Red canoe on Northeast Creek in October, with red and orange maples reflected in still water, Mount Desert Island

Fall in Acadia, From Seal Harbor

Cool days on the carriage roads, fall color, and long evenings at the fire table and the balcony telescope.

Canoeing Northeast Creek in October, Mount Desert Island

Days on the Carriage Roads

Carriage road beside a pond in fall, with a golden maple and bright red blueberry bushes, Acadia National Park — A Carriage Road in Fall Color, Acadia National Park. Photo: National Park Service

Walk, run or bike straight onto the carriage roads from a trailhead 0.2 miles from the house, and drive onto the Park Loop Road from the Jordan Pond Road entrance a minute away.

The Park Loop Road stays open to cars until December 1, so all of the park’s scenic drives are open through the fall. Fall color on Mount Desert Island usually peaks in October; Maine’s weekly foliage report tracks it as the season moves.

A full rainbow arching over a golden field, a winding road and a barn on Mount Desert Island — A Rainbow Over a Field on Mount Desert Island.

Evenings That Start Earlier

Darkness comes sooner in the fall, which makes the balcony telescope easy to use before anyone’s ready for bed.

Back deck with sectional seating around a propane fire table, forest behind

Upstairs landing opening to the balcony, with a telescope for stargazing

Back of the house with a stone patio, fire pit and outdoor seating

Basement game room with foosball, arcade machines and lounge seating

Living room with a large sectional, built-in shelving and a smart TV

Propane fire table and grill on the deck
Wood fire pit in the backyard
Game room and home gym for rainy days
Lobster pot, plus the name of a local lobsterman who meets guests at the Seal Harbor dock

Late-afternoon sun breaking through clouds over the water, above pink granite ledges, on Mount Desert Island in November — The Granite Shore of Mount Desert Island in Late November.

Fall Events

The island stays lively after Labor Day, with art, races and one very silly November morning.

Dates change from year to year, so check with the organizers before you plan around an event.

Red blueberry bushes and pink granite on a summit, with fall color running down to a harbor, Acadia National Park — Fall Color From a Granite Summit. Photo: National Park Service

Storm waves washing across Sand Beach, seen from the top of the beach stairs on a gray October day — Sand Beach on a Stormy late-October Day

The weekend after Labor Day

Bar Harbor Fine Arts Festival

The second of Bar Harbor’s two summer art shows, with artists set up downtown as the crowds thin out.

Event website: Bar Harbor Chamber

Early October

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest weekend in Southwest Harbor, plus the Island Arts Association’s Oktoberfest craft fair in Bar Harbor.

Event website: Southwest Harbor Chamber

Mid-October

Mount Desert Island Marathon

Thousands of runners take on the island’s roads in peak foliage. The marathon starts in Bar Harbor and the half marathon in Northeast Harbor, and both make for great cheering.

Event website: runmdi.org

Early to mid-November

Pajama Sale and Bed Races

Bar Harbor shops open at 6 a.m. with extra discounts for anyone in pajamas, then decorated beds race down Cottage Street.

Event website: Bar Harbor Chamber

“The house was perfect for our big group! Had everything we needed and more. Loved the location. … Very quiet. Enjoyed the deck with firepit. Would definitely stay again!!!”

Jordan, Gilford, New Hampshire. August 2026, Airbnb