Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park in the Fall

Acadia National Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to see fall foliage in the United States. Located on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, Acadia offers stunning views of colorful trees, rugged coastline, and majestic mountains.

Visiting this stunning national park was one of our favorite experiences during our New England fall road trip. The colors were absolutely out of this world!

In this article, we’ll share our top recommendations for the best things to do in Acadia National Park in the fall along with our best tips to make the most out of your visit.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Fall foliage at Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park

Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park in the Fall

Despite being smaller than many other national parks in the US, Acadia is definitely not short on things to do. I recommend spending at least 2 days in Acadia to fully experience all it has to offer.

Here are some of our top picks for things to do in Acadia during the fall season.

1. Drive the Park Loop Road

The Park Loop Road is a 27-mile scenic drive that practically takes you all around Acadia National Park. The road is a great way to see some of the most iconic spots in the park, including Thunder Hole, and Sand Beach.

I highly recommend booking a self-guided driving auto tour, which provides you with an audio guide that shares interesting facts and stories about Acadia as you drive along the Park Loop Road.

Keep in mind that the majority of Park Loop Road is one-way, so plan your stops accordingly. We made some mistakes with this on our first day and ended up having to drive the whole loop again to get to certain points so learn from our mistakes!

Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park

2. See the sunrise/sunset from Cadillac Mountain

Acadia’s highest peak is also the first place in the States where the sun rises during the colder months, starting from early October.

Perhaps the most popular attraction in the park, Cadillac Mountain can get extremely busy, especially at dawn, and it’s even more beautiful in September and October when the sun lights up the fall foliage.

You can either hike the trail to the top or purchase a Cadillac Mountain pass to drive up the famous summit road. We opted for the latter and it was an amazing experience!

Reservations are mandatory and sunrise spots fill up fast, so make sure to book in advance. If you don’t manage to get a sunrise spot I recommend choosing a sunset instead – trust me, it’s just as beautiful!

Sadly we were not able to book a timeslot for sunrise, only for sunset, but we were not disappointed. The views were absolutely breathtaking and it was a great way to end our day in Acadia.

Important Info

If you’re visiting from the end of May to the end of October, vehicle reservations in advance are mandatory to access Cadillac Mountain Road. It costs $6 per vehicle, and you can reserve your spot on the official website.

3. Watch the sun go down at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Another popular spot for sunset viewing is the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. This historic lighthouse sits atop a cliff and is surrounded by stunning views of the ocean, cliffs, and fall foliage.

As the only lighthouse on the island, this spot is becoming increasingly popular and a hotspot for visitors searching for the perfect place to watch the sunset. Dolphins and seals have even been spotted here!

For these reasons, the lighthouse tends to get crowded in the late afternoon, so ensure you give yourself plenty of time to find parking if you’re driving. Unfortunately, you can’t go inside, as it’s still actively used by the Coast Guard.

4. Stroll or swim at Sand Beach

Sand Beach is one of the few sandy beaches on Mount Desert Island and it’s a must-visit spot in Acadia National Park in the fall. Despite the name, don’t expect to find yourself tanning here – the water is quite chilly all year round!

However, if you can brave the cold, it’s a great spot for a quick dip and offers stunning views of the surrounding cliffs. Personally, I wouldn’t go in the water in the fall as it’s way too cold for me but we’ve seen some brave souls taking a dip and it was very fun to watch!

If swimming isn’t your thing, you can also take a leisurely stroll along the beach and enjoy the crisp fall air.

Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

5. Admire the powerful Thunder Hole

Hopefully, this will be the only encounter with the sound of thunder during your visit to Acadia! Thunder Hole is a natural inlet where waves crash into the rocks, creating a loud thunder-like sound.

While this natural phenomenon happens all year round, it’s especially impressive during high tide. The best time to visit is one to two hours before high tide.

Be warned, you may get wet from the powerful spray of the waves so be sure to bring a rain jacket or waterproof attire, or just watch from a safe distance on the viewing platform.

We’ve seen people getting completely soaked – it looked like they were having a blast but we weren’t brave enough to try it ourselves!

Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park

6. Take in the views from Otter Cliff

If you’re looking for a scenic spot to take in the fall foliage and rugged coastline, Otter Cliff is a must-visit. This 110-foot cliff offers stunning views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs.

There are several hiking trails that lead to Otter Cliff, including the Ocean Path trail which is an easy 1.2-mile hike from Sand Beach. You can also just park nearby and take a short walk to the viewing area.

Girl sitting on the rock at Otter Cliff, Acadia National Park

7. Explore Jordan Pond

One of the best things to do in Acadia National Park in the fall is to visit Jordan Pond. Surrounded by the picturesque Bubble Mountains, this freshwater pond offers stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

For a leisurely hike, check out the Jordan Pond Path. It’s an easy 3.5-mile loop that offers beautiful views of the pond and surrounding mountains.

After your hike, be sure to stop by Jordan Pond House for their famous popovers and tea – a perfect way to warm up on a chilly fall day!

