Hiking in Maine (Acadia)

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for places to stay? Planning to go for 5 days this summer with DH and 16 year old DS who LOVES hiking. We aren't camping/roughing it folks, though - I want to hike during the day and come back to a long hot shower in a nice hotel or B&B.

[Anonymous]

We hiked up to Cadillac Mountain, which was beautiful and easy. We also rappelled at Otter Cliffs, as in Acadia, over the Atlantic.

[Anonymous]

I'd try one of the Hotels or BnBs in Bar Harbor. The town is busier but it does have many restaurants, shops and a grocery store. Usually I'd recommend a vacation rental but over the summer I can't imagine any of them renting for less than a week.

[Anonymous]

We found that we had to stay in a hotel for less than a week in the summer. We stayed at the Atlantic Eyrie, which was a little dated, but had huge rooms and was a great location. There's a bus stop there that is easy to take into town or into Acadia. It's also walkable to Bar Harbor, but is a hike coming back because it's a pretty steep hill.

[Anonymous]

We rented a house in the bar harbor area. I might stay farther away next time but i think that was a good area to stay for a first visit - closest to all the greatest hits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd try one of the Hotels or BnBs in Bar Harbor. The town is busier but it does have many restaurants, shops and a grocery store. Usually I'd recommend a vacation rental but over the summer I can't imagine any of them renting for less than a week.

Thanks! I just think we'll get bored after more than 4 days or so. I'll look at hotels!

[Anonymous]

We've rented for a week in Southwest Harbor and loved it.

[Anonymous]

Hiking in Acadia isn’t great, most of the hikes are pretty short. It’s a nice park but also crowded.

[Anonymous]

Consider staying on the “Quiet Side” (I think the town is Southwest Harbor) if you don’t want to be in the thick of things during high season. There’s a sweet ice cream shop on Main Street and it’s much quieter in the evenings (maybe too much so with a couple of teens).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hiking in Acadia isn’t great, most of the hikes are pretty short. It’s a nice park but also crowded.

Which hikes did you do?

[Anonymous]

In addition to hiking, rent bikes too. Around Jordan pond I think. I wish that I could remember the hikes we did. Cadillac mountain. And one on the quiet side - Acadia mountain maybe. There was another I’m blanking on. All were so beautiful and great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hiking in Acadia isn’t great, most of the hikes are pretty short. It’s a nice park but also crowded.

You're not doing it right. There are many full day hikes in addition to short walks - that's why Acadia is so great, something for everyone

[Anonymous]

We stayed less than a week in August at an airbnb just outside the park and it worked out well for us.

The park is pretty big so you might look at where you plan to hike and see what location is convenient to stay. Also consider if you will take the park buses or drive yourself around.

Bar Harbor is busy for better or worse.

[Anonymous]

The ocean side trails in the summer are packed - like going to the mall but with MUCH better views. I've heard tell that there are hikes inland that are not swarming with people, but be warned it is very busy in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hiking in Acadia isn’t great, most of the hikes are pretty short. It’s a nice park but also crowded.

Opinions which I can't imagine are widely shared. There are short hikes which are great for people who want that. Hikes that would take 4+ hours for even the very fit.

It's also one of the most unique landscapes east of the Mississippi.

I'll give you that it's crowded and if you show up to MDI having done no research, most people would end up in the very crowded spots. Twenty minutes of research and it's easy to find the quieter places.