Maine’s Acadia Named One of America’s Best Fall Destinations

Maine is a beautiful oasis this time of year.

And while there are countless incredible activities and breathtaking sights across the state, nothing truly compares to an autumn visit to Acadia National Park. It’s simply an awe-inspiring experience.

It’s the perfect spot: a park loaded with ideal activities for any time of year, especially on cooler days. Acadia offers camping, sightseeing, horseback riding, kayaking, and some of the best flatland and mountain hiking around. And to do all of this while the trees are bursting with color and a crisp, cool breeze fills the air is something truly special.

These reasons and more are exactly why Acadia was included on a list of the best national parks to visit this time of year.

The folks over at the popular travel site More Than Just Parks published an article highlighting the five best parks to visit in the fall. Acadia was listed as the third best in America: right behind Great Smoky Mountains and Rocky Mountain National Parks. That’s quite impressive for Maine’s golden child.

What Makes Acadia National Park so Special in the Fall?

Here’s a little of what the site had to say about Acadia:

Get out on a trail amidst the dense hardwood forests around you and watch the crowds melt away and lose yourself in this autumn postcard park. The vivid colors here will boggle the mind and are sure to challenge your previous fall color record holder.

The colors are immaculate, but the true cherry on top is the incredible views. Acadia will blow you away with them. The rocky shorelines, hidden ponds, breathtaking mountaintop scenes, and gorgeous lakes await you and your camera phone (or real camera). There’s no better season for taking photos, and no better place to take them than Acadia.

The most amazing view comes from the top of where every guest wants to watch the sunrise, the summit of Cadillac Mountain. For much of the year, it's the first sunrise seen in the continental United States. The summit road is so popular that guests need to reserve times, but it's worth every penny. It will be a sunrise you will never forget. The nice thing about doing this in the fall is that you can sleep in a little, considering the days are shorter than they are in the summer.

How Beautiful is Acadia's Famous Lighthouse?

Another highlight More Than Just Parks points out is the picturesque Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, an absolute can’t-miss when visiting the park. I’d say that’s a very accurate statement.

It’s really no surprise to see Acadia make this list. The park has a unique charm that just screams Maine. It’s the only true northeastern destination that brings together all of the region’s best aspects, including mountains that literally touch the sea. It’s simply a special place, especially in the fall.