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Acadia National Park - Mount Desert Island

The head of the island is eleven miles from our rentals. The park spans 30,000 acres of pink granite sea cliffs, mountains, and clear glacial lakes, offering a range of outdoor recreational activities, historical sites, and dramatic scenic vistas. Tour the park loop road, bike on maintained carriage roads, hike up mountain trails or relax on the beach. 

Park Passes
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There is a fee to enter the park. If you plan to visit other national parks this year, the best deal is an intragency pass. 7 day passes are available for a vehicle and passengers. Individual passes are very inexpensive for seniors 62 years of age and older and entry is free for kids under the age of 15. Buy passes online or find out where to buy them in the park. 

Three Way to Get There
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By Bus: Hop on the bus at the Acadia Information Center located at 1201 Bar Harbor Rd in Trenton, ME, about ten miles from our rentals. The Island Explorer offers free transportation to hiking trails, beaches, and downtown centers via propane-powered shuttle buses.

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By Ferry: Take a scenic boat ride to MDI. The Schoodic Ferry sails Mondays – Saturdays between College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor and the Schoodic Marine Center in Winter Harbor, Maine. While at COA, checkout their museum and then hop on a free Island Explorer bus to tour the park.

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By Car: Your first stop should be the Visitor Center on Route 3 in Hulls Cove to stock up on maps and help plan your visit.  From here you can drive on to Bar Harbor or enter the park loop road.

Park Loop Road
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The park loop road is a 27 mile road that hits some of the most beautiful vistas in the Park with many scenic turnouts and parking for trail access for mountain and shoreline hikes. Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, The Precipice, Ocean Path and Otter Cliffs are highlights. 

Hike the Park 
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Opportunities to hike the carriage paths and trails in the Park are numerous. For ideas checkout some favorite sources: Joe's Guide to Acadia National Park, and the National Park Service guide to ANP Hiking Trails. The trails are well marked by it's easy to take a wrong turn so it is essential that you bring a trail map and fresh water to drink!

Bike Carriage Paths 
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45 miles of carriage roads criss cross  the Park with a perfect crushed rock surface. The roads are shared with horses and pedestrians. You may rent a bicycle from Acadia Bike and pedal through forested valleys, dotted with glacier-formed lakes and ponds, streams, and small waterfalls. Try the loop around Witch Hole Pond which is a 3.3-mile ride through marshlands and around two pretty ponds that’s great for the whole family. Extend the bike trip around Eagle Lake for a 6.1 mile ride. For biking on the quiet side of the island, try Southwest Cycle. 

Climb
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Otter Cliffs, Great Head, The Precipice and  the South Bubble are popular places to climb. Be sure to check the regulations or climb with experieinced guides Acadia Climbing School or Acadia Mountain Guides. 

Cadillac Mountain
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The tallest mountain on Mount Desert Island and the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. You can drive up the 3.5 mile Summit Road for spectacular views and get a good idea of what ANP has to offer. This pink granite mountain is coverd with low growing pines, sub-alpine plants and blueberries. For the more adventurous, hike up Cadillac. The Cadillac North Ridge Trail starts at the North Ridge Trail Parking Area on the Park Loop Road. It is 4.4 miles round trip with an open ascent and views of Frenchman Bay. For a more strenuous and 7 mile round trip hike, try the South Ridge Trail starting along Route 3 just west of the town of Otter Creek. On a clear day, the distant views of islands and bays from the summit is spectacular.

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Reservations are required to drive up Cadillac for sunrise or sunset. 

Jordan Pond House, Jordan Pond Loop Trail (Penobscot and Sargent Mountains)
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The Jordan Pond House has been in operation since the 1890s and many visitors make this stop a tradition for popovers and tea on the lawn. Call ahead for a reservation so you don't have to wait!  [207] 276-3316 Combine this stop with an easy walk around Jordan Pond. For the more adventurous, extend the hike to include Penobscot and Sargent Mountain for spectacular views. 

Wonderland and Bass Harbor Light 
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Located on the "quiet side" of the island, Wonderland is a great family hike and children love to explore the many tidepools. The parking area is along Route 102A southeast of Bass Harbor.  Just down the road towards Bass Harbor is the Bass Harbor Light. Perched upon a rocky cliff, this lighthouse is still in operation and the home of the coast guide commander.There is a short 10 minute hike to a viewing platform with dramatic views of the coast. If you have a hankering for lobster, continue on to Bernard and checkout Thurston's Lobster Pound or Archie's Lobster. 

Baker Island Cruise
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This is a special favorite of ours that few people have the opportunity to experience!  The vessel Miss Samantha leaves from Bar Harbor and travels nine miles to Baker Island. Land by launch and spend over two hours exploring the 200-year-old Gilley family farmstead and the Baker Island Lighthouse. The tour is guided by a park ranger/naturalist who will help you see seals, porpoise, bald eagles, and seabirds. Get a glimpse of how it would feel to settle on an island off the coast of Maine two hundred years ago.  The trip is 4.5 hours leaving from Harbor Place, 1 West Street, Bar Harbor. Reservations: 207-288-2386.

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