Acadia National Park Sights Guide
Welcome to the Acadia National Park Sights Guide
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Acadia National Park Sights To See
There are a number of things to do while enjoying Acadia National park. These activities include but are not limited to boating, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, photography, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, and wildlife watching.
Behind the sea lie Acadia's forest and mountains, made easy for exploring by an extensive system of carriage roads. These broad, smooth, graveled byways encircle Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake and wind around the flanks of Sargent and Penobscot Mountains. They offer stunning views of Somes Sound and Frenchman Bay, and they lead you along beaver-dammed brooks. The grades are gentle, but the vistas are long.
The story of the people who lived on this island when Champlain first saw it is told in the Abbe Museum at Sieur de Monts Spring with Indian artifacts and exhibits. Take the ferry to Little Cranberry Island to see the Islesford Museum, whose ship models, tools and pictures reveal island life in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Villages near the park present the variety of lifestyles on the island today. Northeast Harbor shelters sailboats, large and small and a summer colony. Bar Harbor offers many accommodations and amusements. Bass Harbor and Southwest Harbor and Winter Harbor at Schoodic, retain more of the traditional flavor of Maine coastal villages. Those who earn livings from the sea - whether lobstering, fishing, building boats or guarding the coast - tie up here. And lobster pounds and boatyards have not yet been replaced by summer homes and hotels.
Join a National Park Service ranger to explore Acadia's natural and cultural history. On cruises you may see porpoises, seals, eagles and nesting colonies of sea birds. Follow a ranger on a mountain hike and learn about the forces that once shaped this landscape - and continue to do so. Explore an offshore island and reflect on the lonely life of a lighthouse keeper's family. These are just some of the ways to discover the diversity of the scenic, natural and historic wonders that comprise Acadia National Park.
Carriage Roads: The carriage roads are popular with walkers, runners, bikers, and carriage riders. Please observe the rules and let courtesy and safety guide your actions. Motorized vehicles (cars, ATV's, motorcycles, etc.) are prohibited on the carriage roads.
Rules of the Road
- Stay to the right.
- Pass carefully to the left
- Yield to others. Don't obstruct the entire carriage road when you ride or walk. Move to the side when stopping or taking a break.
- Be prepared to stop. Stay in control.
- Gravel surfaces are loose, quick stops are dangerous.
- Let sight distance, traffic, and conditions govern speed.
- Dressfor the weather and carry water.
- Use a map. Sign posts at carriage road intersections have numbers on them.
- Horses can occasionally be unpredictable. Move to the side and let them pass. Do not startle them.
- Cyclists: wear a helmet, and when approaching others from behind, call out or use your bell.
- Pets must be leashed. Use a short leash>
- Leave no trace. Carry out what you carry in.
Boating: Boat operators offer rentals (including kayaks), charters, cruises and ferry service in nearby towns.
Sieur de Monts Spring: The wild Gardens of Acadia, the Abbe Museum which exhibits Native American Abnaki artifacts, the Park Nature Center and the covered spring itself are located at Sieur de Monts Spring.
Scenery: Cadillac Mountain, Somes Sound and Schoodic Peninsula for fantastic scenery. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the Atlantic coast with unbeatable 360 degree views. Restroom, gift shop and snacks available.
Ferry Rides: Take a ferry ride to Cranberry Island to visit the Isleford Museum to view displays of ship models, photographs of island life and ship building tools. This historic maritime museum tell of hardy, industrious people with a costal culture that has become part of our national heritage It is open daily from 10:30 am - 12:00, and 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm.
Lighthouses: The U.S. Coast Guard maintains five lighthouses, Baker Island, Bass Harbor, Bear Island, Egg Rock and Head.
Drives: There is a 27 mile loop scenic drive through the park. The scenic Park Loop Road begins at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and offers access to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain. Officially beginning at the Visitor Center in Hulls Cove, it may be entered at many points along its course: note that most of the length is one way.
Although you can drive the complete circuit in just over an hour, to really enjoy it allow more time, 3 hours or more. Parking areas near breathtaking overlooks will encourage you to linger longer than you expect. Trails radiating from these overlooks offer many casual walks with unexpected, magnificent vistas not visible from the roadside.
Sand Beach: a popular ocean beach with cold arctic water. There are restrooms but no food concessions.
Thunder Hole: an ever changing natural feature which does not perform to a timetable. The best time to hear it is at three quarter rising tide with a rough sea. Restrooms, gift shop, and snacks available. Pounding surf and wonderful waves abound at adjacent Otter Cliff.
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