With picturesque scenery, beautiful hikes, and one of the most gorgeous sunrises in the country, Acadia National Park has something for just about everyone. The park is more than 47,000 acres in size, which means you’ll want to make sure you take your time exploring each and every corner to fully experience its magnificence. For those who have less time to spare, here are the top 5 activities to make time for at Acadia National Park.
Watch the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain
The very top of Cadillac Mountain is the first place where you can see the sunrise in the U.S. The mountain tops out at 1,530 feet and offers stunning panoramic views of the entire park and surrounding coastline. The sun rises early, typically before 5 a.m., so plan to get to the top early to watch the full display. On your hike down, make sure to pull over at some of the scenic overlooks that highlight the beauty of the park.
Go for a bike ride
With 45 miles of carriage roads in the eastern part of the park, there are a lot of options for bike riding. They have trails for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an expert rider. The carriage roads are graveled and no cars are allowed, so it makes for a great biking experience. The most popular loops are Witch Hole Pond Loop and the Eagle Lake/Jordan Pond Loop that will take you through some truly breathtaking scenery.
Lounge on the beach
When you think of Maine, you don’t necessarily consider beaches, but you can find one of the most gorgeous sand beaches at Acadia National Park. Fun fact: Maine has more miles of coastline than the state of California. Boasting 3,478 miles of shoreline, Sand Beach is the most popular beach in the park. This is for a good reason: it’s absolutely gorgeous. With crystal blue water, white sand, and walls of pink granite lined with trees, it’s hard to find a more picturesque spot in the park. Make a note that the water is cold, but during the summer, it gets hot enough that taking a dip in the cool water is refreshing. Pets are also allowed on the beach from Sept. 15 to May 15.
Hike the many scenic trails
Acadia has more than 120 miles of trails within the park, so you’re sure to find the perfect hike. Take a stroll on the Ocean Path trail that winds its way along the coast to see some of the iconic rocky shoreline that makes up the park. Start at Sand Beach and head toward Thunder Hole—this is where the waves at high tide make a giant booming sound, much like thunder. Note that this is a popular spot and will be very crowded in the summer months. Take this trail all the way down to Otter Cliffs, another must-see spot.
Head back to Sand Beach and head up the granite stairs on the Great Head trail on the opposite side of the beach from the parking lot to see amazing views of the beach and surrounding coastline.
Cadillac Mountain has both easy and difficult trails that start from the sunrise viewing point. Some of these range from simple loops to fully scaling the mountain. No matter which trail you choose, all paths take you through some breathtaking scenery.
Drive the Park Loop Road
Park Loop Road is 27 miles long and loops around the eastern portion of the park. If you don’t have a ton of time to spend here, take this scenic drive to see the beautiful landscape. The majority of the road is one-way only and will take you to most of the iconic sites. Along the way you’ll see Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Cadillac Mountain.
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