Acadia National Park, USA

Acadia National Park, Maine which comprises 47,000 acres of land on Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut and the Schoodic Peninsula is the only national park in Maine. Looking for things to do in Acadia National Park? You can see all of the state's quintessential natural features in one place, including its rocky coastline, mountains, forests, ponds, marshlands and fields. You can also see the diversity of the state's native species, ranging from mollusks and mammals to raptors and reptiles. You and your family can watch for whales, seals, moose, foxes, peregrine falcons, herons, salamanders and toads as you explore the park.

Comprised of a cluster of islands on the rugged Maine coast, Acadia National Park has a variety of landscapes including granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes, ponds, and ocean shoreline. Steep slopes rise above the rocky shore, including Cadillac Mountain, which at 1,530 feet is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Such diverse habitats create striking scenery and make the park a haven for wildlife and plants. There are nature centers where Acadia visitors can learn about the wildlife inhabiting the park, including over 2,500 species of plants and animals.

Mount Desert Island home to Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Seal Cove and Northeast Harbor contains the largest share of the park’s acreage. You can follow the park's famous carriage paths, commissioned by John D. Rockefeller in 1915, to explore the island. Whether you travel by foot, bicycle or horseback, you can explore the park's interior free from cars and crowds along these roads. Once you have completed your outdoor adventure, you can find shopping, dining and lodging options in Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor or Northeast Harbor.

Top Sites

Sand Beach

A cozy beach only 290 yards wide snuggles between the mountains and draws sunbathers, sand castle makers, and swimmers willing to brave ocean temperatures rarely warmer than 55°. The curious come at night to marvel at the phosphorescent sand and surrounding cliff faces.

Cadillac Mountain

Drive or bike 3.5 miles to the summit at 1,530 feet to enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Cranberry Islands. Or take in the unusual vegetation and the hawk activity as you hike up one of four trails: North Ridge, Gorge, West Face, or South Ridge.

The Precipice

On the eastern face of Champlain Mountain, you'll discover the most challenging of the park's hiking trails. With an exposed 1000-foot surface that's practically vertical, the climb is strenuous, recommended for experienced, fit, and fearless adventurers. The Precipice is also home to a good number of endangered peregrine falcons.

Jordan Pond House

Stop in for fresh, warm popovers with strawberry jam, homemade ice cream, and delectable lobster stew. Or, as in the late 1800s when it first opened, relax with afternoon tea.

Sieur de Monts Spring

George B. Dorr, the first superintendent of Acadia National Park, built a charming octagonal gazebo with a tiled roof over the spring in 1909 and inscribed the words The Sweet Waters of Acadia on a nearby rock. Located at the south end of Great Meadow, the lovely spot features walking trails, the Nature Center, and the Wild Gardens of Acadia, which identifies and labels 300 native plant species.

Thunder Hole

Visit just before high tide when the surf races into the naturally carved inlet and explodes as high as 40 feet with a thunderous roar. As you watch and listen, enjoy views north to Sand Beach and south to Otter Cliff.