Acadia National Park in Fall: What to Expect & Do

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Fall is a Two-Part Season in Acadia
  • Early Fall
  • Late Fall
  • When Fall Turns Unpredictable
• When to Visit Acadia for Peak Fall Foliage
• How to Track Fall Foliage in Acadia
• Where to Stay in Acadia
• Best Fall Activities in the Park
• Final Tips for Visiting Acadia in the Fall

Along Maine’s rugged coast, Acadia National Park blends granite peaks, lakes, and forests that meet the Atlantic. In autumn, the park bursts into fiery reds, oranges, and golds, with crisp air scented by pine and sea.

From Cadillac Mountain’s sunrise to colorful forest trails, fall here is a breathtaking experience for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

Fall is a Two-Part Season in Acadia

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Early Fall

Autumn is made up of two distinct parts when it comes to visiting Acadia. Early fall and late fall.

Early fall is a very popular time to visit, when the leaves are just beginning to change colors and the weather is still relatively warm.

So mid-September, but especially the month of October (during peak foliage), is the part of autumn that’s filled with leaf-peeping tourists in Acadia – making the park almost as crowded as it is in the summer months.

Late Fall

But then there’s late fall, in November, when Acadia contains its own magic for those who visit. The trails are quieter at this time, which gives you an amazing chance to explore Acadia without the crowds.

This can be priceless, especially along the coastline area of the park, where you won’t find yourself dealing with crawling traffic or fighting for a parking space.

The downside is that after October, some areas of the park (visitor centers, certain roads, and the restaurant) may limit their hours, so you’ll want to check on that before you go.

This won’t hinder enjoying the park trails and roads, though, since Acadia is open year-round. You may just have to plan to eat a meal in town (Bar Harbor) instead of inside the park.

But do be aware that come December 1st, the popular Park Loop Road closes until mid-April, since that area runs along the ocean cliffs, which can become dangerously icy. (There is still plenty to enjoy at Acadia, though, even without Park Loop Road, since it’s such a huge park).

When Fall Turns Unpredictable

One more thing to know—if you’re not used to the “Downeast” weather in Maine—is that fall temps can surprise you.

From September into early October, daytime highs are generally mild and comfortable, often around 60°F, with cool evenings.

But by November, temperatures drop further, especially morning and evenings, so it’ll be chillier — sometimes near or even below freezing overnight.

The weather can be more variable this time of year as well, with more chances of wind, rain or even, on occasion, early snowflakes.

Since late fall’s weather is unpredictable, you’ll want to bring extra layers and warm gear.

When to Visit Acadia for Peak Fall Foliage

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The sweet spot for visiting Acadia during peak leaf-peeping season is between October 10th and Halloween. That’s when visitors have reported seeing peak fall colors. And that’s because coastal Maine, where Acadia’s located, tends to peak a little later than inland/western Maine.

That said, you’re still likely to see changing leaves on the trees (and on the ground) into at least the beginning of November.

Just keep in mind that unpredictable weather, such as rain, wind, and storms, can have an effect on any fall foliage season, causing leaves to peak earlier or later, or fall from the trees earlier or later in the season. 

How to Track Fall Foliage in Acadia

Which brings me to foliage trackers. If you don’t have to book your trip to Acadia too far in advance, and can wait and see how the leaf-changing season is going, here are some ideas regarding tools you can consider:

• The official Maine state foliage reporting page: The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry issues weekly reports and regional updates.
• Fall foliage forecast maps: Try consulting a New England regional foliage map.
• Local Guides/Blogs for Acadia. Search the internet for blog posts that reflect current fall foliage.
• If you’re looking specifically for Acadia park use and crowd tracking, go to Acadia National Park’s own “Travel & Parking Forecast Tools” page, which shows vehicle and parking volume predictions. 

Using a combination of the above, you can monitor when the leaves are turning, where in the park the best color is happening, and how busy the park is.

Where to Stay in Acadia

The best place to stay when visiting Acadia is Bar Harbor, the main gateway town at the park’s entrance. Hotels here offer easy access but fill quickly and can be expensive in early October — the park’s busiest season.

To save money and find more availability, consider staying just outside Bar Harbor or booking your trip before or after peak fall weeks. If you plan to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain during this time, you’ll also need to reserve a timed-entry ticket online in advance.

Best Fall Activities in the Park

Final Tips for Visiting Acadia in the Fall

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Keep in mind that from early autumn onward, you’ll see a fairly rapid reduction in daylight at Acadia.

At the beginning of September, the park enjoys about 13 hours and 13 minutes of daylight, whereas by late November, the daylight drops to approximately 9 hours and 7 minutes of daylight.

So if you want to get up early for sunrise hikes or to be out on the trails late for sunset pictures, you’ll want to check the times and plan accordingly.

For example, the sunrise time on Cadillac Mountain shifts from around 6:10 a.m. in September to closer to 7:00 a.m or later in November.

Because daylight hours are shorter, you’ll want to start your hikes early to allow for ample daylight for the return trip, and avoid ending up on remote trails as dusk approaches.

Even for scenic drives and overlooks, you’ll want to budget your stops so that you’re not scrambling in fading light.

Check the sunset times and consider that light fades quickly once the sun goes down.

Ground conditions may also change in autumn. With shorter days, mornings might stay cooler and damp longer, and autumn mist or early frost can make trails slippery.

Events in Fall Around Bar Harbor

If you’re staying in or around Bar Harbor, there are several fall-specific events that can be a bonus addition to your autumn experience. Here are some you may want to look into:

Explore Acadia with Shaka Guide 

The Shaka Guide Acadia National Park Tour is a GPS-guided audio experience that helps visitors explore the park at their own pace.

It includes turn-by-turn directions, offline maps, and stories about Acadia’s history, geology, and wildlife.

With over 30 stops and numerous audio points that play automatically, the tour works without cell service once downloaded.

Visitors can follow the full route in a few hours or take their time exploring trails, overlooks, and lakes over one or more days.

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