A One-Day Tour of Acadia National Park
A One-Day Tour of Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park has the distinction of being the first National Park in the United States to be established east of the Mississippi River. Located along the coast of Maine near the city of Bar Harbor, the park is made up of many parcels of wilderness across Mt. Desert Island and other smaller islands in Frenchman Bay and environs.
The park is extensive, covering more than 47,000 acres (192 square kilometers).
The terrain includes rugged coastline, sandy beaches, tree-lined cliffs, and smooth mountains that were shaped by glaciers millions of years ago.
While it is possible to spend days - even weeks - exploring the lakes, coves, and forests of Acadia National Park, most visitors travel the Park Loop Road, a 27-mile scenic route that includes coastal and interior views with a terminus at the top of Cadillac Mountain.
When to Visit Acadia National Park
The park gets the majority of its visitors from summer to mid-autumn. Fall foliage touring in Acadia is particularly popular, so be prepared for crowds. Park Loop Road is closed yearly from December 1 to April 15 for winter.
Getting Around Acadia National Park
This map of Acadia National Park and Park Loop Road (PDF) is the most detailed. Additional information about getting around the park, park hours, activities, guided tours, and more are available at the official Acadia NPS website.
Sand Beach - Acadia National Park
Finding a sandy beach on Maine's craggy coast is not always easy. But the appropriately named Sand Beach, the first major attraction along the Park Loop Road, is a pristine, sandy cove shielded on three sides by evergreens and guarded by seagulls that happen to look majestic in this setting. Waves roar here during high tide.
If visiting in the summer, bring your beach gear. There are facilities at the top of the beach for changing and spigots for washing off the sand afterwards.
At least one lifeguard is on duty here.
The temperature of the ocean at Sand Beach range from freezing to refreshing. While some park literature suggested that the water temp never climbs above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, that didn't seem to be the case during a late summer visit.
Thunder Hole - Acadia National Park
An epic gush of water crashing into a large, circular cluster of coastal boulders give this Acadia sight its name. The spectacle of Thunder Hole is timed with high tide; park rangers suggest arriving in the park 2.5 hours prior to high tide in order to get into position to view the waves crashing over Thunder Hole.
This placid pond and the mountains that surround it were formed by the Wisconsin Ice Sheet around 110,000 years ago. There are hiking trails on either side of the pond that circle up to Penobscot Mountain, to the west, and "The Bubbles," twin, bubble-like mountains.
Above Jordan Pond is Jordan Pond House, a tea house and restaurant in business since the 1800s. Open from approximately mid-May to late October, the Jordan Pond House is known for its afternoon tea and popovers, but a full menu is available should you with to dine in the restaurant or on its grounds which have views of the pond.
A fork off of Park Loop Road sends park visitors to the top of Cadillac Mountain. The road winds up the mountain and there are several overlooks where drivers can park and look out and/or take photographs. From the very top of Cadillac Mountain, the panorama looks out over the forested interior of Mt. Desert Island, the Porcupine Islands, and the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean.
Maine is the first state in the USA to see the sunrise, and Cadillac Mountain, which looks east over the ocean is a favorite spot for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and early risers.
In fact, Lonely Planet included Cadillac Mountain as the best place the see the sunrise in a round-up of best National Park experiences.
Acadia National Park has the distinction of being the first National Park in the United States to be established east of the Mississippi River. Located along the coast of Maine near the city of Bar Harbor, the park is made up of many parcels of wilderness across Mt. Desert Island and other smaller islands in Frenchman Bay and environs.
The park is extensive, covering more than 47,000 acres (192 square kilometers).
The terrain includes rugged coastline, sandy beaches, tree-lined cliffs, and smooth mountains that were shaped by glaciers millions of years ago.
While it is possible to spend days - even weeks - exploring the lakes, coves, and forests of Acadia National Park, most visitors travel the Park Loop Road, a 27-mile scenic route that includes coastal and interior views with a terminus at the top of Cadillac Mountain.
When to Visit Acadia National Park
The park gets the majority of its visitors from summer to mid-autumn. Fall foliage touring in Acadia is particularly popular, so be prepared for crowds. Park Loop Road is closed yearly from December 1 to April 15 for winter.
Getting Around Acadia National Park
This map of Acadia National Park and Park Loop Road (PDF) is the most detailed. Additional information about getting around the park, park hours, activities, guided tours, and more are available at the official Acadia NPS website.
Sand Beach - Acadia National Park
Finding a sandy beach on Maine's craggy coast is not always easy. But the appropriately named Sand Beach, the first major attraction along the Park Loop Road, is a pristine, sandy cove shielded on three sides by evergreens and guarded by seagulls that happen to look majestic in this setting. Waves roar here during high tide.
If visiting in the summer, bring your beach gear. There are facilities at the top of the beach for changing and spigots for washing off the sand afterwards.
At least one lifeguard is on duty here.
The temperature of the ocean at Sand Beach range from freezing to refreshing. While some park literature suggested that the water temp never climbs above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, that didn't seem to be the case during a late summer visit.
Thunder Hole - Acadia National Park
An epic gush of water crashing into a large, circular cluster of coastal boulders give this Acadia sight its name. The spectacle of Thunder Hole is timed with high tide; park rangers suggest arriving in the park 2.5 hours prior to high tide in order to get into position to view the waves crashing over Thunder Hole.
This placid pond and the mountains that surround it were formed by the Wisconsin Ice Sheet around 110,000 years ago. There are hiking trails on either side of the pond that circle up to Penobscot Mountain, to the west, and "The Bubbles," twin, bubble-like mountains.
Above Jordan Pond is Jordan Pond House, a tea house and restaurant in business since the 1800s. Open from approximately mid-May to late October, the Jordan Pond House is known for its afternoon tea and popovers, but a full menu is available should you with to dine in the restaurant or on its grounds which have views of the pond.
A fork off of Park Loop Road sends park visitors to the top of Cadillac Mountain. The road winds up the mountain and there are several overlooks where drivers can park and look out and/or take photographs. From the very top of Cadillac Mountain, the panorama looks out over the forested interior of Mt. Desert Island, the Porcupine Islands, and the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean.
Maine is the first state in the USA to see the sunrise, and Cadillac Mountain, which looks east over the ocean is a favorite spot for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and early risers.
In fact, Lonely Planet included Cadillac Mountain as the best place the see the sunrise in a round-up of best National Park experiences.
