Photos show what it's like to visit Maine's Acadia National Park in the fall, from jam-packed parking lots to crystal-clear waters

Gabbi ShawJan 13, 2024, 15:19 IST

Acadia National Park is beautiful, but busy.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the US.
It's located in Maine on Mount Desert Island and gets millions of visitors each year.

Visiting Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, has been at the top of my dream destination list for years. It's also one of the busiest national parks in the country, with nearly 4 million visitors last year.

This October, I finally convinced my family to make the 8-hour drive from New York City — with pit stops in Portland and Boothbay Harbor — to check out Acadia and the nearby town of Bar Harbor.

I loved my time in Maine, and I especially loved every minute I spent in Acadia, but I was somewhat surprised by the crowds, especially when every other place I visited was on its way to becoming a ghost town for the off-season.

A general store and mini-golf were closed for the season in Bar Harbor, but the congestion in Acadia's roads and paths made me feel like I'd visited the park in the middle of July.

Here's what it's really like to visit Acadia National Park in the fall, from beautiful scenery to full parking lots.

Maine's Acadia National Park, which covers more than 47,000 acres, is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

A view of Jordan Pond at Acadia National Park.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

When I visited in October, I was blown away by the colorful leaves, the breathtaking mountains, and the crystal-clear waters of the ocean and lakes.

The author in Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But I was also surprised by how crowded it was, especially since busy season is from June to August.

Some crowds at Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

It costs $35 to get into Acadia with a car, though the pass is good for seven days.

The entrance of Acadia National Park.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I spent two days in Acadia. The first day, we had to leave early because we couldn't find parking by Jordan Pond, one of the more popular hikes we'd hoped to do.

One of the parking lots at Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I realized when I came the next day why that is: A large part of the hike is on a very narrow boardwalk. While it was lovely to be so close to nature, I can't imagine what this would've been like on a crowded summer day.

The path at Jordan Pond.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I realized when I came the next day why that is: A large part of the hike is on a very narrow boardwalk. While it was lovely to be so close to nature, I can't imagine what this would've been like on a crowded summer day.

To ensure I didn't run into a crowded parking lot again, I was at the park by 9 a.m. on a Sunday to secure a spot.

Taking pictures on the path at Jordan Pond like this can clog the way.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The other hike I did was the Ocean Path. It was relatively easy, and I got beautiful views of the water.

The author on Ocean Path at Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But for every amazing photo I took, I had five others that showed just how crowded it was with everyone trying to get the best photo.

People trying to get the best views at Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The cliffs were teeming with people, which took me out of nature a bit.

More crowded cliffs at Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

One of the biggest attractions in Acadia is Thunder Hole, a water cavern that can flood. Around it, waves crash loudly.

A view of Thunder Hole in Acadia at sunset.Karla Ann Cote/NurPhoto via Getty Images

If you're not there at the right time, when the tide is low or the water is calm, instead you'll just see a group of people standing around looking at the inlet.

Thunder Hole in October 2023.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I'm lucky I was there in the fall. In the summer, it can be even worse.

Thunder Hole in June 2016.Gabe Souza/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

The other biggest attraction in Acadia is Cadillac Mountain, but I couldn't drive up to the top. The road can get so congested, you need a reservation to drive up.

Cadillac Mountain in June 2017.Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

The available times didn't work for my family, so we skipped Cadillac Mountain, and just enjoyed the views while driving around the park.

Views of the ocean from the road in Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

According to the National Park Service, Acadia's visitation hit 3.5 million in 2017, which was an increase of 60% from 10 years prior. Last year, 3.97 million people visited.

Sand Beach in Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

According to the National Park Service, Acadia's visitation hit 3.5 million in 2017, which was an increase of 60% from 10 years prior. Last year, 3.97 million people visited.

I'm already looking forward to returning to Acadia, now that I know how beautiful it is — and the planning I need to do to avoid huge crowds.

The author in front of the Bubble Mountains in Acadia.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

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Photos show what it's like to visit Maine's Acadia National Park in the fall, from jam-packed parking lots to crystal-clear waters

Maine's Acadia National Park, which covers more than 47,000 acres, is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

When I visited in October, I was blown away by the colorful leaves, the breathtaking mountains, and the crystal-clear waters of the ocean and lakes.

But I was also surprised by how crowded it was, especially since busy season is from June to August.

It costs $35 to get into Acadia with a car, though the pass is good for seven days.

I spent two days in Acadia. The first day, we had to leave early because we couldn't find parking by Jordan Pond, one of the more popular hikes we'd hoped to do.

I realized when I came the next day why that is: A large part of the hike is on a very narrow boardwalk. While it was lovely to be so close to nature, I can't imagine what this would've been like on a crowded summer day.

To ensure I didn't run into a crowded parking lot again, I was at the park by 9 a.m. on a Sunday to secure a spot.

The other hike I did was the Ocean Path. It was relatively easy, and I got beautiful views of the water.

But for every amazing photo I took, I had five others that showed just how crowded it was with everyone trying to get the best photo.

The cliffs were teeming with people, which took me out of nature a bit.

One of the biggest attractions in Acadia is Thunder Hole, a water cavern that can flood. Around it, waves crash loudly.

If you're not there at the right time, when the tide is low or the water is calm, instead you'll just see a group of people standing around looking at the inlet.

I'm lucky I was there in the fall. In the summer, it can be even worse.

The other biggest attraction in Acadia is Cadillac Mountain, but I couldn't drive up to the top. The road can get so congested, you need a reservation to drive up.

The available times didn't work for my family, so we skipped Cadillac Mountain, and just enjoyed the views while driving around the park.

According to the National Park Service, Acadia's visitation hit 3.5 million in 2017, which was an increase of 60% from 10 years prior. Last year, 3.97 million people visited.

I'm already looking forward to returning to Acadia, now that I know how beautiful it is — and the planning I need to do to avoid huge crowds.