Acadia National Park stargazing and Milky Way guide
Acadia National Park has some of the darkest skies on the East Coast, with granite cliffs, ocean views and lighthouses for foreground. This guide covers the best spots for stargazing and Milky Way photography, the best nights in 2027, and what to know before you go.
Best places to see the Milky Way in Acadia
Cadillac Mountain
The highest point on Mount Desert Island, with open views in every direction. Driving up the summit road needs a vehicle reservation in season (see the tips below).
Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs
On the Park Loop Road, with the ocean and granite cliffs as foreground and open sky to the south.
Bass Harbor Head Light
A lighthouse on the rocks on the quieter west side of the island. A short walk from the parking area.
Schoodic Peninsula
The mainland part of the park across the bay. Fewer people and darker skies than Mount Desert Island.
Best time to see the Milky Way in Acadia in 2027
"Best nights" are runs of nights with at least an hour of the Milky Way's core in a fully dark sky with no Moon. "Best window" is the month's single best night. Each date is the evening the night begins, and times are Eastern Time, with daylight saving. For other dates and the cloud forecast, use the planner, set to Acadia.
| Month | New moon | Best nights | Best window |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Mar 8 | Under an hour | Mar 16: 4:20 am to 5:02 am 42 min |
| April | Apr 6 | Apr 1 to 13; Apr 29 to May 13 | Apr 30: 1:24 am to 3:02 am 1 h 38 min |
| May | May 6 | Apr 29 to May 13; May 26 to Jun 12 | May 31: 11:22 pm to 2:24 am 3 h 2 min |
| June | Jun 4 | May 26 to Jun 12; Jun 25 to Jul 11 | Jun 6: 10:58 pm to 2:24 am 3 h 26 min |
| July | Jul 3 | Jun 25 to Jul 11; Jul 26 to Aug 7 | Jul 1: 10:46 pm to 1:56 am 3 h 10 min |
| August | Aug 2, Aug 31 | Jul 26 to Aug 7; Aug 24 to Sep 1 | Aug 1: 10:00 pm to 11:54 pm 1 h 54 min |
| September | Sep 29 | Aug 24 to Sep 1 | Sep 1: 8:54 pm to 9:52 pm 58 min |
Tips for stargazing in Acadia
- The Milky Way's core stays low here, reaching only about 17° above the southern horizon. Find a spot with an open view south over the ocean, away from Bar Harbor on the island's northeast side.
- In 2026 driving Cadillac Mountain's summit road needed a vehicle reservation from May 20 to October 25, on top of a park pass. Rules can change, so check nps.gov/acad before you go.
- Coastal fog and dew are common. Bring a lens warmer and check the cloud forecast in the planner.
- Granite ledges are slippery when wet, and tides cover some rocks. Scout in daylight and bring a headlamp with a red light.
Prints from Acadia
Photographed by Nicholas O'Toole. Every print is made to order on Kodak lustre paper and ships boxed.
Acadia stargazing FAQ
When is the best time to see the Milky Way in Acadia?
In 2027 the Milky Way's core is up in a dark, moonless sky in Acadia from early March to early September. The longest windows are in May, June and July, around the new moon. The single best night is June 6, from 10:58 pm to 2:24 am.
Is Acadia a Dark Sky Park?
No, Acadia isn't a certified International Dark Sky Park. The park works to protect its night sky, though, and spots like the Schoodic Peninsula are among the darkest on the East Coast.
Where is the darkest place in Acadia?
The Schoodic Peninsula and the quiet west side of Mount Desert Island are darker than the area around Bar Harbor. Any spot with an open view south over the ocean works well for the Milky Way.