Acadia Original Brochure

COMPLIMENTARY $3.
95
2019/2020
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS
ACADIA
NATIONAL PARK
ACTIVITIES • SIGHTSEEING • DINING • LODGING
TRAILS • HISTORY • MAPS • MORE
OFFICIAL
PA R T N E R S
WELCOME
SO TASTY EVERYONE WILL WANT A BITE. Welcome to Acadia National Park, Woodrow Wilson. But it was countless
S:7.375”
T:8.375”
located on the rock- bound Maine is - stewardship-minded individuals at the turn
land of Mount Deser t. Here you will of the 20th century that created the first
find soaring granite cliffs butting up eastern national park, recognizing its sin-
against sand and cobblestone beaches. gular beauty and ecological value and the
Glacier-carved mountains rear up from need to protect it in perpetuity.
the sea, cupping deep lakes, while The National Park Service (NPS) pro-
m e a d ow l a n d s , m a r sh e s a n d d e ns e tects this unique resource and its visitors.
forests permeate the landscape. Every- This American Park Network guide to Aca-
where, the ocean makes its presence felt, dia National Park is provided to help plan
whether by sight, sound or smell. your visit to the park. It is made possible
Acadia National Park was first es - by the sponsors whose messages appear
tablished as Sieur de Monts National inside. For more park information, call
Monument on July 8, 1916, by President (207) 288-3338.
FUN FACTS
Established: Since it opened in 1916, Popular Activities: Visitors can enjoy
Acadia National Park has boasted a num- naturalist-guided walks and talks, bik-
ber of firsts. It was the first eastern na- ing, fishing, carriage rides, boat cruises,
tional park, and perhaps more significantly, hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing and
it was the first national park whose land ice fishing.
was donated entirely by private citizens. Bicycling: Most of Acadia National Park’s
©2019 Preferred Brands International. All rights reserved.
Land Area: Acadia encompasses more paved roads and 45 miles of its picturesque
than 49,000 acres, the vast majority of carriage roads are open to bicycles.
it on Mount Desert Island (pronounced Hiking: More than 125 miles of hiking
like “dessert”). trails and 45 miles of carriage roads weave
Highest Elevation: The summit of Ca- through the park.
dillac Mountain at 1,530 feet. Camping: There are more than 500
Mileage: The park has 158 miles of campsites in the park.
hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage Lodging: You can find a variety of
roads with 16 stone bridges. accommodations and a total of 4,500
Plants and Animals: About 165 spe- rooms surrounding the park on Mount
cies of native plants, about 60 species Desert Island.
TASTY BITE® is all-natural
and perfect for the trail. Look of land and marine mammals, and more V i s i tor s: More than 3.5 million
for the yellow pouch in the than 150 breeding species of birds call people visit the park every year to expe-
international food aisle.* the park home. rience the beautiful coastal landscape.
tastybite.com
*Keep wildlife wild;
Don’t feed the animals.
| A C A D IA N A T IO N A L P A R K 1
WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK
CONTENTS
Unforgettable Adventures.
Welcome 1
American Park Network ® publishes OhRanger.
com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ and Oh, Ranger!®
guides —a collection of visitor guides for public What’s New! 4
lands all across America — and operates Oh,
Ranger! Wi-Fi in parks and public lands. American Plan Your Visit 6
Park Network is an official partner of the National
Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation
Association, National Fish and Wildlife Important Numbers 10
Foundation, American Hiking Society and the
Student Conservation Association. Park Regulations & Safety 15
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
MARK J. SAFERSTEIN
Who’s Who at the Park 17
Associate Publisher & Executive Editor History & Culture 18
Joel S. Saferstein
Group Sales & Partnerships Director Sights To See 22

Alex Frenkel
EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION
Centerfold Map
Editors: Monette A. Bailey, Daniel Johnson,
Jacqueline Kehoe, Amanda McConnon, Preservation 27
Julie McCool, Danielle Taylor, Wendy Willis
Proofreader: Scot t Tabor Mount Desert Island 29
Production Manager: Mario Arce
Graphic Designers: Karla Aldana, Dennisse Cruz,
Tatiana Hurtado, Yamileth Recinos
Things To Do 31
DIGITAL Walking & Hiking 38
Technology Manager: Scott Falconer
ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Camping 40
(212) 581-3 380
adsales@americanparknetwork.com Just for Kids 41
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Business Development: Randy Burton, Mary Pat
Kaleth, Pat Keane, Craig King, Kristi Rummel Nature & Wildlife 42
Operations Manager: Matthew Price
American Park Network Photography 46
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If You Only Have a Day 48
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Cover Photo: Boardwalk trail around Jordan Pond
are registered trademarks of APN Media, LLC. (Shutterstock)
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WHAT’S NEW!
WE’RE ALL CONNECTED
As a young man, John Muir, the naturalist

known as, “Father of the National Parks,”
Mark, Joel & Alex – connecting in parks!
had an accident that left him temporarily
blinded. It changed his life forever. When he science. I often find inspiration in parks. In its
regained his sight, he emerged into the light traditional form, yoga was about joining with
ever-determined to pursue his dreams of the collective universe. So, too, is Muir’s quote,
exploration. Fortunately for the world, Muir’s best illustrated by an example from Yellowstone.
trials led him to help move Congress to set When wolves were reintroduced there after a
aside Yosemite, one of his many contributions 70-year absence, the rampant elk population
to our nation’s preservation movement. could no longer leisurely nibble on willows, graze
When faced with adversity, we have but in open meadows or congregate by the rivers. In
two choices. We can either rise above our a short period of time, the forests and meadows
circumstance or succumb to our demons of began to regenerate. Song birds appeared.
doubt, fear, resentment and apathy. While Beavers flourished, building dams, which
Muir was lucky to have his sight return, his created habitats for otters, muskrats and ducks.
subsequent efforts drew strength from hope, Cooler waters, shaded by more trees, attracted
compassion, kindness and love to rise up different species of amphibians and fish. Tree
from personal adversity. roots stabilized the river banks, diminished
Lately, it feels like we’re all dealing with erosion and even changed the geography of the
too many hurdles. Every hour, “breaking” park! Indeed, pick out anything by itself and we
news spews forth accounts of tragedy and quickly find that everything is connected.
divisiveness. It was with this backdrop that I Now is the time to seek out connection— SOMEWHERE
was preparing to teach a restorative yoga class, whether in a park, a yoga studio or anywhere
to create a safe environment for my students you find inspiration—to find strength to rise up BETWEEN
STUNNING
and provide an hour’s worth of peace and quiet and overcome the obstacles that face us all…
to carry out into the world. What theme would
capture their imagination and neatly underscore
and SURREAL
our human need for connectedness?
When teaching, I try to use examples that
marry ancient tradition with contemporary
GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS!

Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture or are
V I S I T U TA H . C O M
awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, or if you
already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsor revenues,
please let us know at wifi@americanparknetwork.com.
4 A C A DI A NA T I ONA L PARK |
PLAN YOUR VISIT
GETTING TO ACADIA Route 3 in the town of Seal Harbor. Other
Acadia is located two-thirds of the way sections of the park are reachable from
up the Maine coast, approximately 164 various public byways on Mount Desert
miles from Portland, 270 miles from Bos- Island. The Schoodic Peninsula section
ton and 475 miles from New York City. of the park is located off Route 186, near
By Car: From Bangor (47 miles from the the town of Winter Harbor. Isle au Haut is
park), take U.S. 1A south from Bangor to Ells- easy to get to by mail boat from the village
worth, then take Route 3 east to the Hulls of Stonington.
Cove park entrance. From Portland (164 miles By Air: The Hancock County-Bar Harbor
from the park), take Route 1 north along the Airport (BHB), located on Route 3 in Tren-
coast to Ellsworth, then take Route 3 east to ton, is served by Cape Air, with direct con-
the Hulls Cove park entrance. nections to Boston.
There are four entrances to the popu- You must rent a car and drive to Acadia
lar Park Loop Road section of Acadia from the closest major airports, Bangor In-
on Mount Desert Island: the Hulls Cove ternational Airport (45 miles away) or Port-
Entrance, located on Route 3; the Cadil- land International Jetport (164 miles away).
lac Mountain Entrance, located on the Portland offers service from most U.S.
outskirts of Bar Harbor on Route 233; metropolitan areas on American, Delta,
the Sieur de Monts Entrance, located Elite, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and
on Route 3 south of Bar Harbor; and the United. Bangor offers service on Allegiant,
Stanley Brook Entrance, also located on Delta, American Airlines and United.
FEDERAL RECREATION LANDS PASSES

A federal recreation pass is helpful if you plan to visit many national parks, forests or
other federal lands. For information, call (888) 275-8747 or visit store.usgs.gov/pass.
Type Cost Availability Details
Annual This one-year pass is available on site, by

