Hotels in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park: Granite Peaks and Atlantic Shoreline

Acadia National Park, established in 1916 on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, covers 49,000 acres of carved granite summits, glacial lakes, and rocky Atlantic coastline. Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet the highest point on the U.S. East Coast north of Brazil, draws visitors before sunrise — arriving first to see dawn light hit the Maine coast. The park's Park Loop Road runs 27 miles past Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and Otter Cliff, connecting the major coastal landmarks within a single half-day drive.

Where to Stay

Most hotels and inns anchor in Bar Harbor, the main gateway town on Mount Desert Island's eastern shore, roughly 50 miles south of Bangor International Airport. Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor offer quieter bases on the island's quieter western side. A smaller cluster of properties sits on the Schoodic Peninsula, the only mainland section of the park, about 45 minutes east of Bar Harbor by road.

Practical Tips

• Season: July and August are peak; foliage peaks mid-October and draws significant crowds.
• Entry: A 7-day vehicle pass costs $35 (2024 fee); purchase in advance at recreation.gov.
• Getting around: The Island Explorer bus runs free, fare-free routes across the island from late June through Columbus Day.
• Sunrise reservations: Cadillac Mountain Summit Road requires a timed-entry permit from late May through October.