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The national parks in Maine offer some of the most stunning scenery in New England, and Acadia National Park is the crown jewel. Each year, around 4 million people come to hike its granite peaks, bike the historic carriage roads, and take in the sweeping ocean views.
When you know where to go and what to see, you’ll enjoy everything from the best hikes in Acadia to quiet moments in the Maine woods. Without a plan, it’s easy to miss out on the experiences that make these parks unforgettable.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
What to do and see at Acadia National Park, including the best trails, scenic drives, and classic things to do
How to explore Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and other National Park Service sites across Maine
Travel tips for getting around, from Portland, Maine, to Acadia, and even how to reach Isle au Haut
Overview
Maine's national parks and monuments offer diverse experiences, from coastal beauty to wilderness.
Acadia National Park: Maine's only official national park, known for granite peaks, carriage roads, and ocean views. Highlights include Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and various hiking trails. A car is recommended for exploring, with shuttle services available in summer.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: A protected wilderness area offering hiking, wildlife viewing, paddling, and stargazing. It provides a wilder experience than Acadia.
Other National Park Service Sites:
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site: Focuses on early French settlements.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park: Preserves FDR's summer retreat.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Maine Section): The rugged northern end of the famous trail.
Getting Around & Staying: A car is generally best for navigating Maine's spread-out park sites. Accommodations vary, with more options near Acadia and rustic choices near Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Maine’s Unique Landscape
Maine is known as the Pine Tree State, and its natural beauty is unlike anywhere else in New England. The rugged Atlantic coastline, the sweeping Maine woods, and the granite peak of Katahdin all show how diverse this state really is.
This mix of ocean, forest, and mountain creates the perfect setting for national parks in Maine. From rocky shorelines to quiet inland trails, each destination offers a different way to experience Maine scenery at its best.
Acadia National Park: Maine’s Crown Jewel
Acadia National Park is the only official national park in Maine and the entire Northeast. Out of all the national parks in New England, it stands out as the one place where you can climb a granite peak in the morning and watch the sunset over the ocean in the evening.
Things to Do in Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain: Famous for sunrise views and one of the park’s most iconic stops.
Jordan Pond: Known for its crystal-clear water, surrounding peaks, and a historic dining stop.
Sand Beach: A rare sandy cove on Maine’s rocky coast, perfect for a scenic break.
Carriage Roads: Forty-five miles of historic pathways built by John D. Rockefeller, ideal for biking or walking.
Best Trails and Acadia Hikes
Acadia offers a wide range of trails that fit every experience level. Some of the best trails in Acadia National Park include:
Ocean Path (2.2 miles, easy): Coastal walk with access to Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs.
Gorham Mountain Trail (3.5 miles, moderate): Stunning views of the ocean and nearby peaks.
Beehive Trail (1.5 miles, challenging): Short but steep trail with iron rungs and rewarding views of Sand Beach.
Precipice Trail (2 miles, difficult): Steep climb with ladders and rungs, best for experienced hikers.
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail (7.1 miles, strenuous): A long but rewarding hike to the park’s highest peak.
These hikes are consistently rated as the best hikes in Acadia, giving visitors plenty of options whether they want a family walk or a strenuous climb.
Travel Tips for Visiting Acadia
Car Access: A car is highly recommended. While the Island Explorer shuttle operates in summer, it doesn’t reach every location.
Isle au Haut: Accessible only by passenger ferry from Stonington. This section of Acadia offers remote trails and fewer crowds.
Biking: The carriage roads are closed to cars but open to bicycles, making them one of the most popular biking spots in the park.
Timing: During peak season, parking fills quickly, especially near Cadillac Mountain. Arrive early to avoid crowds.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
While Acadia is the only official national park in Maine, the state is also home to several other National Park Service sites.
One of the most notable is Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, a protected wilderness area that showcases the vast Maine woods, remote rivers, and some of the darkest skies in the Northeast. It isn’t a national park, but it offers an experience that feels just as wild and memorable.
Things to Do at Katahdin Woods and Waters
Hiking: Trails range from short forest walks to longer routes with views of Mount Katahdin.