$80 General Public
Pass phone or online (see above).
Senior This lifetime pass is available on site, on-
$80 U.S. residents age 62+
Pass line, or via mail order. ID required.
Military Active U.S. military and This one-year pass is available on site.
Free
Pass their dependents ID (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173) required.
Access U.S. residents with per- This lifetime pass is available on site or via
Free
Pass manent disabilities mail order. ID and documentation required.
Volunteer 250 cumulative volunteer Inquire locally to obtain information about
Free
Pass service hours this one-year pass.
PLA N YOU R VI SI T
By Train: There is no passenger rail ser- (207) 288-3338 and press zero for more
vice to Acadia National Park. information about road closures.
B y B u s : G rey h o un d an d C o n c o rd
Coach Lines offer bus service between ENTRANCE FEES
B oston and B ang or ye ar- round . F or A fee is required to visit any part of the
more information, call Greyhound at park. The $30-per-vehicle fee is good for
(800) 894-3355 or visit greyhound.com; a seven-day pass. An annual Acadia Park
or call Concord at (800) 639-3317 or visit Pass costs $55 and is good for a year.
concordcoachlines.com. Fees for visitors on a motorcycle are $25,
By Local Transportation: Downeast $15 for those on foot or bicycle, and $15
Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n r u n s y e a r- r o u n d o n per person for vehicles with 16 or more
M o u nt D e s e r t I s l a n d a n d b et we e n passengers. Acadia is one of a select few
Bar Harbor and Ellsworth; please call national parks chosen to participate in a Presented by
(207) 667-5796 or visit downeasttrans.org pilot program selling seven-day or annual
for more information. entrance passes online. To buy your pass
By Ferry: Isle au Haut may be reached online, go to www.yourpassnow.com.
via mail boat from Stonington on Deer
Isle. Reser vations are not taken and EVERY KID IN A PARK
AD
the num b er of d ay v isi to r s all owe d To help engage and create our next gen-
on the island is limite d; p le ase c all eration of park visitors, supporters and
(207) 367-5193 or visit isleauhaut.com advocates, the Obama Administration, in
for more information. The state- owned partnership with the Federal Land Manage-
Swan’s Island Ferry provides year-round ment agencies, launched the Every Kid in
ser vice from Bass Harbor to Swan’s a Park initiative. The immediate goal is to
Island; for more information, please call provide an opportunity for each and every
(207) 244-3254 or visit swansisland.org. fourth grade student across the country to
experience their federal public lands and
GETTING AROUND ACADIA waters in person.
Travel through the park by automobile, All kids in the fourth grade have access
bicycle or foot. Taxis are available in Bar to their own Every Kid in a Park pass at
Harbor, and rental cars are available at the Everykidinapark.gov. This pass admits
aforementioned airports. the pass owner and any accompanying
The recently-upgraded Island Explorer passengers in a private noncommercial ve-
shuttle runs on the summer schedule from hicle to the park. You can obtain the pass
June 23 to August 26 and the fall schedule by visiting everykidinapark.gov and you
from August 27 to Columbus Day. See the must print it and present it at the park. The
enclosed map for more information. Every Kid in a Park pass is valid until Au-
gust 31, 2019.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The park is open year-round, 24 hours WEATHER
daily; however, most park roads are closed Acadia’s coastal location makes for
December 1 through April 14. Before driv- ever-changing weather patterns, including
ing through the park in the winter, call days of brilliant sunshine and occasional
P L A N YOUR VI S I T P L A N Y O U R V ISIT
IMPORTANT NUMBERS BAR HARBOR CHAMBER Ser vice Animals: Visitors may use
OF COMMERCE se r v i c e anim als w hil e v isi tin g p ar k
General Park Information
(207) 288-3338 The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce sites and programs. Please refer to the
nps.gov/acad
operates two visitor centers near Acadia Na- “Park Regulations & Safet y” chapter
Emergencies 911 tional Park. Stop by the Acadia Welcome for more information.
Center, located at 1201 Bar Harbor Rd. in Swimming: Echo Lake Beach offers
Lost and Found (207) 288-8791
Trenton, or the Downtown Welcome Cen- wheelchair access via a boardwalk. A long
Weather Information (207) 667-8910 ter, located at 2 Cottage St. in Downtown set of steps bars entrance to Sand Beach.
Bar Harbor. The welcome centers offer park Tours: Boat tours are accessible to
Camping (207) 288-3338
and regional information, as well as free wheelchair users, but only with assistance.
Bar Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce (207) 288-5103 Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ . For information, call Carriages at Wildwood Stables can accom-
barharborinfo.com or acadiainfo.com (800) 345-4617
(800) 345-4617 or visit barharborinfo.com. modate wheelchairs.
Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce
(207) 276-5040
mountdesertchamber.org SPECIAL SERVICES -
Southwest Harbor / Tremont Chamber of Commerce
Park facilities and activities that are LODGING & DINING
(207) 244-9264 wheelchair-accessible are marked by the
acadiachamber.com
wheelchair symbol ( - ). Please see the Accommodations are not available within
“Federal Recreational Lands Passes” chart the park boundaries, but inns, motels, bed
mornings when the island is wrapped in runs Hulls Cove Visitor Center, located in this chapter for more information about and breakfasts, and campgrounds are plen-
a soft blanket of fog. Acadia’s proxim- just off Route 3 at the start of the Park the free Access Pass, which waives en- tiful around Mount Desert Island.
ity to water also takes the edge off the Loop Road. The Hulls Cove Visitor Cen- trance fees for U.S. citizens or permanent T he only restaurant in the park is
summer heat and the winter chill. During ter typically opens at 8 a.m. in July and residents with permanent disabilities. Jordan Pond House, famous for its pop-
July and August, high temperatures usu- August. This two -story building houses Camping: Blackwoods Campground overs and afternoon tea. See the related
ally range between 70 and 80°F, often an expanded bookshop, restrooms (open has 12 wheelchair-accessible sites, each article in this chapter for more details.
accompanied by a sea breeze. In spring af ter hours), and information booths. with compacted gravel walkways leading Neighb oring communities also of-
and fall, expect highs in the 50s and 60s. Visitor passes are also sold here. - to the fire grill, picnic table, restrooms and fer great dining oppor tunities, where
In November, the winter season sets in At Hulls Cove, you can shop for books, the central amphitheater. Seawall Camp- menus feature regional specialties made
and persists through March, when day- maps and posters and sign up for pro - ground has 14 accessible camping sites, from fresh Maine blueberries and, of
time temperatures hover in the 30s and grams like bir watching or tidepool walks. including drive-in, RV and group. course, Maine lobster!
may dip to zero at night. Always be pre- A full schedule of ranger-led activities, Carriage Roads: The carriage roads For more information about lodging and
pared for changes in weather and dress including children’s programs, can be that wind through the park are closed to all dining, contact the chambers of commerce
in layers. found at nps.gov/acad. motorized traffic, including eBikes, and are listed in the chart in this chapter.
The Thompson Island Informa- ideal for wheelchair users.
VISITOR CENTERS tion Center, located at the entrance Picnics: A wheelchair-accessible picnic LODGING
Spring and winter park services will be to Mount Desert Island on Route 3, is site is available at the Fabbri, Thompson Is- When it comes to putting a roof over
offered at the Bar Harbor Chamber of jointly run by the NPS and local cham- land, Bear Brook, Frazer Point, Pretty Marsh your head, Mount Deser t Island has
Commerce at 2 Cottage St. in Bar Har- b er s of c o mmerc e. T he c enter p ro - and Seawall picnic areas, where restrooms something for everyone. Altogether, the
bor. Visitors can also find spring ranger v id es lo d ging and dining d et ails for are also wheelchair-accessible. Limited ac- island has 4,500 rooms. Choose from a
services at the Sier de Monts Nature all the island communities as well as cess is available at other picnic areas. romantic bed and breakfast to a state-of-
Center located on the one-way section p ark infor mation. V isitor p asses are Publications: The NPS publishes a the-art hotel with conference facilities.
of Park Loop Road. sold here. It is open daily from April 21 wheelchair access guide to the park. It is There are seaside lodges and roadside
During the summer season, there are through October 15; hours vary. available at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center as motels, pint-size inns, full-scale resorts,
two visitor centers at Acadia. The NPS well as on the park website. guesthouses and cottages.
10 A C A DI A NA T I ONA L PARK | | A C A D IA N A T IO N A L P A R K 11
P L A N YOUR VI S I T P L A N Y O U R V ISIT
Budget travelers may consider renting EMERGENCIES AND

an apartment or staying at the local YWCA MEDICAL SERVICE ISLAND EXPLORER SHUTTLE BUS
in Bar Harbor. Private campgrounds are an- In the park, call 911 for emergency medical
other economical alternative. or police assistance, or to report any accident.
While there are no doctors stationed in the
DINING park, first aid is available island-wide—dial
Acadia is not only a feast for the eyes. No 911. Bar Harbor is home to the Mount Des-
visitor can claim to have truly experienced ert Island Hospital, a modern, 25-bed facility
Maine without sampling such specialties located on Wayman Lane one block off Main
as boiled lobster, steamed clams, clam Street. It provides 24-hour emergency and
chowder, baked beans, blueberry pancakes cardiac care as well as cardiac intensive care,
and pie. You will find these dishes—and pediatric and laboratory services and respira-
much more—at restaurants around the tory therapy. Medical facilities are also avail-
island. Mount Desert Island has an assort- able in Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor
ment of dining establishments—from ca- and Ellsworth. The region’s largest hospital,
sual lobster pounds (or shacks) to elegant Eastern Maine Medical Center, is located 45
rooms serving four-star cuisine. There are miles away in Bangor.
also cafés, chowder houses, delis, grills and
sub shops. Your best bet will likely be sea- GIFT SHOPS
food, since the island’s fishing boats bring a Area gift shops sell Maine-made crafts
harvest back from the sea every day. such as pottery, porcupine-quill jewelry,
American Indian baskets and miniature
lighthouses. Also look for local delicacies
VISITOR SERVICES like maple syrup, strawberry and blueberry
jam and even bottles of blueberry wine
While Acadia is open year-round, most produced at a nearby winery. The shops
park facilities close between late Octo- also carry books, videos, T-shirts, post-
ber and mid-May. In season or out, many cards and other Acadia souvenirs.
supplemental services are available in the
local communities. PETS AND KENNELS
Pets are allowed in Acadia, but must be
BANKS kept on leashes no longer than six feet and
B anks an d AT M s are avail a b le in they must be under control at all times.
all communities. There are no kennel facilities within the park.
Veterinary care is available in Bar Harbor.
CAMPING SUPPLIES
Sleeping bags, air mattresses, lanterns, POSTAL SERVICES
portable stoves, cookware, backpacks, For complete postal services, visit the
propane fuel and firewood are available Bar Harbor Post Office located at 55 Cot-
for purchase in Bar Harbor and other major tage St.. The post office is open Monday
The Island Explorer offers free shuttle bus service for Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park begin-
surrounding towns. For more information, through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
ning June 23. Its ten bus routes link hotels, inns and campgrounds with destinations in the park and
contact the chambers of commerce listed and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Call neighboring village centers. For more information, visit exploreacadia.com.
in the chart in this chapter. (207) 288-3122 for more information.
PARK REGULATIONS
PLA N YOU R VI SI T
MAINE LOBSTERS & SAFETY

Two hundred years ago, the lobster did not
enjoy its present luxury status. Early Maine
settlers used lobsters as fertilizer, and legend
Make the most of your visit to Acadia by • Hike with a partner and leave an itinerary
has it that prison inmates complained about planning ahead and becoming acquainted with a responsible person, or on the dash-
having to dine on lobster three times a week. with safety precautions and park rules. board of your vehicle.
Perhaps familiarity bred distaste, as lobsters • Choose trails that match your skill and
were once so plentiful that they could be gath- SAFETY TIPS fitness levels. Purchase a park hiking map
ered at low tide along Maine’s rocky shore. Please review and observe the following at visitor centers to find the right trails to
Today, lobster fishing requires considerably tips, which are designed to enhance your match your hiking experience.
more work. Lobsters live on the ocean floor safety and enjoyment during your visit. • To prevent blisters—the most common
Lobster meat is sweet and succulent—a where they feed on snails, clams, mussels ailment on the trail—wear comfortable
true delicacy.
and other marine life. Lobstermen catch their SHORELINE EXPLORING shoes and quality outdoor socks to cushion
prey using box-shaped wire traps, which they Exercise caution along Acadia’s rocky and protect your feet.
Of all the creatures that inhabit Maine’s cold drop overboard and mark with brightly painted shoreline. Loose gravel on rocks creates
ocean waters, none is better known or more buoys (their distinctive color combinations are dangerous footing. Wet rocks are slippery HYPOTHERMIA
highly prized than the lobster. This hardy crus- registered with the state). During the seven
and a sudden wave can sweep the unsus- Because of Maine’s fickle weather, dress
tacean once adorned the state’s license plate years it takes a lobster to reach its legal catch
pecting sightseer into the sea. in layers and bring rain gear. This is not only
and pops up on restaurant menus along the size, it regularly molts its shell. Most lobsters
coast.
for comfort, but also to prevent hypothermia.
average around 1.5 pounds in weight, but
lobsters as large as 40 pounds have been TICKS This potentially fatal condition occurs when
The lobster’s fame is well deserved. Its
reported! Ticks are prevalent in Acadia, mostly ac- the body loses heat faster than it can gener-
meat—found in the powerful front claws, the
tive late spring to early fall. Tick-borne dis- ate it. Being wet on a breezy summer day can
large tail and the spindly legs—is sweet and Maine is one of the best places to learn
eases are an increasing public health concern also bring on the condition. If you find yourself
succulent—a true delicacy. Its taste makes all about and enjoy lobsters. While you’re in
the effort it takes to catch, cook and eat a lob- town, stop by one of the many lobster pounds
across the region. To limit your exposure, walk or a member of your party shivering uncon-
ster seem well worthwhile. to get a taste of this delicacy. in the middle of trails away from tall vegeta- trollably and acting disoriented, seek shelter;
tion, wear light-colored clothing so ticks are remove all wet clothing; wrap up in a blanket;
easier to spot, wear pants tucked into socks, and drink warm, nonalcoholic liquids. Serious
Bar Harbor is also serviced by Federal SERVICE STATIONS spray your shoes and clothing with repellent
Express. In other towns, certain stores Several service stations are located in and check yourself carefully after walks. Learn
are designated for drop-off locations. For all towns. Auto repair shops and tire deal- more at cdc.gov/ticks. PACKING ESSENTIALS
more information, call (207) 288-5885. erships are also available in Bar Harbor Don’t hit the trail without:
and Ellsworth, located 20 miles north on HIKING • Topographic map and compass + GPS
RELIGIOUS SERVICES Route 3. • Stay on the trail so you won’t get lost. • Whistle
Numerous churches serve the com - • Be prepared. Carry a trail map, wrist- • Flashlight or headlamp
munities of Mount Desert Island and the TIDE TABLES watch, knife, matches, flashlight, water, • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
nearest synagogue is located 20 miles Nearly all local newspapers and guide- food, insect repellent, rain gear and a first- • High-energy food
away in Ellsworth. For information about books include seasonal tables of daily aid kit. • Plenty of water
services, consult the local weekly papers, tides, sunrise and sunset. • If you become lost, exhausted or injured, • Appropriate clothing and extra layers
• Waterproof matches
the Mount Desert Islander and the Ells- stay calm and stay on the trail. Ask
• Insect repellent
worth American . Ecumenical services are SHARE YOUR FAVORITE passing hikers for assistance. Do not bush-
• Pocket knife
held weekly in the summer atop Cadillac PHOTOS WITH US! whack or travel in darkness. Should eve-
• First-aid kit
Mountain and at Blackwoods and Seawall FOLLOW US! ning fall, you are better off staying where • Sturdy footwear
campgrounds. you are and waiting for help to arrive.
WHO’S WHO
P AR K R E G ULA T I ONS & SAFETY WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK
cases of hypothermia require prompt medi-

