Best time to visit Acadia National Park
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme cold overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Acadia National Park
26 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Acadia National Park).
- 1
Premium Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5 Hours) - 2
Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park - 3
Guided Ebike Tour of Acadia National Park Carriage Roads - 4
Best of Acadia Private Tour: Cadillac Mountain & Park Loop Road - 5
4-Hour Private Acadia Tour Cadillac Mountain & Somes Sound Fiord - 6
6 Hour Ultimate Private Acadia & Mount Desert Island Tour - 7
Acadia Full Day Private Tour & Hike - 8
Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour & Hike - 9
Bar Harbor Premium Tour with Cadillac Mountain and Acadia Park - 10
Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour - 11
Acadia Woody's Cadillac Loop 3 Hour Driving Tour - 12
The Way Life Should Be: 4-hr, Private Guided Tour of Acadia NP. - 13
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park - 14
Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour - 15
Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC - 16
Guided E Bike Tour of Acadia National Park - 17
Acadia Woody's Utmost Coast 3 Hour Driving Tour - 18
Portland and Acadia National Park 2 Day Tour from Boston MA - 19
3 Hour with Somes Sound fiord instead of Cadillac - 20
Acadia National Park Tour Sea to Summit - 21
Brewed Awakening Cadillac Mountain Sunrise Tour - 22
Acadia National Park Full Circle with Lighthouse Private Tour - 23
Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour - 24
Acadia National Park Tour Wonders of Acadia - 25
Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour - 26
Kids Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour 3-8 yrs old
Last refreshed 2026-08-13.
Similar climatesTadoussac90% · Halifax90% · Montreal88%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Acadia National Park (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Acadia National Park's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -8–-1 | -7 | 11 | 144 | 13.1 | 65% | 26 | 126 | 1 | Quiet | 3 |
| Feb | -8–-1 | -7 | 9 | 119 | 13.2 | 62% | 27 | 142 | 2 | Quiet | 4 |
| Mar | -4–3 | -3 | 12 | 143 | 11.9 | 62% | 26 | 179 | 3 | Quiet | 4 |
| Apr | 0–7 | 2 | 10 | 142 | 14.2 | 63% | 25 | 195 | 4 | Moderate | 4 |
| May | 5–12 | 9 | 9 | 88 | 9.8 | 64% | 22 | 246 | 5 | Busy | 6 |
| Jun | 11–17 | 15 | 11 | 116 | 10.5 | 75% | 20 | 233 | 5 | Peak | 7 |
| Jul | 14–20 | 20 | 11 | 103 | 9.4 | 79% | 19 | 242 | 6 | Peak | 8 |
| Aug | 14–20 | 20 | 9 | 93 | 10.3 | 78% | 18 | 235 | 5 | Peak | 8 |
| Sep | 11–17 | 15 | 9 | 94 | 10.4 | 74% | 20 | 207 | 4 | Busy | 7 |
| Oct | 7–12 | 9 | 10 | 110 | 11.0 | 72% | 21 | 180 | 3 | Quiet | 6 |
| Nov | 1–7 | 2 | 8 | 97 | 12.1 | 65% | 27 | 150 | 1 | Quiet | 5 |
| Dec | -4–2 | -4 | 13 | 148 | 11.4 | 68% | 27 | 120 | 1 | Quiet | 4 |
UV Index in Acadia National Park by Month
UV index in Acadia National Park peaks at 6 (moderate) in July, dropping to 1 (low) in December.
Best months in detail
August
8/1014–20°C · 9 rain days (93h) · 235 sun hours · 78% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
July
8/1014–20°C · 11 rain days (103h) · 242 sun hours · 79% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
September
7/1011–17°C (feels 15°C) · 9 rain days (94h) · 207 sun hours · 74% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (moderate)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
3/10-8–-1°C (feels -7°C) · 11 rain days (144h) · 126 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
February
4/10-8–-1°C (feels -7°C) · 9 rain days (119h) · 142 sun hours · 62% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
March
4/10-4–3°C (feels -3°C) · 12 rain days (143h) · 179 sun hours · 62% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
April
4/100–7°C (feels 2°C) · 10 rain days (142h) · 195 sun hours · 63% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 4 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
May
6/105–12°C (feels 9°C) · 9 rain days (88h) · 246 sun hours · 64% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
June
7/1011–17°C (feels 15°C) · 11 rain days (116h) · 233 sun hours · 75% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
October
6/107–12°C (feels 9°C) · 10 rain days (110h) · 180 sun hours · 72% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
November
5/101–7°C (feels 2°C) · 8 rain days (97h) · 150 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
December
4/10-4–2°C (feels -4°C) · 13 rain days (148h) · 120 sun hours · 68% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
Driving up Cadillac Mountain needs a ticket booked in advance
Acadia is compact and easy, with one exception that catches visitors on arrival. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the eastern seaboard and the sunrise draw, and driving to the summit requires a vehicle reservation booked in advance on recreation.gov, at a cost of $6. It applies from roughly mid-to-late May through mid-October — the whole of the park's busy season.
The reservation is separate from the park entrance pass; you need both. It is scanned by QR code at the gate, so it must be printed or saved offline — mobile signal on the mountain road is not something to depend on.
