Acadia is the Maine coast at its purest: pink granite cliffs dropping into the Atlantic, lakes surrounded by forest, lighthouses, fishing villages and fresh lobster at the end of the day. It sits on Mount Desert Island, next to the town of Bar Harbor, in the far northeast of the United States, and according to the National Park Service it received 4,079,318 visits in 2025. Its most famous spot is the summit of Cadillac Mountain, where in fall and winter you can watch the first sunrise in the country. This guide explains how to visit Acadia: what entry costs with the surcharge for international visitors, the reservation to drive up Cadillac, what to see, how to get around, how to get there from Boston and when to go. Last checked November 6, 2026.
The basics
- Where it is. On the coast of Maine, on Mount Desert Island, next to Bar Harbor, about five hours by car from Boston.
- Entrance. According to the NPS, $35 per car, $30 per motorcycle and $20 on foot or by bike, for 7 days.
- International visitors. A $100 surcharge per person aged 16 or older.
- Cadillac Mountain. Driving to the top requires a $6 reservation from May 20 to October 25.
How much does it cost to enter Acadia?
According to the National Park Service, entry costs $35 per private vehicle with all its passengers, $30 per motorcycle and $20 per person arriving on foot or by bike, and it is valid for seven days. Acadia is one of the eleven parks that charge each nonresident visitor aged 16 or older a $100 surcharge on top of the entrance fee.
If Acadia is your only park, the bill for a foreign couple in a car would be $35 for entry and $200 in surcharges. The $250 nonresident annual pass waives the surcharge and covers the vehicle: it is worth it if you visit another surcharge park in the same year. We explain it in US national parks for international visitors.
The Cadillac Mountain reservation
The road to the summit of Cadillac is so popular that the park regulates it with reservations. According to the NPS, from May 20 to October 25 you need a $6 vehicle reservation to drive up, in addition to the park entrance fee. Reservations are made on Recreation.gov, and sunrise slots sell out quickly. Outside those dates no reservation is needed, although the road closes in winter. Hiking or biking up does not require a reservation.
The first sunrise in the United States
Cadillac Mountain is about 466 meters (1,530 feet) high, according to the NPS, not much for a mountain, but it is the highest point on the country's Atlantic coast. Between October 7 and March 6, it is the first place in the United States to see the sun rise. In summer that honor passes to other points on the Maine coast, but sunrise from Cadillac remains Acadia's most famous experience: bring a warm layer, because it's cold and windy at the top even in July, and arrive with time to park.
What to see in Acadia
- Park Loop Road. A scenic road of about 43 kilometers (27 miles), according to the NPS, linking the park's main sights, with stops at beaches, cliffs and overlooks.
- Thunder Hole. A crack in the rock where waves rush in and boom, especially on a rising tide.
- Sand Beach. A small beach between rocks, with very cold water all year.
- Jordan Pond. A crystal-clear lake with two rounded mountains behind it. The teahouse by the lake is famous for its popovers served with jam.
- Carriage roads. About 72 kilometers (45 miles) of car-free gravel roads with stone bridges, according to the NPS, ideal for walking or cycling.
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. On the quieter west side of the island, with sunset views.
Getting around the park
A car is the most practical way to get there, but in summer the parking lots at the most famous spots fill up early. That's why many visitors use the free Island Explorer bus, which runs in season and connects Bar Harbor with the park's main sights; check its dates and schedules before you travel. Cycling is another great option for the carriage roads, and there are rental shops in Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor: where to stay and eat
Bar Harbor is where almost every visitor stays: a seaside town with hotels, inns, restaurants, shops and boat trips to see whales and puffins. In summer and fall it is expensive and busy, so book ahead. If you want something quieter, there are places to stay in other towns on the island or on the mainland, a few minutes away by car. And don't leave without trying lobster: in Maine it's eaten boiled and whole, or in a buttered roll, the famous lobster roll.
How to get to Acadia
The most common route is to fly into Boston and drive about five hours north along the coast. There are also regional airports closer to Bar Harbor, with flights from Boston and other Northeast cities, which save hours of driving but tend to be expensive. If you're driving, see renting a car in the US.
When to go to Acadia
June to August is the main season: long days, everything open and lots of people. The second half of September and the first half of October are many people's favorite time, for the fall colors in the New England forests, although Bar Harbor is still busy. May is quiet, with some services still closed. In winter most of the Park Loop Road closes to traffic, and the park is used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Acadia in two days
Day 1: sunrise on Cadillac with a reservation, a morning on the Park Loop Road with stops at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole, lunch at Jordan Pond and an afternoon walking or cycling the carriage roads. Day 2: the west side of the island, with Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and an afternoon in Bar Harbor or on a whale-watching boat trip.
Acadia with kids
Acadia works very well for families because distances are short and there's plenty to do without long hikes. The tide pools left among the rocks at low tide are full of crabs, snails and sea stars, and looking at them without taking them out can keep kids busy for hours. The carriage roads are flat and car-free, perfect for family bike rides. The park's Junior Ranger program offers activities so kids learn as they explore. Always bring an extra layer: by the sea, the wind cools things down fast.
Practical tips
- Tides. Some places, such as Bar Island, can only be reached on foot at low tide; check the tide table and head back in time.
- Warm clothes. The coast is cool and windy even in summer.
- Go early. Get to the most famous spots before 9 a.m.
- Fog. Common in the morning; it often lifts before noon.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Acadia National Park?
$35 per vehicle, valid for seven days, according to the NPS. Add a $100 surcharge for each foreign visitor aged 16 or older; the nonresident annual pass waives it.
Do you need a reservation for Acadia?
Not to enter the park, but you do to drive up Cadillac Mountain from May 20 to October 25: $6 per vehicle, on Recreation.gov.
Where can you see the first sunrise in the United States?
From the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia, between October 7 and March 6.
How far is Acadia from Boston?
About five hours by car to Bar Harbor.
When is the best time to visit Acadia?
June to early October; in late September and early October you'll see the fall colors.
Is there free transportation inside Acadia?
Yes, the Island Explorer bus runs in season and connects Bar Harbor with the park.