Acadia National Park

Maine's Acadia National Park is more than 35,000 acres of pristine land located close to Bar Harbor. It has the distinction of being the first National Park East of the Mississippi. Acadia celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016.

Acadia is home to Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast at 1,530 feet and one of the first points in the United States to see the sunrise. Other attractions in Acadia include the nation's only fjord, and other well-known spots including Thunder Hole, Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs.

This area was originally inhabited by the Wabanaki indians, an Algonquian-speaking nation. The Wabanaki people trace their Maine roots back more than ten thousand years. During their history, Mount Desert Island was well known for plentiful hunting and fishing.

With more than 47,000 acres (73 square miles) of pristine land, Acadia National Park offers some of the best of Maine's attractions. Some of these attractions include the rocky coastline, gently rolling mountains, thriving forests, ponds, marshlands, and fields. Acacia National Park includes areas on Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut and the Schoodic Peninsula.

Acadia is host to a diversity of wildlife, hosting everything from mollusks and mammals to raptors and reptiles. If you are watchful, you can count on crossing paths with a variety of wildlife intheir natural habitats.

Some 40 different species of wildlife can be found here, including both red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, white-tailed deer, moose, beaver, porcupine, muskrat, fox, coyote, bobcat, and even black bear. Beaver had been trapped to extinction on the island, then, in 1920, George B. Door released two pairs at the brook between Bubble Pond and Eagle Lake. These beavers have repopulated the area.

In the fall of 1947, wildfires consumed more than 10,000 acres of the park and cleared the eastern half of the island of its coniferous trees. The fires burned for days before being brought under control. Despite the short-term devastation, these fires actually enhanced the Park long-term. The regrowth was mostly allowed to occur naturally and this allowed the growth of deciduous trees such as aspen, birch, alder, and maple which helped to support the repopulation of beavers in the area.

In 1915, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. commissioned more than 50 miles of trails through the area. These trails were originally intended as a diversion for guests and dignitaries to provide carriage and horseback access to the island's remote beauty. With his visitors in mind, he spared no expense. These trails include 17 arched granite bridges and two gate lodges that were constructed to achieve his vision.

After waiting through nearly 20 years of construction to realize his dream for these trails, in 1930, he commissioned Beatrix Farrand for the planting and landscape plans for the carriage paths. Their remarkable foresight is still evident today. The beautiful, well-maintained trails and details such as the hand-cut granite coping stones, which were designed to protect travelers from steep roadside embankments, still stand. These trails provide visitors with options for an easy, peaceful exploration of the area by foot, bicycle and horseback.

Nearby towns of Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor each offer a touch life in Main. Here you will find everything from fine restaurants, to shopping boutiques and lodging.

For those looking to camp, there is no backcountry camping in Acadia, although primitive camping is available at Duck Harbor Campground, on Isle au Haut. Firewood should not be brought into the area as it may contain non-native insects that could pose a serious threat to the park's resources. Firewood is available at local campgrounds.

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