ME · New England
Acadia National Park
The only national park in New England. Ocean Path walks above rocky Atlantic coastline, Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the US to see sunrise from fall to early spring, and a carriage road network built by Rockefeller. Bar Harbor is a great small base.
- Cadillac Mountain sunrise is unique in the US: first sun in the country from Oct–March
- Bar Harbor is genuinely charming: lobster rolls, bike rentals, and a real fishing town feel
- The Beehive and Precipice are iron-rung cliff scrambles with big drops. Skip them if you're uneasy with heights or it's wet, and check whether they're closed first
- Carriage roads allow car-free cycling through the entire park interior
- Fall color in late September rivals anything in New England
Camping
National Park (established campgrounds only)
No free camping right here: campsites run about $30 a night. Want to sleep free? The apps below show free spots on public land, though the nearest may be a drive away.
Explore the area on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Find more free spots
Get an app like iOverlander to find places to camp on public land for free in the states. Other campers post what's there, how rough the road is and whether a ranger moved them on.
- iOverlander (opens in a new tab)Free. Campsites reported by other travelers, with recent notes on access, signal and rangers.
- Campendium (opens in a new tab)Free to browse. A map of free campsites across the US, much of it on public land, with reviews.
Spots change. Read the newest reports and any posted rules before you set up, and pack out everything you bring in.
When to go
- January: month to skip
- February: month to skip
- March
- April
- May
- June: best month
- July: best month
- August
- September: best month
- October: best month
- November: month to skip
- December: month to skip
WanderRank Scores
Daily Cost
$30 to $80
per day (food + transit)
Campsites: $30/night
Entry fee: $35
Plus gas for the drive
Recommended Stay
3 to 6
days · easy difficulty
Drive time from your airport
Avoid if
- You're going July–August without timed entry reservations for Cadillac. It books instantly
- You need budget accommodation. Bar Harbor is expensive, camping fills early