Acadia National Park - 3-Day Complete
Experience Maine's crown jewel: sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, carriage roads, rocky coastlines, and harbor towns. Build in reservations, tide timing, and shuttle logistics for a smooth 3 days.
Unscheduled
Cadillac Mountain Sunrise
First place to see sunrise in the US (October-March). Reserve a vehicle pass in advance and arrive 30-45 minutes early. Summit views over Frenchman Bay and islands.
Reservations required for sunrise in peak season (typically May-Oct). Book at recreation.gov. Bring warm layers and a headlamp.
Precipice Trail (Seasonal)
Acadia's most thrilling hike - iron rungs and ladders up sheer cliffs. Closed in spring for peregrine falcons.
Choose this OR Beehive, not both. Not for fear of heights. Check seasonal closures and start early for parking.
Beehive Trail (Alternative)
Similar ladder experience to Precipice but shorter. 1.6 miles roundtrip with iron rungs and cliff exposure.
Best alternative when Precipice is closed. Views over Sand Beach. Start early to avoid lines.
Jordan Pond House Breakfast
Famous popovers and tea overlooking Jordan Pond with the Bubbles mountains behind.
Opens at 11am for lunch - for breakfast, bring your own and enjoy the lawn. Parking fills by mid-morning in summer.
Gorham Mountain Trail
1.8-mile roundtrip with coastal views and the Cadillac Cliffs side trail (adds 0.4 mi).
Less crowded than Beehive. Arrive early for parking and consider connecting to Ocean Path.
Jordan Pond Path
3.3-mile loop around crystal-clear Jordan Pond with views of the Bubbles. Mostly flat with some boardwalk sections.
Go clockwise for best views. Eastern shore has boggy spots - waterproof shoes help. Start before 10am for easier parking.
Carriage Roads Biking
45 miles of car-free crushed stone roads built by Rockefeller. Rent bikes in Bar Harbor.
Reserve bikes in advance in summer. The Eagle Lake loop is ~6 miles and scenic; Day Mountain loop is more challenging.
Schoodic Peninsula
The quiet side of Acadia - separate peninsula with far fewer crowds. 6-mile one-way loop road.
Allow 1-1.5 hours drive from Bar Harbor. Pack food and water; limited services. Schoodic Point has dramatic wave action.
South Bubble Summit
1.6-mile roundtrip to the summit with the famous Bubble Rock balanced on the edge. Views over Jordan Pond.
Short but steep in places. Allow ~10 minutes of driving from Jordan Pond. Avoid when wet - rocks are slick.
Lunch in Bar Harbor
Walk the charming downtown. Fresh lobster rolls, chowder, and blueberry everything!
Park once and walk. Expect lines at lunch; Side Street Cafe and Thurston's are favorites.
Picnic Lunch at Eagle Lake
Pack a picnic and enjoy views over the lake from carriage road benches.
Pick up sandwiches in Bar Harbor before your bike ride. No services at Eagle Lake.
Park Loop Road Scenic Drive
27-mile one-way loop hitting all major coastal highlights. Stop at overlooks along the way.
Plan 2-3 hours with stops. One-way between Sand Beach and Otter Cliff; shuttle service helps avoid backtracking.
Sand Beach & Great Head Trail
Rare sand beach in Maine (water is cold). 1.4-mile Great Head loop has ocean views and rocky coastline.
Beach parking fills by late morning. Use the Island Explorer shuttle in summer. Great Head offers solitude away from beach crowds.
Otter Cliff
Highest cliff on the Atlantic coast north of Brazil. Rock climbers often visible.
Windy and exposed; keep a safe distance from the edge. Great sunset spot if you can't make Bass Harbor.
Thunder Hole
Ocean waves crash into a narrow inlet creating thunder-like booms. Best 1-2 hours before high tide.
Check tide charts before you go. Calm water = quiet; high surf = spectacular (and wet - stand back!).
Lobster Dinner in Bar Harbor
End the day with a classic Maine lobster dinner. Geddy's, Stewman's, or Thurston's Lobster Pound.
Thurston's in Bernard is a more local feel. Reservations recommended in peak season.
Cadillac Mountain Sunset
End your trip with sunset from the highest point on the eastern seaboard. 360-degree views.
Sunset reservations required in peak season. Arrive 45 minutes early; stay for alpenglow after sunset.
Sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Most photographed lighthouse in Maine. Sunset light on the white tower against blue ocean.
45-60 min drive from Bar Harbor. Arrive 45+ minutes early for parking and photo position. Steps down to rocks are steep.