Acadia National Park
Jordan Pond at Acadia National Park with the North and South Bubbles in the background
I love Acadia as a starter park for families looking to begin their National Park adventures. It is one of the smallest national parks and most of the well-known and awe-inspiring vistas are easily accessible by car, the Island Explorer shuttle, or a short hike. Despite being one of the smallest, Acadia is one of the most visited but with a little bit of planning you can enjoy the perfect National Park vacation.
Cost:
$35 for 7 days (save that receipt!)
Included with the America the Beautiful pass. If you don’t have an America the Beautiful pass but have other National Park travel planned in the next year, it is something you may want to consider.
If you have a child in the 4th grade, that child is eligible for a free National Park Pass from September-August of that year. You can register them at Every Kid Outdoors.
The Cadillac Mountain Summit is not on the Island Explorer route, so you will need a reservation and your own car to access it. This is a must-do, so be sure to plan accordingly. Reservation release dates are on the website.
Transportation:
The park encourages you to take the Island Explorer shuttle and I understand why, but with young kids, a stroller, a backpack carrier, and the possibility of them napping in the car, we opted to take our own vehicle. That being said, if it were just my husband and me, or the kids were older, I see no reason not to take advantage of the free shuttle. Acadia gets BUSY in peak season and we wasted a lot of time looking for parking.
Tide pool just off the loop road on the Schoodic Peninsula at Acadia National Park
We started our most recent trip at a private campsite on the Schoodic Peninsula. I shared a bit about it in our New England Road Trip post, but unfortunately, I have not been able to find it on AirBnB since. The unique accommodations and private beach made me thankful that we booked 3 nights on the Schoodic Peninsula, but otherwise, I would probably stay on Mount Dessert Island and take the ride, which is slightly over an hour, for the day. There is also a boat that runs between Bar Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula if you prefer to travel by water. We visited at the height of summer and the Schoodic Peninsula did not have nearly the number of visitors that Mount Dessert Island does.
Schoodic Peninsula Must-Do:
Visitor’s Center: Always start every national park trip at the Visitor’s Center. This allows you the opportunity to grab a map and speak with one of the Park Rangers. They are an underutilized resource. Let them know how long you plan to spend in the park and what your family likes to do, and they will recommend how to get the most out of your park visit. Here you can also get the schedule of ranger-led programs. These are typically free or have a very small fee and are well worth it.
Work on your Junior Ranger Badge: While you are in the Visitor’s Center, pick up a Junior Ranger book for each of your children. If you are not familiar, most National Parks, Monuments, and Sites have a Junior Ranger program. You receive a workbook filled with a variety of activities to help keep your child engaged while you tour the park. Based on their age, they need to complete a certain amount of activities. The older the child, the more they need to complete. Once completed, you return to the Visitor’s Center to be sworn in and receive your Junior Ranger pin. The best part, all of this is FREE! My oldest loves this program.
The Loop Road: Drive a 6-mile one-way loop road that runs around that section of the park. There are places to pull off to enjoy the scenery, have a picnic, or go for a hike. If you prefer to bike, the bike trail is about 8.3 miles with portions on the auto road and other parts on dedicated bike paths. If you are not up for the full 8 miles, you can always hop on the Island Explorer shuttle, which is equipped with bike racks, and take a ride back to your point of origin. We enjoyed pulling off near many of the tide pools and explored the area for sea life like starfish and mussels. We also saw a porcupine on both days that we visited the park, right along the loop road, so keep your eyes peeled.
Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall: Located about halfway down the loop road, this is a beautiful building with a big lawn (perfect for letting the kids run around safely) and they have some interesting exhibits about the history of the old Navy base, as well as information about the park.
Schoodic Point: This is a beautiful spot to walk on the seaside rocks, sit and enjoy the view, or bring a blanket for a picnic. And if nature calls, this is the place to answer! These were the cleanest bathrooms I have ever experienced in a state or national park. Maybe weeks of travel and questionable restrooms have clouded my judgment and memory, but as my memory and the photos I took recall, they were immaculate. Schoodic Point boasts all the beauty of the more popular Mount Dessert Island shoreline, with much more space to move around and a fraction of the crowds. It is not to be missed.
Schoodic Point on the Schoodic Peninsula at Acadia National Park
After three days in the quiet of the Schoodic Peninsula, we made the short drive to Bar Harbor to brave the crowds. Although we visited at a similar time of year, my husband and I noticed a significant uptick in fellow travelers versus our first trip in 2016. I would assume this still has a lot to do with post-pandemic travel. We love to see others enjoying the outdoors, but we do miss those low crowds.
We chose to stay at the Best Western Acadia Park Inn because quite frankly, it was the only half-decent-looking property that was in our budget. We were so happy with this property. It was clean and very convenient to the park and downtown. Breakfast was good with indoor and outdoor seating, and we enjoyed the pool each day.
Beaver Lodge on Witch Hole Pond on the Witch Hole Carriage Road in Acadia National Park
Mount Dessert Island Must Do’s
Visitor’s Center: Even if you stopped by the one on the Schoodic Peninsula, I recommend stopping here. There are different displays and information, although the Junior Ranger Program booklet is the same. We started our booklet on the Schoodic Peninsula and finished it on the Bar Harbor side of the park, and my son was sworn in and received his pin there.
