Are you looking for the perfect Acadia Packing list for summer? This guide tells you EXACTLY what to pack and what to wear in Acadia National Park whether you are visiting in June, July, August or September.
Acadia National Park, and Maine more generally, is renowned for it’s changeable weather, even in Summer. But fear not with this guide you will find out:
- What the weather is like in Acadia National Park in Summer
- What to wear in Acadia in summer for hiking, driving and more and
- other travel essentials to pack for Acadia in summer
Note: this packing list is not intended as a camping packing list, instead for those in lodges and hotels who spend their days in the park. If you plan to camp in the national park check out this post.
Summer Weather in Acadia
But before we get into what to wear and travel essentials for Acadia in summer, it is important to know what the weather is going to be like. July tends to be the hottest month in Acadia with average highs of 25C / 77F. But all of the Summer months in Acadia have average highs in the low 20Cs c.70Fs.
However in Yosemite, especially at higher elevations and along the coast you will find it feels cooler especially if you plan on getting into the park for sunrise. Summer is also the driest season to visit Acadia NAtional Park however you can still expect around 7 days of rain each month so it is always worth having some waterproof wear with you.
What to wear in Acadia in Summer
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So now you know about the weather, we will tell you what to wear in Acadia in Summer. Normally when we put together our packing list guides we split them into men, women and children. However for Acadia we recommend a very practical packing list as you will be doing lots of hiking and outdoor activities. For this reason the packing list is universal.
Layers
Layers are the most important thing to add to your Acadia packing list. Everyone knows how changeabe the weather in Mane can be and Acadia is no exception. For this reason we recommend always having top layers with you even on a sunny day.
My favorite top layer for any national park vacation is a lightweight fleece. They are very warm but pack away neatly into your day pack when you aren’t wearing them. They also dry quicker than hoodies for instance if you happen to caught in one of the infamous Acadia showers.
Jacket
Rain is always a risk in Maine so we always add a lightweight rain jacket to all our Maine packing lists. We recommend hvaing a packaway rain jacket that you can easily store in your day pack for when its not raining.
T Shirts
T shirts are my favorite base layer for Acadia no matter what time of year you visit. As the weather can be changeable it is a good idea to have a mix of short sleeve, long sleeve and tank tops with you.
For areas where there are likely to be ticks you may want to stick to long sleeve tees and full length trousers as added proteciton.
Convertible Walking Trousers
Again, any trip to Acadia involves walking, hiking and outdoor time. And as you will be in the park early to late you need to be prepared for a range of weather conditions. For this reason we recommend wearing convertible walking trousers.
This way you can wear them as trousers in the mornings and change them into shorts for later in the day when it gets warmer.
Swimwear
Acadia has two main beaches where people like to swim in Summer. These are:
- Sand Beach and
- Echo Lake Beach.
Sand Beach is one of the most popular spots in the whole of Acadia so expect crowds but also very cold waters. If you fancy you dipping your toes in the water you will want to bring some swimgear with you but we warned the water temperatures are very cold and you should always check for any advisorys issued by the park service about swimming.
Hat
The sun can be strong in Acadia so we recommend having a hat with a wide brim or a baseball cap to protect your eyes.
Hiking Socks
If you plan on wearing hiking boots in the park then you will also need hiking socks.
Best Shoes to wear to Acadia National Park
Having the right shoes can definitely make or break a trip. Now depending on what sort of trails you plan on going to we recommend selecting from the below shoes for your Acadia trip.
Hiking Boots
No matter the national park I am traveling to I always take hiking boots with me. Now if you plan on doing little hiking and sticking to good trails with boardwalks, these might not be necessary. However I like to have them with me for using after rain even on these trails and for hikes that may involve scrambling over rocks.
Sneakers
Sneakers are the best comfortable walking shoes for any vacation. Sneakers are great for boardwalk trails, the lodges and in towns near Acadia.
Hiking Sandals
In hotter weather hiking sandals are a good pick especially on beaches. Our favorite brand of hiking sandals are Tevas.
Other Essentials for your Acadia Packing List for Summer
So now you know what to wear in Acadia and the best Acadia outfits we will turn our attention to other essentials to add to your Acadia Packing List for Summer.
Day pack with rain cover
Days in Acadia are long so you will want a day pack with you. We like Columbia backpacks but this is a personal choice. However it is worth packing a rain cover for your day pack too in case you get caught in a rain storm.
Power Bank
Days are long in Acadia and Maine as a whole is infamous for its’ bad signal. So be sure to have a charged power bank with you to recharge your phone during the day as you will find your battery drains quickly in the park.
Sun protection
The sun is strong in Acadia so be sure to have lots of sun protection with a high SPF with you.
Bug Spray / Insect Repellant
The mosquitos are pretty fierce in Acadia in summer. In fact mosquitos have been known to be called the State Bird of Maine because of their prevalence. So be sure to pack plenty of bug spray and insect repellant. My favorite brand is DEET.
You may also want to consider packing a tick removal kit just in case as there are known to be ticks in the area.
Sunglasses
Again the sun is strong so sunglasses are an essential.
Binoculars
The birdwatching in Acadia National park is amazing. If you want to do any birdwatching during your trip we recommend packing a good pair of travel binoculars.
Reusable Water Bottle and Extra Water
We recommend always having a reuable water bottle and extra water with you for any naitonal park visit especially in Summer.
Coffee Thermos and Mug
Your days start early in Acadia and for me therefore a coffee thermos and mug is absolutely a must pack.
Snacks
Although there are stops in Acadia where you can grab snacks but they are few and far between so we recommend packing ample snacks, food and drinks for your visit.
Cooler and food containers
As the temperatures are hot and you will be taking food into the park so you will want a cooler and food containers with you.
First Aid Kit
Although no one wants to use a first aid kit on vacation, it is a good idea to pack a first aid kit with you on any national park vacation just in case.
Quick Dry Towel
If you plan on doing any water based activities or swimming in Acadia we recommend packing a quick dry towel.
Camera
A camera is a necessity for any visitor to Acadia.
Toilet Paper, Hand Sanitizer and a She wee
The toilets in Acadia outside of the main visitors center are pretty primitive. For this reason we recommend packing toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a she wee with you.
What not to pack for Acadia National Park
So now you know what to pack for Acadia, we will turn our attention to what not to pack.
Drones
Leave the drone at home as these are banned in the park.
Complete Acadia Packing Checklist
- Layers
- T Shirts
- Walking Trousers
- Rain Jacket
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear
- Hiking Boots
- Shoes – either sneakers or hiking sandals
- Backpack and rain cover
- camera
- binoculars
- sun protection
- insect repellant
- quick dry towel
- coffee thermos and mug
- resuable water bottle
- food
- first aid kit
Further National Park Reading
And if you are planning on visiting more national parks then be sure to check our other national park packing lists