Acadia National Park

I want to go on a camping trip for a week at Acadia National Park. When is the "best time" to go for photography? Spring Summer Fall?
Also any tips or suggested places to go would be helpful.
Thank you!
Seth

The crowds leave by Labor Day, so after that. Fall colors may bring more crowds, however.

I would suspect fall colors would be amazing. I enjoyed a summer visit. Be sure to watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mt. Climb a few of the trails. I did one that had re-bar hand grips in the rocks It about killed me, but the view was worth it. Descending the backside was easier.
If you can, take a few days and visit Moosehead Lake. Take a canoe trip to see the moose. Two guide tour places right in town.

Summer is crowded. Spring and Fall are nice but at peak color in the Fall the park is again crowded. In addition to all the "normal" areas (Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Cadillac Mountain, Otter Point) be sure to go to the Seawall Campground area (probably better in the Fall for tidal pool life), Schoodic Peninsula, and Little Hunters Beach. I suggest Colleen Miniuk-Sperry's book "Photographing Acadia National Park: The Essential Guide to When, Where, and How". It gives best time of year, time of day, and tide for each site.

I'd go fall as well, it's got to be the bast time of year for awesome colours.

I was there last year during the week that included Independence Day. Campgrounds were full but we had pretty good isolation in our spot in KOA Woodlands. Traffic to/from the park was a bit heavy, but we were in a Jeep with the top and doors off, so even slow traffic wasn't much of a bother. Traffic in the park wasn't too bad except for the beaches and Cadillac Mountain before sunrise or sunset. Getting in-and-out of, and parking at Bar Harbor for dinner was a chore.

The scenery was nice in the summer, temperatures moderate, and we only had rain one evening (but it was a torrential downpour). But the scenery during the fall would be outstanding.

Oh, forgot to mention the boat tours from Bar Harbor. There are whale tours and puffin tours if you're into wildlife, and island tours. I went to an island and hiked around awhile. Don't recall the name of it. Look for my bulb blower on the rocky shore there. I think that's where I lost it.

Good resource at http://www.acadiamagic​.com/index.html.

Spring is quiet, not too much in the way of crowds since kids are in school. Lots of wildflowers and trees in bloom as well. Having said that the park is within a day drive of a ton of people (supposedly 50 million) so weekends can be busy any time of the year. October is good as well, kids back in school. Foliage peaks around mid-month.

Work your schedule around mid-week as best you can.

My daughter and her family live in Bar Harbor and I have been up there at all times of the year. My favorites are late spring - except the black flies can be terrible. The summer is ok - the weather is usually nice, but can be pretty warm, but it is very crowded. Fall is fantastic and the peak color is usually around Columbus Day, plus or minus a couple of weeks. I have photos I like from every month of the year

In terms of places it is pretty hard to not find something to work with any time of the year. From beautiful sunrises and sunset from atop Cadillac Mt. to harbor shots to the lighthouse to the flowers to .... well you get the idea.

Awesome! Thank you everyone for the help! If you have something to add feel free to do so. Thank you!
Seth

Fall is a great time any where in New England, if you main interest is photographing the fall colors there are web sites with estimated peak times but usually anytime in October will be a safe bet. If your planning on Columbus day weekend make sure you have reservations ahead of time as places fill up early. The Precipice is a nice fall hike there are a couple of beautiful overlooks. The hike is moderate to advanced do to some metal ladders that are embedded in the rock face. these are a couple photos from that trail.