The 6 Best Towns Near Acadia National Park to Stay In

Acadia National Park is near many beautiful and quaint towns that make perfect base camps for every trip. Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the US and the only national park in New England.

It offers something for everyone, including fun trails, scenic drives, and expansive views from large cliffs. Acadia National Park has a uniqueness not found anywhere else in Maine, making it one of the most visited national parks.

There are many towns near Acadia National Park you can find accommodations, and this guide has everything you need to know to find the best places to stay near Acadia National Park!

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The Best Towns Near Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is arguably the best town near Acadia National Park for any trip. The quaint town sits right outside the national park entrance and has everything you need to make your trip perfect, including a variety of accommodations and restaurants. A seasonal shuttle is available to bring you from Bar Harbor to many of the must-see attractions in Acadia National Park, so you don’t have to worry about parking and traffic.

Because Bar Harbor is the closest town to Acadia National Park, some accommodations are expensive. The closer you stay to downtown Bar Harbor, the more you will pay. But there are plenty of budget-friendly options a little further away from the downtown area. If you want to stay in the closest town near Acadia National Park and have everything at your fingertips, Bar Harbor is the perfect place!

Places to Stay in Bar Harbor:

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Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor is, in my opinion, the second-best town near Acadia National Park to find accommodations. Although it is further from the main park entrance and on the other side of the island, it has a shuttle that can bring you into the park. It is also home to many lesser-known beautiful attractions.

Southwest Harbor rivals the beauty of Bar Harbor but receives far less attention, which is perfect if you are looking for a quieter stay. Although it is a smaller town, it still offers a variety of accommodations and restaurants to make your stay perfect! If you want to stay in a quiet town near Acadia National Park which is still near many of the must-see attractions, Southwest Harbor is perfect!

Places to Stay in Southwest Harbor:

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Northeast Harbor

Northeast Harbor is a quaint town near Acadia National Park and is close to many must-see attractions and iconic scenic drives. It is tucked in a corner on Mount Desert Island and offers a variety of accommodations and restaurants.

Northeast Harbor is not too far from the scenic drive and must-see attractions and is near many beautiful trails on this section of the island. If you don’t feel like driving, the park shuttle is also available here to take you into the park!

Northeast Harbor is also home to the Sea Princess scenic nature cruises, where you can see beautiful views and seals. Northeast Harbor is the perfect town near Acadia National Park if you want a quiet getaway.

Places to Stay in Northeast Harbor:

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Ellsworth

Ellsworth is one of the largest cities near Acadia National Park and has so much to offer, including many things to do, accommodations, and restaurants. Ellsworth is not on Mount Desert Island but is only a short drive from the park entrance. Since Acadia National Park is among the most-visited national parks in the US, Mount Desert Island and its towns can become overcrowded. Ellsworth is a great place to stay to get away from the craziness of the island without being too far from Acadia National Park.

If you stay in Ellsworth for your Acadia National Park trip, I recommend leaving early each morning to drive into the park because the park entrance can become very crowded. If you are looking for a place to stay near Acadia National Park, off the island, Ellsworth is perfect for you!

Places to Stay in Ellsworth:

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Trenton

Trenton is the first town off of Mount Desert Island and is a perfect place to stay if you are visiting Acadia National Park. It is a quaint town that doesn’t offer a lot of amenities but still has a handful of accommodations and restaurants for your trip.

Since it is the first town off of the island, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park are only a quick drive. The park shuttle also comes into Trenton, so you can get a ride into the park if you do not want to drive. If you want to stay in a quaint town near Acadia National Park, off Mount Desert Island, Trenton is a great option!

Places to Stay in Trenton:

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Bangor

Bangor is the largest city near Acadia National Park and has everything you need for a trip, including many attractions, accommodations, and restaurants. It is the furthest place to stay on this list (over an hour away) but a great option if you want to be in a large city.

There is also an international airport in Bangor that you can fly to if needed, which is closer than Boston Logan Airport. Bangor is a great place to stay if you want to visit Acadia National Park and explore other areas in Maine!

Places to Stay in Bangor:

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This guide is a perfect starting place if you are looking for the best towns near Acadia National Park! It has everything you need to know to find the best places to stay near Acadia National Park for your trip!