Acadia National Park In Maine

Spectacular Acadia National Park, is located on Mount Desert Island, part of Schoodic penninsula, and other offshore islands. Acadia National Park, 41,000 acres in size, lies along the rugged coastline of Maine and was the first National Park east of the Mississippi River (established February 26, 1919).

How To Get To Acadia National Park

From Bangor, Maine, travel 28 miles southeast to Ellsworth. Follow Maine 3 south for 9.5 miles to Mount Desert Island. The Acadia National Park visitor center is 3 miles north of Bar Harbor. Another portion of Acadia Park is southeast of Ellsworth, on the Schoodic Peninsula, which is a one hour drive from Bar Harbor. There are airports located at both Bangor and Bar Harbor.

When To Visit Acadia National Park

Acadia Park is open year-round, but the main visitor center is only open from mid-April through October. A majority of the visitors arrive during July and August. The gorgeous autumn foliage brings crowds of people during September to the first part of October. Most of the park roads are closed from December through mid-April because of snow and ice. Portions of Acadia National Park are open to cross-country skiing during the winter.

When You Visit Acadia National Park

If you only have a few days to visit Acadia, you should spend a day on Mount Desert Island, and take the 20-mile Park Loop Road and the road to the top of Cadillac Mountain. On another day, spend some time along the rocky coast of Maine by visiting Schoodic Peninsula. If you have more time, by all means spend time hiking the trails, kayaking or visiting some of the smaller islands. View a map of Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park Wildlife
From the brook trout breaking the surface of Bubble Pond to the peregrine falcon soaring high over Jordan Cliffs, the land, water, and sky at Acadia National Park are filled with a wide variety of animal life. Some call the Acadia National Park their home, others are simply passing through en route to a far-off destination, but all are closely tied to this unique and fragile environment. 

With a record of 338 bird species encountered, Acadia National Park is considered one of the premier bird-watching areas in the country. Through the years, Acadia park staff and countless amateurs have observed the gradual extension of southern and temperate bird species to the region. Twenty-three species of warblers alone have been recorded as breeding in Acadia National Park! 

Acadia National Park History
Deep shell heaps indicate American Indian encampments dating back 6,000 years in Acadia National Park, but prehistoric records are scanty. The first written descriptions of Maine coast Indians, recorded 100 years after European trade contacts began, describe American Indians who lived off the land by hunting, fishing, collecting shellfish, and gathering plants and berries. The Wabanaki Indians knew Mount Desert Island as Pemetic, "the sloping land." They built bark-covered conical shelters, and traveled in exquisitely designed birch bark canoes throughout Acadia National Park.

Sieur de Monts National Monument was established near Bar Harbor, Maine, in 1916, to protect the natural landscape for the American public. The area was re-named Lafayette National Park (NP)in 1919, and became the first national park east of the Mississippi River. The park was re-named Acadia NP in 1929.

Popular Acadia National Park Activities

There are 125 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and miles and miles of shoreline to wander in Acadia National Park. Canoeing and kayaking are very popular activities along with both salt and fresh water swimming. There are a wide variety of Park Ranger Acadia tours that include informative walks, cruises, hikes, and evening slide show presentations. You can also ride bikes along the some of the carriage roads and paved roads.

Acadia National Park Campgrounds

There are two campgrounds available in Acadia National Park. These include Blackwoods Campground which is open year round, reservations are required during the summer months. There are over 300 camping sites at Blackwoods. There are no hook-ups or utilities available.

Seawall Campground is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is open from Memorial Day through September. There are just over 200 available camp sites. There are no hook-ups or utilities, and you can pay for a shower nearby.

Due to the small size of the island and the concern about the fragile environment, there is no backcountry camping allowed in Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park Restaurants

The only dining facility in Acadia National Park is The Jordan Pond House Restaurant. From mid-May through October you can get lunch and dinner and even a nice cup of tea. There are a wide variety of restaurants in nearby Bar Harbor.

Acadia National Park Lodging

There is no hotel lodging located within Acadia National Park, but there are many lodging options in the nearby village of Bar Harbor.