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Unplugging around Acadia

Acadia is one of the busiest national parks in the country, which sounds like the wrong place to unplug. But most people stick to the same few spots. Walk a mile past the parking lot or get out on a pond early and you'll have it mostly to yourself.

It's the kind of place where you don't need much of a plan. Hike up something in the morning, eat lobster, sit by the water, go to bed early.

See them on the map

Where to stay

Stay in Bar Harbor if you want to walk to dinner. Pick Southwest Harbor or the mainland around Surry if you'd rather hear nothing at night and don't mind a drive.

Big canvas tents with real beds and private bathrooms, out in the woods in Surry. There's a restaurant, a fire to sit around at night and yoga classes. Dogs are welcome.

What to do

Cadillac Mountain
The highest point on the island, with a road to the top. People go up for sunrise. In the busy season you need a vehicle reservation to drive up, or you can hike it instead.
The carriage roads
Around 45 miles of wide gravel paths that John D. Rockefeller Jr. built, with stone bridges and no cars allowed. Good for walking or biking, and they're easy to get lost on in a nice way.
Jordan Pond
A clear, cold pond with the two round Bubbles mountains at the far end. There's a flat trail around it, and the Jordan Pond House serves popovers and tea.
Ocean Path
A walk along the rocky shore past Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. Go early before the tour buses.
The quiet side
The western half of the island is slower. Walk the Ship Harbor Trail, see Bass Harbor Head Light, and eat in Southwest Harbor.
Schoodic Peninsula
The only part of the park on the mainland, about an hour's drive around the bay from Bar Harbor. Far fewer people, and big waves on a windy day.

The towns

Bar Harbor is the main town, with most of the restaurants and shops and most of the traffic. Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor are smaller and calmer. Surry is on the mainland just before the bridge, mostly woods, ponds and houses, and Ellsworth is the place to stock up on groceries.

Before you go

  • You need a park pass. Buy it online before you go.
  • In summer and fall the free Island Explorer bus runs around the island and saves you from hunting for parking.
  • It's roughly an hour from Bangor and around five hours from Boston, more on a summer Friday. Plan on two nights at least.
  • Fall color usually peaks in early to mid October and the park is busy then too. Late spring is quieter, but it's cool and buggy.

More places to stay nearby