cal treatment.
HUNTING AND FISHING
Hunting and trapping are prohibited. Fish-
AT THE PARK
ing is permitted in accordance with Maine
PARK REGULATIONS state law. A state license is required for NATIONAL PARK SERVICE bor, ME 04675; (207) 276-3316, or visit
freshwater fishing for Maine residents 16 Since its founding in 1916, the NPS has acadiajordanpondhouse.com.
ACCIDENTS years or older and non-residents 12 years or endeavored to preserve America’s park-
Accidents must be reported to park older. The fee for a one-day license is $11. Li- lands for generations to come. The NPS, EASTERN NATIONAL
rangers if they involve personal injury censes cannot be purchased in the park, but federal custodian of Acadia National Park, Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1948,
or property damage. are available at some town offices and hard- is responsible for preserving and protect- Eastern National is a nonprofit cooperat-
ware stores or online at mefishwildlife.com. ing the environmental and cultural values ing association that promotes the histori-
BICYCLES Call (207) 288-3338 for more information. of our national parks, protecting the fish cal, scientific and educational activities of
Bicycles are permitted on all paved park and wildlife therein and providing for pub- the NPS. It also supports park research,
roads and Acadia’s network of carriage PETS lic use and enjoyment of the parks. For interpretation and conservation programs.
roads, except marked private ones. Bicy- Pets must always be on leashes no longer more information, contact: Acadia National For more information, contact: Eastern Na-
cles are not allowed on hiking trails. Use than six feet. They are allowed in all park lo- Park, P.O. Box 177, Bar Harbor, ME 04609; tional, Acadia National Park, P.O. Box 177,
caution on the narrow, winding Park Loop cations except Duck Harbor Campground on (207) 288-3338, or visit nps.gov/acad. Bar Harbor, ME 04609; (207) 288-4988, or
Road. eBikes, which are considered motor- Isle au Haut, Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur visit easternnational.org.
vehicles under the Code of Federal Regula- de Monts, hiking trails that require iron rungs DAWNLAND, LLC
tions, are not permitted on carriage roads or ladders, park buildings and on ranger-led Dawnland, LLC operates under con- FRIENDS OF ACADIA
or the shuttle. programs. Pets are prohibited on Echo Lake tra c t w ith the N P S to p rov id e fo o d Friends of Acadia is an independent, non-
Beach between May 15 and September 15, service and shopping in the park. Dawn- profit organization that works to preserve
CAMPING and Sand Beach between June 15 and Sep- land operates the Jordan Pond House, and protect the park and its surrounding
Only camp in designated campsites at tember 8. Always clean up after your pet. where visitors can enjoy tea and pop - communities through conservation grants
Blackwoods, Seawall, Isle au Haut and Sc- overs overlooking Jordan Pond and The and programs, volunteerism and advocacy.
hoodic Woods campgrounds. DRIVING Bubbles mountains. It also operates For more information, contact: Friends
The speed limit is 35 mph in the park un- the park ’s three gift shops at Jordan of Acadia, P.O. Box 45, Bar Harbor, ME
FIRES AND FIREWOOD less otherwise noted. All-terrain vehicles Pond, Cadillac Mountain and Thunder 04609; (800) 625-0321 or (207) 288‑3340,
Gathering dead and downed wood within are prohibited. All motorized vehicles are Hole. For more information, contact: or visit friendsofacadia.org.
the campgrounds is prohibited. Only use prohibited on park trails and carriage roads. Dawnland, LLC, P.O. Box 40, Seal Har-
wood from park-provided woodpiles or MOUNT DESERT ISLAND AREA
Dawnland, LLC
dead/downed wood from elsewhere in the KEEP WILDLIFE WILD CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
park. Only build fires in designated fire rings Don’t feed, chase or harass wildlife. Helpful information is available at
or fireplaces in campgrounds and picnic ar- Please do not approach animals, and be the following chambers of commerce:
eas. It is against Maine state law to bring sure to throw your trash in proper recep- Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce,
firewood into Maine from out of state. tacles. If animals begin to associate peo- 2 Cottage St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609,
ple with food, they may lose their fear of (800) 288 - 5103, barharborinfo.com;
WEAPONS AND FIREWORKS humans and consequently lose their abil- Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce
Firearms regulations vary by park. Check ity to find food on their own. (representing Hall Quarry, Northeast Har-
with the National Park Service or the park bor, Otter Creek, Pretty Marsh, z and
you plan to visit before your trip for most TAKE ONLY PICTURES Southwest Harbor/Tremont Chamber
up-to-date information. The possession, destruction, removal or of Commerce, 329 Main St., Southwest
The possession or use of firecrackers or disturbance of park property or natural and Jordan Pond House, operated by Dawnland, has H arbor, M E 0 4 6 79; (207) 24 4 ‑ 9 26 4,
fireworks is prohibited. cultural resources is prohibited. been serving popovers and tea since the 1890s. acadiachamber.com.
H IST O R Y & C U L T U R E
HISTORY & CULTURE traveled, it gathered up large rocks—er- The people who are now known as
ratics—and carried them considerable dis- the Wabanaki inhabited the island at the
tances. Examples of these boulders can be time the first Europeans made contact
Some 500 million years ago, what we LAND OF ICE seen at the summit of Cadillac and South in the 1500s. Originally, it was believed
now know as Mount Desert Island began The brute force of the continental Bubble mountains. the Wabanakis traveled to Pemotonet
taking shape on the ocean floor. Erosion glaciers that blanketed New England Climatic changes eventually halted the or “range of mountains,” as they called
swept sediments—sand, silt and mud, two to three million years ago carved out glaciers’ progress around 18,000 years the island, by birch - bark canoe from
and later volcanic ash and seaweed—from many of the park’s loveliest features, includ- ago. As the ice sheet receded, the ocean their winter homes near the Penobscot
the North American continental plate out ing Jordan and Long ponds, Echo and Eagle advanced, flooding the valleys and cutting River’s headwaters. The discover y of
to sea. There, they slowly amassed and lakes and stunning Somes Sound, a deep, the island off from the mainland. It is now middens that included clams harvested
hardened into what would become some narrow inlet surrounded by steep cliffs. the second-largest island off the east coast in winter provided evidence that some
of the island bedrock. The imprint of the last glacier to pass of the continental United States. Native Americans spent winter on Mount
Magma, or molten rock, transformed through Acadia is the one that remains Today, the sea remains the key agent of Desert Island as well. During the sum-
some of this sedimentary rock as it rose most visible today. It advanced out of Can- change at Acadia. It buffets the steep face mer months, they would hunt, fish and
through the Earth’s crust. The overlying ada around 100,000 years ago, crept slowly of Otter Cliffs each day while polishing the gather berries near Somes Sound. More
bedrock was shattered, and in some across New England, and eventually spread pink and blue-gray cobblestones at Little recently, archeologists have concluded
places consumed, by the magma as it 150 miles out to sea. Hunters Beach and depositing fine shell that the Wabanakis may have had settle-
made contact. As the glaciers passed through the val- particles at Newport Cove, the only sand ments both inland and on the coast.
In other areas, the mass of magma leys, they scoured away the sides of the beach on Acadia’s coastline. The history of these early island resi-
slowly cooled to form granite that is ex- mountains causing steep grades and cliffs dents is told at the Abbe Museum, located
posed today because the overlying layers (including the Precipice Trail section of MAN ON MOUNT DESERT just off the Park Loop Road near Sieur de
have eroded. Champlain Mountain). As the ice sheet Ancient native peoples made their home Monts Spring, and the expanded Abbe Mu-
on Mount Desert Island long before Euro- seum, located on Mount Desert Street in
NPS
pean explorers ventured across the Atlan- Bar Harbor.
tic. Few records of their presence remain:
stone tools, pottery, fishing implements EUROPEAN EXPLORERS
and middens (large refuse piles of shells, I n 15 2 4 , t h e F l o re n t i n e ex p l o re r
which archeologists estimate are between Giovanni da Verrazano arrived in the re-
3,000 and 5,000 years old). gion that is now Maine and the Canadian
Maritimes. He is credited with christening
NPS
the area with the name L’Acadie, or Arca-
dia. Some historians believe it to be a Wa-
banaki word; others say it is a corruption of
Arcadia , an equally scenic and inspiring re-
gion of ancient Greece. Eighty years later,
in 1604, the French explorer Samuel de
Champlain gave Pemotonet the name:
l’Isles des Monts-déserts , which is now
known as Mount Desert Island. Champlain,
who crossed the Atlantic 29 times and
later founded Quebec, is believed to have
George B. Dorr and friends. Dorr spent decades and much of his own wealth tirelessly working to George B. Dorr (far right), worked with local run aground at Otter Point, where he met
protect and preserve Acadia for public use. environmentalists to develop Acadia’s trail system. members of the Wabanaki tribe.
H IS T ORY & C U LT U RE H IST O R Y & C U L T U R E
NPS
A party of French Jesuits, who may have NATIONAL PARK STATUS au Haut, an island that is about 15 miles
settled at the mouth of Somes Sound in A Maine politician once remarked, “the southwest of Mount Desert Island, in
1613, were also warmly greeted by the portable sawmill created Acadia National Penobscot Bay.
Wabanaki. The priests intended to estab- Park.” Concerned that this tool of prog- Next to George Dorr, Acadia has had
lish a mission there but were soon pushed ress would cut a swath through their island no better friend than industrialist and phi-
out by English explorers who were deter- paradise, a group of summer residents, lanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. He
mined to expand northward from their set- led by the president of Harvard University, not only donated more than 10,000 acres
tlements in Virginia. For the next century, Charles W. Eliot, formed a public land of parkland (including the stretch of coast
the French and British would struggle for trust in 1901 to protect the island from between Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs),
control of Acadia. In 1759, the British finally uncontrolled development. The group had but he was also responsible for one of
prevailed when they defeated the French the foresight to appoint George Bucknam Acadia’s most picturesque features, the 45
in Quebec, but not before a young French Dorr as its director. A member of a highly miles of broken-stone carriage roads that
nobleman laid claim to a large section of regarded Boston family that had made wind through its sylvan interior. In 1913,
the Maine coast. Sieur de Antoine de its fortune in textiles, Dorr would spend alarmed by the prospect of a park overrun
la Mothe Cadillac stopped long enough the next 43 years (and much of his own by automobiles, Rockefeller began building
on Mount Desert to lend his name to the wealth) tirelessly working to protect and 16-foot-wide roads connected by a series
island’s highest mountain before moving preserve Acadia for public use. of 16 bridges crafted from local granite and
on to found the Midwest city of Detroit. “Summercators” enjoy swimming in Echo Lake The land trust’s first notable acquisi- cobblestones. Today, the roads are enjoyed
in 1934.
tion was the chiseled headland known as by equestrians, hikers, bicyclists and, dur-
THE FIRST SETTLERS “The Beehive,” in 1908, followed soon ing winter, cross-country skiers. Carriage
Many of Mount Desert Island’s towns Desert. Then came journalists and sports- by the summit of 1,5 30 -foot Cadillac rides are available through Wildwood Sta-
bear the names of the first set tlers, men, drawn by the promise of the vast, Mountain. By 1916, Dorr secured national bles. Refer to the “Things to Do” chapter
including Abraham Somes, a sailor from unspoiled wilderness Cole and Church monument status for the trust, and, in for more information.
Massachusetts, who, with his family, had depicted. Early visitors, known as 1919, it became the first eastern national
settled on the island in 1762. Because of “rusticators” or “summercators,” bunked park. As a result of the amicable terms FIRE!
its proximity to sailing routes, the western with local families. By 18 80, Bar Har- between the United States and France at In 1947, a great fire broke out on Mount
side of the island was settled first. Later bor boasted 30 hotels and a national that time, it was named Lafayette National Desert Island, consuming some 17,000
arrivals gravitated to the island’s eastern reputation as a summer resort. Park. Dorr was appointed the first superin- acres and burning for 10 days before it
half, where the soil proved better for farm- That reputation was sealed soon after, tendent, a position he held until his death was brought under control. No one knows
ing. Then known as Eden, Bar Harbor when America’s most socially prominent in 1946. how the fire was started, but some of the
was incorporated as a town in 1796. families—the Rockefellers, Morgans, Over the next 10 years, the park doubled driest conditions on record for the area
By 1820, most island inhabitants were Fords, Astors, Vanderbilts and Pulit- in size, thanks in part to the acquisition contributed to the quickness and ferocity
engaged in fishing, shipbuilding, lumbering zers — began summering in Bar Harbor of the breathtaking Schoodic Peninsula, with which it spread. More than 10,000 of
or farming. This time period is well docu- and nearby Northeast and Seal harbors. which faces Mount Desert Island across the acres that burned were in Acadia Na-
mented at the Islesford Historical Mu- They built magnificent summer “cot- Frenchman Bay. The family who donated tional Park.
seum, located on Little Cranberry Island tages” of palatial dimensions, entertained the 2,000-acre peninsula had but one small The blaze also swept down Bar Harbor’s
and accessible by cruise and mail boats. lavishly and forever altered the rustic stipulation: Being residents of England, “Millionaire’s Row,” destroying more than
character of the island. Ironically, these they objected to the park’s Francophile 60 grand summer cottages and bringing
SUMMERCATORS same summer colonists also helped pre- name. Dorr arranged to change the name the uppercrust resort era to a close. Some
B y m i d - c e n t u r y, a n e w i n d u s t r y serve the natural beauty of Mount Desert to Acadia National Park, a move that re- of the surviving cottages have been con-
emerged: tourism. First artists, such as Island. Acadia, the first eastern national quired an act of Congress. The park’s last verted into inns and bed-and-breakfasts.
the landscape painters Thomas Cole park, was created from land donated en- major acquisition came in 1943, with the Others remain private residences for a new
and Frederic Church, traveled to Mount tirely by private citizens. donation of 3,000 acres on unspoiled Isle generation of summercators.
SIG H T S T O SE E
SIGHTS TO SEE The shoreline section of Park Loop Road glaciers. The Beehive can be glimpsed from
is the most heavily traveled in Acadia, and Park Loop Road.
for good reason. The road offers marvelous Another feature you can see along
Acadia boasts varied and dramatic scen- dia National Park consists of the dazzling views of Frenchman Bay, as well as front- Park Loop Road is Thunder Hole, lo -
ery, including a coastline of chiseled granite, Schoodic Peninsula and several of f- row seats to the pitched battle between land cated midway between Great Head and
the ocean dotted with islands, 26 mountain shore islands, including Baker Island and and sea. Most of the road’s scenic highlights Otter Cliffs. Timing is everything here. As
peaks (that together constitute the high- remote Isle au Haut. can be seen by car. To experience them, wind-driven tides sweep into this narrow
est headlands along the eastern seaboard), however, get out and walk the rolling footpath granite channel, air becomes trapped, es-
close to a dozen glacial lakes and ponds, PARK LOOP ROAD that winds alongside Park Loop Road. caping with a thunderous report. At low tide
and Somes Sound, the only fiard (a smaller Many natural attractions are found along In this otherwise rock-bound park, Sand on a calm day, Thunder Hole is stubbornly
version of a fjord, a glacially carved, u- Park Loop Road, a 27-mile, two-lane thor- Beach is a graceful anomaly. Located at silent. Just south of Thunder Hole are Otter
shaped valley bordered by steep cliffs) in the oughfare that winds through the eastern Newport Cove, 10 miles from the visitor Cliffs, 100-foot pink granite buttresses rising
contiguous 48 states. half of Mount Desert Island. It is acces- center, this is the park’s only sand beach on straight out of the water.
In shape, Mount Desert Island resem- sible from Hulls Cove, Cadillac Mountain, the ocean. Swimming at Sand Beach is not Marked only by a simple set of wooden
bles a lobster claw. Many of Acadia’s best- Sieur de Monts and Stanley Brook en- for the faint of heart. Ocean temperatures stairs leading down to the water, Little
known attractions are on the eastern side trances. While you can drive the loop in seldom climb above 55ºF. Warmer waters Hunters Beach is often overlooked by mo-
of the “claw,” which is separated from under an hour, most visitors find that it for swimming can be found on the western torists in search of grander vistas. But this
the western side by Somes Sound. The takes at least half a day to take in all that side of the island at Echo Lake, Acadia’s other is one of Acadia’s most peaceful and shel-
park’s western half features several moun- this scenic route has to offer. Please re- beach site. tered spots, a steeply pitched cove lined
tains, numerous salt marshes and nature member: While the park is open year-round, A short hike inland from Sand Beach is entirely with cobblestones. These small, egg-
trails, and some of the best birdwatching Park Loop Road is mostly closed between the Beehive, a 520-foot-high mountain with shaped rocks were polished by the pounding
in New England. The remainder of Aca- December 1 and April 14. a honeycombed eastern face sculpted by surf (collecting is prohibited).
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“This experience has

