Eagle Lake in the Fall at Acadia National Park
Eagle Lake in the Fall at Acadia National Park Credit: NPS

In 1947, one of the largest fires Maine had ever seen started in a cranberry bog. A month later, flames were finally extinguished and 10,000 acres on the eastern side of Acadia National Park had been charred. 

As nature began to heal, new trees grew from the soil. But the slow-growing spruce and fir trees that reigned before the fire were replaced with sun-loving trees, such as birch and aspen.

The current trees now provide a nursery for shade-loving spruce and fir. Once they grow, they might ultimately reclaim the forest for themselves. 

In the meantime, fall visitors to Acadia National Park reap the benefits of the deciduous forest’s vibrant colors. The striking oranges, reds and yellows along the Maine coast lure visitors from around the world to this autumn paradise.

Are you ready to plan your autumn trip to see the colors of Acadia?

WHEN TO GO

The Acadia National Park webpage admits that “When is the best time to see fall colors?” is one of their most common questions. The answer is impossible to pinpoint, but the peak generally comes in mid-October, but colors will begin to change late-September and continue until the end of October, depending on the weather.

The Maine Foliage guide is updated weekly to show the status of the trees and can help you plan your trip accordingly.

Take note that trees in higher elevations or further north will begin to turn before those at southern locations or lower elevations. You may just need to seek higher ground or drive north to see the magic of autumn leaves. 

Photo by Adrian Hernandez on Unsplash

WHAT TO DO

Drive: Park Loop Road

Wind your way through forests, past lakes and mountains, and along the shoreline on scenic Park Loop Road. The road provides vast opportunities for “leave peeping,” the popular term for traveling specifically to see areas with beautiful autumn colors.

The 27-mile road provides access to popular areas such as Sieur de Monts, Sand Beach, Otter Point, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain, so there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take a deep breath of crisp, fall air. 

Bike: Carriage Roads

If you want to explore the changing forests a bit more slowly, rent a bike or e-bike and set off on the historic carriage roads. 

Winding through the heart of the park, the 45 miles of roads have crushed rock surfaces perfect for bicycling. The roads are closed to motor vehicles, which makes your ride relaxing and safe. 

Carriage Road runs along the shoreline. Credit: NPS

Paddle: Jordan Pond

Paddle on historic Jordan Pond for scenic views of the Bubbles, a unique and famous Acadia landmark, and Jordan Pond House, the only full service restaurant within Acadia National Park. The water in this glacier-formed tarn is exceptionally clear, with an average visibility depth of 46 feet. 

There are no rental services on the pond, but there are several near the park

The pond is a great central location to set off on hiking trails and the historic carriage roads. 

Jordan Pond. Photo by Adrian Hernandez on Unsplash

Hike: Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop

The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop consists of two mostly level trails creating a figure-8. The path is 1.5 miles long and takes about 30-60 minutes, but it might be longer as you stop to take incredible photos of the fall colors.

The boardwalk loop runs through stands of white birch and hemlock and into the Great Meadow beyond Sieur de Monts, known as “the Heart of Acadia.” Views of Dorr Mountain also interspersed in this walk. 

Visit: Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is an iconic feature of Acadia. The picturesque building appeared on the America the Beautiful quarter in 2012, the NPS centennial postage stamp in 2016, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

With 180,000 annual visitors, the light station is the most visited place on the west side of Mount Desert Island and very popular with photographers. Pack your patience, as you may need to wait for a parking space to open up, but the view will be worth it. 

Boat Harbor Lighthouse. Photo by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash

HOW TO GET THERE

Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine near Bar Harbor, Maine. The charming gateway town of Bar Harbor has many great restaurants and hotel options for your visit. 

The nearest airport is Bar Harbor (BHB) Airport, but many visitors choose to fly into Boston and rent a car to explore all fall colors the northeast has to offer.

Bar Harbor acts as a "gateway community" for Acadia National Park.
Bar Harbor acts as a “gateway community” for Acadia National Park. Credit: Kent Miller / NPS

Discover more from National Park Explorer

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Heather Bergeson is a writer and editor based in Utah. Heather has written about travel, sports, business and the outdoors for Stowaway magazine, Utah Business magazine and Moab Sun News. She has a bachelor's...