Sand Beach is a gorgeous little beach (290 yards long) nestled between mountains and rocky shores on the east side of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. Access is provided via the Park Loop Road just south of the entrance fee station in Bar Harbor, Maine.
To reach Acadia National Park, you can fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and catch a direct flight to Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), served by Cape Air, Silver Airways, JetBlue and United Airlines, which is a short 10-minute drive from the park.
Best Things To Do in Acadia National Park
- #1. Cadillac Mountain. free. #1 in Acadia National Park.
- #2. Park Loop Road. #2 in Acadia National Park. Natural Wonders, Hiking, Sightseeing.
- #3. Jordan Pond. free. #3 in Acadia National Park.
- #4. Schoodic Point. free.
- #5. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. free.
- #6. Sand Beach. free.
- #7. Carriage Roads. free.
- #8. Precipice Trail. free.
The best time to visit Acadia National Park in terms of pleasant weather is between late spring and fall. However, it's often crowded. A less busy time with great weather is the two weeks after Labor Day in September until mid-September, just before the leaf-peeping crowds arrive.
Where to Stay in Acadia National Park + Bar Harbor
- The Inn on Mount Desert, Bar Harbor.
- The Harborside Hotel Marina & Spa.
- The Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.
- Harbour Cottage Inn.
- Chiltern Inn.
- Acadia National Park Campgrounds.
- An Acadia National Park Airbnb.
The paved 0.3-mile Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, partly accessible for wheelchairs and baby strollers, takes you around for the 360-degree views. You can drive up a 3.5-mile road to the top, or take one of the guided bus tours with permits to operate in the park, National Park Tours or Oli's Trolley.
With 158 miles of historic trails made for hiking, Acadia is the perfect place to ditch the car and get outdoors. To reach the park, you can hop on the Island Explorer, a free summer shuttle service that transports passengers from Bar Harbor Village Green to a variety of park destinations.
First settled in 1763, Bar Harbor is a small town on Mount Desert Island and is a popular spot in the 'Down East' region of Maine, USA. For such a small spot it has a lot going on with friendly people and an authentic feel that draws weekenders, cruise ships and those looking for an outdoor adventure.
What To Know Before Visiting Acadia
- Buy then print your entrance pass online, and have it ready to display before you arrive.
- Know before you go.
- No camping, campfires, or overnight parking are permitted outside of designated campgrounds.
- Acadia is rich with more than 150 miles of Hiking Trails.
Acadia is famous for its stunning fall foliage, but it is also beautiful in the winter, when it is often blanketed in white. Winter scenic drives and hiking are thus popular options. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are wonderful ways to see the park in winter, and volunteers sometimes even cut trails.
Temperatures vary, so pack layers. In the summer, most days you'll be comfortable in shorts and a tank top, and bring a bathing suit for swimming. For the evening or windy days, though, you'll want long sleeves and a light jacket. During cooler months, keep yourself warm with fleece, vests, and gloves and a hat.
Yes, we offer free broadband Wi-Fi at the Gathering Place. Wi-Fi is not available throughout the entire campground.
In addition to rescuing people off mountains, these employees keep the park clean, the trails maintained and the beaches safe. Acadia National Park is a dog-friendly place.
Are there moose or bears in Acadia? Both occur on the island, but are rarely seen.
You should plan to spend around $128 per day on your vacation in Bar Harbor, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $23 on meals for one day and $38 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Bar Harbor for a couple is $165.
Acadia National Park, MaineThere are only a few great pockets of dark skies in the Eastern Seaboard; Acadia National Park is one of them, and during the busy summer months the park is host to a variety of astronomy programming. In the winter, it's a good spot to try and see the northern lights too.
If you're wondering how to get to Bar Harbor, you have a few options. By Car: You don't necessarily need a car once you're on the island, as the main area of Bar Harbor is walkable and there is a free shuttle that circles through Acadia. But driving to Bar Harbor is an easy way to get there.
Best Restaurants Bar Harbor, Maine
- Side Street Cafe (Bar Harbor)
- Geddy's (Bar Harbor)
- Stewman's Lobster Pound (Bar Harbor)
- The Thirsty Whale Tavern.
- 5. Cafe This Way (Bar Harbor)
- Trenton Lobster Pound (Trenton Bridge)
- Galyn's (Bar Harbor)
- West Street Cafe (Bar Harbor)
One Day in Acadia National Park
- Great Head Trail. Great Head Trail is one of the best trails in Acadia.
- Otter Cliff. Right off the main loop through Acadia Park you'll find a steep angular drop known as Otter Cliff.
- Jordan's Pond House Restaurant.
- Jordan's Pond Trail.
- Cadillac Mountain.
Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers into the center of Bar Harbor. It's a small, very picturesque town with colorful buildings, shops, cafes, and restaurants. Almost all the tours depart within 1600 feet (a 6-minute walk) from the ship's tender dock.
