Set along the rugged coastline of Maine you’ll find Acadia National Park. A beautiful National Park with amazing hiking trails and stunning views of the Atlantic. You’ll be amazed at all the can’t miss things to do in Acadia National Park with kids.
Boasting the tallest Mountain on the East Coast, Cadillac Mountain, Acadia also has beautiful lakes, beaches, cool hiking trails, and so much more. You will not be able to stop looking around at the beautiful scenery as you hike or drive the Park Loop Road.
It’s definitely a park worth visiting and can be done mostly in a day or spend a weekend exploring the whole park. Enjoy watching the water splash in Thunder Hole, eating delicious popovers at Jordan Pond, and searching for sea critters as the tide rolls out.
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Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park & Hiking with Kids
Table of Contents
Can’t Miss Things to Do in Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain
When you visit Acadia National Park, you have got to explore the top of Cadillac Mountain. Visitors can arrive at the top two different ways – hike up a steep 7 mile trail or just drive Summit Road to the top.
Summit Road is a 3.5-mile road with several pull offs on the way up to take in the views. With kids in tow, we opted to just drive up to the top. When you arrive at the parking lot, walk all around to take in the breathtaking views of the park and coastline.
Tip: This area of the park gets very crowded in the summer months so I would suggest going to this spot earlier in the day or taking the Island Explorer Bus, the park’s shuttle.
Thunder Hole
Thunder Hole’s huge draw is the spectacular crashing of the waves into a small inlet along the rocky coast. This small inlet was naturally created from the strong New England waves and creates a thunderous crashing sound when air and water are forced out.
This is a fun stop with the kids on a day when the waves are strong. There is an easy paved path to walk out and see this cool inlet from the parking lot which also has bathrooms.
Jordan Pond and Jordan Pond House
Jordan Pond is a beautiful 187-acre pond formed in the last glacial period. It’s a perfect spot for hiking with the kids. The Jordan Pond Path is a 3.5-mile hike around the pond. Visitors can hike all or part of it depending on your kids’ ability.
From the parking lot, if you go to the left you will hike a boardwalk over the rocks and if you go to the right you will find a very flat path. If you plan to hike around the whole pond, I would suggest starting to the left on the slightly harder hike and end up on the flat path when the kids are worn out.
FYI: There is no swimming in the pond.
Jordan Pond House – Before or after your hike, make sure to stop at the Jordan Pond House which is open in season. It is the only full-service restaurant in Acadia National Park. The restaurant became famous in the 1800s for serving Maine’s popular Popovers and Tea. Enjoy the beautiful views while getting a great bit to eat.
Tip: This area does get very busy in the summer months so consider taking the Island Explorer Bus (park shuttle system) to get here.
Park Loop Road
The main road to drive through Acadia National Park is Park Loop Road. It is a 27-mile road that starts at Hulls Cove Visitor Center on the Northside of the Island in Bar Harbor. Use this road to connect to the park trails, forests, mountains, and beaches.
It’s also a beautiful drive when the kids are tired and parents want to take in the gorgeous views at the many pull-outs. Park Loop Road is a one-way road for much of the drive and there is a fee for entrance about a mile and a half before Sand Beach.
Sand Beach
Sand Beach is a fun and pretty beach located between the granite mountains and rocky shoreline. This is one of the most popular spots for families in the summer months.
The sandy beach has unique sand created from shell fragments by the pounding surf. Kids will enjoy running through the waves and playing in this cool sand.
Tips: There is a lifeguard provided here from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You will also find changing stations, bathrooms, and a parking lot.
Get access to this beach off of Park Loop Road or take the Island Explorer Bus in the busy season.
Acadia National Park Hiking Trails
You probably want to get out and explore a little more of the park while you’re here. A great way to do this is by taking a family hike. There are tons of great trails and places to hike throughout the park. Make sure to stop at the visitor center when you arrive to get a park map and information from the park rangers.
Tip: Don’t forget to bring with water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat on your hike.