changed me forever.”
Conserving Lands.
Transforming Lives.
Serve, support, learn more at
THESCA.ORG
Water rushing into Thunder Hole makes a striking sound that can be heard from a nearby
observation deck. Don’t get splashed!

Thompson Island Information Center
Hulls Cove Visitor Center

Park Headquarters

Cadillac Mountain Entrance

Bar Harbor

Sieur de Monts Entrance

Bear Brook

Overlook

Sand Beach

Thunder Hole
Otter Point

Islesford Historical Museum
Stanley Brook Entrance

Wildwood Stables
Jordan Pond House
Bubble Rock
Northeast Harbor
Echo Lake
Southwest Harbor
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Bass Harbor
Bernard
Pretty Marsh
Schoodic Institute at Acadia
National Park
Let someone else do the driving for you! The Island Explorer bus service is a
fare-free, environmentally conscientious way to see the park. The shuttle runs
from late June through the Columbus Day holiday. For more information, refer to
the shuttle bus map in this guide, visit exploreacadia.com or call (207) 667-5796.
S IG HTS T O SEE SIG H T S T O SE E
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JORDAN POND AND THE BUBBLES and beyond that, much of Maine itself. Some
In a park dotted with glacier-carved ponds visitors arrive at Cadillac at dawn to see the
and lakes, Jordan Pond is perhaps the love- sun rise in one of the first places in the United
liest. Located on the western side of Park States. Others prefer the mountain’s equally
Loop Road, its waters are clear and cool. Its dazzling sunsets. Whenever they come, most
shores are flanked by Penobscot Mountain to visitors spend hours clambering over the
the west and Pemetic Mountain to the east, bald granite dome.
both accessible by hiking trails. The view that It can be very difficult to find parking at
sets Jordan Pond apart lies to the north, and Cadillac Mountain from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
rising from the shore are a pair of rounded and at sunrise and sunset. Ask rangers about
mountains, aptly named the Bubbles. other locations that are just as beautiful but
less crowded.
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
Whether driving from Park Loop Road to SOMES SOUND
the top of its 1,530-foot summit or hiking up Neatly bisecting the eastern and west-
one of the trails, most visitors consider Cadil- ern halves of Mount Desert Island, Somes
lac Mountain the high point—both literally (rhymes with “homes”) Sound is home to the
and figuratively—of their trip to Acadia. Not only fiard, a smaller version of a fjord, in the
only is Cadillac the park’s highest peak, but contiguous 48 states. A more poetic meet- The waters of Jordan Pond are clear and cool. Rising from the shore are a pair of rounded mountains,
aptly named the Bubbles.
it is also the tallest mountain on the Atlantic ing of land and sea is hard to imagine. Steep
coast north of Brazil. On a clear day (visibility mountains line both sides of the sound, a nar- Route 198), which closely hugs the sound’s from the rocky, southernmost tip of Mount
is best during fall and winter), the panoramic row, 168-foot-deep gorge carved by glaciers. eastern shore. Desert Island, is one of the most photo-
views Cadillac commands are unparalleled. The best views of Somes Sound, other than graphed lighthouses on the East Coast.
Spread out below are island-dappled French- from a sailboat or Acadia Mountain, are from SEAWALL The light, which was built in 1858, marks
man and Blue Hill bays, the whole of the park, the southbound side of Sargeant Drive (off The western side of Mount Desert the entrance to Bass Harbor, and beyond
Island includes the more tranquil part of the it, Blue Hill Bay. Now fully automated and
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park. Less visited and congested, it also af- managed by the U.S. Coast Guard, it is
fords visitors wonderful views of Somes the only park lighthouse accessible by
Sound and the mountainous eastern portion car. The lighthouse is located on the west-
of the park. Located on a narrow stretch of ern side of the island, on Route 102A. Be
Route 102A, between a small pond and a prepared for heavy traffic during sunrise,
broad expanse of bay, Seawall faces the sunset, and in the middle of the day. Note:
Duck Islands and the Atlantic Ocean. This is RVs and buses are not allowed on the road
an ideal spot for watching many seabirds. to the lighthouse.
This side of the island is also home to Echo
Lake, a favorite spot for those who want to ISLE AU HAUT
fish, canoe, kayak, picnic and even swim. Fifteen miles southwest of Mount Desert
Visitors who camp overnight here are at the mouth of Penobscot Bay lies Isle au
treated to a spectacular sunrise over Great Haut, the most remote section of the park.
Cranberry Island. Accessible by a 45-minute mail boat ride
from the village of Stonington (no car ferries
The western side of Mount Desert Island includes the more tranquil part of the park. Visitors will find BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE are available), Isle au Haut rewards those who
less congestion and wonderful views. Bass Harbor Head Light, which rises make the trip with hiking trails, spruce for-
S IG HTS T O SEE WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK
ests, cobblestone beaches and unobstructed Point. The point, which confronts the sea
PRESERVATION
views of the Atlantic. head-on, unprotected by any offshore is-
lands, fully merits the word spectacular.
SCHOODIC PENINSULA Full of sound and fury, wave after relent- “In wildness is the preservation of buses, which annually carries more than half
By comparison, Schoodic Peninsula less wave hurls itself at the shore, sending the earth.” a million passengers to and from the park
is a model of accessibility, located just plumes of ocean spray into the air—surely —Henry David Thoreau from mid-June to Columbus Day, reduce the
one hour by car from Bar Harbor, off one of Acadia’s most spellbinding sights. amount of pollutants and greenhouse gases
Route 186. Still, this 2,366-acre peninsula In 2002, the U.S. Naval Base on Sc- So wrote America’s great naturalist-philos- released into the air.
(Acadia’s only wedge of the mainland) hoodic closed and those 100 acres were opher more than a century ago. A frequent
does not attract as many visitors as Mount returned to the National Park Service, the visitor to Maine’s north woods, Thoreau well RESTORING ACADIA
Desert Island. original owner. The Schoodic Institute understood the healing powers of this vast, Fortunately, the notion of preservation is
Thus, visitors to Schoodic can freely at Acadia National Park has been es- virgin landscape. By preserving such wild- as old as the park itself. George Dorr, John D.
explore the six-mile park road (RVs are re- tablished there, the purpose of which is ness, he wrote, we are also ensuring our own Rockefeller, Jr., and the park’s other founders
stricted with the exception of the Schoodic to promote and facilitate education and re- survival—not just physically, but spiritually. were all conservationists working to protect
Woods Campground), a 440-foot headland, search that is consistent with the mission Every year, millions of visitors travel Mount Desert Island from the ravages of the
various hiking trails, eight miles of bike of the NPS. One of the programs taking to Acadia in search of the wildness Tho- sawmill and automobile. More than 35,000
paths and the area’s cobblestone beaches. place there is the Schoodic Education Ad- reau described, making it one of the top 10 acres were donated so that they might be
If a crowd collects anywhere, it is usually at venture, a three-day residential program for most visited national parks in the country. preserved for public use.
high tide at the rock ledge called Schoodic fifth through eighth graders. Such popularity has led to a pressing—and Progress has been made to restore
complex—dilemma faced by park officials; Acadia’s hiking trails and carriage roads.
SENTINELS OF THE SEA the more people who seek out Acadia’s spe- Acadia Trails Forever and the Carriage Road
cial beauty, the more endangered that beauty Endowment, established in partnership with
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There is no symbol of the Maine coast more

