Acadia National Park

Maine Travel Tips

G-Free Travel Rating

8/10

Major Airport

Bangor International Airport (BGR)

Portland International Jetport (PWM)

Official Language

English

Currency:

US Dollar (USD)

Power Outlets:

Types A & B

Eating Gluten Free in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

Maine is a state of mostly small towns so our expectations were not high regarding suitable options. Kara had done her usual research but you never know. Boy, we were suprised! We had some outstanding meals and most servers were very knowlegable about the options! We mostly ate out for dinner but even found a great place in Lubec, poluation 320. It was one of their last nights open so you going to check if you travel outside of the summer tourist season.

Our top list of things to do in and around Acadia National Park

Like Zion National Park, I have been wanting to get to Acadia National Park for a while but we have always prioritized international trips. Well, we finally made it. This was a low-key vacation for us, and we wanted to mirror the ruggedness of Maine with our stay. We hoped by staying in a cabin surrounded by nature that we could experience Maine’s wild charm without sacrificing comfort. We booked an 8-day stay at the KOA in Bar Harbor before we headed farther east to Lubec for a night. Nothing beats sitting in front of a campfire on a clear fall night as the sky turns orange to end the day.

Because Fall is my favorite season, I try to avoid traveling to warmer climates where I may miss part of the season. Maine and Wisconsin have similar climates, making them ideal places to see fall colors. However, if I was coming solely to see peak foliage, I would have come towards mid-October as the leaves were just starting to change towards the end of our stay. At the same time, a lot of places were starting to close so check seasonal hours before booking accommodations or planning activities.

Bike the Carriage Roads

What are Carriage Roads?

Carriage roads were initially constructed by John D Rockefeller Jr. so he could travel into the heart of Mount Desert Island on motor-free roads via his horse. The final product ended up being 45 miles of gravel paths that weave around the mountains and valleys offering sweeping views of the landscape.

Our Experience

It was definitely an experience. Throughout our hikes we kept hearing people talk about carriage roads so we decided to rent bikes. I am not sure why we were under the understanding that these would be relatively flat, but that was not the case. When we picked-up our bikes, the staff member mentioned the route featured “rolling hills”. But the definition of “rolling hills” is different between Wisconsin and Maine.

When we rented bikes, we opted not to rent an e-bike. Looking back, this turned out to be a mistake. The ride ended up being much more of a workout than a leisurely ride, which was not what was intended. One of my challenges was that my bike’s gear kept sticking, making it impossible to adjust while going uphill. This significantly reduced the enjoyment of the ride as it took a lot of effort to climb the hills. Needless to say, we did not get to all of the carriage roads that we wanted on our twenty mile bike ride.

Couple of pointers:

If you don’t bike often, then I recommend getting an e-bike. It will be more enjoyable.
During the fall, wear layers. When we went uphill we sweated but when we went downhill we would get chilly, especially if we weren’t climbing right away.
Late in the season, bathroom amenities aren’t as accessible so make sure to plan ahead. This includes water to drink.
1. The only place that was open when we went was Jordan Pond Gatehouse.
The map you are given outlining the different routes and the signage along the trails don’t always align.

The views were spectacular, but there were definitely ones that I skipped because I had momentum going uphill and didn’t want to stop…haha. If you would like to experience them like John D. Rockefeller did on horseback then you need not to fret as they still offer tours on horseback.

Drive Acadia’s Scenic By-Way

It is also known as the loop road. This is a great way to tour the park if you are on a tight time table. It is 27-miles that connects the most popular places. Between Sand Beach and Otter point it is the most congested making parking challenging; however, if you can find parking at any of the locations along the Ocean we recommend taking it beceuse there is a 1.8 mile walking trail that connects Sand Beach to Otter Point.

Sieur de Monts

You could spend a whole day here meandering around the various trails and admiring over 400 different species of native plants in the area at the Wild Gardens of Acadia. The nature center has interactive exhibits explaining the hardwork park biologists do in order to preserve park resources. Unfortunately, the nature center portion was closed when we went due to the government shut down.

- Visit the Abbe Museum where you can learn about the Wabanaki Nation’s history and culutre. They actually have grown and now have two separate locations. One is on the Park Loop Road (closed for maintenance Oct 2025) and one located in downtown Bar Harbor.

Sand Beach

Maine is known for its rugged coastline rather than its sandy beaches. Although the beach we visited was not the most pristine stretch of sand we have ever seen, it provided a pleasant place to sit and unwind. Our visit became even more memorable when a couple brought their young dog, introducing it to the ocean for the first time. The dog was clearly unsure of how to react to the waves, alternating between chasing them and sampling the salty water. Upon tasting the ocean, it quickly shook its head in obvious distaste- a reaction that was both amusing and endearing.

