Acadia trip this summer: Hello! I plan on traveling to ANP at some point this upcoming summer to photograph the beauty there. Does anyone here have advice for me on WHEN to go? I...

Deanie1113

Hello! I plan on traveling to ANP at some point this upcoming summer to photograph the beauty there. Does anyone here have advice for me on WHEN to go? I cannot go in September at all. And October is too long to wait! What's the next best time? Don't want to get swarmed by bugs OR crowds. Thank you!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Acadia National Park was the 7th most visited national park in 2017. Consider winter:
https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm

Or, read these tips for avoiding the worst:
https://www.nps.gov/acad/traffic.htm

I'd go before Memorial Day and wear lots of DEET

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I know October is along time, but it will be well worth the wait if you want Fall colors.
I've never been there at any other time, but it IS crowded!
Most stuff closes after Columbus Day though.
https://mymindseye.us/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=29&page=1

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

I went last July, no problem with bugs...BUT... Tour buses loads of people. Try to take a photo and they walk right in front of you. Go early in the morning or late afternoon. Light is better!

However it is beautiful whenever time you're there...

Linda is correct in the spring the black flies will carry you away... If the wind is up not too much trouble with bugs...

Bob

stu352 Loc: MA/RI Border

Take the tour busses from the BH town common rather than driving into the park yourself. There are routes that go through all the interesting areas. You can hike from point A to point B and not have to go back to point A to get your car, assuming you could find a parking space at point A...

We were there in early August last year, and I don't recall any bug problems.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

The month before Memorial Day and the month after Labor Day are traditionally the best times for us. Lots and lots of places to go, things to do, etc., depending on your interests. We leave close enough that it's an easy weekend trip for us.

Linda's advice on bugs is well warranted. But be careful with that DEET. It eats through a lot of plastic and painted things, including many camera parts!

Andy

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Post script -
I think it is never "not crowded".
The Island Explorer bus is great for getting around the traffic.
http://www.exploreacadia.com/

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Longshadow wrote:

Post script - The Island Explorer bus is great for getting around the traffic.
http://www.exploreacadia.com/

It's a good way to get from one overly crowded point of interest to another. But the last time we tried the island bus, many years ago, it did not provide intermediate stops - so you still needed either good hiking boots or a private car to get off the beaten track very far.

Does anyone know whether this has changed, and they now offer intermediate drop offs and pickups? That would be a great improvement.

Andy

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

AndyH wrote:

It's a good way to get from one overly crowded point of interest to another. But the last time we tried the island bus, many years ago, it did not provide intermediate stops - so you still needed either good hiking boots or a private car to get off the beaten track very far.

Does anyone know whether this has changed, and they now offer intermediate drop offs and pickups? That would be a great improvement.

Andy

Within that link is more info on the stops:
http://www.exploreacadia.com/routefinder.htm

Examples: The Jordan Pond bus runs between Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor via the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Bubble Pond, Jordan Pond, and Seal Harbor. It provides access to hiking trails and carriage roads in Acadia National Park. The Jordan Pond bus operates every 30 minutes.

But maybe that's the same "overly crowded one to the next" that you experienced?

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Linda From Maine wrote:

Within that link is more info on the stops:
http://www.exploreacadia.com/routefinder.htm

Example: The Jordan Pond bus runs between Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor via the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Bubble Pond, Jordan Pond, and Seal Harbor. It provides access to hiking trails and carriage roads in Acadia National Park. The Jordan Pond bus operates every 30 minutes.

Yes. I saw the stops on the map, which appear to be pretty much the same as I remember them. Seven stops on the whole island leaves quite a few great vistas and hiking areas further away than I'd like to walk at my age. Parking is tough, but if you want to access places that are very far from the listed stops, I'd suggest bringing a car. If you're so inclined and fit, it's also a great place for biking. I'll never forget one weekend back in the early 1970s when I thought I could sling a fairly heavy shoulder bag and cycle at the same time. Broke the mount right off my FTN when I discovered otherwise!

Andy

Andy

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

AndyH wrote:

Yes. I saw the stops on the map, which appear to b... (show quote)

My memories are mostly from childhood: frigid water temperatures at Sand Beach - even in July, and fighting off the seagulls when we had lobstah, melted butter and Saltines while sitting on the oceanside rocks

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Linda From Maine wrote:

My memories are mostly from childhood: frigid water temperatures at Sand Beach - even in July, and fighting off the seagulls when we had lobstah, melted butter and Saltines while sitting on the oceanside rocks

Those are lovely ones to have! The whole state is filled with many of our favorite destinations. We are lucky to be so close, although these days we are often limited to day trips because of our pack of hounds. But Casco Bay is an easy day trip - and we've been known to make it as far as Camden and back in the same day. I do highly recommend May and September, but even then, it's hard to find places off the beaten path. We do have a couple "secret spots" including a certain university owned hidden beach, reachable only via a one mile hike through a beautiful marsh and meadow. It's a spot which you may already be familiar with, I think? We've been there in July and August and been the only ones in sight. Far from the normal coastal Maine experience in prime summer season.

Andy

Deanie1113

Ya'll have been so helpful. So now it's between mid to late May, end of August, or first week of September -- how's Labor Day weekend there; swarming with people too? We want to stay in a cottage away from Bar Harbor, on the shore. And explore and photograph the entire area -- do I endure bugs, rain, crowds, etc??

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Deanie1113 wrote:

... And explore and photograph the entire area -- do I endure bugs, rain, crowds, etc??

And maybe fog

Here's another thought: get a little further from the main part of the park:
https://acadiamagic.com/schoodic/

Wherever and whenever you decide, make those reservations soon!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I was there Labor Day weekend one year, crowds didn't seem too bad. I suppose it depends on how many people stay home for Labor Day parties. As for the rain, that's totally up to mother nature. I did not notice many bugs at all then.
I would highly suggest you do the research for a place to stay and make reservations very early in the year.