6 Autumn Memories from Acadia National Park

We are HUGE fans of our National Park Service and are thankful for all of those who had the foresight to know there are certain spots in our country that needed protection and preserving.  Acadia National Park definitely fits that bill and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there, especially being able to see it in all of its autumn splendor.  We highly recommend a fall trip to Acadia.

In each National Park there are a few key spots that the rangers highlight  for a great experience and there are certainly NO shortages of those in Acadia.  Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond and more are part of the traditional loop through the Mount Desert section of the Park.  They are impressive and it was an unforgettable experience to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain with a group of total strangers who had gathered before dawn.  

However, the real, real fabulous moments are when we found ourselves in places a bit more secluded. Here’s our top six memories – in descending order – best at the bottom.

6. Camping at Blackwoods – where there are NO showers in the campground.  One of our favorite moments here was watching a sweet woman from New Jersey find this out for herself – someone back at her campsite was definitely in trouble when she returned! 

5. SUNSET from Cadillac Mountain – we had such a good time watching the sunrise that we decided to return and end a day there as well – it was even more spectacular!

Sunset at Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.

4. Learning the cool history of the Schoodic Peninsula, which functioned as a US Navy Communications base in the early 20th century.  We recommend making time to stop at Rockefeller Hall to learn more about this history.  It is a beautiful building, once the centerpiece of the base. The Schoodic Peninsula was also full of stunning views and delicious food, straight from the sea.

3. Hiking to Break Neck Ponds from Eagle Lake.  The first part of this trail, on the east side of the lakes, was smooth.  We were able to cross the lake and take the west side trail back and that was where we realized the naming was accurate.  I’m guessing the west side trail may not even be an option anymore since it is no longer visible on maps. As always, research before hitting a trail to see if it’s right for you.

2. Exploring Hunter’s Beach, a cobblestone beach in Acadia. The sound of the waves receding through the cobbles is musical. The beach is in a cove all to itself, accessible by a short trail along a brook that spills out into the ocean. Very secluded.

1. Hiking to Bar Harbor Island – this trail is only passable at low tide SO depending on the time of year – it can be a pretty narrow window.  When we visited low tide was at 9 pm.  So our night hike across the bay to Bar Harbor Island was SUCH FUN!  Highly recommend.  The locals shared stories with us about people who always attempt to drive it and of course that doesn’t usually work out – so just don’t be one of those people, k?

ALSO, the only mention of food we’ll share in this blog is that the absolute BEST meal we had on this trip was at the Bunker’s Wharf Restaurant on the Schoodic Peninsula. The lobster was SO delicious and the entertainment was watching the lobster come off the boats at the wharf. We love delicious experiences.

Thanks for reading, we’d love to hear about your adventures!