Thunder Hole

This is exactly what Maine is known for, the rugged coast! Here you can witness the power of the ocean’s waves crashing into the rocks. But what makes this experience more thrilling is when high-tide is approaching or an impending storm that forces the waves into a narrow inlet causing the air to escape with a thunderous sound. Not only can this be deafening but it is known to spray mist up to 40 feet in the air!!

Otter Point

Named most likely after the river otter, this area offers impressive views of the coastline.

Jordan Pond

Nestled among mountains, this pristine lake has earned its reputation as an iconic destination, attracting visitors of all kinds. Bordering the lake is an easy 3-mile path, providing the perfect opportunity to take in the scenery from all angles. After completing the hike, don’t forget to stop in the Jordan Pond House. This beloved establishment is renowned for its coveted popovers, a must-try treat – though it is important to note they are not gluten-free.

Cadillac Mountain

This is a 3-mile scenic drive up to the highest point in the park making it easily accessible to all. If you are looking for unobstructed views of the coastline this is the place to go.

Cadillac Mountain

As stated above, it is part of the Park Loop. One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a visit is that reservations are required to access it. Ideally reservations should be made 90 days in advance, especially if you have a date that fits with your schedule. Sunrise is the most popular time so if you wish to experience this timeframe, it is strongly recommended to make reservations early. Because this was a relaxing vacation for us, I chose not to make reservations in advance to allow us flexibility. Even though tickets are re-released two-days in advance, we were unable to secure sunrise tickets. We did, however, obtain tickets for another time during our stay. While the views from Cadillac Mountain were impressive, we found ourselves enjoying other areas of the park even more.

The drive-up offers ample places to stop and take pictures, making it easy to capture the stunning beauty. Once you reach the summit there is a small loop trail you can walk. Portions of the loop is paved, while other sections consist of rocky terrain, which can become slippery when it rains.

A few other things to note:

Parking can be a little challening near the top.
They do have bathrooms – Porta Potties were open when we went.
They also have a small giftstore at the top.

Schoodic Peninsula

Located roughly an hour away from Mount Desert Island, this part of Acadia National Park has a lot to offer. Because it is farther away from the main part of Acadia and Bar Harbor most people who are only visiting for a couple days don’t branch out to this island. It is a lot quieter and more secluded on the trails, which is one of our favorite things about hiking…being one with nature.

This island also has a scenic drive with picturesque views at every turn. Plenty of places for you to pull off and admire the vistas in front of you. The best place to soak up the scenery is Schoodic Point. Here you can venture out onto the rocks and watch the waves crash against the coastline. With a little luck, you may catch a glimpse of seals playfully poking their heads out of the water. The experience is truly relaxing, and it is not uncommon to see others making the most of the setting . We actually saw another couple who really came prepared and brought their camping chairs, settling in to simply enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves.

A Secluded Retreat

For those looking for a secluded opportunity, make sure to check out Isle au Haut. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to visit this island during this trip, we hope to explore it on our next visit . It is important to note that you need to take a ferry to and from the island, so planing is essential. This island itself is quite rustic, so be sure to bring snacks and plenty of water for your visit.

Hiking

Hiking around Acadia is one of the best ways to fully experience what the park has to offer. There are a variety of trails available, each providing a unique perspective of the park’s stunning scenery. Certain hikes are extremely popular; for example, the Beehive Trail Loop. Because of their popularity, hikers often encounter queues in narrow areas of the trail. We had planned to hike the Beehive Trail, but arrived to find a rescue operation was underway so the trail was closed for a couple of hours. With the anticipation of it reopening, many people were hanging around Sand Beach, so it was really crowded when it reopened. We decided to walk the Ocean Path Trail instead. As we completed this trail, we witnessed another rescue operation taking place. This reinforced our decision to forgo this trail. Sometimes things just aren’t worth it.

Here are a couple of hikes we completed during our stay Acadia.

Ocean Path Trail

This is an out-and-back trail connecting a few of the main attactions in the Park Loop. It is either paved or gravel and is mostly flat with small inclines. Because this trail connects Sand Beach to Thunder Hole and Otter Point it can be relatively crowded during high season. Parking near these attractions is difficult, so you might need to take any available spot and walk to your destination. Fortunately, this trail runs along the road which helps prevent congestion in an already busy area. There are bathrooms at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole.

Jordan Pond Path with South Bubble

Jordan Pond Path is a scenic and relatively flat 3.3-mile loop trail. It starts and finishes right in front of the Jordan Pond House providing convenient access to restroom facilities and the chance to enjoy a popover before or after your hike. Since this trail is another stop on the park loop, it often gets crowded especially during peak times. Parking can be challenging and you may need to park some distance away; for instance, we had to park 0.8 miles away. A notable characteristic of this trail is that a portion of it consists of boardwalks. These are more accurately described as narrow planks, which can create significant bottlenecks and make passing difficult.

