How to elope in Acadia National Park: the complete guide
They asked, you said yes, and now you’re ready to tie the knot in Acadia National Park! Before you run off to the rocky coast, let’s talk about all the details! Did you know Acadia boasts over 3.5 million visitors a year? It’s true! It’s easy to see why it sits in the top 1o most-visited parks in the country with 27 miles of historic roadway, over 150 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of original carriage roads. The park aims to protect the natural and beautiful rocky headlands of the Atlantic coast (the highest in the United States!), an abundance of habitats ranging from coastal to old-growth forest, and rich cultural history. Acadia is probably best known for its abundance of puffins all along the coastline, as well as the whales that can often be seen on the ranger-led tours of the harbors and beyond. Visitors often come for the stunning fall colors of the northeast and let me tell ya, it really is absolutely gorgeous! There’s 47,000 acres of land to explore across the park, which means there’s virtually endless opportunities for elopements all over!
Click the photos for links to the original posters, vendors, and venues.
An Overview of Acadia National Park
Climate & weather:
Summer in the park ranges from 45-90 degrees and fall from 30-70 degrees (the two most popular seasons), so be sure to check the forecast for changes! After dusk and before dawn can get pretty chilly up on the mountains, so a coat and a rain jacket for the fog aren’t a bad idea. The first snowfall is usually early November, and can continue all the way through April with an average of 73” of snow a year! Park Loop Road is closed in the winter, but the carriage trails are open and perfect for skiing or snowshoeing in!
Peak season:
Peak season in Acadia is July and August, but fall foliage really peaks in early- to mid-October. The peak weeks for foliage can vary though, so keep an eye on changes and alerts from the park. Contacting the rangers can help give you an idea of what to expect! The last five years have seen peak foliage between October 8 and October 21.
Airports, travel & getting around:
The town of Bar Harbor, Maine, is the closest and most accessible town to Acadia National Park. If you’re flying in, landing at the Bar Harbor Airport in Hancock County will get you the closest. Bar Harbor is home to a ton of shops geared towards antiquers, artists, nature enthusiasts, and those with a love of the Northeast and the New England coastline. Lobster shacks are in no short supply up here on the coast, and for good reason — there’s few better places in the world to find and eat a better fresh lobster than in Maine. Cars are easy to rent, and Acadia is very vehicle-friendly. If you’re adventuring in the winter, consider snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing through the old carriage trails in the park!
As of 2021, the NPS is issuing a vehicle registration for Cadillac Summit Road: “Starting April 1 at 10am, vehicle registrations are available for purchase at Recreation.gov for Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset from May 26 to October 19. Vehicle registrations are not required for any other areas of the park, or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bike, or taxi.” If you’re planning to hike Cadillac Mountain, you’re golden. If you’re trying to drive up it, try to purchase a pass. When in doubt, contact the rangers at the park.
Safety information:
The greatest risk to campers and hikers in Acadia probably isn’t what you might think, since it isn’t bears or wolves or moose — it’s actually ticks! Bears and moose are rarely seen by people out on the trails. Ticks, on the other hand, can carry Lyme Disease and a host of other health problems. Always check your gear, your clothes, and your body (including warm places like armpits and your groin, as well as your head and scalp) for ticks when you stop for a break and especially when you get home or to your campsite, and know how to probably remove them if you do find one on you.
Entry fees:
When you enter the park, you can purchase a $30 pass that’s good for the park for seven days, or purchase a National Park Pass. The National Park Pass (it’s official name is The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass) grants you access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites including national parks, wildlife refuges, some standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These passes are good for one vehicle.
The Annual Pass: $80; Available to everyone; Can purchase online from the USGS store or at most national parks.
The Military Pass: NO COST; Available to all current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Gaurd, Space Force, and all Reserve and National Gaurd members, as well as US military veterans and Gold Star Family members; you’ll need to show a Common Access Card (CAC), or Military ID or exchange a Gold Star Voucher to get one of these.
Senior Pass: $80 for a Lifetime Pass, $20 for an Annual Pass; Available to US citizens or permanent residents 62 years or older, with valid proof of residency and age (a driver’s license will do); Can purchase in person, online from the USGS store, or by mail using an application form.
Access Pass: NO COST; Available to US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities with documentation of disability; Can purchase in person, online from the USGS store, or by mail using an application form.
Volunteer Pass: NO COST; Available to volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program; Can obtain this pass by contacting your volunteer coordinator for more information.
How to elope in Acadia National Park
Obtaining a permit:
There’s a non-refundable $50 fee that goes with the application to elope in the park. Some park offices don’t always work the fastest (they’re busy people!), so make sure you submit your application with plenty of time. Most parks say to give about two months or more to make sure you’re approved both for the permit and for the location you want to get married in, so don’t wait to reach out to them! Once you’ve been approved, you’re asked to sign a regulating permit saying you’ll abide by the park’s wedding rules. You have to carry your permits into the park. Make sure you have an entrance pass as well, as they aren’t waived for you or your guests! Some locations have been designated for weddings, but they usually have a limit to the group size, so make sure you check those numbers. There are some circumstances where you might not need a permit (such as a backcountry wedding), but it’s best to reach out to the rangers to check.