Wildlife Viewing: The monument provides habitat for moose, black bears, and diverse bird species.
Paddling: The East Branch of the Penobscot River offers canoeing and kayaking opportunities.
Stargazing: Recognized for its dark skies, the monument is one of the best places in the Northeast for stargazing.
Connection to Katahdin and the Appalachian Trail
Mount Katahdin, Maine’s tallest mountain, marks the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. For thru-hikers, it’s the finish line after hundreds of miles. For others, the surrounding landscape offers challenging day hikes and rewarding views without the crowds of Acadia.
Other National Park Service Sites in Maine
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
This site tells the story of one of the earliest French settlements in North America, founded in 1604. Visitors can learn about the history of European colonization and see outdoor displays about the island’s past.Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Located on Campobello Island (accessible by bridge from Lubec, Maine), this park preserves the summer retreat of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. While technically an international site jointly managed with Canada, it offers historic tours and beautiful coastal views.Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Maine Section)
The final stretch of the Appalachian Trail runs through northern Maine, including its most rugged and remote miles. This section leads hikers to Mount Katahdin, the trail’s northern terminus, and is considered one of the toughest parts of the entire trail.
How to Get Around Maine’s National Parks and Monuments
Exploring Maine’s national parks and NPS sites is easiest when you have your own car. Many locations are spread out across the state, and public transit options are limited. Driving gives you the flexibility to set your own schedule and reach places that shuttles or ferries can’t.
Getting to Acadia
Most visitors begin their trip in Portland and travel from Portland, Maine, to Acadia, which is about a three-hour drive. The route takes you along scenic coastal towns before you reach Mount Desert Island, where the park is located.
Getting Around Acadia
During peak season, the Island Explorer shuttle runs through the park and connects popular areas like Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. While this is useful, a car is still highly recommended if you want to visit quieter areas or avoid waiting for buses. Parking can be challenging in summer, so arriving early helps.
Accessing Other Sites
Isle au Haut: This section of Acadia is only accessible by passenger ferry from Stonington. No private vehicles are allowed.
Katahdin Woods and Waters: The monument is more remote. Access roads are mostly gravel, and services are limited, so planning ahead is important.
Saint Croix Island & Roosevelt Campobello: Both sites are near Lubec in eastern Maine and are best reached by car.
Where to Stay
Visitors to Acadia have a wide range of options when it comes to accommodations near Acadia National Park. Choices include campgrounds inside the park, lodges in Bar Harbor, and hotels or rentals in surrounding towns.
For Katahdin Woods and Waters, options are more limited, with nearby campgrounds and rustic lodging available in Millinocket.
Final Thoughts
Maine’s national parks and monuments show off the state’s variety, from the rugged Atlantic shoreline to the quiet Maine woods. Acadia offers coastal hikes and granite peaks, while Katahdin Woods and Waters gives you a chance to experience wilderness under some of the darkest skies in the Northeast.
Add in the history of Saint Croix, the presidential connection at Roosevelt Campobello, and the challenge of the Appalachian Trail, and you have destinations that highlight Maine’s scenery, culture, and heritage. These places reward careful planning and make Maine a state you’ll want to visit again and again.
Plan Your Visit With Ease
When you’re planning a trip to explore national parks in Maine, having your vehicle makes it easier to see more of the state. Whether you’re moving here or visiting for an extended stay, AmeriFreight Auto Transport can help you get your car where it needs to go.
Our customer service agents work with trusted carriers to arrange both open and enclosed vehicle shipping. That means you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying Maine scenery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I do at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument?
You can hike forest trails, paddle the Penobscot River, watch for wildlife, and enjoy some of the darkest skies in the Northeast.
Are the carriage roads in Acadia National Park accessible for bicycles?
Yes. The 45 miles of historic carriage roads are open to bicycles, making them one of the most popular biking areas in the park.
How do I get to Isle au Haut within Acadia National Park?
You can only reach Isle au Haut by passenger ferry from Stonington, Maine. Cars are not allowed on the island.
Do I need a car to visit Acadia National Park during peak season?
A car is highly recommended. Shuttles operate in summer, but driving gives you more flexibility to explore the park’s trails and overlooks.
