An Awesome Acadia National Park Vacation
The spectacular Acadia National Park is one of the most visited in the U.S.
Since 1919, when President Woodrow Wilson signed an act establishing the Lafayette National Park in Maine, designated as such in order to help preserve the area's natural beauty, visitors have been flocking to this 47,000 acre site, renamed Acadia National Park in 1929.
Located on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia is a haven for wildlife, birds, and plants, thanks to its diverse terrain which includes mountains, lakes and ponds, woodlands, and a magnificent shoreline.
Visiting Acadia
Acadia National Park receives more than two million visitors each year, the bulk of those during the months of July, August, and September, when the weather in Maine is just glorious.
Most travelers who choose to arrive at Acadia by air will fly to Boston's Logan Airport and catch a commuter flight to Hancock County Airport, just 10 miles from the park. Many national airlines also serve the Bangor International Airport, a 45-minute drive from Acadia.
Located on Maine's mid-coast, Acadia is about a 10-hour drive from New York City, 6 hours from Boston, and about 10 from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Much of the drive from some of the major cities is quite stunning and well worth the time it takes to get to Acadia.
The area in which the park is located experiences much yearly precipitation in many different forms. Guests should be prepared for some extreme weather, including cold nights, even during the summer months, when dressing in layers is advisable.
Activities
Lovers of nature will find lots to do in Acadia National Park. If you've arrived by car, you may want to begin by exploring the park on the 27-mile Park Loop Road. This will give you a good idea of areas that you may want to explore further.
Don't miss the 3.5 mile cut-off to Cadillac Mountain, where you'll enjoy some of the park's most majestic and dramatic scenery.
For hikers, bikers, and those just out for a leisurely stroll, 45 miles of "carriage roads" make for great sightseeing. For those searching for something a bit more adventuresome, 115 miles of designated hiking trails are located throughout the park, ranging in ability level from easy to strenuous. Most offer breathtaking ocean and woodland views.
The park has two beaches, which are staffed with lifeguards during peak season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sand Beach offers ocean swimming, usually quite brisk, while Echo Lake Beach features warmer water.
Anglers can enjoy both freshwater and saltwater fishing in Acadia National Park. In the lakes, fishermen may catch trout, salmon, and bass while ocean fishermen might snag a few mackerel, blue fish, or striped bass.
Rock climbers travel to this beautiful Maine location to scale its pink granite cliffs. Climbing instruction, equipment, and guides are available locally.
Acadia ranger-led programs are ideal for the whole family and include nature walks, boat cruises, and campfires.
In the winter, visitors use the carriage roads and other unplowed park byways for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Volunteers often lay down tracks when the snow becomes deeper than four inches.
A limited amount of snowmobiling is allowed in the park. Consult the National Park Service website or a park ranger station for details.
Lodging
There are no inns or cabins located in this park. Acadia National Park does, however, offer two small campgrounds on Mount Desert Island and a handful of lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut, but they fill up fast.
For hotel lodgings, B&Bs, inns, cottages, or cabins, most visitors choose to stay in the nearby towns of Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, or Tremont on Mount Desert Island, or Ellsworth, Deer Island, and Stonington on the mainland.