Jordan Pond House: If you are able to get reservations at Jordan Pond House, do it. If not, be prepared to arrive before opening and wait in line to put your name in for a walk-up. We did this and waited about an hour to be seated. There is a gift shop next to the restaurant, which I highly recommend. You can also walk down the path to Jordan Pond and explore the area a bit. While they have indoor seating, I recommend waiting to be seated on the lawn. The bees were a bit of a nuisance, but the setting is picture perfect and it was so nice allowing the kids to run around on the expansive lawn, while the adults got to sit and relax in the sunshine. The food was delicious! You have to get their world-famous popovers. They are such a treat!
Jordan Pond: After lunch, we set out to hike around Jordan Pond. It’s about 3 miles around and this was the first hike of this kind of distance for my 4-year-old and he did so well! The trail is flat, a combination of dirt, narrow boardwalks, and some small rock scrambles, and the scenery was stunning. There were spots where the kids could toss rocks into the lake, which they always enjoy. If you are new to hiking or traveling with young kids, I highly recommend this trail.
The Loop Road: This will take you past Thunder Hole and Sand Beach, two must-sees for families. Here you will also have the opportunity (if parking allows) to pull off to explore some of the trails. The Island Explorer shuttle covers these busy areas, so if possible, opt for the shuttle so you don’t have to battle with parking. On our first visit in 2016, my husband and I attended a Ranger-led stargazing program on Sand Beach. It was so beautiful and the Rangers were so informative. If one is available during your stay, I highly recommend it.
The Carriage Roads: These automobile-free roadways, allow you to bike, walk, or horseback ride through the park. We had our bikes on this trip and opted to ride with each child in a trailer. It was enjoyable, but we covered very little ground, considering there are 45 miles of carriage roads in the park. E-bikes will allow you to see much more of the park, especially if time is limited. They can be rented from a number of retailers in Bar Harbor.
Cadillac Mountain: The crown jewel of Acadia is Cadillac Mountain. My husband woke up early on our first trip to enjoy the sunrise on the mountain and was blown away by the beauty. I was newly pregnant on that trip and not up for the adventure and on our second trip there was no way I was waking a 1 and 4-year-old that early. Next time, it is at the top of my list. It also happens to be at the top of most people’s lists, so reservations are now required. When I planned our trip, I kept my other plans flexible until I could confirm our Cadillac Mountain reservation, and then I organized everything else around it. During peak season they release 30% of the reservations 90 days in advance, with 70% released two days in advance. I would make every attempt to secure your reservation at the 90-day mark, but if you miss that drop, know there is another opportunity. We have visited both before and after the reservation system was implemented and while I know many people don’t have the luxury to plan that far in advance, it does make navigating that area so much more enjoyable. While you are given an arrival window, once you are parked, you are not obligated to leave until the road closes that evening. There is plenty to explore, so bring some water and sunscreen and plan to spend some time taking in the scenery. My older son made some friends and the kids were exploring a section of the mountaintop together. Many people bring picnic blankets to relax in the sun or enjoy a meal. There are restrooms and a small gift shop that has some snacks and drinks in addition to souvenirs.
Bar Island: Check the tide schedule and head downtown about an hour before low tide. When the tide goes out, it reveals a sand bar that allows you to walk from Bar Harbor to Bar Island. Our kids were 1 and 4 at the time, and we never made it past the tide pools. The 4-year-old had a blast searching for sea life, while the little one busied himself with examining and tossing rocks. If you are looking for a bit more adventure, there is a 1.9-mile loop from Bar Harbor, over the sand bar, around Bar Island, and back. Be sure to keep an eye on those tides, because a leisurely hike can very easily turn into a wade or a swim back, which I do not recommend. There are signs all over the area, reminding you of the same.
A quintessential Acadia lunch on the lawn at Jordan Pond House
If you have a trip coming up and want to get your kids excited to explore the area, I recommend checking out the National Park Service website. They have a variety of in-park activities, as well as things that can be done at home before or after your trip. And if you are a home-schooler, there are resources there for you too!
If you are traveling from the Eastern seaboard, here are some of our favorite stops between New Jersey and Acadia:
Hallmark Drive-In, Old Lyme, CT: The best lobster rolls, served Connecticut or Maine style, kid-friendly options like hot dogs and fries, and delicious ice cream.
Mystic Seaport, CT: While this could be a destination in and of itself, stop in to stretch your legs with a walk around the picturesque fishing town, grab a sandwich or something sweet at Sift Bake Shop, or if time allows visit Mystic Aquarium.
Watch Hill, RI: Home to Taylor Swift, but more importantly, home to one of the most beautiful antique carousels I have ever seen. It is a swing-style carousel so the outer horses are not mounted to a base and swing outward as the ride spins. Kids can try their hand at grabbing a brass ring, although it’s not as easy as it looks! If time allows, enjoy the beach or grab a bite to eat before hitting the road.
Plymouth, MA: Stop in to see Plymouth Rock so you can check it off your bucket list. I am a huge American History fan and this was one of the most underwhelming historical sites I have visited, but you still need to do it once. Then head over to the real reason you came, Nelson Memorial Park. It is located on the water, with plenty of parking. My kids loved the playground here, and although it was too cold when we visited, there is a splash pad to cool off on a warm summer day. Pro Tip: Pack a lunch to feed your kids in the car and then let them play while the adults eat. They get to burn off some energy and you get a little break.
LL Bean Flagship Campus, Freeport, ME: Even if you don’t plan to shop, this is a great spot to walk around and browse. I guarantee you will find at least one thing that will be useful for your Acadia adventure.
Beach entrance and Merry-Go-Round at Watch Hill, RI
Click here for a map of our road trip stops and our preferred accommodations along this route. For more photos and videos, be sure to follow us on social media! We hope this helps you plan your next road trip to Acadia National Park!