Below is the Fall itinerary (late September to mid-October) for Portland and Acadia National Park, built for peak fall color. Plan for 3 days: one in Portland and two in Acadia. From Portland, it's roughly a 3-hour drive up the coast, so a car is the easiest way to do this.
💡 Before you go: bring your Acadia park pass — the standard private-vehicle pass is $35 and valid for seven days, and fee stations are cashless. Visitors age 16+ who aren't US residents also pay a $100 nonresident fee unless they have an Annual or America the Beautiful pass. Start your Acadia days early: the popular lots are easiest in the morning.
1. Portland (Day 1)
Portland is the easy start to the trip: if you are travelling from New York, you may want to split your drive into 2 days since it takes about 12 hours direct to Acadia National park. We stopped at portland, ~6 hours from New york. Spend an evening there, visit their famous lighthouse, try lobster, and stroll across the waterfront.
Portland Head Light
Portland Head Light — Maine's oldest lighthouse, in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, and a must-see. Walk the cliff paths and the rocky shore, and bring a layer for the wind.
Lobster & the Waterfront
Lobster rolls — Portland is a great place to get good lobster. Grab a roll and eat it at a picnic table with a view over Casco Bay.
Old Port — cobblestone streets and working wharves, with oyster bars and chowder in every direction.
Eastern Promenade — a flat waterfront path with views across Casco Bay and the islands. An easy walk after lunch.
2. Acadia National Park (Day 2: go early)
Acadia is Maine's big outdoor draw: pink-granite coast, ponds, mountains and car-free carriage roads. Make your first day the big one.
Where to Stay & Getting There
Stay in Hancock — a good town where you can get everything you need, close to Ellsworth and the Acadia side of the water. A calmer base than the busiest parts of Mount Desert Island.
Drive in on Mud Creek Road — follow it toward Acadia National Park. It's a beautiful drive, especially in fall. It's a left turn about 2.1 miles from Point Road if you're heading toward Ellsworth.
Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain at sunrise — hike it first, then do the loop. It's the highest point on the island, and in fall it's among the first places in the US to see the sun come up. Bring a headlamp and warm layers. We were not able to see the sunrise as it was cloudy, but the view was worth it.
Reservations — walking or biking up needs no vehicle reservation. Driving the Cadillac Summit Road requires a separate $6 vehicle reservation which opens 2 days in prior.
The Park Loop Road, Stop by Stop
After sunrise, drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road. Each stop below opens in Google Maps, and you can open the whole loop as one route.
Hulls Cove Visitor Center — park map, restrooms and a pass check before you enter the loop.
Sand Beach — a granite-walled cove with a bright sand beach. The lot can fill by mid-morning on busy days.
Thunder Hole — walk down to the inlet for the wave action. Your best chance of the "thunder" is roughly one to two hours before high tide.
Otter Cliff and Otter Point — a high pink-granite headland, then open slabs at Otter Point. Wet rock is slippery. Otter Cove's stone causeway is just beyond.
Little Hunters Beach — a quiet cobblestone cove below the road. A short staircase down, a few photos, and back to the loop.
Jordan Pond House — the classic pond-and-Bubbles view. Popovers are a bonus if the wait works for you.
Eagle Lake — a quiet lakeshore, or a short out-and-back on the car-free carriage road.
Or: Bike the Park
Carriage roads — biking Acadia is amazing, too. The car-free carriage roads wind past lakes and ponds, and you can ride up Cadillac instead of driving it. Rent bikes in Bar Harbor or bring your own.
3. Acadia National Park (Day 3: relax a bit)
After a big first day, slow down and enjoy the quieter side of the park.
Schoodic Peninsula
Schoodic Point — Acadia's quieter mainland section. Follow the one-way peninsula loop to the granite point, watch the waves, and take your time.
Kayaking — book a guided or rental kayak outing on the coast around Mount Desert Island. Check with local outfitters for conditions and schedules.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse (optional) — on the far southwest side of the island, a good relaxed sunset if you have energy to spare.
🗺️ Interactive map: every stop in this itinerary, with tappable pins and directions.
Fees and rules were current as of October 2026. Check posted conditions, tides, weather and Portland hours before you head out.
