Acadia National Park: How to Enjoy a Week’s Vacation for Under $200

Located on the Atlantic coast in central Maine and once inhabited by Native Americans over 6,000 years ago, Acadia National Park dates back to 1916, when known as Sieur de Monts National Monument, and received its present day name in 1929. Acadia has the distinction of being the first National Park east of the Mississippi River and the first National Park created by citizens, including John D. Rockefeller Jr., who donated some of present-day Acadia’s land to the government.

This vast land encompasses over 47,000 acres. Of this, 115 miles are hiking trails, 40+ miles are the Carriage Roads, 26 mountains and numerous lakes. There are over 273 species of birds located at Acadia and many can be seen on ranger-guided tours. Other ranger programs include: boat tours, slide show presentations of the park at shown nightly, hiking tours, and other seasonal programs. Visitors who may be interested in self-guided activities can take advantage of hiking Cadillac Mountain, which has an elevation of 1,550 feet. In the winter, the Carriage Roads provide excellent cross-country skiing and snow shoeing opportunities. If a driving tour is preferred, there is a 20-mile Park Loop Road, which takes visitors on a visual tour of many of Acadia’s sights, as well as another 3.5-mile road, which takes visitors to Cadillac Mountain. Boaters will take pleasure in knowing Acadia offers four boat launching facilities located at Eagle Lake, Echo Lake, Hadlock Pond, and Long Pond.

If you would prefer having someone else drive, the Island Explorer shuttle bus provides visitors with free shuttle service to Acadia’s hiking trails, Carriage Roads, beaches, and local shopping. The shuttle bus operates seasonally, mainly during the summer months. While July, August, and September are the most crowded months to visit, December, January, and February offer the best opportunities to experience all Acadia has to offer while experiencing minimal crowds.

When compared to other vacations, Acadia offers visitors many opportunities to stretch their dollars. In addition to the free shuttle bus, Acadia has one of the best prices on park admission. A vehicle can purchase a 7-day park pass, which covers all of the occupants in a vehicle for only $20. Single travelers visiting the park as pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists can purchase the 7-day pass for only $5. Camping opportunities are also a great value when staying at the park’s two campsites: Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds. Here, visitors are able to purchase campsites ranging from $14-$20 per night. With great values like these, a families can easily enjoy Acadia National Park for less than $200 for a week’s vacation, and with over 2 million visitors a year, many people recognize the great value Acadia has to offer.