Please note that parking at Jordan Pond can be difficult, especially during peak season. If possible, try to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds and secure a parking spot.

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park in the fall

8. Check out the pond from above on the South Bubble trail

For a more challenging hike, consider tackling the South Bubble trail. This 2-mile roundtrip hike offers panoramic views of Jordan Pond from above.

You can begin at the pond and make your way to the top for a longer, moderate hike, or you can start from the Bubbles Divide Trailhead for a shorter, steeper hike.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do this hike, but from what we’ve heard, the views are definitely worth it!

9. Hike the Ocean Path

If you’re looking for an easy, scenic hike that showcases the beauty of Acadia National Park in the fall, look no further than the Ocean Path.

This 4-mile roundtrip trail begins at Sand Beach and takes you along the rocky coast, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It also passes by several other popular spots such as Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, and Otter Cove.

Although it’s a relatively easy hike, be sure to wear sturdy shoes as some parts can get slippery.

Otter Cove, Acadia National Park
The stunning views at Otter Cove

10. Conquer the Beehive Trail

Moving onto a significantly more demanding hike that will reward you with some of the finest views you can imagine – the Beehive Trail.

This 1.4-mile hike may be short, but it’s not for the faint of heart! With steep inclines and iron rungs to assist with climbing, this trail requires a good level of physical fitness and caution. Even watching from the bottom made us nervous!

But once you reach the top, the views are absolutely breathtaking and worth every bit of effort.

I really wanted to see the view from the top but I was not keen on hiking this trail. Fortunately, I found an alternate route and realized that you can combine the Bowl Trail with the Beehive Trail to make a longer, easier hike.

This way, you can enjoy the stunning views without the adrenaline rush of climbing up iron rungs on the side of a cliff!

11. Tackle the Precipice Trail

The Precipice Trail is the most challenging trail in Acadia National Park, and it’s definitely not for everyone. It’s even harder than the Beehive Trail, with steep cliffs and narrow ledges that require climbing ladders and iron rungs, and lots of rock scrambling.

This trail is not recommended for those with a fear of heights or limited mobility. However, if you’re up for the challenge, it offers some of the most thrilling views in the park.

The trail is only 2.5 miles roundtrip, but it can take 2-3 hours to complete due to the difficulty level.

Please don’t underestimate this trail – make sure you’re prepared mentally and physically before attempting it. It’s a dangerous hike and people have been seriously injured and even died on this trail.

If you’re not comfortable with it, there are plenty of other beautiful hikes in the park that offer stunning views without the extreme danger.

12. Explore Bar Harbor

After a day of hiking and exploring in Acadia National Park, take some time to stroll through the charming town of Bar Harbor. With its quaint shops, delicious seafood restaurants, and stunning views of Frenchman Bay, it’s definitely worth a visit.

You can also take a scenic boat tour of the harbor or book a whale-watching excursion – both are great ways to see more of the stunning Maine coastline.

Bar Harbor is also full of great cafes and restaurants, making it the perfect place to grab a warm drink and a bite to eat after a day of outdoor adventure.

Our favorite breakfast places were Cafe This Way and 2 Cats Bar Harbor and we also loved Side Street Cafe for dinner. Make sure to try some fresh lobster while you’re there too!

Fall colors on the street in Bar Harbor, Maine

Useful Info for Visiting Acadia National Park in the Fall

Best time to visit Acadia for fall foliage

The peak time to see fall foliage in Acadia National Park is typically mid-October, but it can vary depending on weather conditions. I recommended keeping your eyes on this peak fall foliage map – I found it very helpful in planning our trip!

Weather in Acadia in the fall

Fall weather in Acadia National Park can be unpredictable. It’s best to pack layers and prepare for a range of temperatures, from chilly mornings to warm afternoons. We were very lucky and had sunny, mild days during our visit in mid-October, but be prepared for rain as well.

Lake at Acadia National Park in the fall

Admission fees

There is an entrance fee of $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) or $20 per person if entering by foot/bicycle.

However, if you’re planning to visit multiple national parks within a year, it may be worth investing in an America the Beautiful pass for $80. This pass grants access to all national parks and federal recreational lands for 12 months.

You can buy the pass online at the Recreation.gov website and print it out or purchase it at the park entrance.

Where to stay near Acadia National Park

Camping is the only option to stay inside Acadia National Park, so if it isn’t your thing, there are other nearby towns you can stay in.

Bar Harbor is the most convenient one, as it’s only a few minutes away from the park entrance and it’s full of accommodation options, cafes, and restaurants. Here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor Inn, Maine

How to get around Acadia National Park

The best way to explore Acadia National Park is by car, but during peak season (such as summer and fall), the park can get quite crowded, which means it may take you longer to get from one place to another and finding parking can be a challenge.

If you’re visiting during these busy times, you can also take the free Island Explorer shuttle, which operates throughout Mount Desert Island and into Acadia National Park. You can find more information about routes and schedules on their official website.

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