Acadia National Park Tips | 5 Things to Know Before You Go!

[@kathleenellman9713]

Thanks for the tips. I always use your itineraries for National Parks. You do great work.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thank you so much!

[@geoffreywalker7308]

Very beginning stages of trip planning for our Summer '25 trip to Acadia and yours was the first channel I watched for this year's trip! Very helpful! Nice job!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks!

[@nikkivenable73]

You are in for such a treat!

[@MesonCounter]

Terrific advice, thank you! Considering a first trip to Acadia in 2025 and your great video provided an excellent summary of factors to consider. 👍

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I hope you're able to visit. It's a beautiful park!

[@spencershaw4419]

We’re camping at Blackwoods and Duck Harbor Campground in August and we’re so excited!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yay! So exciting!

[@kaylabruner1045]

Just bought your itinerary guide -- thank you for all of the work you put into it!!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Of course! I'm honored to be a part of your trip to Acadia. Happy trails!

[@markus1701]

Have been there twice during indian summer. Such a beautiful and stunning park.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It really is!

[@craftytemptress]

Taking my kids and family week of sep 15 2024. Should we wear rain boots or sneakers or short hiking boots for the tidepools? Thanks!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

We usually just wear our hiking boots.

[@ScottHyde-kv5tt]

Grew up there. Going back in September for the first time in 45 years.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

That's so exciting!

[@ScottHyde-kv5tt]

My father was superintendent there in the 60s.

[@Jujugw]

Going in late december( will hike Cadillac mountain to see the first sunrise of the year. Any suggestions?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can find a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect in Acadia here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/the-best-time-to-visit-acadia-national-park/

[@Stillwater933]

Great info. Very informative.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffwilson4166]

is the second week September really busy?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Can be...that's cruise ship season!

[@porcine83]

Heading there in a couple weeks!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Enjoy!

[@andywindnagle2018]

Thank you. We are visiting in a month.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Have fun!

[@attyjim1]

So informative. Thank you.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ZCTravels1]

What you recommend if I go and want to get magnetic for the fridge?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

There are a ton of shops in Bar Harbor that have great souvenirs like that :)

[@ZCTravels1]

Sounds good thanks. Also what time does the park usually open from? And to see the areas when does traffic get packed? I saw on some areas require reservations do I have to worry about when to go there?

[@ZCTravels1]

Are there drone laws in place in these parks?

[@AdventureswithPatrick]

I normally despise video intro’s. However, yours is quite pleasant.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Well thank you :)

[@valkyrie568]

Thank you!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@lorenzo9472]

I’ll be there end of August, one full day only and two nights in Bar Harbor. I’m now a bit scared about the crowd you said 😅 it looks really complex to organize a day .. I will go a little random 😊 ciao from Italy !

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It is a very busy place, but it's beautiful. Have a fun trip!

[@bikeride2025]

What are the mosquitoes like at Acadia Park? We will be there first week of August!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It varies from year to year depending on the standing water, so I just always assume that they will be there and plan accordingly. Then, if there aren't very many, it's a happy surprise!

[@lisaf94]

is it worth a day trip (3 hours each way) from Portland? Or should I plan to visit for a longer period of time on another trip?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I mean, it's always worth it! But I suggest 3-4 days to see the best of the park.

[@mousetek]

I did that last September. Drove up, visited for several hours and drove back to Portland. Is it worth it? Absolutely!! Is there a lot of time to see a lot? Depends how fast you want to see and experience it. I travel fast but it was so rushed. With me not really knowing the park and all it offers, the sheer beauty....I wasn't ready for it at all and missed things I wanted to see. So, give yourself time there if you love nature and amazing views. It gave a great taste of the park but I am going back next week to REALLY experience the park. A day trip leaves you wanting more and wanting to make a longer return trip. We got to the park around 10am, did the visitors center thing, drove Park Loop Road and made several stops before heading out around 5pm to drive back as I didn't want to be driving in the dark and had a long drive home the following day. Sand beach is phenomenal, Cadillac was breathtaking. But it takes awhile to drive the loop road. I missed so much, but it gave a great intro for a longer trip and I more used it as a scouting trip for this years bigger trip. Would I do that same day trip up and back from Portland? Sure! But honestly, I would give yourself a longer, more researched and planned trip because it really is so beautiful and worth taking time to take it all in, experience, explore and enjoy it fully. I am headed up next Monday, returning home Friday, with a huge list of things I want to see that were missed and things I want to return to to spend more time enjoying than last years rushed trip. If you go, ENJOY!!! Our national parks are so wonderful. Acadia is unlike anything I had ever experienced. Such a beautiful park with so so so much to see and experience. I can't wait to get back!

[@georgelansing5979]

Can you car camp without a reservation at a campground?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

No, reservations are required at all Acadia campgrounds.

[@georgelansing5979]

What is visiting like in mid October? Very busy?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

No, things start shutting down around mid-October. You can read through this article to get an idea of what to expect: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/the-best-time-to-visit-acadia-national-park/

[@eddiesmith224]

If you don't have reservations, can you still drive through the park if you have a park pass?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes, you only need reservations to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain.

[@LeahBailey-vu1mv]

⁠@@DirtInMyShoeshow far in advance do you recommend getting reservations for Cadillac mtn?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

@@LeahBailey-vu1mv as soon as they open up! I have a full video about it here on my channel.

[@meenaparkash3366]

how in September

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It's beautiful. You'll find a full article about what to expect each month of the year on dirtinmyshoes.com

[@moonbeam001]

should i get bear spray before going to acadia

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I don't usually get it for this park, but you can! There are bears, just not many!

[@travelingfool9096]

George Bucknam Dorr: Father of Acadia

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Grateful for his vision about what Acadia could be!

[@maximusaugustus6823]

The massive crowd always stops me from visiting Parks like this.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I'm sorry to hear this. There are definitely ways to avoid the crowds though!

[@AlexRodriguez-no8wd]

Dear lord, it’s busy here! And btw phone signal sucks. Locals told me due to saturated people during the summer times. Beautiful place though.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It is busy, and you should just assume that your phone isn't going to work well in the national parks :)