becomes. Park officials must balance visitor Friends of Acadia, support new construction
stirring than the lighthouse. Whether rising tall
use with the protection of the park’s precious and maintenance. Each year, park trail and
on the mainland or on a tiny scrap of rock many
natural resources. road crews, the Acadia Youth Conservation
miles out to sea, these beacons have guided
mariners through Maine’s many rocky ledges Corps and hundreds of volunteers rehabilitate
and pea-soup fogs for more than 200 years. AREAS AT RISK stone steps and walls, clear vegetation from
Maine is second only to Michigan in its number The summit of Cadillac Mountain would drainage systems, build bog walks in wet-
of lighthouses. More than 60 are found from seem impervious to man or nature. Yet this lands and more.
the Cape Neddick Light at the state’s southern granite dome is also home to a fragile environ- Park officials have prepared a long-term
tip to the West Quoddy Head Light in Maine’s ment of sub-alpine vegetation, low-lying heath- general management plan for Acadia to pro-
mostly undeveloped Down East region. ers, shrubs, berries and wildflowers that are tect the park’s resources and the visitor expe-
Maine lighthouses were originally manned by extremely sensitive to the visitor footsteps. rience. The plan weighs how best to stop the
a lighthouse keeper and often by his family, as
The island’s sea caves are a unique changes that park officials can and works to
well. Romantic in the telling, the life of a light-
oceanside habitat that once supported a va- increase and maintain the resilience of Aca-
house keeper (especially an offshore keeper)
riety of marine life. Today, those species are dia’s forests, streams, wetlands and lakes
was, in practice, lonely and fraught with respon-
sibility and risk. Today, all Maine lighthouses are greatly depleted. Some creatures may have against current and future challenges.
Maine is second only to Michigan in its number been collected as souvenirs, but park natu-
automated and monitored by the U.S. Coast of lighthouses.
Guard. Some decommissioned lighthouses are ralists speculate that human footsteps alone REDUCING HUMAN IMPACT
being put to use as bed-and-breakfasts. Island. Built between 1828 and 1875, all the may have been enough to disturb this fragile Because parklands and private property
Acadia boasts four lighthouses spread lighthouses except Great Duck are visible from environment. are interspersed, the park inevitably feels the
among the surrounding bays: Bass Harbor- various points in the park. Only Bass Harbor Air quality is also a concern at Acadia. The impact of growth and development in neigh-
Head, Bear Island, Egg Rock and Great Duck Head is accessible by car.
propane-powered Island Explorer shuttle boring communities.
PR E S E R VA T I ON WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK
Friends of Acadia’s programs and partner- year period, the program allocated $6.5 mil-
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND
ships include the fare-free, low-emissions Island lion to trail reconstruction and $6.5 million
Explorer bus system; advocacy for additional in endowments to maintain Acadia’s
congressional funds; a revolving fund to protect 125-mile foot trail system and fund student Acadia National Park covers much of contemporary visitors will find inns, hotels,
privately held lands within park boundaries; and employment programs. Mount Desert Island. Most of the park is guesthouses, sidewalk cafés, formal res-
collaboration on a transportation management For more information, please con - preserved in its natural state, with commer- taurants and block after block of boutiques,
plan, viewable at nps.gov/acadiaplan. tact Friends of Acadia, P.O. Box 45, Bar cial activity taking place outside the park in specialty shops and galleries.
Visitors are encouraged to see the “Leave Harbor, ME 04609; (207) 288-3340, or surrounding communities. Busy little resort Bar H arbor is also home to such
No Trace” article in this chapter for other visit friendsofacadia.org. towns offer modern services, lodging, dining prestigious institutions as Ja c ks on
ways to help protect the park. spots, gift shops and antique stores. L a b o r a to r y, a leading genetic s re -
RECYCLING The eastern half of Mount Desert is the search center, Mount Deser t Island
LASTING TRAILS Acadia has undertaken a solid waste more populated side. It is home to the town Biological Lab and the College of the At-
Rock slides, natural erosion and millions recycling program that includes items of Bar Harbor, which is near the Cadillac lantic, a small liberal arts college. During
of visitors place a heavy toll on the trails of used by visitors. Bins for glass, plastic and Mountain Entrance to Acadia National Park. the summer, all offer educational programs
Acadia National Park. To combat degrada- aluminum are placed throughout the park. The western half, locally known as the for the public.
tion, Friends of Acadia and Acadia National From 2001 to 2005, the program recycled an “quiet side,” is more rural. The land is punctu- Learn more about the town’s history at
Park launched “Acadia Trails Forever,” a average of more than 18 tons of newsprint, ated with marshes, coves, inlets and an oc- the Bar Harbor Historical Museum located
$13 million partnership to reverse these ef- cardboard, plastic and glass per year. casional village. at 33 Ledgelawn Ave. The museum is open
fects. Friends of Acadia is contributing $9 Pollution also comes from light. Several Aca- from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday
million of the funding; the balance comes dia towns have passed ordinances to preserve BAR HARBOR from mid-June to October and by appoint-
from admission fees. During a nearly 10- the island’s stunning views of the night sky. Bar Harbor (population 5,325) is a vibrant ment in the winter season. Free admission.
gateway community to Acadia. Where the For more information call (207) 288-0000 or
millionaires’ summer cottages once stood, visit barharborhistorical.org.
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A membership organization
dedicated to Acadia National
Park and its surrounding
communities
join, volunteer,
make a difference!
friendsofacadia.org
Most of Acadia National Park is preserved in its natural state, and every season offers its own spectacular
scenery for visitors to enjoy.
MO UNT DES E R T I S L AND WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK
THINGS TO DO
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Although Acadia is dazzling in summer, eastern half of the island, are lined with bro-
the park’s beauty flourishes throughout the ken stone and some sections are more suit-
year. By land and by sea there is no such able for mountain bikes than racing ones.
thing as an off-season at Acadia. Bikes are not allowed on hiking trails or off
of designated roads. eBikes are considered
SPRING, SUMMER motorized vehicles and are also prohibited

on carriage roads.
AND FALL For more information, please pick up a
copy of a park map. Bicycle guides are avail-
AMPHITHEATER PROGRAMS able for a fee at Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
In the evening, Acadia’s two camp - Bicycles can be rented in Bar Harbor, North-
grounds present free programs in their east Harbor and Southwest Harbor. Please
centrally located amphitheaters. Programs contact the chambers of commerce listed
span a range of natural and cultural history in the “Plan Your Visit” chapter for more
topics (ideal for families). You do not have information.
Bar Harbor is a vibrant gateway community to Acadia. Guests will find inns, sidewalk cafés, formal to stay at a campground to attend!
restaurants and block after block of boutiques.
BIRDWATCHING
NORTHEAST HARBOR out over Somes Sound. The second largest AUDIO TOUR Sieur de Monts Spring, Ship Harbor and
Eleven miles from Bar Harbor lies town on Mount Desert, it is ranked one of the Eastern National has prepared an au- Wonderland trails are all favorite birdwatch-
Northeast Harbor (population 488). This top 12 commercial fishing harbors in Maine. dio tour of Acadia National Park. The ing spots, as are the summits of Cadillac
low-key town, punctuated by stately sum- Boat-building is the main industry and some 56 -mile driving tour (which can take be- and Beech mountains during the fall hawk
mer homes and boats bobbing at the wa- of the world’s finest crafts come from here. tween four and six hours to complete) migration. Ask at a park visitor center about
terfront, sits on a protected deep-water The Wendell Gilley Museum exhibits covers the entire Park Loop Road, as well ranger-led hawk-watching. Birding is at its
port—one of the best in the state. more than 200 bird carvings and offers carv- as Sargeant Drive along lovely Somes peak from late May through September,
Walk along Municipal Pier or poke your ing demonstrations. Stop by the Clark Point Sound. Scenic points of interest are high- but there is never a shortage of birds at
head into the town’s antique store and old Gallery to view 19th- and 20th-century paint- lighted and the park’s natural and cultural Acadia. See the “Nature & Wildlife” chap-
bookshop. On Route 3, Thuya Garden ings of the island and other parts of Maine. history is explained. The CD or down- ter for more information about birds that
mixes formal English flower beds with On land, you can golf, hike, rent a bike or loadable audio tour may be purchased at can be seen in and around the park.
simple Japanese influences. Each June, have a beachside picnic. Take to the water the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Please call
Asticou Azalea Garden, on Route 198, and hop the ferry to the Cranberry Isles, or (207) 288-4988 for more information. CRUISES AND WHALE WATCHING
presents more than 20 varieties of azaleas. go deep-sea fishing for halibut or tuna. Some of the best views of Acadia are to be
Seasonal activities include golf and tennis. On the outskirts of Southwest Harbor is BICYCLING had from the ocean. Out on the open waters
The Great Harbor Maritime Museum the village of Manset, home of several boat The only tough part about being a cy- of Frenchman Bay, gazing back at Acadia’s
on Main Street is a good place to see yards. The nearby town of Tremont, home clist at Acadia National Park is trying to granite headlands, you’ll understand why
some of the island’s historical artifacts. to 1,563 islanders, takes its name from the decide which of the many roads to ex- French explorer Samuel Champlain named
French trois and mont, describing the three plore. A lthough Park Loop Road is the island l’Isles des Monts-déserts, a refer-
SOUTHWEST HARBOR mountains seen from the town. Lobstering open to cyclists, most opt to ride on the ence to the fact that the mountains looked
Found on the island’s western “quiet is the primary industry. West Tremont, Ber- carriage roads that are closed to auto traf- deserted or bare. A cruise is also an opportu-
side,” Southwest Harbor is a large fishing nard and Bass Harbor are smaller villages fic and offer a whole new perspective of nity to learn about Acadia’s marine life, from
village with a population of 1,764 that looks associated with Tremont. Acadia. The roads, which wind through the lobsters to harbor seals to pelagic birds. Dress
31 A C A D I A NA TI ONA L PARK | | A C A D IA N A T IO N A L P A R K 32
T H INGS T O DO
warmly and bring along a pair of binoculars. lighthouse in the area and see the 220-year-
See the “Nature & Wildlife” chapter for more old Gilley farmstead. Tickets are $49 for
information about watchable wildlife. adults, $27 for children 6 to 14 and $14 for
Available cruises include four park ranger- children under 5. For more information, visit
led nature cruises, two of which include barharborwhales.com
stops on nearby islands. Contact the cruise Islesford Historical Cruise: This 2.75-
lines listed or check at a visitor center for hour cruise includes the Somes Sound and
details and options. Many other cruises— a stop at Little Cranberry Island’s Islesford
whale watches, deep-sea fishing and lob- Historical Museum, whose collection docu-
ster fishing—are also available through local ments Mount Desert Island’s fishing and
charter boat companies. Contact the cham- seafaring heritage. Ticket prices are $32 for
bers of commerce listed in the “Plan Your adults, $29 for seniors 65 and older, $19 for
Visit” chapter for more information. children ages 6 to 12 and $9 for children 5 and
Acadia by the Sea: Cruise through under (infants free). For more information, call
Frenchman Bay on a catamaran to see the (207) 276-5352 or visit cruiseacadia.com.
coast of Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Frenchman Bay Cruise: View wildlife
Peninsula and all the islands in between and learn about history on this two-hour
on this 2.75-hour tour. Tickets are $42 for cruise on a 151-foot, four-masted schooner.
adults, $27 for children 6 to 14, and $14 for Ticket prices: $42 for adults, $39 for se-
children 5 and under. For more information, niors, $32 for children under 12 and $7 for
contact the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Com- those ages 2 to 5. Children under 2 sail free,
pany, barharborwhales.com. but require reservations. For more informa-
Baker Island Cruise: Explore a 130-acre tion, call (207) 288-4585.
uninhabited island on this five-hour (includ-
ing one hour of hiking) cruise. Visit the oldest CARRIAGE TOURS
Wildwood Stables, located on the Park
Loop Road, offers multiple scheduled rides
FUN FACTS
daily in open carriages drawn by draft horses.
The rides are fully narrated with a history of
the park and the carriage roads. Many enjoy
Q . CAN I USE MY GPS the two-hour early evening sunset ride to the
UNIT IN THE PARK?
summit of Day Mountain. The stables are
A. Yes! Acadia’s open from late May to mid-October. Reserva-
EarthCache Program is tions are strongly recommended.
a great way to explore the For visitors with disabilities, there are
park while learning about its
carriages that can accommodate wheel-
geological story. Using your own GPS
c h a i r s . F o r m o r e i n fo r m a t i o n , c a l l
unit and a set of clues, you can guide
1-877-276-3622 or (207) 276-5721 or visit
yourself to a series of park sites. For more
information, visit nps.gov/acad.
acadiahorses.com. -
For answers to all your questions, FALL FOLIAGE

