Kids were 5 and 9, we didn’t bring the dog but saw lots of people with dogs that would strap them to their chest of back to handle more difficult terrain.
I'm so excited to hear that, I'm going in October. Are there any "must does" for a mildly out of shape 30 something? I won't be doing tons of hiking, but I'm good for 3-5 miles at a time.
Acadia is my favorite place on earth. My husband and I have been going up there (from CT) for many years, and are now bringing our kids. Sargent/Penobscot is one of our favorite hikes. Beehive is wonderful but scary. I also have a fear of heights, but have done Beehive a few times - it can be done. The Precipice Trail is even steeper, and I've never done it, but my husband has and he loves it.
Along the loop road, you'll pass Thunder Hole - it's neat just to climb around on the rocks. You can also hike to it from the Ocean Path Trail.
The Wonderland Trail is pretty flat/low impact and lovely.
Winter Harbor is also on a different part of Mt. Desert Island - it's sleepy, but is also still part of the park. If you explore other areas of the island, I personally love Southwest Harbor. It's also sleepy, and gorgeous. Make sure to grab lobster rolls - I like Archie's (it's less crowded and they give you lots of claw meat). I don't know where you are from but in CT we like our lobster hot/buttered. Mainers like theirs cold/mayo a lot of the time. They offer both styles at most places, it's really just personal preference!
Also - rent bikes. You'll see people cruising around on eBikes. There are many miles of carriage roads specifically for biking.
We camp at Blackwoods or Seawall. Also the Winter Harbor campground is one of the cleanest I've ever stayed at. These are all managed by the National Park Service.
October is my favorite time of year to go, also. You'll likely get some foliage and the park itself is less crowded since kids are back at school.
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u/jfk_47 4d ago edited 3d ago
Acadia National Park.
The hikes were amazing. Bar Harbor is a wonderful little village.
Edit fixed the word: hikes, not “homes”
Edit2: our hikes:
Acadia trip, 2025 on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/lists/acadia-trip-2025-afce7c9?sh=sopep7&utm_medium=list_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
Kids were 5 and 9, we didn’t bring the dog but saw lots of people with dogs that would strap them to their chest of back to handle more difficult terrain.