Dubbed the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast”, Acadia National Park has some of the most impressive views on the entire East Coast. It’s been a warm winter here in New England, but we can always rely on our most northern state to dazzle us with a winter wonderland.
While the Mount Desert area is more of a hot spot during the summer months, it has a lot more to offer in the winter than you’d think.
The best part? Acadia is small, making it perfect for weekend exploration!
While the closed-up Bar Harbor Inn gave us some serious Stephen King vibes, an early morning walk along this path was a great way to wake up.
The Shore Path is 1.5 miles of stunning views. Filled with wild roses and charming vintage fences, the path was created in 1880 when the town of Bar Harbor was expanding its tourism with dozens of hotels.
This sunrise is a can’t miss no matter the season. A bonus for winter travelers? The early morning colors with a snow-covered beach make for a truly unique experience. The view from any point is breathtaking, so you’ll have plenty of time to snag a great picture while still being able to kick back and just enjoy the view.
We even saw some puffins!
Acadia National Park is littered with charming bridges straight out of a fairytale. These range from roadway bridges off of Route 233 to footbridges in the heart of the forest.
The National Park Services reports a total of 17 different bridges connecting the different carriageways of Acadia. Carriageways that give you the opportunity to experience the park’s majestic landscape up close.
More of a summer explorer? Bring your bikes and take a bridge tour of the park.
Bar Harbor is a beach town, meaning that many of the shops and restaurants close for the winter season. Don’t be surprised if you find that the cafe you really wanted to visit is closed until the spring.
Google’s hours may be wrong, so be sure to check the location’s website to be sure of the hours.
That being said, there are still a lot of great options! If you know where to look. A lot of the pubs and taverns both on Main Street and around town remain open during the colder months. We got dinner at Jack Russell’s Steakhouse and Brewery. The place was cozy, the staff was quick and friendly, and the steak was amazing. They even served us our Maine state cocktail!
Read More: 50 State Drinks
One of the most iconic views in the park, the Otter Cliffs is a prominent 110 feet of pink-granite overlooking the Atlantic. It’s one of the many stops along the Ocean Path and, personally, it’s my favorite.
Boulder Beach is another great place to watch the sunrise. There’s parking nearby at the Fabbri picnic area, so you won’t need to walk very far to get to this view.
Warning: Granite is beautiful but it can be extremely slippery.
The boulders of the cliff and the beach will most likely be covered in ice and snow, making it a little tricky. Please be aware of this when you’re walking around or making your way down to the beach itself.
While it’s not technically in the Acadia National Park, the drive from Bar Harbor to Bass Harbor isn’t very long. Depending on the weather and traffic, it should only take about 40 minutes by car.
The parking lot at the trailhead is on the smaller side, so visiting in the winter will give you the added benefit of avoiding the clogged roads of summer tourists. From there, it’s just a short walk and a tall, wooden staircase away from the viewing area.
Again, be careful on the slippery granite!
Note: The lighthouse itself is currently used as a Coast Guard residence and is considered private property, so please keep this in mind and be sure you are respectful of their space!
If you’ve decided to make your way out to Bass Harbor, why not make a mini road trip out of it?
The views on this drive are some of the loveliest along the Atlantic. Filled with sparkling granite, winding roads, and quaint villages, it makes for a Christmas movie kind of trip.
One of the most picturesque drives in New England, the Park Loop Road is a 27 mile stretch of picture-perfect road. Unfortunately, this road is closed to vehicles in the winter. There are portions of the road that are open during the winter (weather permitting), but you’ll want to be prepared for a trek through the snow if you want to see some of this road’s stops.
For specific information, helpful maps, and weather alerts, check out the National Park Services website.
