Acadia & Bar Harbor: The Perfect 3-Day Plan

Acadia National Park is one of the most visited parks in America, packing dramatic coastal scenery, granite peaks, and pristine lakes into 49,000 acres of Mount Desert Island. This 3-day plan hits the iconic experiences without the overwhelm—sunrise from Cadillac, the Park Loop Road, classic hikes, and those famous popovers.

Day 1: Park Loop Road & Coastal Icons

Morning: Sunrise or Sleep In

Option A: Cadillac Mountain Sunrise (Advanced booking)

• Depart hotel (5am) - Yes, that early
• Drive to summit (30 min from Bar Harbor)
• Cadillac Mountain sunrise (5:30-6am depending on season)
  • Reservation required May-Oct ($6/vehicle, book at recreation.gov)
  • “First sunrise in America” (certain times of year)
  • Dress very warm (40°F even in August)
  • Crowds but worth it
• Return to Bar Harbor for breakfast (7:30am)

Option B: Leisurely Start (If no sunrise reservation)

• Sleep in!
• Breakfast in Bar Harbor (8:30am)
  • Jordan’s Restaurant - Classic diner
  • 2 Cats - Cozy cafe
  • Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast - Local favorite

Late Morning: Park Loop Road Begins

• Enter park (9:30am)
  • $35/vehicle (7-day pass)
  • Buy online before arrival
• Park Loop Road - One-way scenic drive (27 miles total)

Noon: Coastal Highlights

• Sieur de Monts (Optional) - Nature Center, Wild Gardens
• Precipice Trail parking - View the cliff (don’t hike unless experienced!)
• Sand Beach (12pm)
  • Photo stop, quick dip if brave (55-60°F water!)
  • Iconic crescent beach
  • 10-15 minutes
• Thunder Hole (12:30pm)
  • Time it right: 2-3 hours before high tide
  • Waves crash into narrow chasm
  • Can be underwhelming at wrong tide
• Otter Cliff (12:45pm)
  • 110-foot sea cliff
  • Pull-out, quick photos
  • Stunning coastal views

Afternoon: Jordan Pond

• Jordan Pond House (1:30pm)
  • Popovers and tea on the lawn ($20-25)
  • Reservations recommended (book online)
  • View of the Bubbles (twin mountains)
  • Maine tradition since 1893
• Jordan Pond Path walk (Optional, after popovers)
  • 3.3-mile loop around pond (1.5 hours)
  • Or just walk partway (15-30 min)
  • Flat, easy, scenic

Late Afternoon: Summit Cadillac (If Didn’t Do Sunrise)

• Drive up Cadillac Mountain (3:30pm)
  • Reservation required during peak season (May-Oct)
  • 1,530 feet, highest point on East Coast
  • 360-degree views
  • Sunset is magical (but crowded)
• Or: Continue Park Loop to complete circuit

Evening: Bar Harbor

• Return to Bar Harbor (5:30pm)
• Dinner on Main Street
  • Side Street Cafe - Local seafood
  • Havana - Latin-fusion, excellent
  • McKay’s Public House - Pub food, craft beer
• Evening stroll - Downtown, Shore Path along harbor
• Ice cream at MDI Ice Cream - Creative flavors, local favorite

Lodging: Bar Harbor (book months ahead for summer!)

Day 2: Hiking & The Quiet Side

Morning: Choose Your Hiking Adventure

Option A: Beehive Trail (Moderate-Challenging, most popular)

• Start early (7:30am) - Parking lot fills fast!
  • Or take Island Explorer bus (free, summer only)
• Beehive Trail (8am-10:30am)
  • 1.5 miles round trip
  • Iron rungs, ladders, exposed
  • Not for those afraid of heights!
  • Stunning summit views
  • Alternative descent: Take easier trail down
• Or: Ocean Path (Easy alternative)
  • 2 miles one way, paved
  • Runs along dramatic coastline
  • Sand Beach to Otter Point
  • Accessible, gorgeous

Option B: Precipice Trail (Very Challenging, for experienced only)

• Experienced hikers only
• Vertical iron rungs, ladders
• Closed when peregrine falcons nesting (spring/summer)
• Most thrilling hike in park

Option C: Champlain Mountain (Moderate)

• Multiple route options
• Less crowded than Beehive
• Excellent summit views
• 2-3 hours round trip

Late Morning: Recovery & Carriage Roads

• Return to Bar Harbor (11am)
• Lunch - Pack sandwiches or eat in town
• Rent bikes (12:30pm)
  • Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop or Acadia Bike Rentals
  • $30-40 for 4 hours

Afternoon: Carriage Roads

• Bike the carriage roads (1-4pm)
  • 45 miles of car-free gravel roads
  • Built by John D. Rockefeller Jr.
  • 17 stone bridges
  • Recommended route: Eagle Lake loop (6 miles, easy)
  • Or: Around Jordan Pond (varied terrain)
• Peaceful, scenic, excellent for families