I love using a fanny pack to hold water, snacks and my phone. Switching from carrying a backpack to a fanny pack has really saved my back from pain while we hike.
Need more tips? Get my top tips for how to take an easy family hike, best hiking gear and fun trail games in the Ultimate Guide to Hiking with Kids. Plus get a free printable hiking checklist to help you remember everything you need to pack.
Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail is an old gravel road that leads down to the water’s edge. This is an easy 1.4-mile hike (not a loop) through stands of spruce and fir.
End the hike at the rocky edge which is perfect for tide pooling at low tide. Kids will love climbing around the rocks searching for critters in the tide pools.
This trail is located on the “quiet side” of Mount Desert Island. It has a small parking lot and a few roadside parking spots.
Ship Harbor Trail
Located close to Wonderland Trail, Ship Harbor Trail is another great hiking trail with kids through the beautiful forests.
Here you will find cool pink granite rock formations that lead to more fun tide pools. The tide pools at the end are a great way to encourage your kids to make it through the trail. The trail is shaped like an 8 so you can take a different route up and down to get different views.
There is a small parking lot at the start of the trail.
Flying Mountain
If you are looking for a little more challenging hike that’s still doable for kids, try Flying Mountain. It’s a 1.5-mile moderate loop trail in Southwest Harbor.
It’s a gradually ascending trail that becomes a little more rugged as you reach the peak. At the top are beautiful views of Somes Sound to the east and the ocean to the south. Look out for the small islands in the ocean view.
You will then continue your hike north before descending into Valley Cove where the parking lot is located. Keep in mind a lot of the path is rocky and not a smooth path but this is why the kids loved it.
Bubble Rock Trail
If the kids enjoy climbing rocks try this fun and easy 0.7-mile trail. You will start out in a wooded area and end with a cool rock scramble up to see the beautiful views.
Learn more about this family-friendly trail in this Bubble Rock Trail Guide.
Ocean Path Trail
Looking for the best views in the park? Then hike the Ocean Path Trail. Starting at the upper parking lot by Sand Beach you will hike in a south direction along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island.
Along the way, you will find several spots to stop and take in the amazing views. Learn more about this beautiful hike in Hiking Ocean Path Trail.
Tip: Bring with Binoculars to see far away birds and other wildlife while on your hike. Or just get a closer look at the stunning scenery.
Don’t forget to get your Free Printable Hiking Checklist
Things to Do in Bar Harbor & the Area
Bar Harbor Maine – This cute town surrounding Acadia National Park is a must-see when you’re visiting the area. It’s a great place to find a variety of lodging plus delicious restaurants and fun shops. Your kids will love getting an ice cream while you stroll along the historic downtown.
George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History – Located in the College of the Atlantic, all exhibits are created by the college students to teach children about coastal Maine wildlife. Check out the fun exhibits and tide pool tanks with live sea stars, hermit crabs, snails, and other marine creatures.
To get here, take the Island Explorer Bus which stops right behind the museum. There is no parking for visitors.
Driver Ed Dive-In Theater – Want to get out on a fun boat ride with the kids and learn all about local sea life? The Diver Ed boat ride is geared toward families as they watch Diver Ed dive into the water on the big screen in the boat.
His whole dive is interpreted for the group and then items found in the sea are brought up for the kids to examine. This is a unique experience the kids will really enjoy.
Are you Ready to Explore Acadia National Park?
Are you ready now to explore Acadia National Park with your kids? Hopefully, you’re inspired by all the fun things to do Acadia National Park and great hiking trails with kids. It’s an amazing national park that you could make into a day trip or spend an entire week explore Maine’s coastline.
If you have any questions or comments please leave them below. I love to hear from my readers!
More National Park Guides & Inspiration
Here are a few more National Parks our family has enjoyed visiting. Get inspired to have more great family vacations visiting National Parks in the US.
- 9 Epic National Parks to Visit Before Your Kids Turn 18 – Our list of Ultimate National Parks to Visit
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- Ultimate Guide to Hiking with Kids -Tips, Trail Games, & Best Gear
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