Acadia national park camping trip, thoughts?

Planning now for a trip to the Maine coast some time this year. I have several questions.

First is timing. Schedule limitations leave me with the choice of early June, mid July, or early August. How cold would it be in June? I wouldn't expect to swim, more of shorts vs jeans, how heavy a sleeping bag, and will things be green again yet?

Second is what to do? There is a lot of sightseeing, but what else? Will I want to take my kayaks?

Lastly is the matter of what car and how to pack out said car, but that can wait.

Thank you.

We went late August and it was mild, but not hot. We loved it. Took a ride on an old lobster sail boat, and hiked a lot. Did part of "the beehive", but I chickened out. I loved it there.

Depending on where you are from will be the deciding factor on shorts. If from the south you should bring jeans. Temps can range from the 60s to may be low 80s on a hot day in June, a bit more in July and August. Guessing 50s at night again a bit warmer in July and Aug.

Kayak, yes, you can also bike the carriage roads. Things will be green by June.

Went twice, camped in my class b in a tent site the first time it was great. 2nd time did a car and moteled it, really crappy motel, sea view I think, avoid! Check trip advisor and sort by lowest reviews as some one is creating fake reviews to bury the bad ones.

There is a short easy hike at low tide where you walk out to an island, it's nice, park on the road, the tide can come in fast.

There is a classic car place in the area with a weird custom building, I will dig up the name(Edit: www.motocar-antique-auto.com End Edit), worth a stop to check them for an hour on your way there or home.

Steve.

I was up there for 2 days this last summer. That was definitely not enough time. Maybe next time we will go for a week. Campgrounds where nice and clean, despite the no-reservation thing.

I was up there in early June last year. It was cold, and I'm from NY state, so I'm basing this assessment on an intimate personal knowledge of cold. I had to buy extra clothes at LL Bean (not a bad thing). The water was frigid. Great time to go, though, as it's not nearly as crowded - and it will get crowded later in the season.

I recommend you spend some time over on the Schoodic Peninsula. It's part of the park, but not contiguous, slightly further east. It's even less crowded. This shot was taken over there:

FWIW, I stayed in a totally off-the-grid B&B 75ft from the ocean that was absolutely fantastic and is not far from Acadia. PM me if you want details.

It's a good thing you don't plan to swim. I was there about 20 years ago in early August and the water temp was 54 degrees F.

I was there a few weeks ago, definitely a lot of hiking, biking, kayaking, sightseeing if that is what you are into.

In reply to 02Pilot:

I'm a CNY resident myself and consider shorts in the mid 60's. I was in in Portland and Salem last June and last year was colder than my previous trips to New England.

My issues with bringing bikes/kayaks is I have one of each, but SWMBO has neither. My bike is a 700mm ss/fixie, I'm not sure how smooth/steep the roads/paths are. Lastly is bringing them. We are likely to make the trip in my civic, and my only carrying device is cheap universal roof bars that can barely stay on for 40 miles, let alone be trusted for 600+.

Reviewing things, May before Memorial Day is also an option. I'm ok with cold as long as the snow has melted and stays above freezing at night.

Snow should be gone, but remember that you'll be right next to an enormous body of frigid water. Think damp and chilled-to-the-bone rather than frostbite sort of cold.

Hey I grew up the next island down from there!, PM me any questions and ill answer to the best of my ability, most of what MDI/Bar harbor has been described so far (BUG SPRAY if you plan on camping, Maine mosquitos are no joke) and ironically I'm taking SWMBO up there for the first time in june as well.

So, Maine mosquitos, would a screen room be recommended over a canopy?

http://www.sealcoveautomuseum.org http://owlshead.org

So it looks to be on for the second weekend of June. Show up Friday the tenth for 4 nights.

Full itinerary so far is leave after work Thursday, crash with friend in Massachusetts for the night, and the 4 of us head up Friday morning. Leave Tuesday and power home the 10 hour drive.

Reservations have been made, June 10-14.