What to do and see in Acadia National Park, DownEast and Acadia Maine: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

December 1, 2021 Sheron Bogner

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1. Cadillac Mountain

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-288-3338 http://www.acadiamagic.com
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,467 reviews

Cadillac Mountain

The East Coast's highest mountain at 1,530 feet and Acadia's best known sight.

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island is, at 1, 532 feet, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard and the first place in the United States to be touched by the light of a rising sun from October 7 through March 6 of each year. How's that for a notable piece of trivia? It also is the only mountain on Mount Desert Island--there are more than 20 of them--that has a road that travels all the way to the summit. The 3.5-mile road to the top opened in 1931. Cadillac Mountain is composed largely of pink granite, giving it a strong reddish appearance at sunrise or sunset. Spruce and pitch pine are the dominant trees on the mountain combined with tiny subalpine plants and wild blueberries. Views? Look in every direction. To the East, there is the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. There are several islands off the coast of Mount Desert Island, including Sheep Porcupine and Bald Porcupine. To the Northeast is the business district of Bar Harbor. To the North is Trenton. To the South is Islesford. To the Southwest is Southwest Harbor. To the West is Eagle Lake and Blue Hill Mountain. Yes, it is more scenic than a trip to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.

2. Precipice Trail

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME http://www.nps.gov/acadia
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 251 reviews

Precipice Trail

Half-mile long trail for experienced hikers at Acadia.

Reviewed By SteelCity13 - Austin, United States

Really enjoyed the workout that I got this morning but I didnt expect to climb a mountain when I set out to do some hiking. This trail is INTENSE! Dont go if its raining or has been raining, get there early! Like 7 AM early. You dont want to do this trail when tons of people are on it. Its challenging but do able. You CANNOT be afraid of heights and do this trail. I think this trail is the craziness hike i have every done or will ever do. The one great thing about the hike is that there are metal rails everywhere to help you get up the straight up parts of the hike. If you want a challenge a big challenge then try this hike. Also remember that this hike is only one way!

3. Great Head Trail

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-288-3338 http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 214 reviews

Great Head Trail

Reviewed By JC-Meg - Baltimore, United States

We thoroughly enjoyed this hike! Fantastic views. Well maintained portion until you reach the section which brings you onto the beach. At this point, our our local friend returned to the parking lot and drove to the beach area lot to pick us up. We managed the decent to the beach without too much difficulty but would warn less steady hikers to consider if this portion is necessary. As mentioned, you can easily drive to the other side. Beach area has parking and restrooms.

4. Carriage Roads

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-288-3338 http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 539 reviews

Carriage Roads

Reviewed By LPLoveToTravel - Ocala, United States

The carriage road system's intent was to provide access to the inner beauty of Mount Desert Island. Designed with the natural contours of the land to minimize impact and to maximize views it's the perfect place to hike or bike ride and really enjoy the solitude of nature.

5. Heart of Acadia Loop

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-288-3338 http://www.nps.gov/acad
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 87 reviews

Heart of Acadia Loop

Scenic 22-mile loop through Acadia National Park welcomes hikers, horseback riders and bikers along its scenic route.

Reviewed By kenj531 - Manalapan, United States

This can be done in about 4 hours seeing the main spots. You don't want to miss Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, and the cliffs overlooking Sand Cove especially. The gardens near the entrance are also worth seeing.

6. Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail

Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-0177 +1 207-288-3338 https://www.nps.gov/acad/contacts.htm
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 564 reviews

Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail

Reviewed By 130ashleyb - Yountville, United States

Fun hike! After reading many reviews, my husband and I took this hike on our recent trip to Acadia. We knew that we needed to get there early, and so glad we did! If you get there any later than 10am you'll be less likely to find parking and the trail starts filling up- which means you'll be hanging on the side of a mountain waiting for 200 other people to scramble up the ladders. Quick warning for the fair skinned - this trail is 75% exposed to the sun, so make sure to apply sunscreen before you go.

7. Gorham Mountain Trail

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/hike-coast.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 303 reviews

Gorham Mountain Trail

Reviewed By Cari93 - Lawrenceville, United States

This is an excellent moderate hike for those just starting off on Acadia's mountains or wanting something interesting without too much exertion of challenge. The trail is not that steep and although you are walking on rocks, it is never perilous. There are a couple of false summits with nice views. The top rewards you with views of the loop road and surrounding islands. For added adventure, you can take Cadillac Cliffs trail at the junction 3/4 way through; however, be aware there are some stone step climbing areas and 2 iron rungs you must climb up. The Cadillac Cliffs trail rejoins the Gorham Mountain Trail before the summit. You can hike back down the way you came or head down in the opposite direction, which will take you by the entrance to the Beehive trail. Be aware there are quite a few rocks to walk over here. Overall, it's a fun moderate hike for families, beginners, older hikers, or anyone wanting something fun but not too difficult.

8. Pemetic Mountain

44. 3351_ N, 68. 2438_ W, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME http://www.acadiamagic.com/pemetic-mountain.html
Excellent
87%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Pemetic Mountain

Reviewed By jamieleigh84 - London, Canada

There are 4 routes up to the summit, and we chose the most difficult, the Northwest route, up from the Bubbles parking lot. This was a very challenging hike/climb, with a lot of scrambling over rocks. We took the ravine path going up (which was very cool), and came down the ledge route (which I slid down on my butt). This was quite a hard hike, but we were rewarded by the amazing views at the top.

9. Thompson Island Information Center

1319 Bar Harbor Road, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Thompson Island Information Center

Acadia National Park & Mount Desert Island Chambers Info Center & Fee Station

10. Acadia National Park Visitors Center

25 Visitor Center Rd, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609 +1 207-288-3338 https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Excellent
59%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,201 reviews

Acadia National Park Visitors Center

Center offering visitors an audio-visual presentation, maps, special events and the opportunity to talk to rangers.

Reviewed By Travelinghengs - Springfield, United States

The rangers here are soo friendly and helpful. Our kids got the junior ranger badges here and it was a fun activity. The gift shop is perfect and the cashier was wonderful. We had several questions about collecting the stamps and junior ranger badges for national parks and the cashier took several minutes patiently answering all of our questions. Could not have had a better experience! We purchased several souvenirs would highly recommend a stop in before you start exploring the park.

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