Getting a marriage license in Maine:
If you live in Maine, you need to apply for your marriage license in the town or city where you live. The license is valid in any community in Maine for 3 months (up to 90 days) from the date the intentions are filed. If you live in different cities but still in Maine, just apply in one of the cities you live in. If you’re an out-of-state resident, you can apply in any town or city in Maine, and the license is valid for a ceremony performed anywhere in Maine for up to 90 days from the date of filing. Most couples traveling in get their license in Bar Harbor.
A note on officiants:
Since each state has different rules on who can marry you, let’s talk for a minute about Maine. There are five different kinds of people who can legally marry you: Ordained ministers of the gospel; a person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary, or ecclesiastical body; judges or justices (but only if you’re a resident of Maine); lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar (but only if you’re a resident of Maine); and Maine Notaries. If you have any questions about this, it’s best to contact the office of the county you’ll be getting married in and make sure you’ll all good to go.
Vendors near Acadia National Park
CLO.FLORAL
BAD RABBIT FLOWERS
Best locations in Acadia National Park
Remember that some locations require special permits! Make sure to check with the park to see if there’s any requirements or considerations you need to know about.
ISLE AU HAUT
VisitMaine’s website says it best: “For half the year, this mammoth mountain is home to the first rays of daylight to touch the US, and the perfect place to catch the sunrise year-round.” Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast! If you’re up for an adventure, a sunrise winter wedding here would be absolutely incredible. If you’re going to be there May-October, vehicle reservations are required.
SCHOODIC POINT
This is the only part of the park found on the mainland! If you’re looking for the same feel as a place like Mount Desert Island but without the crowds, the Schoodic coast is the area for you. If the weather’s clear, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean, tall forests, and the surrounding mountains. This really is one of the most beautiful views in all the park, and maybe my favorite.
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
The only way to get to the island is by a passenger ferry from Stonington to Isle au Haut Town Landing. There’s a few primitive campsites on the island. There’s a few paved and rough roads available if you’re into mountain biking, since you can’t ferry any vehicles there. There’s a lighthouse, 18 miles of hiking, and surrounding rocky tree-clad coast that are absolutely perfect for a private ceremony. It’s a beautiful place for a wedding!
OTTER CLIFF
There’s no view quite as iconic as Otter Cliff (except the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, which you should totally visit!). The cliff stands as 110 feet at the end of Ocean Path. It’s a super popular place with climbers, but if that’s not your thing, no worries — the rocky coast and a small cove is perfect for a seaside elopement. The early light here is just amazing, so plan for dawn or dusk to really capture the beauty.
Enjoying the rest of Acadia National Park
What to pack:
While this is hugely dependent on the season you’re traveling in, a few things remain the same about the park year-round! Sturdy hiking boots or sandals with strong grips (like Tevas or Chacos) are important, as well as bringing a few layers to change in to! In the summer, you might be able to go swimming in the heat, but could get cold in the wind at dusk. During cooler months, you can keep yourself toasty with fleece, vests, gloves, and hats. Remember that your packing list varies depending on what you want to do in the area — do you want to snowshoe, or swim on a private beach? Two very different activities, with two totally different sets of clothing needs. Pack lots of layers, and don’t forget rain gear!
Always bring a map! While apps like AllTrails are great, your phone could die or you could drop it in a puddle and poof — there go your maps. Paper maps are still a thing, I promise.
Be prepared with the bug trifecta: the right clothes, bug repellant, and something to treat bug bites. If you can stand it in the summer, pants will help shield you from ticks, black flies, and mosquitos. The same goes for long-sleeved shirts (you can even find some with SPF!).
Remember that sunburns can happen even on cloudy days, and especially on snowy (but sunny) days. Protect that beautiful skin of yours.
What to pack for your elopement:
You wouldn’t forget your dress or your suit (hopefully), but what about all the other little things? Here’s a short list of extras you might be forgetting:
A way to transport your ceremony clothing (whether by wearing it on a hike, packing it in a backpack, or just using garment bags)
Your rings! (A pretty important part, tbh.)
Vow books, clothing accessories (ties, cufflinks, belts, safety pins, stain remover), jewelry, perfume and deodorant, letters to each other, small trinkets, and anything else you plan on including during your elopement.
All of your legal documents, including park entrance passes, park wedding permits, IDs, and your marriage license (you’ll also need your passports if you’re coming from out of the country).
Where to stay:
MOSELEY COTTAGE INN & TOWN MOTEL
THE SALTAIR INN, BAR HARBOR
THE BAR HARBOR GRAND HOTEL
What else to do around Acadia National Park:
Hike the Precipice Trail for a challenge, or the Ocean Path for something easier — both have the iconic rocky New England coastline Acadia is known for boasting. Visit Thunder Hole an hour or so before high tide — it’s best on a day that isn’t too calm or you won’t get to hear the thunderous clap of the waves on the rocks. A fan-favorite is the boat tour: explore a ton of cruise options including visiting the lighthouse, puffins, or a view of the coast at sunset with Acadian Boat Tours or Bass Harbor Cruises. If you’re looking to get out of the park for a day and return to civilization, visit historic Bar Harbor! Truly one of the cutest little towns in America. Speaking of Bar Harbor, why not visit the iconic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on the coast for the day?
