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Acadia National Park, Maine

NPCA REGION: Northeast Regional Office

Acreage: 47,389.67

Category: National Park

Date Established: 02/26/1919

More Info: http://www.nps.gov/acad

Along the rugged coastline of Maine is a gem of the Northeast—Acadia National Park! With 45 miles of historic carriage roads to bike and 125 miles of trails to hike, Acadia is a premier destination for the adventurous and outdoorsy! Among the park’s granite peaks is Cadillac Mountain, which at 1,530 feet stands as the tallest mountain on the United States Atlantic coast.

The gorgeous Maine landscape includes ocean shoreline, coastal forests, remote islands, and rocky young mountains. The coast is marked by historic lighthouses like Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Mt. Desert Island.

The park is a great place to boulder and rock climb; Otter Cliffs and Great Head have spectacular sea cliff climbs with scenery that will take your breath away. You can also canoe, kayak, and sail on the lakes and ponds of Mt. Desert Island. The extensive trail system takes hikers to lovely vistas that sweep across the mountains and coastline. The Park Loop Road takes visitors on a 27 mile scenic drive around the park. Enjoy the pristine beaches and take a dip in the ocean if you can handle the cold!

In this diverse environment, you can fish for both freshwater fish like trout and salmon, and saltwater fish like mackerel and bluefish. To see more of the ocean wildlife, sign up for a whale watching boat tour.

Acadia national park is truly multi-seasonal. Come in the magical Maine winter months to cross-country ski, snowshoe, dogsled, or ice fish!

—Caroline Griffith

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Comments

Where can I get the best maps of the park for family hiking, best tips for easy family activities, etc. Any information would be appreciated!

Submitted by sally at: June 12, 2009

Acadia is like a deep, calming breath. We grill along the ocean, hike the wooded peaks, and walk the wide carriage roads that wind over and under broad stone bridges. Some visits, we catch fish at Eagle Lake. Every visit includes popovers at Jordan Pond.

Submitted by Andrea/NPCA at: May 28, 2009

We first visited ANP in 1976 as our first camping family vacation. We still visit every few years and look forward to introducing our grandchildren to the wonders of Acadia. Although we have been there at least 15 times every time we find one more new thing to explore. Last year we finally found the trail head to Western Mt, this June we will climb Western for the 1st time. Every time back to Acadia is like 'going home'.

Submitted by Alice at: March 30, 2009

I was there in October 1998, and I enjoyed cycling on the carriage trails. My most potent memory was climbing Cadillac Mountain in a drizzle and finding a hail storm when I reached the top! I was able to get down thanks to the trusty, handy "MASH 4077"-style singage. :-) I had a lot of fun, it's a beautiful place.

Submitted by Steve at: March 4, 2009

What a magical place in early Oct. The mist over Jordan Pond, the changing colors and the sound of the hidden loons in the marning just can't be topped by any other park. I love hiking in the rain and the sun, it's just such a gift of nature.

Submitted by Barrie at: January 10, 2009

I like this place because it looks like it is really beautiful at night with all of the nightfall and beautiful rivers.

Submitted by hottie213 at: October 17, 2008

Our family has been visiting Acadia for years and we never grow tired of exploring it's beautiful coastline and rocky cliffs. The views are breathtaking. Here, you can climb a mountain in the morning then lie on the beach in the afternoon, or find a quiet place to listen to the waves crashing against the rocks. End the day by watching the stars come out from the top of Cadillac Mountain and the distant lighthouses sending their beacons out across the water.(just thinking about it makes me long to be there!)

Submitted by Lea at: July 8, 2008