Acadia National Park official planning data

Official park context

Located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Acadia experiences all four seasons. Summer temperatures range from 45-90F (7-30C). Fall temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C). Typically the first frost is in mid-October and first snowfall begins in November and can continue through April with an average accumulation of 73 inches (185 cm). Winter temperatures range from 14-35F (-10 - 2C). Spring temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C).

From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine, then Route 3 east to Ellsworth, and on to Mount Desert Island. For an alternate route, continue on I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take I-395 to U.S. Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island.

Current alerts in the NPS snapshot

• Several Trails Close For Peregrine Falcon Nesting Season Park Closure

  Effective March 1, areas including Jordan Cliffs Trail, Penobscot East Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail are closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. The parking lot for the Precipice Trail is also closed. Rangers strictly enforce closures.

Visitor centers and planning stops

Visitor center records help decide whether to start with a map, restroom, ranger question or same-day route check before a gentle trail.

• Acadia Gateway Center

  The Acadia Gateway Center is an intermodal transit and welcome center located on Route 3 in Trenton three miles north of Mount Desert Island. Facilities include an Island Explorer bus stop, day-use parking, and an 11,000-square-foot welcome center with tourism information, a store, waiting area, and restrooms. Owned by the State of Maine, it is operated by the Maine Department of Transportation in partnership with the National Park Service, Downeast Transportation Inc., and Maine Office of Touri

• Hulls Cove Visitor Center

  Located close to Bar Harbor off Route 3, the Hulls Cove Visitor Center is Acadia’s main visitor contact station and transportation hub from May into October. It is a popular, and often crowded, first stop for many visitors. It is adjacent to an entrance for the park's iconic 27-mile Park Loop Road and it serves as a key stop for several routes on the fare-free Island Explorer bus system. From a large parking lot, visitors must climb 52 steps to the main entrance. There is a separate accessible e

• Islesford Historical Museum

  The Islesford Historical Museum is expected to reopen in 2021 showcasing both the upgrades and a community-curated exhibit helping to tell the stories of the Cranberry Isles.

• Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall

  The Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall is located on Schoodic Peninsula off the one-way loop road. Exhibits about the old Navy base and park information can be found here.

• Sieur de Monts Nature Center

  Sieur de Monts Nature Center has visitor services, hiking information, and interactive exhibits. It acts as a trailhead for many hiking trails starting in the Sieur de Monts area. Park rangers are present during the spring, summer, and fall months.

• Winter Information: Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

  During winter and spring, information and sales of some passes are available at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 2 Cottage Street, at the corner of Cottage and Main streets (GPS coordinates = 44.398633, -68.204933). The center is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 4 pm. There will be full-day holiday closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

Campground logistics near route planning

Campground records are useful when a trail day starts or ends from inside the park. Treat reservation and site counts as planning context, not live availability.

• Blackwoods Campground

  Blackwoods Campground is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Bar Harbor on Route 3. All sites at Blackwoods are wooded and within a 10-minute walk of the ocean. The majority of Blackwoods' sites are for small and large tents; other sites can accommodate travelers with RVs. Flush toilets, running water, and a dump station are provided, as are picnic tables and fire rings. Roads are paved.

• Duck Harbor Campground

  Duck Harbor Campground is located on Isle au Haut, a rugged island off the coast of Stonington, Maine. This campground has five sites with lean-to shelters and is a great launch point for paddling excursions. Remote and inaccessible to automobiles, Isle au Haut is linked to the mainland by mailboat.

• Schoodic Woods Campground

  Schoodic Woods Campground is the newest campground in the park and located 1.5 miles (2.5 km) southeast of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. It is approximately 60-70 minutes from Bar Harbor and other areas of Mount Desert Island.

• Seawall Campground

  Seawall Campground is located on the west side of Mount Desert Island about 4 miles (6 km) south of Southwest Harbor. The campground is approximately 18 miles from Bar Harbor. All sites at Seawall are within a short walking distance of the coastline.

Fees and operating-hours clues