Acadia National Park — Where Ocean Meets Mountain
Acadia is the kind of place where the landscape keeps changing on you. Forest turns to granite. Trails open to wide ocean views. And somehow, it all feels connected. It’s one of those rare places where you can shape each day your own way. You might spend the morning on some of the best hikes in Acadia National Park, then slow things down along the shoreline or on a relaxed bike ride through the carriage roads.
With so many memorable things to do at Acadia National Park, it’s easy to see why people return again and again. And when you travel with us, you don’t need to sift through endless options for lodging. Acadia National Park visitors often search for. We’ve already chosen welcoming, well-located Acadia National Park accommodations so you can settle in and focus on being out there.
If you’re ready to explore it for yourself, join us on our Acadia National Park Adventure or bring the whole crew along on our Acadia National Park Family Vacation. We’ll take care of the details so you can relax for every step.
Acadia National Park Vacations & Adventure Tours
Acadia National Park Vacations & Adventure Tours
Where is Acadia National Park?
Acadia National Park sits along the rugged coast of Maine, near the seaside town of Bar Harbor in the northeastern United States.
The park stretches across Mount Desert Island, with smaller sections on nearby islands and on the mainland. Here, mountains rise straight from the ocean, creating a landscape that feels both wild and close at hand.
This coastal setting shapes everything, from the crisp sea air to the rhythm of the tides. It also influences the best time to visit Acadia National Park. Fall brings cool, colorful days that are perfect for hiking, while summer offers long stretches of daylight ideal for exploring trails in Acadia National Park and getting out on the water.
No matter when you arrive, it doesn’t take long to feel connected to the place.
What to Do in Acadia National Park
Acadia invites you to get outside, move your body, and find your own pace.
Hike in Acadia National Park
There’s something for every kind of adventurer here. From gentle coastal paths to more challenging climbs, the variety of hikes in Acadia National Park makes it easy to choose your own adventure. If you’re after the highlights, some of the best trails in Acadia National Park include scenic routes like Jordan Pond Path and more adventurous options with sweeping ocean views.
Explore Trails in Acadia National Park
Beyond the well-known routes, there are miles of quieter trails waiting to be discovered. Wander through forest, follow ridgelines, or loop around peaceful lakes and ponds. Each trail offers a different perspective, and often, a moment you didn’t expect.
Ride the Historic Carriage Roads
These crushed-stone paths wind through forest and around lakes, far from traffic and noise. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to take in the landscape, whether you’re biking or walking side by side.
Catch Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
Start early and watch the first light spill over the Atlantic. It’s a simple experience, but one that tends to stay with you.
Explore the Coastline by Water
Paddle along the shoreline and see Acadia from a different angle. Quiet coves, rocky headlands, and the chance of spotting wildlife make it feel like a whole new world.
Unwind in Bar Harbor
After a full day outside, head into town for a relaxed evening. Fresh seafood, easy conversation, and that coastal pace make it a perfect way to end the day.
Moments from Acadia National Park Vacations
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FAQs About Visiting Acadia National Park
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
Transport
We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Adult only trips are designed for guests aged 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
- vegan (no meat or animal products)
- vegetarian (no meat products)
- pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- no pork (eat chicken & fish)
- gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
- picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or in your Account.
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Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Award-winning guides lead the way
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
You’ll never need to sweat the details
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
