This is our Acadia National Park with kids itinerary from a trip that had been on our list for years, and we finally made it happen this summer with all four kids including our 2-year-old twins and our dog in tow.
Was it chaotic at times? Absolutely. Was it also one of the most beautiful trips we've taken as a family? Also yes.
If you're thinking about visiting Acadia with young kids, toddlers, or even a dog, I'm sharing exactly how we did it: where we stayed, what we packed, what our days looked like, what we skipped, and what we'd do differently next time.
A Quick Overview of Acadia National Park
If you've never been to Acadia, it's a national park located along the coast of Maine, primarily on Mount Desert Island. Think rocky coastline, mountains, forests, lakes, tide pools, scenic drives, and some seriously beautiful views, all packed into one area.
One of the things I loved most about Acadia for a family trip is how much you can see without committing to huge hikes. There are plenty of shorter trails, beaches, scenic overlooks, carriage roads, and places where you can simply pull over and explore. That made it especially doable with our four kids, including 2-year-old twins.
Bar Harbor is the main town most people associate with Acadia and is a great place for restaurants, shopping, and ice cream after a day in the park. We stayed just outside Mount Desert Island in Trenton, which gave us easy access to both Acadia and Bar Harbor without paying Bar Harbor lodging prices.
Before you go: You'll need an Acadia National Park entrance pass to enter the park. Certain areas may also require separate reservations during peak season, including Cadillac Summit Road, so I recommend checking the National Park Service website before your trip for current fees, reservations, closures, and pet restrictions. We have a military America the Beautiful pass, so our park entrance was covered, but we still needed a separate timed reservation for Cadillac Mountain.
Where We Stayed
We booked an Airbnb in Trenton, just outside of Mount Desert Island. It was less expensive than staying directly in Bar Harbor but still gave us easy access to the park.
If you're traveling with a dog, staying outside of Bar Harbor can also give you more options for pet-friendly rentals. For our family of six plus a dog, having the extra space of an Airbnb was definitely worth it.
By the way, if you're flying with kids, here's a post about our experience with that.
What to Pack for Acadia with Kids
A few things I was very glad we brought or wished we had more of:
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Layers, the weather can shift quickly along the coast
- A small first-aid kit for inevitable scrapes and falls
- Rain jackets or an umbrella
- Dog leash, waste bags, and a portable water bowl if you're bringing your pup
- Did I mention snacks?
- A baby/toddler carrier, even if your toddler is usually a good walker!
Day 1: Ocean Path, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole & Jordan Pond
We started our first full day with a big breakfast at the Airbnb. If you know me, you know I'm a big breakfast person! Starting everyone off with a substantial breakfast made a huge difference in keeping our energy up for a full morning of hiking and exploring.
On our way into the park, we stopped at Coffee Matter for coffee, a great little stop before a long day outside.
From there, we headed to Ocean Path and made our way toward Sand Beach. We crossed the beach and hiked a small portion of the Great Head Trail, which gave us a beautiful view looking back over Sand Beach.
The rocks were an instant hit with the kids, even the toddlers loved climbing and exploring.
A note about dogs: Acadia is incredibly dog friendly compared with many national parks, but dogs aren't permitted everywhere, and some areas have seasonal restrictions. Sand Beach, for example, has seasonal pet restrictions, so check Acadia's current pet rules before your trip and before heading onto individual trails.
Next up was Thunder Hole, which was another favorite for climbing around the rocks. Apparently, if you time your visit correctly around the incoming tide, you can hear the famous "thunder" and sometimes see the water splash dramatically upward. We didn't time it quite right, and it was getting very crowded, so we decided not to wait around.
We continued along Park Loop Road, which is a gorgeous scenic drive, and eventually made our way to Jordan Pond House for lunch.
We ate outside overlooking Jordan Pond, and it was very dog friendly. After lunch, we walked down to the pond itself for pictures and let the kids explore a little more.
Tip: If Jordan Pond House is packed or you don't want to sit down for a full meal, check the grab-and-go options nearby for an easier picnic-style lunch.
By around 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., the meltdowns were starting. We realized we'd pushed the day a little too long, so instead of fighting it, we headed back to the Airbnb. The kids fell asleep almost immediately in the car.
Lesson learned: When traveling with toddlers, build in a hard stop earlier than you think you'll need it.
Day 2: Wonderland Trail, Bass Harbor Head Light & Cadillac Mountain
After another solid breakfast, we packed lunches to bring with us. Having food ready to go made a huge difference because we weren't trying to find a restaurant every time someone got hungry.
For our second day, we explored the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island, which I think deserves its own day.
Wonderland Trail
We started at Wonderland Trail, where the kids explored the tide pools.
This is where my "bring a full change of clothes" advice comes in.
Kids plus tide pools equals someone getting soaked, including their socks.
We considered doing Ship Harbor Trail afterward, but we'd heard the two hikes offered somewhat similar experiences, and everyone was already getting tired from that hike, so we decided not to push it.
