Reply #8: Bar Harbor is expensive in high season.

[formercia]

My wife works within walking distance of the park.

There are plenty of good accommodations in the Ellsworth area. It's only a half-hour from the island. You don't need to pay to get into most of the park, just the drive along the coastal cliffs. If you like to hike, there are loads of trails and don't miss Sunrise on Cadillac Mt. for the first spot to get the morning sun in the US during the Winter, or so it's said.
http://www.acadiamagic.com/CadillacMountain.html

We prefer the off season and leave the Summer for the tourons. We go up to camp where it's quiet.