United States, North America

Acadia in September

Summer crowds gone after Labor Day, and some of the clearest weather of the year. The Acadia Night Sky Festival takes place in September.

BestCrisp, highs near 68F (20C), clear days

Acadia National Park, United States — AcadiaPhoto: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Acadia. Summer crowds gone after Labor Day, and some of the clearest weather of the year. The Acadia Night Sky Festival takes place in September.

Weather: Crisp, highs near 68F (20C), clear days
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What September is like in Acadia

September is Acadia at its best. Highs are near 68F (20C), mornings are crisp, and the month brings some of the clearest weather of the year. After Labor Day, summer crowds leave, though prices stay fairly high. Businesses and the Island Explorer bus are still running, and late in the month the first fall color appears.

September suits nearly everyone: couples, retirees, hikers and homeschool families who can travel midweek. Families tied to school calendars can still come for Labor Day weekend. If peak foliage is the goal, plan for the first half of October instead, and expect more people.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Acadia this month.

Acadia Night Sky Festival

Several days in September bring star parties, talks and night programs celebrating the park's dark skies.

Clear views from Cadillac

Crisp, dry air often gives long views from the summit over Frenchman Bay and the islands.

First fall color

Late in the month, the maples and birches start to turn against the granite and sea.

What to pack for September

A warm jacket and hat for chilly sunrises and night sky programs
A headlamp with a red light for stargazing
Layers for cool mornings and mild afternoons
Comfortable hiking shoes for granite trails

Our timing tip

Go midweek in the second half of September for crisp weather, open businesses and far fewer people than October weekends.

Book Acadia for September.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Acadia
Opens a hotel search for Acadia in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for September
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Acadia
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Acadia
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Acadia for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in September

New England fall foliage

Late September through mid October, peak usually the first half of October

Acadia's maples, birches, and oaks against the granite and sea are one of the region's best color shows.

Acadia Night Sky Festival

Several days in September

Star parties, talks, and night programs celebrating Acadia's dark skies.

Things to do in Acadia

Full guide

Cadillac Mountain sunrise

A vehicle reservation is required to drive the summit road from late May to late October. Or hike up in the dark on the North or South Ridge trails.

Tickets and tours →

Park Loop Road

A 27-mile scenic drive past Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff. Closed to cars from December 1 to mid April.

Tickets and tours →

Jordan Pond and Jordan Pond House

Walk the shoreline loop, then have popovers on the lawn, a tradition since the late 1800s. The restaurant is seasonal.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Carriage roads

Rent bikes in Bar Harbor or walk from Jordan Pond. Some routes close during spring thaw to prevent damage.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beehive and Precipice trails

Iron-rung cliff climbs for confident hikers. Precipice often closes in spring and summer for nesting peregrine falcons.

Tickets and tours →

Schoodic Peninsula

The park's quieter mainland section, an hour's drive from Bar Harbor, with a loop road and wave-battered granite.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Take the free Island Explorer bus in season instead of hunting for parking at Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, or trailheads.
Book Cadillac Summit Road reservations as soon as they are released for your dates; sunrise slots go first.
Explore the Quiet Side around Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor, or the Schoodic Peninsula, when Bar Harbor is crowded.
Visit midweek in late September for crisp weather, open businesses, and far fewer people than the October foliage weekends.

Know before you go

Most of the Park Loop Road and the Cadillac Summit Road close to vehicles from December 1 to April 14; short sections stay open for winter access.
A vehicle reservation is required to drive the Cadillac Summit Road from late May to late October. Reservations are sold online, not at the park.
Bar Harbor and the island's restaurants, shops, and inns are largely seasonal, with many opening in May and closing after Columbus Day in October.
The Island Explorer free bus system runs seasonally, typically from late June into mid October. Check the current schedule.

Acadia in September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Acadia?

What is the weather like in Acadia in September?

Crisp, highs near 68F (20C), clear days.

Is Acadia crowded in September?

Crowds in Acadia are moderate in September; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Acadia in September?

New England fall foliage (late september through mid october, peak usually the first half of october); Acadia Night Sky Festival (several days in september).