Kayaking in New England by Michael Daugherty. But bug numbers depend considerably on how rainy it has been. Theres More to Do: While youre on the west side Alperin also recommends a visit to Seawall, about 2 miles northeast of Wonderland off Rte. Want to avoid the crowds? Acadia National Park in November. This award-winning campground is conveniently located on Mount Desert Island near Bar Harbor. Acadia hidden gems to explore? No matter when you go, Acadia is sure to provide a memorable experience. There are adventures to be on Schoodic peninsula to the east, offshore on Isle au Haut and even on the ocean. Many people like to bike the Schoodic Loop Rd and there is a park shuttle that runs the loop. The town itself has few amenities but does have a general store and a seasonal food truck. Best Time Of Year To Visit Acadia National Park. The striking, craggy coastline of Maine's Acadia National Park has been an enticing destination for travelers since it first was declared a national park in the summer of 1916. If youre visiting with kids, they can become a Junior Ranger by completing an activity booklet available at the visitor center and attending ranger-led programs. Fall: Its less crowded. Acadia Hidden Gems: Secret Spots To Avoid Crowds In Acadia National Park