If you decide to add on the South Bubble or other nearby peaks, be aware that this will involve some scrambling. We recommend starting counterclockwise, particularly if you plan to include the bubbles. Approaching the South Bubble this way means you will ascend a steep scramble, which is considerably safer and easier than descending it. Taking the loop clockwise can be misleading as you ascend a series of steps. During our hike, we witnessed many people attempting the descent who were unprepared, including a mother with an infant strapped to her chest.

Schoodic Head Overlook & the Anvil Loop

Located on the Schoodic Peninsula, this hike is ideal for visitors looking for a trail with less traffic than many of the others located on Mount Desert Island. It is not a very strenuous hike but it offers a few bouts of inclines to get your heart pumping. There are plenty of trails that head to Schoodic Overlook so pick your favorite and make a day out of it.

Sundew Trail

Since we were on our way to Schoodic Point and still felt like we had some hiking in us, we decided to do this out-and-back trail. I do want to point out that we had to retrace the loop around the peninsula due to the one-way nature of the route, having completed the Schoodic Head Overlook hike first. The trail primarily consists of packed dirt interspersed with exposed roots. In some wet areas they added boardwalks to provide better footing. The hike is notable for its quiet, wooded sections that offer a sense of seclusion away from the main paths. Along the way, you are treated to unique views of tide pools, adding to the trail’s distinctive character.

Bar Island Trail

Bar Island Trail stands out as a land bridge, accessible only during low tide. You’ll need to plan your hike carefully—if you arrive too late, you might be stuck on Bar Island until the tide goes out again. The path is level and covered with ocean pebbles, so it’s wise to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet on this round-trip walk. After you complete your hike, meander down to Bar Harbor and explore the rest of the town.

Explore Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is situated on Mount Desert Island along Frenchman Bay and is renowned as the Gateway to Acadia National Park and the surrounding mountains. This charming town truly defines the word “picturesque,” offering stunning views and a welcoming atmosphere that draws visitors from near and far. In the downtown area you will find the majority of restaurants and shopping experiences. From a casual café to fine dining, we are sure you will find something to satisfy your tastebuds. The local shops along Main Street boast with souvenirs from local artists. It is by far the best place to find a wooden Christmas Ornament (my go-to souvenir) that I have found while on vacation.

Many tour operators and rental companies are based in Bar Harbor, making it a central hub for exploring the region. During your visit, you will likely find yourself downtown at least once, whether you’re joining a guided excursion or renting equipment for your own adventure.

Take time to stroll through the town, enjoy the local attractions, and bring home a momento of your visit!

Lobster Boat Tour

There are only a few places in the world where you can take part in a lobster boat tour and learn firsthand about the art and tradition of lobster fishing. We utilized LuLu Lobster Boat, to embark on our journey. Once onboard the boat, the crew took us out of the harbor to where several lobster pots were set. As we cruised, they explained the process of lobstering, sharing insights into both the history of the practice and the modern techniques used today. Highlighting all the specific requirements a lobster must meet in order to be kept. When checking the lobster pots, there is always anticipation of finding a few lobsters inside. Seeing these creatures up close offers a memorable and interactive opportunity, especially for children.

Lighthouse Tour

If you are wanting to see one of Maine’s iconic symbols, a lighthouse cruise is perfect for you. These cruises take you out along the rocky coastline offering picturesque views of a variety of historic lighthouses. Depending on the season, you may catch glimpse of puffins, bald eagles and an abundant of other local wildlife. Often times seals are spotted basking on the rocks and seabirds glide overhead. Throughout the cruise, you are rewarded with captivating tales of shipwrecks and lighthouse keepers, all while watching the waves crash on the rocks below. These cruises combine of the scenic allure of Maine’s coastline with its rich maritime history, making the day out on the water a memorable experience.

Gluten-Free Dining

During the planning portion of the trip, I was concerned about whether Terry was going to be able to find much to eat. His selective eating habits and dietary restrictions, combined with the limited menus I found online, made this a real challege. To prepare, we packed extra granola bars and some gluten-free camping meals. Ultimately, we usied the granola bars as our hiking snack and didn’t need the camping meals we brought.

Grocery Shopping and Cabin Meals

Since we chose to stay in a cabin at the KOA Bar Harbor/Oceanside, we stopped at the Hannaford grocery store in Ellsworth for marshmallows and breakfast supplies. To avoid eating out for every meal, we picked up some eggs, English muffins, and breakfast sausage to prepare most of our breakfasts ourselves. Of course, we also found everything we needed for s’mores, including gluten-free graham crackers! Needless to say, the selection of gluten-free items here far surpassed our expectations. If you have access to a kitchen during your stay, stopping by Hannaford will ensure you have plenty of food options.

