“Keep close to Nature’s heart . . . and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”–John Muir
A Place Where Mountains Meet the Sea ⛰️
“I heard that you’re heading to Acadia, too, this summer! When are you going?”
That casual question was our first clue about Acadia’s dual nature—a place where the ocean meets the mountains and where natural wonder collides with popularity. John, my husband, and I hadn’t realized, when planning our trip, that Acadia National Park is one of the most visited parks in the U.S.
Why Acadia Draws Millions 🌄
We now know why! With its dramatic coastlines, granite peaks, and network of trails, it’s no surprise Acadia draws over four million visitors a year, especially during July through September. Few places offer so much to do in a day: bike/jog/walk trails built by a millionaire at sunrise, summit a picturesque mountain, stroll a rocky shoreline, cross a tidal land bridge, and end the evening with a sunset dinner overlooking the bay
According to the National Park Service, Acadia ranks among the top-ten most visited national parks. Its compact size—about 50,000 acres—makes many attractions easily accessible. John and I spent five days exploring Acadia and Mount Desert Island, the largest island off the Maine coast encompassed within the park. Though we experienced several highlights, we left feeling we’d only scratched the surface. Therefore, we are already planning a return next summer.
A Cozy Stay in the Woods 🦌
Our cozy cabin in the woods of Mount Desert Island, perfectly situated to all things Acadia.
We stayed in a cozy cabin, we found on VRBO, surrounded by acres of woods. However, in less than a three-minute drive, we were driving along a major route central to Acadia and the surrounding areas. In fact, its central location gave us short, easy access to major attractions, trails, and dining options.
Scenic Drives and Iconic Sights 🚘
The views along Park Loop Road were spectacularly stunning.
One of our favorite parts of our trip was driving the scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road. We used a narrated app that provided directions, history, and geology of the surrounding areas as we drove, taking in spectacular vistas. Stops included Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs to name a few. We spent the day hiking and sightseeing along the sublime beauty of the route—a perfect introduction for first-time visitors. The downside? The park road is heavily trafficked, especially midday, so parking can be a challenge for some stops.
Peace and Solitude on the Carriage Roads 🌅
I was fortunate to run Eagle Lake Loop each morning, one of the numerous paths that make up the Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park.
Most mornings, I ran on the peaceful Carriage Roads—45 miles of tree-lined trails donated by John D. Rockefeller Jr. originally built for horse-drawn carriages. These 16-foot-wide gravel paths follow the land’s natural contours and were built to preserve the line of hillsides, protect trees, and align with the landscape contour. The trails offer scenic views and safe, car-free routes for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers. Additionally, several trails permit horseback riding. The potential downside to these peaceful and winding trails is that parking is limited at some trailheads and fills up quickly. Additionally, cell service is spotty, so plan ahead with trail maps.
Reflections at Jordan Pond 🥾
The water of Jordan Pond, and its trails, were pristine despite the foot traffic.
Another favorite site John and I enjoyed was the 3.3-mile Jordan Pond loop—a mostly flat trail with boardwalks and views of the Bubble Mountains reflected in crystal-clear water. In fact, swimming is prohibited to preserve its purity. At the trail’s end is the popular Jordan Pond House, renowned for its quintessential popovers as well as other refreshments/snacks. As with many Acadia spots, prepare for long waits for food and crowded trails during peak hours.
Cadillac Mountain’s Unforgettable Views 🌄
The views from Cadillac Mountain were breathtakingly beautiful.
Cadillac Mountain, with its rocky, pink granite outcroppings, is the tallest peak on the eastern seaboard and a true gem of the park. The summit offers stunning views of Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, and surrounding islands. Sunrise and sunset are especially popular times to visit, though weather can limit visibility. It is also a prominent spot for stargazing. Due to its popularity, the National Park Service requires advance reservations to drive the winding 3.5-mile summit road—an effective measure to reduce overcrowding.
Walking Across the Sea: Bar Island Trail 🚶🏽♀️🚶🏿♂️🚶
In the bottom center picture, I am standing at the edge of the path during high tide, the other pictures illustrate what the path looks like as the tide recedes. Notice the number of people waiting for the tide to fully recede in order to walk to the island.
One exceptionally unique trail in Acadia is the Bar Island Trail, a sand and gravel land bridge, which is only accessible at low tide. Visitors have about 90 minutes after low tide to cross and explore the short trail to the top of the island with views of Bar Harbor. Miss the low-tide window, and you’ll be stuck on the island for hours until the tide recedes again.
A Foodie’s Delight in Bar Harbor 🍦🍔🥗🍝🦞
Bar Harbor offers so many tasty places to eat!
Having unique and tasty dining experiences are a memorable part of most vacations, and the Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island community does not disappoint. For such a small community, there is a diverse food scene: freshly caught seafood, lobster, and classic lobster rolls; decadent ice cream, baked goods, and sweets; pasta, pizza, steak, burgers, sandwiches as well as hearty breakfast options. What’s more, I was thrilled to find numerous restaurants offering gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options—plus staff who understood allergies and made dining easy. From cozy cafés to surf and turf spots, from pubs to roadside stands and burger joints, there are delectable treat possibilities for everyone.
The Spirit of Acadia
There are so many delightful places to visit on Mount Desert Island, Maine, in addition to Acadia National Park. It is definitely worth the trip!
Acadia National Park is absolutely worth visiting. While crowds, required park permits, occasional spotty cell service, and unpredictable weather can present challenges, they’re small trade-offs for what the park offers. Personally speaking, the scent of pristine pine, the crunch of gravel on quiet trails, the shimmer of granite in the sun, the morning mist over coastal shoreline, and the haunting call of a loon over a sparkling mountain lake left an indelible mark on my heart—one that refreshed my spirit and deepened my gratitude for our National Parks. I look forward to returning. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Steph Simply 