Late Afternoon: The Quiet Side

• Drive to “Quiet Side” (4pm) - West side of island
  • Less developed, fewer crowds
  • Route 102 south from Somesville
• Seawall - Rocky beach, tide pools
• Wonderland Trail - Easy 1.4-mile round trip to coast

Evening: Lobster & Lighthouse

• Bass Harbor Head Light (5:30pm)
  • Most photographed lighthouse in park
  • Perched on cliff
  • Best at sunset (arrive 90 min before)
  • Steps down to rocky shore for classic photo
• Dinner at Thurston’s Lobster Pound (Bernard, 6:30pm)
  • Working wharf setting
  • BYOB (bring beer/wine)
  • Picnic tables, lobster boats
  • $30-40/person for lobster dinner
  • The authentic Maine experience
• Return to Bar Harbor (8pm, 45 min drive)

Lodging: Bar Harbor

Day 3: Flexibility & Favorites

Morning: Sunrise or Specialty Hike

Option A: Sunrise from Cadillac (If didn’t do Day 1)

• See Day 1 instructions
• Breakfast after

Option B: Morning Kayak Tour

• Guided sea kayak (8:30am, 2.5 hours)
  • National Park Sea Kayak Tours
  • Acadia Kayak Tours
  • $50-70/person
  • Seals, islands, coastline
  • No experience needed

Option C: Another Hike

• Gorham Mountain - Moderate, great views, less crowded
• Great Head Trail - Moderate loop, coastal views
• Bubble Rock via Bubbles Trail - Moderate, famous glacial erratic

Late Morning: Schoodic Peninsula (Optional Extension)

If you have time and want fewer crowds:

• Drive to Schoodic (1 hour from Bar Harbor)
  • Acadia’s “quiet section”
  • Dramatic granite coastline
  • Far fewer people
  • Schoodic Point - Waves crash against pink granite
  • One-way loop road
• Allow 3-4 hours round trip

Or: Stay on Mount Desert Island

• More Bar Harbor exploration
• Abbe Museum - Native American history
• Shopping - Main Street boutiques
• Relax! - You’ve earned it

Afternoon: Last Favorites or New Spots

Option A: Repeat a Favorite

• Return to Jordan Pond
• Re-hike a trail
• Revisit coastal spot

Option B: New Experience

• Seal watching cruise - From Bar Harbor
• Windjammer sail - 2-hour sunset cruise
• Swimming at Echo Lake - Warmer freshwater

Option C: Town Time

• Downtown Bar Harbor - Shopping, galleries
• Shore Path - 0.5-mile waterfront walk
• Village Green - Town park
• Bar Island Trail - Walk to island at low tide (check tide chart!)

Evening: Final Dinner & Departure Prep

• Dinner - Try restaurant you missed
  • Galyn’s - Seafood, harbor views
  • Cafe This Way - Creative, excellent brunch/dinner
  • West Street Cafe - Upscale, locally sourced
• Last ice cream - Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
• Pack for departure tomorrow

Essential Information

Reservations You MUST Book Ahead

Cadillac Mountain:

• Sunrise or daytime access (May-October)
• Book at recreation.gov
• $6 per vehicle
• Books up within hours when window opens (2 months ahead)

Jordan Pond House Popovers:

• Not required but highly recommended
• Can wait 1-2 hours without reservation
• Book at jordanpondhouse.com

Lodging in Bar Harbor:

• Summer: Book 3-6 months ahead
• Fall foliage: Book 6+ months ahead
• Prices $200-500/night in peak season

Getting Around

Island Explorer (Free Shuttle):

• Free propane buses
• June-Columbus Day
• Serves major park sites and Bar Harbor
• Parking strategy: Park at Hulls Cove Visitor Center, ride bus
• www.exploreacadia.com

Driving:

• Parking lots fill by 9-10am summer mornings
• Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond = hardest parking
• Strategy: Arrive before 8:30am or after 3pm

Biking:

• Carriage roads only (no bikes on hiking trails)
• Rentals $30-50/day

What to Pack

• Layers: Temps swing 30+ degrees (40s dawn, 70s afternoon)
• Rain gear: Always possible
• Hiking boots: Rocky, uneven trails
• Sunscreen: Reflected water = extra sun
• Water bottles: 2+ liters for hikes
• Binoculars: Seals, eagles, boats
• Camera: Endless photo ops
• Headlamp: If doing sunrise
• Bug spray: Mosquitoes/black flies (June-July)

Best Time to Visit

Peak Summer (July-August): Warmest, most crowded, highest prices Shoulder (June, September): Great weather, fewer crowds, better prices Fall Foliage (October): Spectacular, very crowded, book far ahead Off-Season (November-April): Park Loop Road closed, limited services

