Planning a trip to Acadia National Park, and realizing it’s way bigger than you thought? Are you feeling overwhelmed with where to stay, and wondering if the top-suggested towns are worth it? Well, I’m glad you’re here, because I’m about to give you all the info!
I’ve been traveling through Maine for years, and have spent a lot of time on Mount Desert Island (where beautiful Acadia lives!), and in this post, I’m sharing all my insight into the best towns and places to stay when you visit Acadia National Park.
I’ll be breaking down the best areas to stay for different kinds of travelers, awesome upscale hotels that are worth every penny, and my favorite budget and mid-range options, too. Ready to start planning? Let’s get started!
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Short on time? I’ve got you covered!
Here are the top 3 places I recommend you stay:
✓ Bar Harbor Inn & Resort: Best For First-Timers Looking To Splurge
✓ The Claremont In Southwest Harbor: Best For An Upscale, Peaceful Escape
✓ The Bar Harbor Villager Motel: Best Overall Budget Pick
Where To Stay When Visiting Acadia National Park –
Which Towns Are Best?
Okay, so first thing’s first, let’s get acquainted with the nearby towns. Mount Desert Island is home to quite a few of them, but there are definitely some places to hone in on when you’re looking to book a stay. I generally recommend you narrow down your search to three towns near Acadia, and here’s a quick guide to the ones I recommend:
Bar Harbor: Best for first-timers, and if you want to have the most options for shopping and dining within walking distance.
Southwest Harbor: Best for a romantic or quiet getaway that still offers access to a small town and things to do.
Trenton: Great for budget-minded travelers.
Why these three towns? They all offer a few different hotel options, have access to nearby restaurants, and also offer easy access to the park. There are quite a few other towns on and near Mount Desert Island, but many of them don’t have a great selection of hotels to choose from because they’re more residential areas. However, places like Bass Harbor/Tremont, Hulls Cove, Seal Harbor, and Northeast Harbor are great options if you’re looking for a vacation rental property instead of a hotel.
Let’s get more into what each of these towns has to offer …
Bar Harbor is the most popular town to stay in near Acadia, and honestly, it’s worth the higher prices. The town is very charming, but also small and easily walkable. There are tons of dining options, cute shops, and even some fun things to do like walking and boat tours, Shore Path for scenic water views, and spa facilities. It’s also a very short drive to many places in Acadia, especially the top attractions. I often stay in Bar Harbor for my trips to Acadia, even though I’ve been several times.
One thing to know about Bar Harbor, though, is that because of the convenience, this is usually the most expensive town to stay in, and it’s also the most crowded. For that reason, I usually recommend that you book a place to stay that’s within walking distance to town center. That way, you can leave your car at the hotel, and walk to shopping and dining. This way, the crowds won’t feel like a burden.
Southwest Harbor is like a quieter Bar Harbor. It’s smaller, and more spread out, but does have a very small downtown area with a few cute shops and dining options. Overall, it’s noticeably more chill because there’s far fewer people around. It also offers easy access to the park, and places like Bass Harbor Lighthouse and Echo Beach are nearby. However, top park attractions like Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond House, and Cadillac Mountains will be further away than if you were staying in Bar Harbor.
Lastly, I also like to recommend that you check out Trenton, which is technically not on Mount Desert Island, but it’s the town you drive through right before you cross over onto the island. For this reason, you can find some very reasonably-priced hotels here. Trenton is spread out, and not super walkable, but there are some good dining and hotel options. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to get to top attractions in the park, but the hotel savings are worth it if you’re on a budget.
Best Splurge-Worthy Hotels To Stay At When Visiting Acadia
Bar Harbor Inn & Spa: My favorite hotel in Bar Harbor for a more upscale experience that’s walkable to everything in town.