The restriction is on vehicles, not on people. It does not apply in winter, does not apply anywhere else in the park, and does not apply if you arrive on foot, by bicycle or by taxi.
Sources: NPS — Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservations , NPS — Acadia permits and reservations
What is the best month to visit Acadia?
September. The summer crowds have gone, the sea has warmed enough through the season to soften the air, the weather is settled, and early autumn colour begins late in the month. June is quieter than July and August but can be foggy on the coast for days at a time. Note that August tops out at only about 17C here — the cold Atlantic keeps Acadia mild even at its warmest.
How many days do I need at Acadia National Park?
Three days. One for the Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond; one for Cadillac Mountain and a hike such as the Beehive or Precipice; and one for the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island or the carriage roads by bicycle. Book the $6 Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation separately if you intend to drive up, from late May to mid-October.
When to avoid Acadia National Park?
July and August, when the island is at its busiest and parking at popular trailheads fills early in the morning. Also note that many facilities and the Park Loop Road close for winter, so a December visit is a very different and much more limited trip.
Do you need a reservation for Cadillac Mountain?
Yes, to drive to the summit between roughly late May and mid-October. It costs $6, is booked on recreation.gov, and is separate from your park entrance pass. No reservation is needed in winter, or if you go up on foot, by bicycle or by taxi. Sunrise slots go first and fastest, so book as far ahead as the release window allows if that is the reason you are coming.
What is the busiest month in Acadia National Park?
August, closely followed by July. Mount Desert Island is small and the Park Loop Road funnels almost everyone through the same few car parks, so Sand Beach and Jordan Pond fill early in the morning. September delivers nearly the same weather with a fraction of the traffic, which is why it is the regular recommendation.
What is the rainiest month in Bar Harbor?
December, at around 120 mm, with July the driest at about 72 mm. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year, and coastal fog is a bigger practical issue than rainfall — it can sit over the island for days in early summer and remove the view from Cadillac Mountain entirely.
How likely are you to see a moose in Acadia National Park?
Unlikely. Moose are rare on Mount Desert Island, and sightings are far more common inland in northern Maine. The wildlife you will realistically see is white-tailed deer, red squirrels, harbour seals and a strong seabird population — peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs, which closes some trails in spring.
Are there grizzly bears in Acadia?
No. Grizzlies do not occur anywhere in the eastern United States. Acadia has a small black bear population that is rarely encountered, and no bear-specific precautions are needed for day hiking. Ticks are the more realistic concern on wooded trails, so check yourself after walking through vegetation.
What is the coldest month in Acadia?
January, with lows averaging around −9C. Summer is cool even at its peak — August tops out near 17C — because the surrounding cold Atlantic moderates the island year-round. That marine influence is also why fog is so persistent in early summer and why the sea stays too cold for comfortable swimming.
What not to miss at Acadia National Park?
Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, which needs a $6 vehicle reservation booked ahead between late May and mid-October; the Park Loop Road with Sand Beach and Thunder Hole; Jordan Pond and its view of the Bubbles; and the carriage roads, 45 miles of gravel built for horse-drawn traffic and now ideal for cycling.
Is there a waterfall in Acadia?
There are no large waterfalls — this is a coastal park of granite domes and shoreline rather than mountain drainage. Small seasonal cascades run after heavy rain, and Thunder Hole produces the closest thing to a spectacle, where incoming surf compresses into a rock inlet and booms. Time it for a rising tide with swell, or it underwhelms.
Is Acadia National Park worth visiting?
Yes, and it packs an unusual amount into a small area — granite summits, a rocky Atlantic coast, carriage roads and a working harbour town all within a short drive. It is also one of the few major US parks where you can do without a car for much of a visit, thanks to the free Island Explorer shuttle in season.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Acadia National Park
When is the best time to visit Acadia National Park?
August is the highest-scoring month (8/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 14–20°C (9 rainy days). The top three months by score are August, July, September.
What is the worst time to visit Acadia National Park?
January is the lowest-scoring month (3/10, capped by extreme cold). Typical conditions: -8–-1°C (11 rainy days).
Is Acadia National Park too cold in winter?
2 months (January, February) cross our cold deal-breaker (apparent temperature below the cap). Doable with the right gear, but expect the climate score to be held down by the gate.
When are crowds lowest in Acadia National Park?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in November and peaks in July. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Acadia National Park have good weather but fewer tourists?
October (climate 6/10, crowd index 37) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Acadia National Park by month?
UV peaks at 6 (moderate) in July and is lowest in December at 1 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 3, Apr 4, May 5, Jun 5, Jul 6, Aug 5, Sep 4, Oct 3, Nov 1, Dec 1.
What is the UV index in Acadia National Park in July?
July is the peak UV month in Acadia National Park, with a daily-peak UV index of 6 (moderate). Standard sun protection — sunglasses and light SPF — is recommended.
How high can UV get in Acadia National Park on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. June is the worst case: typical days average UV 5 (moderate), but the top 10% of days reach UV 8 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Acadia National Park bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 1 month: June. The worst month is June with a typical-day mean of 9 µg/m³ (fair); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 19 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.