My 7-year-old daughter absolutely loved the Wonderland tide pools and said, "I know why they call this WONDER-land, because it's so wonder-ful!"
Bass Harbor Head Light
From there, we drove to Bass Harbor Head Light, where we had a picnic and explored the area around the lighthouse.
This ended up being one of the most beautiful stops of our entire trip. The rocky coastline surrounding the lighthouse gave the kids another place to climb and explore, and both my daughter and 5-year-old son said this was their favorite hike of the trip.
Cadillac Mountain
Next, we headed to Cadillac Mountain for our timed vehicle reservation.
We strategically planned the 30 to 40 minute drive in hopes that the toddlers would fall asleep.
They did not.
Oh well.
The view from Cadillac Mountain is beautiful and absolutely worth seeing. It was noticeably windier and cooler at the top, so this is another reason to keep light jackets or layers in the car.
Afterward, we headed back to the Airbnb and made dinner there. After a full day of exploring, keeping the evening low-key was exactly what everyone needed.
Important Cadillac Mountain reservation tip: If you're planning to drive up Cadillac Summit Road during the reservation season, you'll need a separate timed vehicle reservation in addition to your Acadia park entrance pass. Reservations can fill quickly, especially for sunrise and popular daytime slots, so this is something you'll want to plan ahead rather than decide on once you're already in the park. Check the National Park Service's current Cadillac Summit Road reservation information before your trip, since dates, availability, and requirements can change.
Day 3: A Rainy Day at the Oceanarium + Bar Harbor
It poured pretty much all day, so we slowed things down and headed to the Oceanarium.
I wouldn't necessarily call it a must-see if you only have a few sunny days in Acadia, but it was a great backup activity for a rainy day with four kids.
The kids got to touch sea creatures, climb around on a big fishing boat, and practice "catching lobsters." It was an easy way to entertain them without spending the day fighting the weather.
Afterward, we headed back to the Airbnb and just hung out for a while.
That evening, we went into Bar Harbor and ate dinner at Geddy's, which was amazing! I had the lobster, bacon, and jalapeño roll and it was so good. It was also very kid friendly, which is obviously important when you're rolling in with four children.
We followed dinner with ice cream at Jordan Pond Ice Cream and spent a little time walking around Bar Harbor.
With four kids, including toddler twins, we found that it was much easier to pick one area, enjoy it, and call it a night rather than try to squeeze in a bunch of additional stops.
Day 4: Hunter's Beach & Heading Home
Our last day was cloudy but thankfully dry.
We originally planned to hike Bubble Rock Trail, but when we arrived, the parking area was packed. We waited for a little while hoping to grab a spot, but everything remained full.
I was a little bummed because I'd heard Bubble Rock was such a fun hike, but we decided we'd rather find something else than spend a big chunk of our last day waiting for parking.
And I'm actually so glad we did.
We ended up hiking Hunter's Beach Trail, and it was beautiful.
The trail takes you through the woods and down toward the rocky coastline. There were a few areas where we had to watch the toddlers closely because of larger rocks, roots, and uneven terrain, but overall they did great.
Once we got down to the beach, the kids happily played with rocks for about 45 minutes, which, if you have young kids, you know is basically a vacation miracle.
It ended up being such a peaceful way to finish our trip.
Afterward, we grabbed lunch at Side Street Cafe, which was also dog friendly, and then officially started the drive home.
Traveling to Acadia with a Dog
One thing we really appreciated about Acadia was how much we were able to include our dog in our trip.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Not every trail or area allows dogs, and some beaches have seasonal restrictions, so always check the current National Park Service pet policy before you go.
- Acadia's carriage roads can be a great lower-key option when you want to walk without navigating a rocky hiking trail.
- Bring plenty of water for your dog, especially during warmer weather or on more exposed trails.
- Staying in a pet-friendly Airbnb gave us the flexibility to leave our dog behind when we wanted to do something that wasn't dog friendly.
- Keep your dog's ability and comfort level in mind. Just because a trail technically allows dogs doesn't necessarily mean it's a good fit for every dog.
Our Biggest Takeaways from Visiting Acadia with Toddlers
If I could give another family with young kids a few pieces of advice, it would be this:
Pack extra clothes. Between tide pools, rocky beaches, mud, and unpredictable weather, someone is probably going to get wet.
Don't over-plan your days. We quickly realized that one or two main adventures each day was plenty.
Expect the meltdowns. Build in buffer time and head home before everyone reaches their limit when you can.
Have a rainy-day backup plan. Maine weather can change quickly, and having an indoor option kept us from feeling like we "lost" an entire vacation day.
Pack food. Breakfast at the Airbnb, plenty of snacks, and packed lunches made our days so much easier and gave us more flexibility.
Shorter hikes can be just as memorable. You don't need to tackle Acadia's longest or most impressive hikes to have an incredible trip. Some of our kids' favorite moments were simply climbing rocks, looking for creatures in tide pools, or playing on the beach.