Here is a list of restaurants that we ate at during our stay in Bar Harbor:

Havana

This is an upscale restuarant offering American food with a Latin twist. Even though it is located towards one end of Bar Harbor it was still in high demand so please make reservations ahead of time if you don’t want to wait a couple hours for a table. When we placed our order, the waitress was already well-informed about the dishes that could be prepared gluten-free — a notable feat considering the restaurnat just switched to their fall menu. They change their menu four times a year to highlight seasonal flavors, unfortunately which items are gluten-free are not marked. I ordered a duck breast and Terry had the lobster/haddock moqueca; each was fantastic.

Side Street Café

Since they specialize in Mac and Cheese and the menu had a disclaimer on stating most of the menu is or can be prepared gluten-free. We also confirmed with our waitress that gluten-free pasta and hamburger buns were available. She also mentioned the fries are safe for celiac. With that we tried the Cadillac fries and each had our own pasta. We could tell the pasta was gluten-free and the chef that day must not have much experience with prepping gf pasta – it was under cooked, which took away from the tastiness of the meal. To be honest the fries came out a little cool too. We weren’t impressed with the quality of the food, but the gf options were many. To be fair, we have high standards when it comes to gf pasta back home by using Taste of Republic for all our pasta meals.

Geddy’s

With its ideal location right in front of the harbor and the only place we could find that offered a gluten-free lobster roll, we knew we couldn’t pass this up. The lobster rolls are made with Udi hamburger buns instead of a roll. We each ordered gluten-free lobster rolls, and while both arrived clearly marked for allergies, the buns looked noticeably different from one another. Terry questioned why the buns looked different and our waitress stated she confirmed with the chef twice that both were gluten-free. Since she mentioned that all the fries were safe for those with celiac’s, Terry chose sweet potato fries while I went for the classic variety. No reactions and we can leave Maine satisfied we tried one of their renowned dishes.

Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen

Conveniently located near all the shops, its a great place to stop in and grab a smoothie while you peruse the storefronts for a souvenir. We stopped in for a refreshing drink after our bike ride along the carriage roads and were quite impressed with their menu. The menu is clearly labeled with what can be made gluten-free and the server was knowledgeable as well. While we stuck to our smoothies they also offer a variety of salads and bowls.

Mainly Meat BBQ

This relaxed spot is perfect for a hearty meal and a relaxing evening after a long day of exploring the area. The outdoor patio is dog-friendly and hosts local bands Friday evening and Sunday afternoons. Although the menu didn’t specify gluten-free options, our waitress informed us that both the BBQ sauce and all the meats were gluten-free. The only item that wasn’t gluten-free was the cornbread; thus, by requesting your meal without cornbread, cross-contamination risks could be avoided. The food, drinks and overall atmosphere were outstanding.

Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast

As one of the best places to get breakfast before or after you head out on your adventures, this place was bustling. The last couple of days of our stay in Barh Harbor, we decided to switch up our breakfast routine and stopped in to try their gluten-free pancakes. Unfortunately, they were unable to add chocolate chips to Terry’s pancakes, so they were not his favorite. However, he did rave about the fresh maple syrup that was served with the pancakes. We found that the menu was clearly marked, which made it easy to identify gluten-free options, so we didn’t have ask too many questions to our waitress. Even though, our waitress was knowledgeable and able to answer the questions we did have.

Imago dei Café

Nestled in Ellsworth, about a twenty-minute drive from Bar Harbor, this establishment is a small, family-owned business specializing in gluten-free doughnuts and scones. Their bakery items are crafted using sweet potato as the primary ingredient, complimented by various flavors based on the season. Because we were there in October, they had fall flavors which are some of our favorite flavors to sample. Doors open at 7 a.m. and we recommend getting there shortly after they open because the items go fast.

Limon Grille

Specializing in Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine, I thought this place sounded fantastic. Sadly, their online menu didn’t indicate which items were gluten-free, so I was unsure about suitable options for Terry. When we visited and spoke with the staff, they confirmed there were not many dishes they could accommodate at this time. Given the limited choices, we decided not to dine at this restaurant.

Campsite Dining Experience

One evening, we chose to stay at our campsite and grill hamburgers. As dusk approached, we strolled down to the ocean, watching as the sunset turned the sky a vivid orange. When night fell, we gathered around the campfire to roast s’mores, adding a timeless and delightful highlight to our night.

Overall, exceptional dining on our trip. It’s worth noting that many of these places are seasonal, so depending on when you visit, they might not yet be open or could already be closed for the season.