Bar Harbor Inn & Spa Highlights:
- 4.5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Located on the waterfront and Shore Path in Bar Harbor
- Free on-site parking
- On-site amenities include a spa, dining, and a pool
- Weekly seasonal activities like s’mores by the fire pits
- Many room options, including some with balconies overlooking the water
- Beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy the water views
→ Click here to check rates & availability at the Bar Harbor Inn & Spa
The Claremont: Located in Southwest Harbor, this is the best place to stay if you’re looking for luxury, but also a peaceful and more secluded getaway. This is a fantastic place for couples, or anyone looking to enjoy the “quieter” side of Mount Desert Island.
The Claremont Highlights:
- 4/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Located on the waterfront
- Free on-site parking
- On-site amenities include a pool overlooking the water, private cabanas, dining, a beautiful front porch to enjoy, and a spa
- One of the on-site restaurants is a Baston River location, which is an awesome and local Maine brewery and distillery with excellent cocktails!
- Variety of accommodations, including standard guest rooms, cottages, and stunning houses
- Incredibly peaceful atmosphere – I felt tranquil as soon as I arrived
→ Click here to check rates & availability at The Claremont
Bayview Hotel: Located in Bar Harbor, this is the only hotel I’m recommending that’s not exactly walkable to town center. However, its fantastic waterfront location and gorgeous interior is definitely worthy of your consideration.
Bayview Hotel Highlights:
- 5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Oceanfront location
- Free on-site parking, and a short 5-minute drive to town center
- On-site amenities include a free elevated continental breakfast, pet-friendly rooms, on-siting dining and bar, and all rooms come with a gorgeous ocean view
- Beautifully decorated, and impeccably designed
→ Click here to check rates & availability at the Bayview Hotel
Best Hotels To Stay In When Visiting Acadia – Moderate
Inn On Mount Desert: A wonderful and cozy little inn that’s a short walk to town center in Bar Harbor, and perfect for those looking for a more moderate price range.
Inn On Mount Desert Highlights:
- 5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Located in a quieter part of Bar Harbor, but still steps from everything.
- Free on-site parking
- Great breakfast included with each stay
- Options for a room with a private terrace
- Smart TVs in the rooms to stream your favorite shows
→ Click here to check rates & availability at the Inn On Mount Desert
The Little Fig Hotel: Owned by the same company as Inn on Mount Desert, the Little Fig is another wonderful moderate option that’s also steps from everything in Bar Harbor.
The Little Fig Hotel Highlights:
- 4.5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Free on-site parking
- Recently renovated rooms
- Free grab-and-go breakfast with every stay
- Smart TVs in the rooms to stream your favorite shows
→ Click here to check rates & availability at The Little Fig Hotel
Harbour Cottage Inn: Located in Southwest Harbor, this cozy little inn is perfect for those that are looking for a romantic and homey stay on the quieter side of the island.
Harbour Cottage Inn Highlights:
- 5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Free parking on-site
- A full breakfast is included with every stay
- Beautiful and perfectly coastal New England rooms
- On-site bar that serves great cocktails and small plates
- Gorgeous grounds and outdoor spaces to enjoy during your stay
→ Click here to check rates & availability of the Harbour Cottage Inn
Best Budget Hotels Near Acadia
It’s good to keep in mind that “budget-friendly” in New England is still more expensive than many other areas of the country. Prices trend higher, and you typically get less for your money up here in the Northeast. However, these hotels are the best budget-friendly options I’ve found near Acadia National Park. They’re clean, cozy, and priced well for the area.
It’s also good to know that the places I recommend in Bar Harbor will be more expensive than the places in Southwest Harbor and Trenton, but again, you pay for the convenience of staying right in town.
Bar Harbor Villager Motel: The budget hotel I most often stay at when visiting the park because it really just checks all the boxes.
Bar Harbor Villager Motel Highlights:
- 4.5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Located in the heart of Bar Harbor’s town center
- Free on-site parking
- Free grab-and-go breakfast
- Outdoor pool
- Spacious and clean rooms with recently-renovated bathrooms – I love the size of their rooms!