Consider staying outside Bar Harbor. Staying in Trenton kept our lodging costs down while still giving us easy access to Mount Desert Island and Acadia.
Most importantly, keep your expectations realistic.
Acadia National Park is absolutely doable with a big family, toddler twins, and a dog. It just takes a little extra planning, a lot of snacks, and a willingness to change plans when the parking lot is full, someone desperately needs a nap, or your toddlers decide they'd rather spend 45 minutes throwing rocks into the ocean than finish the hike you planned.
And honestly? Those ended up being some of our favorite moments.
We highly recommend Acadia for a family trip, and we would absolutely go back!
Acadia National Park with Kids: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acadia National Park good for toddlers?
Yes! We found Acadia surprisingly doable with our 2-year-old twins. You definitely have to adjust your expectations, but there are plenty of shorter trails, beaches, tide pools, scenic drives, and overlooks that don't require an all-day hike.
Our toddlers especially loved climbing on rocks, exploring the tide pools at Wonderland Trail, and playing along the rocky beaches. We brought carriers for them when their little legs couldn't go any farther, which I definitely recommend.
How many days do you need in Acadia National Park with kids?
I think 3-4 days is a great amount of time for a first family trip to Acadia. It gave us enough time to explore different areas of the park without feeling like we needed to cram everything into one or two days.
We also ended up with an entire rainy day, so having that fourth day gave us some flexibility. If you're traveling with toddlers, I would rather add an extra day and keep each day's itinerary shorter than try to squeeze everything into two packed days.
Can you use a stroller in Acadia National Park?
For most of the trails we did, I would choose a baby or toddler carrier over a stroller. Trails can have rocks, roots, uneven terrain, and stairs that aren't stroller friendly.
Acadia's carriage roads are a much better option if you're looking for somewhere to walk with a stroller. For our family, bringing carriers gave us the most flexibility.
Is Acadia National Park dog friendly?
Compared with many national parks, we found Acadia to be very dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on many trails and carriage roads, but they aren't allowed everywhere, and certain beaches and areas have seasonal restrictions.
Always check the current National Park Service pet rules before your trip rather than assuming your dog can join you everywhere. We also loved having a pet-friendly Airbnb because it gave us the option to leave our dog behind when needed.
Do you need reservations for Acadia National Park?
You'll need a park entrance pass to enter Acadia National Park. If you plan to drive Cadillac Summit Road during the vehicle reservation season, you'll also need a separate timed vehicle reservation.
This is one thing I would plan ahead! Popular Cadillac Mountain times can fill up, especially during busy summer and fall travel periods. Always check the National Park Service website before your trip for the most current entrance, reservation, and road information.
Is Cadillac Mountain worth doing with kids?
Yes! The views were beautiful, and I loved that we could experience such an incredible part of Acadia without having to complete a difficult hike with four young kids.
It was noticeably cooler and windier at the top when we visited, so bring layers for everyone even if it's warm elsewhere in the park.
And if you're strategically planning the drive to coincide with toddler naps like we did, I wish you better luck than we had.
Where should you stay when visiting Acadia with kids?
We stayed in Trenton, just outside Mount Desert Island, and it worked really well for our family. We found an Airbnb that gave our family of six more space, allowed our dog, and was more affordable than some of the options directly in Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor is definitely convenient if you want to be close to restaurants and shops, but I wouldn't rule out Trenton and other nearby areas, especially if you're traveling with a larger family and want an entire house or more space.
What are the best Acadia hikes for young kids?
For our family, some of the biggest hits were Wonderland Trail, the area around Bass Harbor Head Light, Ocean Path, and Hunter's Beach Trail. Our older kids loved the opportunities to climb rocks, while the shorter distances made these adventures manageable with our toddlers.
The biggest lesson we learned was that the "best" hike with toddlers isn't necessarily the most famous one. Sometimes the winner is the trail where they can spend 45 minutes throwing rocks into the ocean.
What happens if it rains during your Acadia trip?
Don't panic! Maine weather doesn't always cooperate, so I'd have at least one rainy-day plan before your trip.
We visited the Oceanarium during our rainy day, which gave the kids something interactive to do indoors. We also used the rain as an excuse to slow down at the Airbnb and later went into Bar Harbor for dinner, ice cream, and a little exploring.
If you have several days in Acadia, keeping your itinerary somewhat flexible also lets you move your most anticipated hikes to whichever days have the best weather.
Would we visit Acadia National Park with four kids again?
Absolutely.
Traveling to Acadia with four kids, including toddler twins, required some extra planning and a lot of snacks, but it was easily one of our favorite family trips.
We didn't see everything. We skipped hikes. We abandoned plans because parking lots were full. We dealt with tired toddlers and changed our schedule more than once.
But that's also why I loved this trip.
You don't have to conquer Acadia to enjoy it. Some of our favorite memories were simply watching the kids climb rocks, explore tide pools, throw rocks into the ocean, and get excited about the incredible scenery around them.
We would absolutely go back, and next time, we're getting to Bubble Rock!
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