Acadia Fall Foliage Guide

Acadia National Park is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but fall is especially special. As the leaves change color, the park is transformed into a vibrant wonderland. If you’re planning an elopement in Acadia, or just want to enjoy the fall foliage, here’s everything you need to know! This guide breaks down the best time to see Acadia National Park fall foliage including where to see it and how to take the best photos of it!

Are you looking for an Acadia National Park photographer? Learn more about us here!

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When is the best time to see fall foliage in Acadia?

There is something New Englanders call “peak week” when the foliage is at its best and brightest for one week before the leaves start to fall and the colors get crunchy. Peak week ranges depending on the year and the area in New England you are visiting, with the coast seeing peak week later in the season. 

In general, the best weeks to see peak fall colors and foliage in Acadia National Park is in the first two to three weeks of October (generally between October 10-20 is when it's best). You can still see fall colors before and after those dates, but in general, that is when the fall foliage colors are at their best and brightest in the park!

If you want to check the status of fall foliage in Maine, you can check out these super handy projected fall foliage maps.

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Where to see the best fall foliage in Acadia?

There are so many amazing places you can see the fall colors in Acadia, but here are a few of my personal favorites. 

• Sieur De Monts Trail
• The Bubbles
• Otter Cliff Overlook
• The Carriage Roads
• Jordan Pond
• Cadillac Mountain

Anywhere that you can find an overlook of the park or immerse yourself in a forest of deciduous trees, you’ll get to experience the fall magic Acadia has to offer!

If you're looking to plan a fall elopement in Acadia, check out this blog post outlining how to elope in Acadia or this one about wedding locations in the park!

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How to get the best photos of fall colors in Acadia?

If you’re planning a fall elopement in Acadia and what to make sure your photographer captures every second, here are a few tips! 

Also, if you’re looking for an elopement photographer, hey! We spend September and October every year in Acadia capturing intimate weddings in epic locations around the park. To learn more about us, head here!

Tips for Getting Photos of the Best Fall Colors in Acadia

1. Get up early. Although waking up early is not everyone's favorite thing to do, it ensures the park is at it’s quietest so you can explore top locations free of other visitors. 
2. Visit multiple locations in the park. Each area of Acadia offers incredible views and amazing diversity! From beautiful forests to cliffs next to the ocean showcasing the mosaic of fall colors throughout the park. You can start your day with a sunrise hike, followed by kayaking through one of the ponds Acadia is home to, then wander through forests exploding with orange, red, and yellow, and end your day on oceanside cliffs with a view of the fall foliage covered mountains. 
3. Include activities you love to do! Images look best when you’re doing what you love. So on your wedding day, include activities that you love to do together to avoid the day feeling like an all out photoshoot. And who doesn’t want epic adventure wedding photos in the fall??

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Enjoy the Magic of Fall Colors in Acadia

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Acadia National Park. The leaves change color and the park is transformed into a vibrant wonderland. If you're planning an elopement in Acadia, or just want to enjoy the fall foliage, be sure to visit during the peak season of October. With its stunning scenery and abundance of activities, Acadia is the perfect place to experience the beauty of fall.

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Kelsey & Keith's Fall Elopement in Acadia

Kelsey and Keith has a beautiful fall elopement in Acadia National Park. When they first reached out to us about their elopement, they explained "we spend our lives catering to others and this time, we want to cater to us... an intimate ceremony to focus on us, our love, and the views of course". Their Acadia National Park fall foliage elopement was a chance for them to step away from the demands of everyday life and commit to each other in a way that felt authentic and meaningful to them.

They started at sunrise in Acadia National Park and headed to the rocky cliffs of Ocean Drive for a private first look. As the sun rose over the ocean, they saw each other for the first time in their wedding attire and shared a few quiet moments before moving on to their ceremony site. Located on a secluded outcropping of cliffs, Kelsey and Keith's ceremony was a truly special and intimate experience. The two hiked down a short trail lined with fall foliage before seeing their ceremony site for the first time. With the natural beauty of Acadia National Park surrounding them, they exchanged rings and said their vows before popping champagne and signing their marriage license. After their ceremony, Kelsey and Keith traveled deeper into the park to explore the forest during peak foliage.

From Kelsey & Keith

"One of the most amazing capstones to our elopement was having Bridget and Ryan capture the entire experience. The mix between professionalism and fun was a perfect balance. Genuinely one of the best moments of our lives, and they were able to add a touch of beauty that was absolutely unimaginable to either of us. Absolutely stunned by the beauty they were able to create out of our special day. Do yourself a favor and if your looking for the perfect photographer, look no further, book Bridget, relax and let the good times roll."

Fall Elopement in Acadia National Park Foliage