- Smart TVs to stream your favorite shows
- Seasonal activities including Bingo nights and s’mores
→ Click here to check rates & availability at the Bar Harbor Villager Motel
Main Street Motel: Another great option for budget-minded travelers, and it’s owned by the same folks as Inn on Mount Desert and the Little Fig.
Main Street Motel Highlights:
- 5/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Recently renovated in 2022
- Free on-site parking
- Basic but very cozy rooms with some added homey touches
- Smart TVs to stream your favorite shows
- Within walking distance to everything in Bar Harbor, but located a tad further than Bar Harbor Villager
→ Click here to check rates & availability for the Main Street Motel
Isleview Motel & Cottages: Located in Trenton, you’ll often find some really great rates here, while still having a nice and cozy place to come back to after a day of exploring.
Isleview Motel & Cottages Highlights:
- 4/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- On the Island Explorer bus route, so you’re able to leave your car at the hotel if you’d like
- Within walking distance to a few different restaurants
- Room options vary from standard motel room, to cute cottage
- Pet-friendly options available
- Outdoor spaces to enjoy with grills and picnic tables
→ Click here to check rates & availability for the Isleview Motel & Cottages
Harbor View Motel & Cottages: A great little spot located right on the water in Southwest Harbor!
Harbor View Motel & Cottages Highlights:
- 4/5 ⭐️ rating on TripAdvisor
- Free on-site parking
- Waterfront location overlooks the picturesque harbor
- Variety of accommodations including standard motel rooms, rooms with kitchens, cottages, and pet-friendly options
- Walkable to a few restaurants
- Did I mention the views? 😉
→ Click here to check rates & availability for the Harbor View Motel & Cottages
Best Vacation Rentals To Book When Visiting Acadia
As mentioned, if you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can definitely expand your search a bit more outside of the three main towns I recommend for hotel stays. There are tons of great rental properties all over Mount Desert Island, and this is a great option if you’re booking a longer stay.
It’s good to know that many vacation rentals in Maine during the summer require a minimum night stay, often at least a week. So, if you’re staying for less time than that, you may have more luck with a hotel.
Okay, so let’s look at some beautiful vacation rentals on Mount Desert Island!
Splurge-Worthy Waterfront Home in Southwest Harbor: This gorgeous waterfront house in Southwest Harbor has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and sleeps seven people total. The private dock, boathouse, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water are so worth the splurge. This is perfect for larger families or groups.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for this waterfront house in Southwest Harbor
Updated Southwest Harbor Apartment: This cozy and modern apartment in Southwest Harbor has been beautifully renovated, and also has an awesome outdoor space that they call the treetop deck.
→ Click here to check rates & availability at this Updated Southwest Harbor Apartment
Adorable Ocean View Apartment: This apartment is attached to a gorgeous cottage that feels like it’s straight out of Nancy Meyers movie. It also has a private entrance and private deck, so it’s all about seclusion overlooking the water.
→ Click here to check rates & availability at this Adorable Ocean View Apartment
Beautiful Dory Haven Cottage On The Cove: This waterfront cottage has it all: a screened-in porch, sunroom, and a perfect coastal New England vibe.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for this Beautiful Dory Haven Cottage On The Cove
Not seeing that perfect property for you?
Click here to check out more listings on VRBO, which I like more than AirBnB for this area 😉
Best Campgrounds To Stay In Acadia National Park
If you’re looking to camp in and around Acadia, there are lots of options to choose from. Inside the park, there are three campgrounds to consider, and plenty more around Mount Desert Island. Here are my suggestions:
Blackwoods Campground: It’s the most popular campground in Acadia! I’ve camped here twice, and loved it. It’s a great location inside the park, and a short drive to the top attractions and Bar Harbor’s town center. You can also walk to the ocean in 10 minutes or so. The grounds have flush toilets, sinks, and cold water only, but hot showers (coin-operated) can be found about five minutes away by car.
