•Hydrogels for wound dressing were made using bacterial cellulose and acrylic acid.•Optimal crosslinking (35kGy) gave a strong and elastic hydrogel dubbed H35.•Hydrogels were non-cytotoxic in mouse fibroblast cells (L929).•H35 induced re-epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition.•H35 had the highest wound contraction rate and accelerated wound-healing processes. Natural polymer-based hydrogels are of interest to health care professionals as wound dressings owing to their ability to absorb exudates and provide hydration for healing. The aims of this study were to develop and characterize bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid (BC/AA) hydrogels synthesized by electron beam irradiation and investigate its wound healing potential in an animal model. The BC/AA hydrogels were characterized by SEM, tensile strength, water absorptivity, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was investigated in L929 cells. Skin irritation and wound healing properties were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. BC/AA hydrogels had a macroporous network structure, high swelling ratio (4000–6000% at 24h), and high WVTR (2175–2280g/m2/day). The hydrogels were non-toxic in the cell viability assay. In vivo experiments indicated that hydrogels promoted faster wound-healing, enhanced epithelialization, and accelerated fibroblast proliferation compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that BC/AA hydrogels are promising materials for burn dressings.