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  • The Ultimate New England Fall Road Trip: A Six-State Foliage Loop (2026)

    I lived in New England for 7 years, which means I experienced 7 autumns. Seven rounds of watching the whole region turn absolutely feral with color for about three weeks and then go quiet for the ...

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    The Ultimate New England Fall Road Trip: A Six-State Foliage Loop (2026)
  • The Girls Trip Guide to Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

    An honest, all-seasons guide from someone who lived there for six months I need to set expectations right up front, because I'd rather you hear this from me than find out at 9:30 on a Saturday ...

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    The Girls Trip Guide to Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park
  • Acadia National Park October Guide: Fall Colors, Weather & What to Pack

    What To Expect In Bar Harbor and Acadia in October - The Real Deal From Someone Who Survived It Okay, friends, let me tell you about October in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. When I say ...

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    Acadia National Park October Guide: Fall Colors, Weather & What to Pack
  • The Bar Harbor Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit

    (2026 Guide From Someone Who Lived There For 6 Months) Bar Harbor, Maine, is one of those places that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go. I've been visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National ...

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    The Bar Harbor Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit

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July 6, 2021

15 Fun Things To Do In Medora, North Dakota

Medora, North Dakota was founded in 1883 and along the transcontinental rail line of the Northern Pacific Railway. While it may be a small town, it has a big history. This kitschy charming town is often considered the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. But what is there to do in Medora, North Dakota?…

July 3, 2021

11 Fun Adventures In North Maine Woods

North Maine Woods is not really like anywhere else I’ve ever been, in a very cool way…

June 29, 2021

One Day In Concord, Massachusetts

This charming town was the home to one of the most famous groups of writers during the 19th century. It was also where one of the most famous battles and the start of the Revolutionary War took place. But what should you do with One Day In Concord, MA?

June 22, 2021

The BEST Spots To Explore In Concord, MA

Concord, Massachusetts was home to one of the most famous groups of writers during the 19th century. While there are many great bookish destinations all over the world, this one tiny nostalgic New England town is wealthier in authors than many others.

June 19, 2021

Theodore Roosevelt National Park: 12 Incredible Adventures

There is a lot more to do then you would expect, but don’t expect many modern conveniences while inside the park. It remains largely as it was when Theodore Roosevelt ranched and hunted here, and that’s rare these days. So, what should you do if you visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?…

June 15, 2021

Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park Worth A Visit?

You don’t really hear much about the National Park in North Dakota, do you? This hidden gem is often bypassed for its bigger counterparts, but find out, Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park worth a visit?…

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Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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Let's be friends! I know e-mails can suck but mine won't and I promise cute pup photos too!

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Recent Posts

  • The Ultimate New England Fall Road Trip: A Six-State Foliage Loop (2026)
  • The Girls Trip Guide to Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park
  • Acadia National Park October Guide: Fall Colors, Weather & What to Pack
  • The Bar Harbor Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit
  • The Complete Guide to the Best Bars in Bar Harbor, Maine

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Acadia National Park October Guide: Fall Colors, Weather & What to Pack

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It’s the most hauntingly beautiful thing in the Ro It’s the most hauntingly beautiful thing in the Rockies and it’s happening right now.

Everyone goes to Moraine Park for rut, and it’s great, and there are 300 cars. This was the top of Trail Ridge Road, above treeline, one bull, his harem, and us.

For about a month every fall, the bulls barely eat or sleep and lose up to a fifth of their body weight holding their cows together and warning off every other bull in earshot. The sound carries for miles.

If you go: Trail Ridge Road closes for the season in mid-to-late October, so the rut window up top is short. 

In Yellowstone, head to Mammoth Village to see the elk (I’m hoping to get back this fall) 

And in Grand Teton, just keeps your eyes open 👁️

🚫 Stay a 75 feet minimum. This is the one month they’re looking for a fight.

✨Save this for your trip to the Rockies from mid-September to early October ✨
105 miles of overlooks on Skyline Drive…gorgeous i 105 miles of overlooks on Skyline Drive…gorgeous in fall! 🍁🍂🍁

I made a joke in a post during National Park week that Shenandoah was really just a great scenic drive. While I WAS joking, I would see the same thing year after year. Every October it’s the same: pull in, take the photo, pull out, repeat. 

What you’re driving past is over 500 miles of trail, and your dog is allowed on all but about 20 of them. After Acadia, it’s got some of the best dog-trail access on the East Coast.

The catch: the two trails you’ve heard of, Dark Hollow Falls and Stony Man, are on the short no-dogs list. So skip them. 

Rose River gets you a waterfall in under four miles, Hawksbill gets you the highest point in the park in 1.5, and both take the dog.

I lived an hour from this park for 5 years, and I’m telling you, while it’s totally ok if you only drive the Skyline Drive, you’re missing out in some of the true beauty of Shenandoah if you don’t take a short hike. 

Peak on the Drive usually runs mid-to-late October, north end first. Go on a weekday. Bring the dog 👌🏻

🍁🍂 Save this for your fall Shenandoah trip 🍂🍁
Last summer, someone visiting for a few days would Last summer, someone visiting for a few days would find out we were on the island for the season and ask the same thing: if I only have time for one trail, which one?

6 months. Same answer every time. And it’s probably not the one you would think. Here’s the thing, Acadia’s most popular trails are phenomenal, and I kind of understand why every single list you see has the same 5 hikes, BUT, personally I don’t like waiting in a line to hike. 

So my answer: 

⛴️⚓️ Ship Harbor - It’s on the quiet side past Southwest Harbor, a 1.3-mile (so perfect for every age and fitness level) figure-eight that starts in spruce forest and opens onto pink granite, tide pools, and the actual Atlantic. No scramble, no reservation, no iron rungs. Flat enough that everyone in your group can do it. Dogs on leash are welcome. Go at low tide if you can swing it, because the tide pools are 👌🏻

✨ Save this for your Acadia trip ✨
Hi, I’m Vanessa. I turned 40 this year (Millennial Hi, I’m Vanessa. I turned 40 this year (Millennial 90’s kid here), I have 3 dogs, and I live in a 40-foot travel trailer named Betty with a man I met in the woods in 2022.

We’ve been full-time on the road since 2023, Idaho is technically home base at the moment, and I’ve been to 22 of the 63 national parks with 41 to go.

What you get here: honest park guides, dog-friendly trails that are actually dog friendly. No hidden gems that turn out to be closed on Tuesdays. No telling you to quit your job.

Mostly I just want you to have a better trip than the one you’d have without me.

Glad you’re here 💚

Tell me where you’re headed next, I probably have opinions 😉
Most people plan Acadia and Bar Harbor in the fall Most people plan Acadia and Bar Harbor in the fall off a blog post written by someone who visited once in July. I know I did on my first trip to the park in fall. 

BUT last year, I stayed on Mount Desert Island for 6 months and watched the whole season happen. The guide is what I’d hand a friend: when the leaves actually turn, (or are predicted to, what’s open and what’s closed after peak foliage, the trails and drives worth doing in October and the ones to skip, where to take the dogs once summer rules lift! 

Not on the blog. Not anywhere else. Acadia & Bar Harbor In Fall the 16 page guide written by someone who has both visited in fall and lived there in fall 🍁🧡🍁

Comment FALL and I’ll send you the link.
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