Our mentors Meg and Ty recently visited Acadia National Park. The park offers many activities. There seems to be something for everyone. Meg and Ty put together 8 things to do the next time you visit Acadia National Park.
About Acadia National Park:
According to their website: Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and rich cultural heritage. At 3.5 million visits a year, it’s one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Visitors enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.
Eight things to do during your visit to Acadia National Park:
↠Visit Sand Beach
Sand Beach is a little beach. It is nestled between mountains and rocky shores. It is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park.
According to their site: “The beach is largely comprised of unique sand of shell fragments created by the pounding surf. The waterline can vary quite a bit because of the difference between high and low tide. The photo above shows this range by the wet area on the beach sand. Note: No pets are allowed on the beach from May 15 through September 15.”
The water stays pretty cold. It rarely gets over 55 degrees, so don’t plan on going for a swim.
↠Watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7 through March 6. Cadillac Mountain is very popular for visitors to watch the sunrise. The view is breathtaking and is unlike any other. According to their site: “To the East, one greets the sunrise over Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. There are several islands in between and immediately off the coast from Mount Desert Island such as Sheep Porcupine and Bald Porcupine. To the Northeast is the business district of Bar Harbor. To the North is Trenton. To the South is Islesford. To the Southwest is Southwest Harbor which is particularly beautiful in the late evening as the lights come on. To the West is Eagle Lake, Blue Hill Mountain and, of course, the setting sun. And, all around you is pink granite with forests of spruce and pitch pine combined with tiny subalpine plants (such as cinquefoil), squat, gnarled trees, wild blueberries, and various sized boulders.”
↠Walk to Bar Island at low tide
Bar Island is a trendy place to visit during low tide. It is accessible on foot during low tide. Their website offers this information to help keep yourself safe: At low tide, the island becomes accessible by foot or an all-terrain type vehicle across a natural gravel land bridge. Visiting there will provide a spectacular view of Mount Desert Island with Bar Harbor in the foreground. Look for Bridge Street on the north or ocean side of West Street to gain access. Before going, check for the local times of low tide and allow yourself enough time to not get stuck on the island. Plan on having no more than a maximum of 1.5 hours before and after the low tide. Be sure to take a watch, cell phone, and wear hiking shoes or boots as they can be wet. Get ready for a wonderful and alternative nature fantasy tour within Acadia National Park.
↠Take a drive on Park Loop Road
Park Loop Road is 27 miles and is the primary route for navigating through Acadia National Park by vehicle. There is a fee required. Along the 27 miles of the road, there are special places to pull off the road and enjoy the sites and scenery.
According to their website: “When traveling on the one-way section on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island during 2019, you may also pull over to the right side and stop or in the actual right lane itself unless posted otherwise. However, use extreme caution when exiting your vehicle, as another vehicle can appear at any time. And don’t be afraid to check out surrounding areas, but always use caution whenever near the shore, especially when near the high cliffs. Please note this update: The National Park Service has a plan in the works to not allow parking in the right lane in the one-way section of the Park Loop Road as of 2020. Please contact the National Park Service for more info.”
↠Go on a hike (a few of their favorites are the Beehive Trail, South Bubble, and Gorham Mountain)
Acadia National Park has many options for hiking. Meg and Ty’s favorites are Beehive Trail, South Bubble and Gorham Mountain. While these are their favorites there are over 120 miles of trails. So, you have many trails to choose from. The trails range are categorized as Very Easy, Easy, Moderate and Strenuous.
On their website they offer hiking tips and they list each of their trails, again listed in the category of difficultness. They also provide information on each of the trails, making it easier to pick the best trail for you and your skill level.
↠Visit the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Bass Harbor is a lighthouse in Acadia National Park. Their site states: The lighthouse was built of brick in 1858 on a stone foundation, stands 56 feet above mean high water, and is accessible by car off Route 102A. Parking is free and is open daily from 9:00 AM to sunset.
There are many things to do and see at the lighthouse. There are other buildings at the lighthouse as well. There is also a tree canopy to visit near the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is one of if not the most photographed lighthouses in New England.
↠Explore the Schoodic Peninsula
The Schoodic Peninsula covers over 2000 acres of Acadia National Park; it is the only part of the park that is on the mainland. Because the peninsula is “less traveled,” it draws in passion about the region. To get to Schoodic Head, the site says: on the left side of the park road near West Pond Cove, a narrow dirt and gravel road leads to Schoodic Head, the highest point on the peninsula. Its 440-foot peak provides commanding views of Frenchman Bay and Cadillac Mountain to the west.
If you are interested in exploring the peninsula the park have an interactive Schoodic Region map. Below you will find information from their website on the map.
If you are using a desktop or laptop computer, be sure to use the interactive Schoodic Region Map to explore the area, as this is key to easy navigation. Just click on the actual locations on the map itself to access information and photos. Try clicking on all photos. The smaller ones will open to enlarged versions. Clicking the large photos will take you to another one in a series or back to the map for easy navigation.
↠Relax by Jordan Pond or Eagle Lake
If you are going to Arcadia National Park to enjoy the water, there are many options, including Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. Below you will find information from their website on each waterfront.
Jordan Pond is a glacier-formed tarn with a maximum water depth of 150 feet (46 m). There are steep inclines on the left and right sides (West and East). The water is exceptionally clear with an average visibility depth of 46 feet (14 m), but this has been measured as high as 60 feet (18 m), the most ever recorded in the State of Maine. Swimming is not allowed. However, non-motorboats such as canoes and kayaks are permitted. The kayak and canoe launch site is via the Jordan Pond North parking lot, a short distance from the restaurant. Carriage Roads are adjacent to the restaurant and pond area. Auto access to the restaurant is provided via Park Loop Road.
Eagle Lake, at 436 acres, is the largest freshwater lake in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. It has a maximum depth of 110 feet and an average depth of 50 feet. Fishing is allowed, but a license is required for Maine residents 16 years or older and nonresidents 12 years or older. You may gain access to the lake in Bar Harbor on the northern end off of Route 233. There are two parking areas on either side of the road.
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