Towns Near Acadia

There's More Than the Town of Bar Harbor

There are quite a few charming towns near Acadia that are worth checking out. It's not all about the town of Bar Harbor, despite what you've heard...

Photo courtesy of Robin Elaine

When we vacation in Acadia, our first choice is always to hit the park to go hiking, biking, or canoeing. But even outdoor recreation lovers need a break day now or then.

When we needed a break, we would often take the day "off" to drive around the island (or just off it) to putter around in one of the many charming towns nearby. Of course, the largest town near Acadia is Bar Harbor. Everyone knows about it who goes there and I'd be surprised to hear that anyone misses it.

After all, Bar Harbor is your main place to go for "civilization" near the park, including shopping, eating, and lodging. But it's a mistake if you never get beyond the borders of that charming, but oh-so-touristy town.

There are quite a few other towns near Acadia right on Mount Desert Island, including Northeast Harbor, Somesville, Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor, and more. There are unique features and landmarks to be found in each of these towns near Acadia.

If you're willing to venture beyond Mount Desert Island, you can of course go to Trenton and Ellsworth, which are close nearby on the mainland. But if you're up for a longer drive, you can head over to the Schoodic Peninsula, which is another section of Acadia, and houses a few more pure Downeast Maine towns, such as Winter Harbor, Gouldsboro and Sorrento.

One thing is for sure, if you want to tour some towns near Acadia, you don't have to limit your excursions to the town of Bar Harbor!

For this page, we've divided the towns near Acadia up into general regional districts, to help organize the information. Some towns have their own page on this site, while others' information is right here on this page.

On Mount Desert Island

When we talk about "towns" here, we're actually mostly referring to villages. There are truly only 4 townships on Mount Desert Island: Mt. Desert, Tremont, Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor. But there are tons of quaint little villages.

Bar Harbor Township

Photo credit: cliff1066/Flickr

Mount Desert Township

This is probably the largest township on the island, comprising some of the most charming villages, including Northeast Harbor (my favorite) and Somesville. It has no official town center.

Photo credit: HadleyNet/Flickr

• Northeast Harbor. Recognized as one of prettiest villages in Maine, this little hamlet is located at the entrance to Somes Sound. There are many charming shops and small restaurants, but you can also check out the Asticou and Thuya Gardens.


• Somesville. This is the oldest settlement on MDI, settled in 1761, and is located at the other end of Somes Sound from Northeast Harbor. In fact, standing in the town, you can see all the way down the 7 miles of Somes Sound on a clear day – gorgeous view! Somesville also houses the Acadia Repertory Theater.


• Seal Harbor. This village at the end of MDI provides access to the park's carriage road system and has a public beach. Other things to See: Little Long Pond (where you can rent canoes and kayaks for day trips) and Stanley Creek.

Otter Creek and Pretty Marsh are 2 of the other tiny villages found in the township of Mount Desert.

Tremont Township

Tremont Township is another of the large towns near Acadia, which includes 3 distinct entities within its borders:

Photo credit: Seamus_Murray/Flickr

• Tremont. Settled in 1762, this town is located on the southwestern side of MDI, and includes the villages of Bass Harbor, Bernard, Gotts Island, Seal Cove and West Tremont. Part of Acadia National Park lies within town boundaries. The town was originally called Mansel, but was changed to Tremont in 1848, which means three mountains in French. Population is 1529 (2000 census).


• Bass Harbor. Home of Bass Harbor Head Light, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US, and part of Acadia National Park. This town is on an inlet opposite the little village of Bernard. You can catch ferries to Swans Island and Frenchboro from here. Ranks as one of the top lobster producing ports in Maine.

Southwest Harbor

Photo credit: listentoreason/Flickr

Downeast Maine Towns Near Mount Desert Island

Gateway Towns Near Acadia

We call these gateway towns, because they are on the way onto Mount Desert Island. They include Ellsworth, Trenton, and Bangor (though if you take the coastal route to Acadia, you'll miss Bangor; it's on the interstate route).

Photo credit: your_idea/Flickr

You can also tour the Maine Coastal Flight Center, play at the waterpark or race mini cars. Oh, and let's not forget the Acadia Zoological Park, which my sister enjoyed immensely when she honeymooned at Acadia.

