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Autumn in Acadia

Acadia in the Fall Is a Time of Great Beauty

Autumn in Acadia is the favorite time for many, especially people who don't have to worry about children's school schedules. Why? Because Acadia in the fall is a time of unsurpassed beauty.

Picture of Eagle Lake in Acadia in the fall

New England in the fall... what could be finer?

Apparently not much, as tens of thousands of people troop northward or eastward to the New England states every October to see the colors of fall foliage.

The good news is, most of those people don't make it as far north as Mount Desert Island, stopping short in Connecticut, New Hampshire or Vermont. So, while Acadia will be just as lovely, you won't have to fight the crowds!

That makes Acadia National Park the perfect fall vacation destination. Sure, the temperatures may be cool... it could even rain or maybe snow, if you go late enough in the fall. But you'll largely have the park to yourself, especially if you get out on the trails.

What's great about autumn in Acadia is that if you hike or drive up to the peaks, you'll pretty much have an unobstructed view of the foliage, as most of them are treeless. Vistas abound...

Weather During Fall in Acadia National Park

Free Weather Widget

Fall temperatures are usually as warm as 70 during day, but then plunge below freezing at night. The weather can be anything from sunny to windy to foggy to flurries. You really need to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures and precipitation, if you're going to be comfortable throughout your visit. If you plan to camp or do outdoor activities, dress warm!

Things To Do in the Autumn

Photo: Chuck/Theresa MacNaughton

Just drive along the Park Loop Road. Besides the natural beauty that is present every month of the year, you'll also marvel at the bright yellows, warm oranges and rusts and the blazing scarlets of the leaves and shrubs on the hillsides, along the side of the road and in the back lanes throughout the park.

Paddle your canoe on some of the quiet waters of the ponds, lakes and inlets in and around Mt. Desert Island. Bike the carriage roads or hire a carriage at the Wildwood Stables near Jordan Pond.

I happen to think that fall is absolutely the best time to go hiking... in Acadia or anywhere else. You can't beat the crisp, bracing air as you stride along. It'll be quiet and peaceful just about everywhere and there will be no shortage of beauty everywhere you look.

No matter how you plan to spend your vacation during autumn in Acadia, it's going to be a feast for the eyes!

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