Trip Idea

A Half-Day at Acadia

Multiple Parks

People scramble over cliffs and play on a sandy beach in front of a forest.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) Animals, Birds, Landscape Design, Scenic Views, Transportation, Roads, Routes and Highways, Trails, Forests and Woodlands, Meadows, Coniferous Forests, Geology, Architecture and Building, Arts, Glaciers, Lakes, Mountains, Night Sky, Coasts, Islands and Atolls, Oceans more »
Activities Birdwatching, Scenic Driving, Hiking, Picnicking, Wildlife Watching
Type Kid Friendly, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks Acadia National Park
  • Acadia National Park

    Drive Park Loop Road
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Scenic Driving
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Paradise Hill Road Intersection
    • Duration: 1–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A road goes through brightly colored leaves around a mountain above a lake.

    Wind your way through forests, past lakes and mountains, and along the shoreline on scenic Park Loop Road. The 27-mile (43 km) road also provides access to popular areas such as Sieur de Monts, Sand Beach, Otter Point, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Birding Sieur de Monts Springs
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Sieur de Monts
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two juvenile barred owls rest on a tree branch

    Explore the Wild Gardens of Acadia and Great Meadow, or take a walk on Jesup Path, Hemlock Trail and Stratheden Trail for birding opportunities.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Hike Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Sieur de Monts Nature Center
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Boardwalk through a forest of white birch trees

    This forested path continues to a boardwalk with multiple interpretive signs and benches. It opens up to a meadow before looping back on an old fire road. Views of Dorr Mountain are interspersed in this walk along a birch and hemlock forest.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Hike Ocean Path Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Ocean Path Trail
    • Duration: 2–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    View of the ocean and coastline from the ocean path trail

    The ocean path is a spectacular 2.2 mile long out and back trail takes you along the bold coast of Maine with ocean views, granite slabs, and rocky cliffs. This trail is a great way to access Thunder Hole and Otter Point from the Sand Beach parking area.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Picnic at Jordan Pond
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Picnicking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Jordan Pond House
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Groups of people sit on a mowed lawn in front of a lake and distant mountains

    Eat at Acadia's only restaurant, the historic Jordan Pond House, or bring your own picnic. This popular spot on Park Loop Road is a crossroad for historic carriage roads and hiking trails, as well as a launch point for canoeing and kayaking.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Hike Carriage Roads
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Carriage Roads
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two people walking along a crushed gravel surfaced road

    Many carriage roads intersect with hiking trails. They can be incorporated into a hike to create a loop, add distance, or provide opportunities for more even terrain to gain or lose elevation.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Birding at Otter Point
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Birdwatching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Otter Point Parking Area
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    a large black bird with orange throat standing on the rocky coastline

    Enjoy Acadia's rugged coastline along Otter Point and search for passing seabirds and listen for songbirds in the nearby forest.

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  • Acadia National Park

    Tidepooling at Bar Island
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Wildlife Watching
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Bar Island
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two people on a sandy gravel area looking at the water

    Access the shore from downtown Bar Harbor for a unique tidepooling experience on a natural land bridge.

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Last updated: March 23, 2025