Trip to Maine from Colorado

[TS_Breezes]

We have visited Acadia many times as it is our favorite Nat’l park in the East. Try to stay there for longer than a week if you can.
Jordan Pond restaurant is famous for its fresh popovers with strawberry jam. We would ride our bikes there. They serve meals and an afternoon tea on the lawn.
Kayaking tours - great
Hiking trails are plentiful with different levels of skill - the water in the streams and lakes is crystal clear and the rocks are colorful. Loons making their mournful calls on Eagle Lake - fantastic.
Breakfast at “Two Cats” in Bar Harbor - sublime.
On the drive north to Acadia (route 1)we stayed at The Moorings CG in Belfast ME. Very nice. Nearby is Young’s lobster pound where you can see the lobsters in huge containers. They will cook them for you.
One more point, the crowds die down in September and it gets cold in late October. Not all stores in Bar Harbor will remain open into mid October.

[powerscol]

It is hard to reserve when we don't have a definite time plan. Retired and don't want to be stuck with having to rush from place to place. We haven't decided what to see on the way out or back.

Along the I70 corridor there are tones of private, state, county and local campgrounds so don't worry about reservations. Do a bit of exploring on the side roads too. Now somewhere along I 70 in Nebraska I think is a HUGE Caballas store with free camping. It is a very dangerous place to visit - leave wallet in trailer

[DougW9876]

Another place to stop is the Iowa 80 truck stop. A very large truck stop which has an area set aside for RV’s with overnight dry parking if you so desire. The truck stop is a fun place just to stop and wander around and look things over.

[colo native]

Along the I70 corridor there are tones of private, state, county and local campgrounds so don't worry about reservations. Do a bit of exploring on the side roads too. Now somewhere along I 70 in Nebraska I think is a HUGE Caballas store with free camping. It is a very dangerous place to visit - leave wallet in trailer

I know about Cabela's it is off I 80.

[powerscol]

I know about Cabela's it is off I 80.

Better take I70 then

[TS_Breezes]

Off topic as far as directions -
But my brother-in-law from Maine just sent me this link to a news story about loons. Very cool!

https://bangordailynews.com/2019/08/...e-sounds-like/

[undermills]

I am planning a 2020 fall trip from Colorado to Maine, with stops at Rv Hall of Fame and Museum, maybe a GD factory tour, Niagara Falls, Cooperstown, Hyde Park NY, Lincolns grave site, Acadia. I really don't want to do the tolls but if I have to I will(would like to spend money on other things). Should I get an EZ pass? or do I take I70 instead of I80? Any suggestions for other stops? I am thinking this is a month or so trip. I am open to everybody's wisdom. Thanks

Agree that 90 is best bet for Niagra to New England, but you could look into 88/86 in NY - takes you south a bit, but scenic and no tolls. We take it when we travel from NH toward the midwest. There are a few sections where the road isn't in the best condition (not sure we have found a state where they are), but overall it is a very pleasant alternative to the Thruway.

[dannysdaddy]

You almost can't avoid tolls sadly. I-70 will get you from west of Lawrence KS to KC. Or I-80 around Chicago into Indiana. Having driven both ways from the Springs, and back, I prefer I-70 because barbecue. Both interstates take about the same time, and you can see weather on either in the fall.

Get any of the EZ Pass transponders you can. It's easy to do and saves you money. The I-Pass came in a small foil bag so I can take it down and make sure it isn't communicating when I'm not in the area. We are lucky out here to have less toll roads than those in the eastern US.

Bottom line, drive safe and enjoy your trip.

[James Callahan]

Highly recommend an EZ Pass

Acadia is absolutely awesome. Highly recommend BarHarbor Campground, great rates $46.00 for full hook ups, Buy 6 nights get 7th free, couple of miles from entrance. To park, you need a week to do the park justice. No Reservation excepted, but you won’t have an issue finding a site at all that time of year. Been going to same Campground Florida over 30 years now

Best rates on island, Walmart on way in if you Arrive late no issue staying there at all

Town of Bar Harboring r very cool, cruise ships show up every few days or so that time of year

What are you towing?

http://www.thebarharborcampground.com/

Jimmy

[DougW9876]

Agree that 90 is best bet for Niagra to New England, but you could look into 88/86 in NY - takes you south a bit, but scenic and no tolls. We take it when we travel from NH toward the midwest. There are a few sections where the road isn't in the best condition (not sure we have found a state where they are), but overall it is a very pleasant alternative to the Thruway.

I agree that I86 is a much more pleasant drive, the problem he is talking about going from Niagara Falls to Cooperstown so to drop down to 86 then go back up 88 and cross country to Cooperstown would add 3 to 4 hours of driving. Now, if he was to spend some time in the Finger Lakes wine country he might already be near 86 and it would be a good choice but with the time schedule and distances I don't think he will have time for all of that.