go to OhRanger .com Fall is foliage season at Acadia National
Park and a great time to tour the park. The
T H IN G S T O DO T H IN G S T O D O
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weather, of course, has the final say when a highlight of your trip and give you a dif-
it comes to timing and intensity—warm ferent perspective of coastal Maine. Check
days and cold nights promise a quicker color out coastal lighthouses, Cadillac Moun-
change with more brilliant reds, oranges and tain, Somes Sound and other scenic areas.
yellows. Flights depart from Hancock County-Bar
Generally, the leaves reach their peak color- Harbor Airport.
ation during the first two weeks of October.
The Maine Department of Conservation HORSEBACK RIDING
issues weekly foliage reports between mid- For park visitors traveling with their
September and mid-October, describing the own horses, Acadia’s carriage roads make
amount of color and leaf fall in seven separate ideal riding trails. Stalls and campsites
regions of the state. Acadia is part of Zone 2. are available. For more information about
Please visit mainefoliage.com or call bringing your horse to the park, call Wild-
(800) 533-9595 for more information. wood Stables at 1-877-276-3622 or visit
acadiahorses.com.
FISHING
Fishing is allowed on all of Acadia’s ponds KAYAKING
and lakes. Landlocked salmon and brook Whether you are a novice or a skilled pad- Paddlers enjoy kayaking in the lakes, ponds and ocean around Acadia. Some make the journey to
remote campsites for overnight trips.
trout can be caught in the larger lakes. A dler, you can enjoy sea kayaking in the waters
state fishing license is required for freshwater around Mount Desert Island. Guided tours of open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 18 Harbor (on the west side of Mount Desert
fishing, and you must register online to par- varying lengths are available, including over- through October 15. Island). This small gem of a gallery features
ticipate in saltwater fishing. Lakes and ponds night camping trips to remote island sites. Call You need to take a mail or a tour boat to exhibitions and demonstrations on the
are under Maine State jurisdiction. Please see the chambers of commerce listed in the “Plan Little Cranberry Island to visit Islesford His- Down East art of bird woodcarving. Gil-
the “Park Regulations & Safety” chapter for Your Visit” chapter for more information. torical Museum, home to exhibits about ley, a Southwest Harbor native, gained a
more information. New England’s maritime history. Open daily national reputation for his exquisite wood-
MUSEUMS from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 29 through carvings. It is open year-round. Please
FLIGHTSEEING Abbe Museum is located off Park Loop August and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (12 p.m. to 4 visit wendellgilleymuseum.org or call
Flightseeing tours of Acadia, Bar Harbor Road near Sieur de Monts Spring and houses p.m. on Sundays) in September. Free. Call (207) 244-7555 for more information
and other Downeast communities will be a handsome collection of American Indian ar- (207) 288-3338 for more information. The Mount Desert Oceanarium, lo-
tifacts. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through Lifelike exhibits of animals native to Mount cated on Route 3 in Bar Harbor, features a
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October. Tickets are $3 per adult, $7 per se- Desert Island are mounted at the George B. lobster hatchery and exhibits about Maine
nior, and $1 per child ages 11 to 17 (10 and Dorr Museum of Natural History at Col- marine life. The oceanarium’s Thomas Bay
under are free). The expanded Abbe Mu- lege of the Atlantic, located on Route 3 in Marsh Walk takes you to a two-deck view-
seum on Mt. Desert Street in Bar Harbor is Bar Harbor. Children will enjoy the hands- ing tower with a telescope for observing
open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 1 through on discovery room and summer field stud- birds and aquatic animals. Open mid-May
October 31; open Thursdays, Fridays, and ies programs. Limited parking is available; to late October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., November best accessed in summer on the Island through Saturday. Cost, including marsh
to April (closed in January). Fees are $8 per Explorer shuttle. For more information, walk, is $20 per adult, $15 for children 4
adult and $4 per child ages 11 to 17; under 10 visit www.coa.edu/dorr-museum or call to 12. Excluding marsh walk, ticket prices
admitted free. Please call (207) 288-3519 for (207) 288-5395. are $12 for adults and $8 for children ages
more information. Birds of a different feather can be found 4 to 10 (under 4 are free). For more infor-
Taking a nature cruise is one of the best ways The Sieur de Monts Nature Center is at the Wendell Gilley Museum, located mation, please call (207) 288-5005 or visit
to see Acadia’s diverse wildlife. located near Abbe Museum. The center is on Route 102 in the town of Southwest theoceanarium.com.
T H IN G S T O DO T H IN G S T O D O
CARRIAGE ROADS PARK PROGRAMS

Perhaps the best way to appreci - WINTER
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ate the park is in the company of a park
ranger. Park rangers can help you better Winter at Acadia is as beautiful as sum-
“read” the landscape, from its natural his- mer, and for the resourceful and adventur-
tory to the imprint man has left upon the ous visitor, every bit as stimulating. Hulls
land. Join a park ranger for a nature walk, Cove Visitor Center is closed November 1
bridges tour, evening star watch, or chil- through April 15. Park Loop Road is closed
In 1901, a group of wealthy Mount Desert conquered the island, visitors to Acadia can dren-friendly activities. Some programs between December 1 and April 14. Dur-
Island summer residents banded together to be thankful for Rockefeller’s generosity and require reservations (no earlier than three ing winter, park services are offered at Bar
set aside the land that would later become foresight. Winding through the eastern half of days in advance). For a current schedule, Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 2 Cot-
Acadia National Park. One of the park’s early the island, past lakes and mountains, these
ask at Hulls Cove Visitor Center or visit the tage St. in Bar Harbor. Park rangers will be
benefactors was John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the roads are now enjoyed by hikers, joggers,
park website. glad to help you plan your winter outing to
millionaire industrialist and philanthropist cyclists, cross-country skiers, carriage riders
ensure maximum enjoyment and safety.
who later planned and built New York City’s and horseback riders.
Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller hoped the
PICNICKING
land would one day become “a real gem of There are picnic areas at Bear Brook, WINTER CAMPING
the first order among national parks,” but, in Fabbri (- ), Seawall and Pretty Marsh on A small section of the Blackwoods
1913, that hope was threatened by an unfore- Mount Desert Island and at Frazer Point campground is available for winter camp-
seen menace: the arrival of the automobile on on the Schoodic Peninsula and Thomp- ing from November 12 to April 9 for free. A
Mount Desert Island. son Island. Each has picnic tables, fire permit from park headquarters is required.
Rockefeller, however, did not take this grills, water fountains and restrooms. From April 12 to 30 and October 11 to No-
Picnicking is permit ted elsewhere in vember 19, a limited number of campsites
One of the best ways to experience Acadia is riding your bike or horse along its 45 miles of the park, provided visitors observe Aca- are available, weather permitting, for $15
carriage roads.
dia’s carry-in, carry-out policy. per night. Self-registration is required. Call
In 1901, a group of wealthy Mount Desert the park. Gently graded and lined with broken (207) 288-3338 for more information. Win-
Island summer residents banded together to
threat lying down. He wanted to preserve the
stone, the “Rockefeller Roads” (as they were ROCK CLIMBING ter visitors should be prepared for quick
set aside the land that would later become known) offered a refuge from the “horseless This adventurous sport is increasing changes in weather. Dress in layers and
horse-and-carriage experience for those who
Acadia National Park. One of the park’s early carriage” for hikers, horseback riders and the in popularity at Acadia. Mount Desert of- bring extra clothing, a first-aid kit, water,
preferred a quieter ride to the new-fangled
benefactors was John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the open, horse-drawn carriages, which were fers lofty challenge—you can climb Otter food, a blanket and maps.
automobile. Over the next 27 years, he built
millionaire industrialist and philanthropist the summercators’ preferred mode of travel.
a system of carriage roads crisscrossing his Cliffs, 60-foot rocky sea cliffs overlooking
who later planned and built New York City’s Linking over 50 miles of carriage roads were
property, most of which he later donated to the ocean, or the South Wall of Champlain WINTER SPORTS
Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller hoped the a series of handsome bridges that were built
the park. Gently graded and lined with broken Mountain, a 200-foot scaling up a granite When covered with a mantle of snow,
land would one day become “a real gem of with local granite and cobblestone. The Rock-
stone, the “Rockefeller Roads” (as they were mountain face. There are no outfitters in the park’s carriage roads make ideal cross-
the first order among national parks,” but, in efeller Roads were not without controversy,
known) offered a refuge from the “horseless
1913, that hope was threatened by an unfore- however. Some summer residents consid- the park, but you can hire a guide. For more country ski trails. Snow also blankets Aca-
carriage” for hikers, horseback riders and the
seen menace: the arrival of the automobile on ered them a scar on the wilderness. information, please call the Bar Harbor dia’s lakes, making ice skating difficult. Ice
open, horse-drawn carriages, which were
Mount Desert Island. Today, now that the automobile has all but Chamber of Commerce at (800) 345-4617. fishermen fare well, however, and their fish-
the summercators’ preferred mode of travel.
Rockefeller, however, did not take this
Linking over 50 miles of carriage roads were
conquered the island, visitors to Acadia can ing shacks are a familiar sight on the park’s
threat lying down. He wanted to preserve the
a series of handsome bridges that were built
be thankful for Rockefeller’s generosity and SWIMMING lakes and ponds between January and early
horse-and-carriage experience for those who foresight. Winding through the eastern half of Swimming is permitted at Sand Beach March. Be cautious and ensure that ice thick-
with local granite and cobblestone. The Rock-
preferred a quieter ride to the new-fangled the island, past lakes and mountains, these (saltwater) and Echo Lake (freshwater).Ocean ness is sufficient to support your weight.
efeller Roads were not without controversy,
automobile. Over the next 27 years, he built roads are now enjoyed by hikers, joggers,
however. Some summer residents consid- temperatures average an invigorating 55–60ºF Snowmobilers can use the 27-mile Park
a system of carriage roads crisscrossing his cyclists, cross-country skiers, carriage riders
ered them a scar on the wilderness. so be prepared to be chilly. Both beaches Loop Road, but are not allowed on most
property, most of which he later donated to and horseback riders.
Today, now that the automobile has all but have lifeguards on duty during the summer carriage roads.
W A L K IN G A N D H IK IN G
WALKING & HIKING WALKING & HIKING TRAILS

