🌲 Around Boston | Acadia National Park Independent Travel 🥾⛺️

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group: 2 Adults + 2 Elderly + 2 Kids (4 years old & 1.5 years old) 🗓 Itinerary: 4 Days & 3 Nights 🏕 Accommodation: Acadia Wilderness Lodge (Yurt) 🚗 Transportation: Self-driving from Boston (≈5-hour drive) 🗓 Day 1 | Departure ➡ Arrival + Camp Experience We set off from Boston in the morning. Around lunchtime, we made a stop at Portland Head Light Park and grabbed food from the popular food truck Bite into Maine 🍽. In the afternoon, we arrived at the yurt camp near Acadia ⛺️. ✅ The yurt has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, air conditioning, and a kitchen—plus a skylight perfect for stargazing at night ✨. ✅ It was the kids’ first time staying in a yurt, and they loved it way more than a hotel. They called it their “secret base in the forest”! In the evening, we built a fire near the camp to roast marshmallows and even set off fireworks (which aren’t allowed in Massachusetts—shhh!). The kids were over the moon 🎇. We brought our own ingredients for grilling, but if you need to restock, Hannaford (a local grocery store) is nearby. 🗓 Day 2 | Cadillac Mountain Summit + Ocean Path ☀️ We headed to Cadillac Mountain Summit in the morning (reservation required)—it’s Acadia’s iconic viewpoint, and the views didn’t disappoint! 🍽 Lunch: We ate at Two Cats (highly recommend their blueberry pancakes—fluffy and sweet with fresh Maine blueberries!). After lunch, we drove to Ocean Path. We hiked from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole, a total of about 3.5 km. The trail is flat and easy to walk on—even a stroller can handle it! 📸 Check-in Spots: Sand Beach: A cozy coastal spot with soft sand. Thunder Hole: Listen to the “boom” of waves crashing against the rocks—it’s why it’s called “Thunder Hole”! 🌃 We went back to the yurt camp to cook and relax. The kids had a blast petting the cats and playing with the chickens around the camp. 🗓 Day 3 | Jordan Pond Easy Hike + Jesup Path 🌄 We woke up early and headed to Jordan Pond. We hiked the ~3-mile loop around the pond—gentle and scenic, great for the whole family. 🍽 Lunch & Snacks: We drove back to Bar Harbor and checked out local favorites: Maine Chick 🍗: Delicious fried chicken with classic Southern vibes. Graffiti Donuts 🍩: Colorful, creative donuts that the kids went crazy for. Jordan Pond Ice Cream & Fudge 🍦: Creamy ice cream (try the blueberry flavor!) and rich fudge—perfect for a sweet treat In the afternoon, we visited Wild Gardens of Acadia and Jesup Path. The boardwalk trail here is easy to walk and super photogenic—every corner is a great photo op 📸. In the evening, we returned to the camp. Before it got dark, we also stopped by the small Charlotte Rhoades Butterfly Park—the kids loved spotting butterflies fluttering around. 🗓 Day 4 | Southwest Harbor + Return Trip We visited Southwest Harbor—a quiet coastal port with few crowds and stunning views (so many great photos!). On our way back to Boston, we stopped to buy famous sea urchin from ISF Trading—a perfect way to end the trip. 🌟 Tips for Families If your family wants to try camping but isn’t ready for a tent, a yurt is a great choice—the kids will absolutely love it! Parking is hard to find at most attractions. Consider taking the park shuttle bus to save time and stress. Cell service is terrible in the park. If your group splits up, walkie-talkies will be a lifesaver! #EasternUSTravelGuide #Boston #AcadiaGuide #Yurt #Maine #FamilyTravel