In mid-October 2024, I spent two days exploring Acadia National Park during peak fall foliage—and it was absolutely stunning. I had always wanted to see the park in autumn, and visiting for the first time during the season of changing leaves made it extra special. 

Tips for Visiting

To plan around foliage, I used the Maine Foliage website to track the peak season, and luckily, our timing was spot on. The colors were incredible, but Acadia is beautiful year-round, so you’ll enjoy it no matter when you visit.

Be prepared for crowds—Acadia is one of the most popular national parks in the U.S. The park offers a convenient bus service that I highly recommend using to get around. I also suggest arriving early when possible, as later in the day parking fills up. You can park at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and take the Island Explorer buses, which are free to use and perfect for navigating the park. 

Activities We Did in Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain Sunrise – Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in Acadia, and from October through March it’s the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise. Even though it was chilly that early in the morning, the views made it absolutely worth it. Be sure to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Jordan Pond Path – This was my favorite activity of the trip. We arrived early and hiked the path counterclockwise, which meant we didn’t see another person until halfway through. Starting with the rockier terrain made the rest of the walk easier, and the mix of boardwalks, sandy shoreline, and mountain views reflecting in the pond was stunning—especially with the fall foliage all around.

Popovers at the Jordan Pond House – This historic restaurant has been serving popovers – a light, air pastry – since 1893. Enjoying them with tea was the perfect way to wrap up our Jordan Pond hike. You can make reservations in advance or walk-in on the day.

Ocean Path Trail – This trail offers beautiful views of the rocky shoreline and crashing waves. One highlight along the way is Thunder Hole, best visited 1–2 hours before high tide to hear the waves roar. Even outside that window, the ocean’s power is still impressive.

Park Loop Road – This 27-mile scenic drive provides access to many of Acadia’s highlights, including all of the spots mentioned above (except Cadillac Mountain at sunrise, since the bus doesn’t run that early). The Island Explorer Bus Route 4 follows this route, making it easy to do the full loop and hop off at various points of interest along the way.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at The Central House, a historic inn in downtown Bar Harbor. It was incredibly convenient as it had its own parking, allowing us to leave our car and explore the town’s restaurants and shops on foot. The inn is also just a few minutes from the park entrance and offers affordable rooms compared to other accommodations in Bar Harbor. 

Getting There

We flew into Portland, Maine, and drove about three hours to Bar Harbor, the gateway to Acadia. Bar Harbor is the largest community on Mount Desert Island, where the park is located. Another option is flying into Bangor, which is just over an hour away, though flights there are more limited.