Round-Trip
Trail Distance Difficulty
Whether you’re a casual stroller or card- Harbor during low tide, wander out across Trailhead Description Time Elevation Gain
carrying thrill-seeker, Acadia has a path for the gravel bar that leads to Bar Island—but
you. The Mount Desert Island section of don’t linger—after 90 minutes, the path will Bar Harbor Shore Path A gravel trail with views of the four 1.0 mile very easy
Bar Harbor town pier Porcupine Islands, and on the shore 30 minutes level
the park alone boasts 17 mountains. Isle au disappear beneath the incoming tide. side, views of Bar Harbor
Haut and Schoodic Peninsula have several Park trailheads and junctions are clearly
Great Meadow Loop A pleasant loop connecting Bar Harbor 2.0 miles very easy
additional peaks. Because the mountains are marked with small, wooden directional signs, Village Green to Acadia with historic sites along the 30 minutes level
all less than 1,600 feet tall, each can be hiked and the paths with blue-paint blazes. way. Access to other trails available
in less than a day and several can be scaled in Pick up a copy of the NPS map of Acadia, Ocean Path A gently rolling footpath following 3.6 miles easy
Sand Beach parking area Park Loop Road to Otter Cliffs with 2 hours fairly level
an hour. During late summer, many trails are available at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to views of the rock-bound coast
fringed with wild blueberries. Regular visi- use as your road map for driving. It shows el- Schoodic Head Trail A gentle trail offering views of Schoodic 1.0 mile easy to moder-
tors to Acadia know to head to the hills when evations as well as where to find hiking trails Schoodic Peninsula Loop Peninsula and Mount Desert Island 30 minutes ate
Road opposite West Pond 440 feet
the popular Park Loop Road is congested. and scenic carriage roads. Detailed hiking
Ship Harbor Trail A walk through spruce forests and 1.3 miles easy
Even at the height of summer, some of the maps can be purchased at the visitor center.
Ship Harbor parking area along the salt marsh shore of Ship 40 minutes mostly level
hiking trails offer peace and privacy. For more information, refer to the Carriage off Route 102A Harbor, great birdwatching (rocky patches)
Not all of Acadia’s trails lead uphill. Some Roads article in the “Things to Do” chapter Beech Mountain Trail Steep in some sections, this trail on the 1.2 miles moderate
of the gentlest paths—such as Ocean Path, and the hiking safety tips in the “Park Regula- Beech Mountain parking western side of Mount Desert Island 1 hour 839 feet
area off Route 102 offers views of both Long Pond and
which runs parallel to the Ocean Drive sections & Safety” chapter. For additional read- Echo Lake. A fire tower crowns the
tion of Park Loop Road—offer some of the ing, pick up a copy of Carriage Roads of Acadia: summit (not open to the public).
best scenery. If you arrive at the town of Bar A Pocket Guide by Diana F. Abrell (2011). Great Head Trail This cliff walk loop provides views 1.4 miles moderate
Eastern end of Sand Beach of Frenchman Bay, Sand Beach 45 minutes 145 feet
off Park Loop Road and Gorham Mountain.
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Gorham Mountain Trail A short but spectacular climb up an oceanside 2.0 miles moderate
Gorham Mountain parking mountain offering continuous views 1 hour 525 feet
area off Park Loop Road
Jordan Pond Path This relatively level, but rocky, trail around 3.3 miles moderate
Jordan Pond parking area Jordan Pond boasts views of five mountains. 1.75 hours level
off Park Loop Road
Cadillac Mountain This is the least demanding of four 4.2 miles moderate
North Ridge Cadillac parking trails up Acadia’s highest peak with 2.5 hours 1,530 feet
area off Park Loop Road views of Frenchman Bay, offshore
islands and Schoodic Peninsula.
The Beehive A very steep trail along cliff ledges 1.8 miles strenuous
Just north of Sand Beach leads to the top of this mountain. Bowl 45 minutes 520 feet
area off Park Loop Road Trail offers a longer, gentler climb.
Acadia Mountain Trail The park’s best views of Somes 2.0 miles strenuous
Acadia Mountain parking Sound can be had from this trail. 1.25 hours 681 feet
area off Route 102
Emery Path A steady and sometimes steep climb 2.4 miles strenuous
Sieur de Monts Spring area to the top of Dorr Mountain, the first 2.25 hours 1,270 feet
section is terraced with granite steps.
Cadillac Mountain South A long, sometimes strenuous, 7.4 miles strenuous
Ridge hike up Acadia’s tallest peak 4.75 hours 1,530 feet
100 ft. SW of Blackwoods offers excellent panoramic views
Campground entrance of the ocean and mountains.
There are more than 25 peaks in Acadia. All are less than 1,600 feet tall, and most offer spectacular off Route 3
views of the Atlantic Ocean.
WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK
CAMPING JUST FOR KIDS

