Days 23-26: Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

Days 23-26: Hiking, Scenic Views and More Lobsters (Aug 04 – Aug 07)

Abington, MA to Bar Harbor, ME – 290 miles, 5.5 hours.

Our original plan was to make our way to Acadia National Park with a Harvest Host overnight stay, a visit to Portland, ME, and two nights at Sherwood Forest Campsite before settling into the Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday. Unfortunately, none of that was possible without our Airstream in tow.

Original Plan:

Days 19-20: Old Orchard Beach, ME – 137 miles. Portland’s seafood scene.
Days 20-23: Sherwood Forest Campsite – 65 miles. Beach and lighthouses.
Days 23-28: Five days exploring Acadia National Park.

On Sunday, August 4 (Day 23), we packed everything into our rental Jeep, including the kids’ bikes, and set off for Acadia National Park.

We drove 2.5 hours to Portland, Maine for lunch and lobster rolls at Luke’s Lobster right by the marina. After our bellies we’re full with lobsters, we made our way to Bar Harbor, ME that evening.

After a short-lived Airbnb stay (a story for another time!), we scrambled to find accommodations and managed a last-minute booking at a nearby hotel for three nights. Despite the unexpected changes, we made the most of our time exploring Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.

In just two full days, we covered many of Acadia’s iconic hiking trails and scenic spots. We tackled the thrilling Beehive Loop Trail, a challenging but rewarding hike with stunning views of the coastline, and strolled around Jordan Pond, famous for its crystal-clear waters and the Bubble Mountains in the background. We marveled at sunrise views from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the US., admired the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and biked along the picturesque Carriage Roads, a network of well-maintained gravel paths designed by John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Originally, we had planned four full days in the Acadia National Park area, but limited hotel availability (and high prices) meant we had to cut our visit short. On our final morning, we had planned to cross the sandbar to Bar Island during low tide, but unfortunately, we missed the timing. Instead, we enjoyed a relaxing picnic at Agamont Park, a charming spot in downtown Bar Harbor with beautiful views of the harbor, before heading out to our next destination.

That evening, we enjoyed dinner at The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, perfectly timed with a stunning sunset over the ocean. Afterward, we drove another two hours to check into our hotel in North Conway, NH

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