24 Hours in Acadia National Park
My mom is one of my best friends. Teenage me had a hard time seeing it, but great moms are the friends that last forever. I am so grateful to have a friend in my mom who loves so many of the same things I do- sunrises and blue-green mountains, napping, and laughing around a fire.
This past summer, we spent more time together than 16-year-old Katie could have imagined. For around five days we traveled through Vermont and Maine in a camper van. New England is gorgeous in the summer, and Acadia National Park was a big highlight of the trip. I am a sucker for mountain and coastline combos, so this quickly became one of my favorite National Parks. Seeing all these beautiful new landscapes with my mom is something I will always remember, and I hope that more road trips are in our future. For this blog, I’m going to dive into the best way to spend a limited time in Acadia National Park, one of the East Coast’s prettiest parks.
We rented our van from Outdoorsy and would definitely do it again. It is so fun having your lodging and transportation all in one, and it's easy to park at campsites along the way and plug in there. Plus, if you want to change clothes or grab a snack during the day, everything is already with you!
The other main thing you’ll need to explore Acadia is a National Park Pass. This covers everyone in your car (or van) and lasts for a year. I’ll highlight some other great East Coast National Parks in later 24-hour blogs, so you can get some good use out of the yearly pass.
Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is the first to see the sunrise in the entire country, and the colors reflecting over the water make for one that’s worth getting up early for. After driving up the long windy road, you’ll join the throngs of people waiting for the sun to rise in anticipation. Once it begins to light up the bay below, you’re in for a long sunrise with lots of beautiful changing colors. It’s cold up here even in the summer, so dress warm and bring a coffee.
Breakfast in Bar Harbor
Since you’re now awake at the crack of dawn, there’s plenty of time to drive back down into Bar Harbor to get a big breakfast. My mom and I went to Jeannie's Great Maine Breakfast after a quick Yelp search, and it did not disappoint. I got an omelet with potatoes and M&M pancakes on the side… it was so good. The highlight of the meal was their fresh preserves- Maine is known for their fresh berries, and this was some of the best jam I’ve ever had.
Drive Park Loop Road
This road will take you to most of the must-sees on Mount Desert Island. Take the drive slowly and pull off for different sights and hikes.
The Beehive Hike
Made for the brave ones, The Beehive Hike brings you to one of the best views in Acadia, but also comes with a nervewracking ascent over iron rungs and ladders. My fear of heights kept me from doing this hike, but I want to go back someday and give it a go. For those who aren’t looking for a hike as exhilarating as the Beehive, the Bowl Trail is an alternative route that takes you to the same place! Pass by pretty mountain ponds on the way to the 360 views at the top!
Enjoy coastal stops like Sand Beach and Thunder Hole
After seeing the coast from above, stop and walk out onto the beaches. Sand Beach is a beautiful place to rest or picnic, and a bit more of a drive brings you more beautiful views of Newport Cave. The water is insanely cold and super clear. These were among my favorite views in the park. Keep driving to reach Thunder Hole, a phenomenon that produces a thundering roar when the surf hits the rocks on the coastline.
Stop for popovers at the Jordon Pond House
Once you’ve satisfied your coastal explorations, keep driving around the loop, stopping whenever your heart desires. Eventually, you’ll make it to Jordon Pond, another Acadia staple. Stop at the Jordon Pond House for a relaxing view and their classic popovers. They serve a full lunch as well! During the busy summer season, I would check to see if a reservation is needed.
Depending on how slow you’ve taken your journey, it may be time to finish the loop and head back to the campsite for a little nap or break before dinner time. My mom and I enjoyed spending this part of the day relaxing and enjoying the van.
Lobster for dinner!
It’s not a trip to Maine without having some lobster. My mom and I went to Stewman’s Lobster Pound, she got the full lobster, and I got my first lobster roll. You can probably find better lobster in Bar Harbor, but we were happy with our food and drinks here, especially because they had such a nice waterfront atmosphere.
End the night around the fire
After a long day exploring and hiking, I usually have a good, tired feeling, and getting back to relax around the fire is a lot like taking a long shower after the beach. Grab a local craft beer and use this time to unwind and laugh, feeling gratitude for being able to see new places with the people you love.
That’s all for 24 hours in Acadia, as always, thanks for reading and I promise soon I will do some recommendations even closer to N.C.
Cheers,
Katie Magnolia