Acadia National Park has four camp - Harbor, is open from May 22 through A visit to Acadia gives kids a chance to adults and $4 for children ages 11 to 17
grounds, all within a five - minute walk October 14. C amping is $ 3 0 a night get back to nature and learn about plant (10 and under are free), and include ad-
of the ocean. Two are on Mount Desert for drive-up sites or $22 a night for the and animal life, living history and the won- mission at the Sieur de Monts museum.
Island, and one is on Isle au Haut and many walk-in sites. ders of the ecosystem. At the same time,
another is on the Schoodic Peninsula. These two campgrounds provide re- they’re able to gain a better appreciation STOP BY JORDAN POND HOUSE
Additional camping facilities are located strooms with cold running water (but no of the role rangers play in keeping Amer- Kids will love the homemade popovers
outside the park. shower facilities), picnic tables, fire rings, ica’s parks preserved for generations to and locally made strawberry jam at Jor-
Blackwoods Campground is located dump stations and centrally located amphi- come. Here’s a helpful rundown of some dan Pond House. You can get blueberry
off of Route 3, five miles south of Bar theaters for evening ranger programs. Des- fun ways kids can get involved. lemonade or soda, hot chocolate or root
Harbor on the eastern half of Mount Des- ignated campsites can accommodate RVs beer to go with them. Kids can sit with
ert Island. Approximately 300 campsites up to 35 feet long, but neither campground BECOME A JUNIOR RANGER parents at outdoor tables, or scamper
are open from May to October. Reserva- has utility hookups. Public showers and Kids of all ages can become Junior through the grass while the adults enjoy
tions are suggested and sites cost $30 camping supply stores are located within Rangers by completing the activities in the the views.
a night in season. Major credit cards are half a mile of campgrounds. Junior Ranger booklet, which is available at
accepted. Winter camping is by permit Located three miles south of W in - the visitor center. HIT THE BEACH
only and facilities are limited. ter Harbor about 50 miles from Mount Children will enjoy the crashing waves
S e awa l l C a m p g r o u n d,lo c ate d on Desert Island, Schoodic Woods Camp- VISIT THE NATURE CENTER and the combination of sand and shell frag-
the western half of the island on Route ground is open May 22 until October 13. Check out displays and learn about cli- ments at Sand Beach. If you’re not ready
102 A , four miles south of Southwest The site features hiking and biking trails, mate change through interactive exhibits. to brave the cold ocean waters here, try
as well as electric and water hookups for heading over to the swimming area at Echo
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RVs. EXPLORE THE CARRIAGE ROADS Lake. Both areas have lifeguards who are
Reservations can be made for all three Take kids on a horse-drawn carriage ride on duty from June through August.
campgrounds six months in advance. For on Acadia’s carriage roads.
more information or to make reser va - HIKE UP GORHAM MOUNTAIN
tions, please call (877) 444-6777 or visit GO TO THE WATER This short hike ascends only 525 feet
recreation.gov. Look for eagles, ospreys, harbor seals, por- and offers ocean views. During July and
The park maintains five lean-to shel- poises and other marine life and birds. August, you can pick blueberries on some
ters (which can accommodate up to six of Acadia’s mountains.
people) at Duck Harbor Campground, DRIVE UP CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
open May 15 to October 15, on pristine From the top, be the first in America to VISIT SCHOODIC PENINSULA
Isle au Haut. Facilities include a picnic see the sun rise each day. Mar vel at the surf’s sound and fur y
table, a fire ring, a portable toilet and a when it’s almost high tide. Tide informa-
hand pump for drinking water. Reser- VISIT THE ABBE MUSEUM tion is posted at the visitor center and in
vations are required and can be made A short walk from the Nature Center the ranger-led program schedule.
online starting April 1. There is a $20 and down a woodland path, the museum
special-use permit fee. No dogs are al- houses American Indian ar tifacts like
lowed in the campground. early pottery and bone and stone tools. TAKE YOUR MOMENTS AND
This campground is very popular; re - Fees are $ 3 for adults and $1 for chil - SHARE WITH US
Mount Desert Island’s campgrounds offer sites serve early. For more information, call dren (ages 11 to 17). Also visit the Abbe TELL US!
overlooking the park’s beautiful waterways. (207) 288-3338 or visit recreation.gov. in downtown Bar Harbor. Fees are $8 for
N A T U R E & W IL D L IFE
NATURE & WILDLIFE WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
Despite a number of ecological jack pines. But the best known is the white
demands, including harsh winters and pine, which unlike spruce and fir, prefers
overlapping land environments, Acadia’s sunlight to shadow. White pine grows
flora and fauna have flourished. Most of the quickly, usually to heights of more than 100
park’s animals are adept at avoiding detec- feet. Because of its great size, it was once
tion, but look carefully (and quietly) at dawn highly valued for sailing ship masts. 1 2 3
or dusk and you may see them feeding. To Acadia’s earliest inhabitants, no
tree was more important than the pa-
THE FOREST per birch. They used the birch’s tough,
For centuries, evergreens dominated much white bark to craft baskets, canoes and
of northern Maine. When the last glacier re- wigwams. Prized by native tribes and
ceded, spruce and balsam firs outnumbered set tlers alike was the s ugar maple,
deciduous trees such as birch and aspen. whose sweet sap produces that New
4 5 6
These coniferous trees inhibited the growth England delicacy, maple syrup.
of other vegetation with their long shad- 1 ATLANTIC PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica) 4 BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus)
ows and needles, which, as they decayed, THE WATER’S EDGE Often called “sea parrots” or “clowns of the sea,” It is unlikely that you’ll encounter a black bear.
produced acidic soil. Acadia’s intertidal zone teems with marine these pigeon-sized birds have large, bright orange They are active from spring through fall, moving
beaks and feet. They live in colonies on rocky is- through the woods and mountains eating berries,
These resinous trees are also especially life that has adapted to Acadia’s twice-daily
lands off the coast and aren’t visible from Mount fish or whatever food they can find. By fall, black
quick to burn and slow to regenerate. Fol- tides, which range between 10 and 12 feet.
Desert Island but can be seen during some boat bears claim a den beneath a rock or fallen tree
lowing the 1947 fire, a new forest of sun- Just below the low-water mark is kelp, a
cruises. • Weight 1 lb • Size 1 ft tall • Active spring to sleep for the winter. • Weight 200-600 lbs •
worshipping birch, maple and aspen dense, brown seaweed that can withstand
and summer. Photo: Shutterstock Size 5-6 ft long • Active spring, summer and fall.
sprang up amid the surviving evergreens. 600 pounds of water force per square inch Photo: Shutterstock
Thus, the fire increased the diversity of before breaking. Sheltered by the kelp are 2 BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Acadia’s woodlands and the intensity of its crabs, sea urchins, sea anemones, sea The national bird of the United States, the bald 5 COMMON LOON (Gavia immer)
fall foliage. As they grow, the deciduous stars and jellyfish. Next closest to shore is eagle lives in coastal woodlands and along wa- Listen for the melodious call of the loon echo-
trees produce the shade required by ever- Irish moss, a bushy, purplish-brown sea- terways, eating fish it catches with its talons. ing in the woods. Recognizable by their zebra-
Bald eagles mate for life and can live up to striped necklace, glossy checkerboard feathers
greens, and eventually spruce and fir will
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30 years in the wild. Look for bald eagles near and sleek graceful form, these majestic birds
stand tall once more in Acadia.
Frenchman Bay. Their seven-foot wingspan can dive as deep as 300 feet to catch their prey.
Ramrod straight with reddish-brown
makes them hard to miss. • Weight 10-20 lbs They eat fish, frogs, insects and vegetation.
bark and sharp, stiff needles, red spruce
• Size 2-4 ft tall • Active year-round. Photo: • Weight 6-14 lbs • Size 28-36 in long • Active
can grow as tall as 110 feet—although on Shutterstock year-round. Photo: Shutterstock
Acadia’s rocky mountaintops, dwarf spruce
one-tenth that size are common. Outside 3 BEAVER (Castor canadensis) 6 EASTERN COYOTE (Canis latrans)
the park, red spruce is heavily logged for These large, broad-tailed rodents build dams This buff- or gray-colored canine resembles
pulp. White spruce, which has silvery- year-round. In September, they start reinforc- a wolf but has a smaller build, narrower muz-
ing their lodges and building food caches to zle and larger ears. While the coyote is not a
brown bark and bluish-green needles, is
prepare for winter. Look for them at dawn and common visitor toMount Desert Island, locals
also found here.
dusk, when they are most active. • Weight report hearing its distinctive “singing” at night.
It is no accident that Maine is known
30-60 lbs • Size 35-50 in long, including tail • Weight 20-50 lbs • Size 30-40 in (head and body)
as the “Pine Tree State.” Several species Acadia’s intertidal zone is teeming with life • Active in Maine year-round. Photo: Shutterstock • Active in Maine year-round. Photo: Shutterstock
thrive in Acadia, including red, pitch and including crabs, sea urchins and sea anemones.
NA T U R E & W I LDLI FE N A T U R E & W IL D L IFE
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE weed. When processed, it becomes car- mon loon to the majestic bald eagle
rageenan, a thickening agent used in ice and peregrine falcon. Sea ducks
cream, cheese, salad dressing and choco- also frequent the coastal waters, par-
late milk. ticularly during the winter months. Of
At the high-water mark, you’ll find a particular note are buf fleheads, red-
white layer of acorn barnacles. These breas te d merganser s, common ei-
minute crustaceans float to shore and at- ders, black scoters, surf scoters and
tach to rocks, ship bottoms and pilings, white-winged scoters. The bufflehead
7 8 9 then they form a tough, conical shell. has a puffy, bonnet-shaped brow, while
Periwinkles, tiny snails half an inch long, the sleek merganser has a crested, almost
feed on wet algae with a rough tongue punkish coiffure. Surf scoters are known
called a radula. as “skunk ducks,” not because of their
A lichen, pale gray in color and known scent but rather for their black-and-white
as old man’s beard, festoons the spruce markings.
trees that grow near shore. Like their moun- Black guillemots are distinct both in
taintop cousins, the trees and plants that sight and sound—they have brilliant red
10 11 12
7 HARBOR SEAL (Phoca vitulina) 10 RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) grow along the coast are often dwarfed feet, a white wing patch and raucous
These playful animals bask in the sun on ledges You may see red fox hunting hare and small ro- and twisted—the result of fierce winds and squawks. These impressive birds nest
and islands at low tide, especially in spring and dents in open fields and salt marshes, or dart- highly saline ocean spray. on Long Porcupine Island and are visible
summer. At high tide, they take to the water, ing across the park’s roads and carriage roads along its steep ledges. Guillemots can
displaying admirable grace as they hunt for her- by night. Foxes rear their pups in dens. During MARINE WILDLIFE dive as deep as 165 feet to catch their fa-
ring, mackerel and other fish. Harbor seals are of- fall and winter, their red-brown coats become Spotting marine wildlife from aboard vorite treats—cod and mollusks.
ten grey with either dark or light spots or rings. • thick and richly colored. • Weight 6-24 lbs • Size a boat off the coast of Acadia National Dozens of brightly colored warblers
Weight 110-350 lbs • Size 18-36 in long • Active 15-30 in long • Active April through August. Park is a favorite visitor activity. Some of summer in Acadia, filling the woods with
year-round. Photo: Shutterstock Photo: Shutterstock
the most commonly seen whales include their cheerful songs. It is no wonder Aca-
8 HUMPBACK WHALE 11 SNOWSHOE HARE (Lepus americanus) the finback, which ranges from 30 to 70 dia is known as a birdwatcher’s paradise.
(Megaptera novaeangliae) In winter these hares molt their gray-brown coats feet in length and has a distinctive white See the “Things to Do” chapter for in-
These migratory baleen whales can be seen and grow white fur, which provides camouflage stripe across the right side of its jaws; formation about birdwatching in Acadia.
during boat cruises off the coast of Maine. The against the snow and helps them hide from preda- the humpback, which is 30 to 60 feet in
Shutterstock
Gulf of Maine is one of several major feeding ar- tors like coyotes and foxes. The stiff hairs on their length and is noted for its acrobatic be-
eas in the North Atlantic Ocean. No two whale feet form a “snowshoe,” supporting their weight havior, knobby head and snout; and the
tails are alike—each humpback’s flukes have a on the surface of the snow. • Weight 2-4 lbs smaller minke, which is usually less than
distinct black and white pattern. • Weight 30-40 • Size 16-20 in long • Active year-round. 20 feet in length. Puffins can also be seen
tons • Size 49-53 ft long • Active summer and Photo: Shutterstock
on islands along Acadia’s coast. See the
fall. Photo: Shutterstock
12 WHITE-TAILED DEER “Things to Do” chapter for more informa-
9 THE BLACK GUILLEMOT (Cepphus grylle) (Odocoileus virginianus) tion about ranger-led nature cruises and
Is quite a striking sight with its bright-red feet and These tall and graceful deer are plentiful in Acadia whale watching tours.
black feathers. The guillemot is only truly black in and are most often seen in areas with open fields.
summer, however; its feathers turn mostly white They have a tan coat and a tail with a white un- BIRDS
in winter. This bird eats mostly fish, and can stay derside, which is visible when they run or sense Located at the juncture of the north-
underwater for up to two minutes and 20 sec- danger. They feed on grasses, tree buds, nuts ern and temperate life zones, Acadia at-
onds. • Weight 11 to 17 oz • Size 12 to 12.5 in • and acorns. • Weight 110-300 lbs • Size 6-8 ft tall tracts more than 30 0 species of sea,
Active year-round. Photo: Shutterstock • Active year-round. Photo: Shutterstock Several companies offer daily puffin-viewing
shore, and land birds, from the com- tours from the end of May to mid-August.
PHOTOGRAPHY
For millennia, we’ve looked towards the tion. Next, set your white balance to daylight
heavens and contemplated what’s beyond settings (5500k) and turn on your mirror lock
our orbit and universe. More recently, star- to avoid mirror shake. Wait until the moon is
gazing has become increasingly difficult for out, too, as it’ll illuminate and add detail to
millions of people living in developed areas. If your foreground. Make sure that it’s behind
you live in a populated area east of the Missis- you. To capture star trails:
sippi or along the Pacific coast, odds are that • Set your ISO at 200 to reduce digital noise.
you can count the number of stars you see • Compose your image, making sure you
on your hands. National and state parks—re- have interesting features in the foreground.
mote and minimally developed—not only pro- • Choose your focal length. The longer the
tect our land, but also our dark skies which focal length, the quicker your star trails will
are ideal for astrophotography. start to form.
There are two primary types of astropho- • Set your camera to manual mode so that
tography shots that yield different, but stel- you can select your shutter speed and
lar compositions. A long exposure setting aperture.
will show stars trailing across the sky, while • Set your aperture between f/2.8 and f/4 for
a shorter exposure will show pinpoints of best results.
light—objects that a camera can capture that • Select “bulb mode” as your shutter speed.
the unaided eye cannot. Both require a cam- • Use your cable release or remote to open
era with interchangeable lenses and manual the shutter or set your timer for two to
controls to set aperture, ISO, and exposure four minutes.
settings. Here’s what you’ll need to start: Check your results. If your picture is too
• A sturdy tripod: Simply put, a shaky tri- dark, increase the exposure time. If your trails
pod will yield blurry photos. are to short, increase the exposure time.
• A cable release or remote control or in- Keep playing around with your settings to get
tervalometer: You’ll want to avoid touch- the results you desire. To learn how to take
ing your camera to minimize shake. The photos of the milky way and millions of points
addition of an intervalometer will allow you of light, visit ohranger.com/brightskies.
to take sequential long exposures.
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• Batteries: Your aperture may be open for

several hours, so it’s important to have
multiple fresh and fully charged batteries.
• A wide lens: Use the fastest, widest lens
available.
• A head lamp: It’ll be useful to set up your
equipment and illuminate your foreground.
Check the cloud cover; if there’s too much
wait until you have a clearer night. Before
you start, set your focus to infinity and turn Photographing the night sky is as close as many
off your autofocus and high ISO noise reduc- of us will get to exploring space.
IF YOU ONLY
HAVE A DAY
Acadia’s compact size makes it easy to series of mountain peaks. There are fre-
take in many of the park’s highlights in one quent turnouts where you can stop to ad-
day. To make the most of your time, begin mire the views. On a clear day, you can see
your day before 9 a.m. During the summer, Schoodic Point from Otter Cliffs. At the
the park is busiest between 10 a.m. and South Bubble turnout, look for the large
2 p.m. Don’t try to crowd too much into boulder on the mountaintop that was left
your day. See what you can, see it well and behind by a receding glacier.
make plans for a return trip. If time and weather permit, park your
car and sample some of Acadia on foot.
VISITOR CENTER Some short but scenic walks include the
Hulls Cove Visitor Center opens at dramatic Ocean Path along Frenchman
8 a.m. in July and August. An interpretive Bay, the hike up Gorham Mountain
display includes information about the park and the trail along the shore of Jordan
and works from Acadia’s artists in resi- Pond. Stop by the Jordan Pond House
dence. You can also pick up a free map and for warm popovers and fresh-squeezed
other park literature here. lemonade.
The Park Loop Road culminates with the
PARK LOOP ROAD drive to the summit of 1,530-foot Cadil-
Acadia’s Park Loop Road is an ideal day lac Mountain. From here, you’ll be able
trip. This 27-mile loop takes in much of to survey all of Acadia and the surrounding
the eastern half of Acadia, winding along bays—a view that is especially spectacular
the rocky coast past Sand Beach, Thunder at day’s end, when the setting sun suf-
Hole and Otter Cliffs. It then swings inland fuses the landscape with its warm light.
through the park’s wooded interior, past
Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake and past a MOUNT DESERT ISLAND
To finish off your day in Acadia, spend
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your evening strolling among the shops

and restaurants of one of Mount Des-
er t Island’s quaint communities. You
can also take a sunset or moonlight sail
on Frenchman Bay, named for French
explorer Samuel de Champlain. Should
you decide to stay the night, choose
among the island’s many inns, hotels
and bed-and-breakfasts.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE

PHOTOS WITH US!
Experience incredible views, like this one, FOLLOW US!
from Cadillac Mountain.
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NATURE & WILDLIFE WATCHABLE WILDLIFE

• Batteries: Your aperture may be open for

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