Seawall Campground: This is another popular campground in Acadia, and while it’s a bit further away from Bar Harbor, it’s a great option if you’re looking to camp closer to Southwest Harbor. It’s similar to Blackwoods in that they have flush toilets and cold water, but no hot showers (hot showers are located a short drive away, though).
Mount Desert Campground: While not located right inside Acadia, this is a fantastic campground to look into. It’s about 15 mins from Bar Harbor, and pretty close to the top attractions in the park. This campground also has more amenities than the other two I mentioned, including an on-site bath houses with pay showers (hot water), kayak rentals available on-site, cell service (wifi in the main building), and a little store with coffee, breakfast pastries, etc. The Island Explorer bus also stops right at the campground.
Pro Tips: Camping in Acadia and nearby is seasonal only, and generally runs late May-mid October. You’ll want to check each campsite individually to ensure it’s open during your visit. During peak season in the summer, it’s recommended that you make reservations well in advance.
Acadia National Park FAQ – Answering Popular Questions!
What Town Is Closest To Acadia National Park?
Bar Harbor is usually considered the closest town to Acadia, but that’s because it’s closest to the top attractions, like Sand Beach, Ocean Path, the Beehive Trail, Jordan Pond House, Cadillac Mountain, and Thunder Hole (all of these I absolutely recommend for first-time visitors!).
However, Southwest Harbor is also minutes away from other parts of the park, like Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Echo Beach, and some other great hiking trailheads. So, it really just depends on what you plan to see while visiting the park.
Best Place To Stay For First-Timers?
I think Bar Harbor is really worth it for first-time visitors because of the fun downtown atmosphere, and close proximity to the must-see sights inside the park.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Acadia?
Having been to the park in all four season (yep, even winter!), I can say that May through October is the best time to visit. The surrounding towns, including Bar Harbor, are very seasonal, and many shops and restaurants will close down November through April.
Personally, I love early June for lupine season and the more mild weather, and mid-October for the fall foliage. But summer is also hard to beat.
Psst! I have a detailed post the breaks down the best times to visit Acadia National Park, if you need more info 😉
How Many Days Do You Need In Acadia National Park?
As with many national parks, you can easily spend a week here and not see it all. However, I’ve found that for most people, three days is ideal. This gives you time to explore Bar Harbor, or more surrounding towns, and also see the top things inside the park, including a few hikes.
For an even more relaxed itinerary, 4-5 days would be great.
What’s The Best Way To Get Around Acadia?
I usually recommend that you drive around the park yourself because it allows you the most flexibility to do everything on your own schedule. However, if you plan to visit the park during peak season, I do also recommend that you consider taking the Island Explorer bus if you’re worried about finding parking.
This bus system takes you to many of the top sights inside the park, and it’s completely free. Parking inside the park during peak season can be a challenge, and I usually get up for sunrise to beat the traffic (and the heat!) during high season for this reason. But if you’re not an early riser, the bus is an excellent option. Keep it mind that it only runs seasonally. Click here for more information on the bus option.
Here are some other posts you may find helpful:
- The Best Acadia National Park Itinerary (3, 4, 5 Day Options!)
- Fantastic Day Trips From Bar Harbor
- Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor Road Trip Itinerary
- Incredible Stops To Make Driving From Portland To Acadia National Park
- The Best Maine Lighthouse Road Trip Itinerary
- The Best 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary
- Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park In The Winter: What To Expect
- Bar Harbor, Maine To Nova Scotia: Driving Vs. The Ferry
- Maine To Canada Itinerary: A DREAMY East Coast Road Trip
- Best Places For A Maine Vacation
That’s A Wrap On Where To Stay When Visiting Acadia National Park
And there you have it! My top suggestions on the best towns and places to stay when planning a visit to Acadia National Park. I hope you’ve found this information helpful as you begin to plan your perfect trip. Whether Bar Harbor is more up your alley, or Southwest Harbor sounds like a dreamy escape, just know that it’s hard to pick a bad place on Mount Desert Island. Happy planning!