You'll also find tons of gift shops with downeast flavor, lobster pounds, and a few hotels and restaurants, not to mention WalMart!

Photo credit: justinrussell/Flickr

Ellsworth is only a few miles away and the largest town close to the park. Ellsworth, the county seat of Hancock County, has a population of around 6500 and was settled in 1800. For more information, visit our Ellsworth page.

Other Nearby Towns

If you head a little south from Mount Desert Island, you can visit towns near Acadia such as Belfast, Searsport, and Bucksport, all on the coast and quite unique in their own right. We drove through them a couple of times when we took the coastal route to Acadia, and they are charming, especially Searsport.

Photo credit: gnr/Flickr

• Belfast. This large (38 square-mile) seaport, which became a city in 1853 and that has several historic districts, is located at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River on Penobscot Bay (love those Maine names!). It has a population of 6,381 and is known for its art galleries, restaurants and shops. Two movies, Thinner (1996) and In The Bedroom (2001) were filmed here.


• Buckport. This town was founded in 1764 and has a population of just under 5000. It is located at the end of Penobscot Bay, 18 miles from Bangor and Ellsworth, 35 miles from Bar Harbor.


• Searsport. This picturesque seaport was incorporated as a town in 1845, and currently has a population of around 2600. In its early history, the major industries were shipbuilding and cargo holding. In fact, Searsport was once home to 10 percent of all deep-water shipmasters, and is Maine's second-largest deep-water port. It is known as the "Antique Capital of Maine," but other things to see include the Penobscot Marine Museum (oldest maritime museum), Mosman Park, Fort Knox, and Sears Island. Searsport is a one-hour drive from Acadia National Park.

On the Schoodic Peninsula

The Schoodic Peninsula houses a fairly large portion of Acadia National Park, is only a short-ferry ride away, and can be viewed (on a clear day) from Mount Desert Island. But if you drive there, plan on at least an hour's trip, as it is all through country roads and you'll pass through many small villages, most of which are part of the larger Gouldsboro Township.

Gouldsboro township includes the villages of Birch Harbor, Prospect Harbor, Corea, South Gouldsboro, West Gouldsboro and Long Porcupine Island. It has a total population of 1941 and was named after an early settler, Robert Gould. Things to see there (besides the Park) include Prospect Harbor Point Light.

The Villages of Gouldsboro:

Photo credit: justinrussell/Flickr

• Corea. This village is on the southeastern tip of the Peninsula, about 7 miles from its entrance. It was originally called Indian Harbor.


• Sullivan. This is one of the larger Gouldsboro villages, with a population of 1185 (2000 census). It is 13 miles from the entrance to the Schoodic Peninsula, but is still considered the gateway to it, because it is the western starting point for the Schoodic Scenic Byway. Sullivan was originally called Waukeag by the Penobscot and Maliseet Native American Tribes.


• Prospect Harbor. This town, originally called Watering Cove, is the last point on the Schoodic Scenic Byway, and only 5 miles from the entrance to the Schoodic Peninsula.


• Sorrento. This small village is located on Waukeag Neck, which is 14 miles from both Ellsworth and Schoodic Peninsula. It was founded in 1895, and Preble Island is located just off-shore.


• Winter Harbor. This town, population 988, was originally part of Gouldsboro, but separated and incorporated in 1895. In the summer, a ferry provides access between Winter Harbor and Bar Harbor. The town is named for the fact that the harbor does not freeze in winter.

Other small fishing villages you'll find on or near the Peninsula that are part of Gouldsboro Township include South Gouldsboro, Birch Harbor, West Gouldsboro, and Steuben. Most have a long history (from the late 1700s).

So, as you can see there are many towns near Acadia worth exploring if you have time. You can start with the town of Bar Harbor, but you don't have to stop there!

Share Your Info on Towns Near Acadia

Have you stumbled upon any treasures near Acadia? Discover a little town or village that captured your imagination or made you feel like home? If so, our readers would love to hear about it...

Know A Great Town Near Acadia?

Do you know of a great town near Acadia National Park? Share it with the readers of Discover-Acadia.com, won't you?

It's always great to learn from others' experiences...

Top of Towns Near Acadia page