Park Passes

$35/vehicle (7 days) - Buy at entrance or recreation.gov $15/person (walk-in/bike, 7 days) $30/motorcycle (7 days) $70/annual pass - Good deal if staying 3+ days or returning

Free with: America the Beautiful annual pass ($80)

What Makes Acadia Special

• Mountains meet ocean: Unique on East Coast
• Carriage roads: 45 miles of car-free exploration
• Granite peaks: Dramatic pink granite cliffs
• Accessibility: Paved paths, variety of difficulty levels
• Size: Can see highlights in 2-3 days
• Coastal diversity: Sandy beaches, rocky shores, tide pools

Safety Notes

• Iron rung trails: Stay off if wet, icy, or you fear heights
• Thunder Hole: Stay behind barriers, rogue waves kill
• Water temp: 55-60°F even in summer, hypothermia risk
• Cliffs: Many are unfenced, watch kids
• Tides: Bar Island accessible only at low tide (check chart!)
• Weather: Changes fast, fog common, be prepared

Budget Estimate (per person, 2 sharing)

Lodging: $400-600 (3 nights, mid-range, summer pricing) Meals: $200-300 (mix of casual and nice dinners) Park pass: $18/person (split $35 vehicle pass) Activities: $100-150 (bike rental, kayak tour, Jordan Pond) Gas: $40-60 (local driving) Total: $758-1,128 per person

Budget Tips

• Camp: Blackwoods or Seawall campgrounds ($30/night)
• Pack lunch: Save $50-75 for the 3 days
• Free bus: Skip parking hassles, save gas
• Skip Jordan Pond: Bring own snacks to picnic
• Shoulder season: June or September, lodging half price

Extend Your Trip

Add Days For:

• Schoodic Peninsula: Full day exploring quiet section
• Hiking: More trails (Acadia has 158 miles!)
• Islands: Ferry to Cranberry Isles
• More towns: Explore Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor
• Relaxation: Beach time, spa day

Combine With:

• Midcoast: Camden, Rockland (see Midcoast itinerary)
• Bold Coast: Lubec, Machias (see Bold Coast itinerary)
• Portland: 3 hours south (see Portland itinerary)

Hiking Difficulty Guide

Easy (Good for families):

• Ocean Path (paved)
• Jordan Pond Path (mostly flat)
• Wonderland Trail
• Ship Harbor Trail

Moderate:

• Great Head Trail
• Gorham Mountain
• Bubbles Trail
• Champlain Mountain (Beachcroft Path)

Challenging:

• Beehive Trail (iron rungs, exposure)
• Precipice Trail (very exposed, ladders)
• Cadillac South Ridge (long climb)

Pro Tips

1. Cadillac reservations: Set alarm, book exactly when window opens
2. Parking: Arrive before 8:30am or use Island Explorer
3. Thunder Hole: Check tide chart, go 2-3 hours before high tide
4. Popovers: Make reservation or go at 11am opening
5. Beehive: Start early (7:30am) for parking
6. Bass Harbor Light: Sunset is best, arrive 90 min early
7. Bar Island: Only accessible at low tide (2-3 hours each side)
8. Fog: Common, don’t let it ruin plans (atmospheric!)
9. Carriage roads: Better for biking than walking
10. Crowds: Accept them or visit shoulder season

Family-Friendly Adjustments

With Young Kids:

• Skip iron rung trails
• Focus on Ocean Path, carriage roads, beaches
• Sand Beach play time
• Jordan Pond easy walk
• Seal cruise
• More ice cream stops

With Teens:

• Beehive or Precipice challenge
• Kayak tours
• Bike carriage roads
• Cliff jumping at swimming holes (guided only!)
• Sunrise hike

Rainy Day Plans

If weather is bad:

• Abbe Museum (Native American history)
• George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History
• Shopping in Bar Harbor
• Brewery tours (Atlantic Brewing, Bar Harbor Brewing)
• Movie at Reel Pizza
• Spa day at one of the inns
• Drive Park Loop (still beautiful in fog)

Why Acadia?

Acadia offers something rare: dramatic mountain scenery and ocean coastline in one compact package. You can swim in the ocean in the morning, summit a granite peak at lunch, bike through the forest in the afternoon, and eat lobster on a working wharf at sunset.

It’s accessible enough for grandparents on the Ocean Path and challenging enough for thrill-seekers on the Precipice. It’s small enough to see highlights in three days and large enough to return annually and discover new corners.

The popovers at Jordan Pond aren’t just pastry—they’re tradition. The sunrise from Cadillac isn’t just pretty—it’s a pilgrimage. The lobster at Thurston’s isn’t just dinner—it’s Maine at its most authentic.

Come for the Park Loop Road. Stay for the iron rung climbs. Return because you fell in love with those mountains meeting that ocean, with pink granite and crashing surf, with popovers on the lawn and lobster on the wharf.

Acadia will ruin you for other national parks. Because where else can you summit a mountain, swim in the ocean, and be back for popovers by lunch?