Acadia National Park is located along the mid-section of the Maine coast, southwest of Bar Harbor. The park includes about half of Mount Desert Island, part of the Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and portions of sixteen smaller outlying islands.
The park has the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast of the United States (Cadillac Mountain), exposed granite domes, glacial erratics, U-shaped valleys, and cobble beaches. Its mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows, and coastlines contribute to a diversity of plants and animals.
One of the most visited parks in the United States, Acadia National Park has over three million visitors a year. Acadia National Park was established in 1916 by Woodrow Willson with 6,000 acres, Acadia now covers more than 49,000 acres thanks to wealthy private citizens such as George B. Dorr, Charles W. Eliot, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Acadia’s landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scored granite that boasts of 60 miles of coastline, over 27 miles of scenic motor roads, 45 miles of carriage roads with horse-drawn carriages, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails provide numerous ways to explore the park, with varied lengths and levels of difficulty.
The 27-mile Park Loop Road is the primary avenue for exploring Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island by vehicle. It begins near the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on the northeastern side of the island in Bar Harbor that connects the park’s lakes, mountains, forest, and rocky shores for easy exploring. The Park Loop Road is a beautiful ride along oceanside cliffs and through mountain forests, with plenty of scenic turnouts and notable attractions along the way, such as Thunder Hole and Sand Beach, just two of the many attractions that are a must see!
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is one of the most popular to visitors boasting of spectacular views. It is accessible by car, is the highest point in the eastern United States, offers magnificent views of glaciated coastal and island landscape. The short, paved Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, interpretive waysides, restrooms, and gift shop are located at the summit. Be prepared - temperature and conditions can changed dramatically from the Loop Road.
Thunder Hole
Be sure to witness the power of the ocean tides at Thunder Hole that is a carved-out inlet along the rocky eastern shoreline of Mount Desert Island. At turning tide, it forces waves into the narrow channel, the air escapes with a thunderous reverberation that is both deafening and thrilling. Wave sprays have reached to over 40 feet tall. When it is low tide, follow the stairs down for a close look at the cliff walls that has been carved by the crashing water throughout the years. It is a tremendous sight to behold.
Sand Beach
Sand Beach is a gorgeous beach that is comprised of unique sand of shell fragments created by the pounding surf. Sand Beach is surrounded by cliffs of granite and surrounded by towering evergreens, and the water is a beautiful turquoise blue. Take a hike up to the Great Head Trail for an even better vantage point. Once at the top, enjoy the spectacular views of the beach.
views. It is accessible by car, is the highest point in the eastern United States, offers magnificent views of glaciated coastal and island landscape. The short, paved Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, interpretive waysides, restrooms, and gift shop are located at the summit. Be prepared - temperature and conditions can changed dramatically from the Loop Road.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is known for its stunning coastal beauty, ocean cliffs and rocky beaches, glacier-formed lakes and valleys, lobster boats, yachts and the view of islands and ocean. The beauty of Bar Harbor has been captured in the works of several artists.
Bar Harbor area is also known for its outdoor activities, its museums, cultural landmarks, and historically significant structures highlight a varied past and present.
Bar Harbor is a gateway to some of the most beautiful and historic lighthouses along the rocky coastline. From the iconic Bass Harbor Head Light in Acadia National Park to nearby coastline treasures, these lighthouses offer stunning views. Six other nearby lighthouses are Mount Desert Rock Light, the Great Duck Island Light, Baker Island, Bear Island Light, Burnt Coat Harbor, and Egg Rock Light. Some of these beautiful old lighthouses can be viewed on boat tours that reveal their incredible beauty. Be sure to check them all out!
Delicious Food of Maine
Many of the foods Maine is known for are deeply connected to the identity of the state. With its vast shoreline, deep forests, and ideal climate for growing certain produce, Maine foods are often one-of-a-kind.
No doubt lobster is one of the main foods Maine is known for. The state provides a whopping 80% of the world’s lobster. Maine lobster is highly sought-after species because of its sweet, tender meat. Lobster rolls are also a beloved favorite. Don’t assume you can eat any lobster and have the same experience – Maine lobster is undoubtedly a step above the rest.
Another beloved food Maine is known for is blueberries. But not just any blueberries – wild blueberries are the preferred choice in Maine. What’s the difference? Cultivated blueberries tend to be bigger, are often arter, and are a little less flavorful. Wild blueberries, on the other hand, are small-in-size, concentrating the classic blueberry flavor in each bite.
Maine has the ideal weather conditions to produce the sap used to make maple syrup. The state is the third largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S. To make maple syrup the old fashioned way — tap into a maple tree, hang a bucket to catch the sap, and then boil it down in a pot on the stove.
While the basic concept hasn’t changed, modern equipment has made it more efficient and easier for syrup producers to collect and process larger quantities of sap.
In Maine, there’s so much to shuck, steam, smoke and savor. It’s about enjoying the food as much as it is about getting to know Maine's culture.
Wildlife
Maine’s wilderness is home to over 25,000 moose. These antlered behemoths can stand up to six feet tall and weigh over 1,200 pounds, and can be found throughout the state’s 17.6 million forested acres. Though moose are impressive and definitely worth seeing when visiting Maine, the state is home to so many amazing animals. Everything from black bears and bobcats found in the vast wilderness, to loons calling on the lakes.
No matter if you’re hiking up Cadillac Mountain, relaxing at Sand Beach, watching wildlife or just driving along the 27-mile Park Loop Road, Acadia’s attractions are all about enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you are a nature lover, an adrenaline junkie, or simply looking for a fun-filled family getaway, Acadia National Park has something for EVERYONE.
For more info: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
Happy camping!
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