Acadia National Park—Part 1

Acadia has always held an allure for me. I have questioned myself often why this, of all National Parks, is on my bucket list. Part of me thinks it’s because the park is the furthest east (in the contiguous US). Another part of me thinks it’s because I believe it would be breathtakingly beautiful in the fall. Despite it being my own personal list, I can’t put my finger on the reason, but I was excited to explore all the potential options anyway.

So, when we started the day, I was thrilled at our prospects. To top off the potential joy, the hotel even had hot chocolate. Yes, most adults prefer coffee, but I am a no caffeine (except chocolate) kind of girl. Hot chocolate, the Acady Ladies, and Acadia NP created a trifecta of goodness.

Our first stop was the grocery store. We all agreed that buying food to carry with us was the way to go. We also bought a styrofoam cooler to use for the duration of our trip. Yes, we recognized the environment wouldn’t love our choice, but we hoped the use we would get out of the cooler might balance the purchase.

As we walked the aisles, we chose items that could last us the week—a loaf of bread, deli meat, cheese, mayonnaise, drinks with electrolytes, chips, snacks, and an assortment of other items. We planned to have breakfast at the hotel, another meal from our grocery purchases, and the third meal at a restaurant.

The shopping was done, so we headed to Acadia. We had a National Park Pass, but to be honest, the only time it was checked by a Ranger was when we went to Cadillac Mountain. ***I love National Park Passes, so I’ll explain them at the end of this article.

Once we arrived, we went to the Visitor Center. I always recommend doing this because the most up-to-date information is available. You have the opportunity to pick up maps (many parks still give you a paper copy) and talk to a Ranger. Our goal was to see scenic areas but not have high intensity hiking. The Ranger explained the park map and offered suggestions. ***Side note: There are many stairs that take you to the Visitor Center building. I’m sure there are options for those who struggle with stairs, but I did not search them out.

Because you might want to easily look at a map of the area we visited without going to an external site, I took a snippet from the map website above (Please head to that link for the complete map offerings…

Acadia offers free bus service during their high season. Buses come and go every 15-20 minutes, and you can hop on and hop off at any time. We were warned of crowds and didn’t want to worry about parking, so we boarded the bus. First stop…Sand Beach.

This was a perfect stop. Many beachgoers had settled in for the day. I’m not quite sure how many would eventually brave the cold water, but the shore was a true delight. And the views…the views were incredible! Each of us explored a little differently. Some were on the hunt for the tide’s treasures while others watched the wildlife interact with the beachgoers.

I took in a deep breath and smelled the distinctive ocean smells. I listened for the different bird calls, and I looked for life on the islands further away. Eventually I wandered over to the rocky shore. We all met there and enjoyed a bit of bouldering.

This group, the Acady Ladies, truly took things in. Often when I get to a place, I enjoy it at a much faster pace. However, today I was reminded to slow down and appreciate the moment. We had no agenda, so letting myself feel the experience was fantastic.

We found the trail and began the walk alongside Park Loop Road. There were many offshoots that took us back to the water. I enjoyed taking note of the different viewpoints of the same body of water. Its size was deceptive as we walked quite a ways and yet we hadn’t seemed to move much further down the coast.

Interacting with others who are on a similar journey enthralls me. We often share experiences and take time to give a brief overview of our lives. We met several couples who lived in the same general vicinity as us, and I even saw someone in my same comfy pants.

Once I find a connection it opens the door. Through that door I often learn so much. Truly, this is the best part of travel—making connections with others and realizing we often marvel at the same things. I am so grateful knowing we, as a people, are often more similar than we are different.

If you’re checking the map above, we walked from Sand Beach to Otter Pond. This trail is highly trafficked, but we still found spots far from the noise and movement of tourists. I witnessed jellyfish floating aimlessly in the water and a sea gull snatching then eating a crab. There were birds soaring and birds lazily bobbing near the shore. I realized soaking in the sights was just what I needed.

***National Park Passes are the best value for your money if you plan to go into three different National Parks in a year. Here is the link to the different kinds of passes available. When looking at the America the Beautiful Passes, there are offerings for everyone. If you are NOT a US citizen or permanent resident, you can purchase an annual pass (also open to US citizens and permanent residents). To use the pass, the owner must sign the pass and present it and a valid ID at the pay station.

The pass has a hole punched through the month it was purchased and will be valid for one year from the last day of that same month. For example, if you buy the pass on December 1, 2025, it will expire December 31, 2026. You are able to purchase the pass at the first National Park you visit, or you can purchase a pass and have it sent by mail.

As a teacher, my favorite national park pass is Every Kid Outdoors. This pass is specifically for fourth grade US students. Teachers can print vouchers for their students, and parents can sign up for their specific child. You just have to print a paper and take it to the National Park. The child will get their very own pass and will be able to take their whole family for FREE. Yes, that’s right. There is no cost for this pass.

While there are more types of passes (see link above), my other favorite is the Lifetime Senior Pass. Once you reach the tender age of 62, you can pay the Annual Park Pass Price and receive a pass valid for the remainder of your life (US citizens and permanent residents only).

If you think you’ll visit 3 or more parks in a year, get the pass. If you think you’ll visit the same park 3 or more times on dates that are more than a week apart, get the pass. If you just want a cool card to put in your wallet, get the pass. It is a great deal and a worthwhile expense.

UPDATE: It was just posted (days after this post) that non-resident passes will be $250 for an annual pass or $100 per person to enter 11 of the most visited National Parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee. It was also stated this change will take effect in 2026. I imagine more information will be forthcoming.