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Thanks to the robber barons who used the park as a private playground in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands of Acadia have been preserved
for the masses in a pristine state.
Acadia's largest island, Mount Desert Island, encompasses a stunning range of
geological diversity, including rocky Atlantic shoreline, lush forests of spruce
and fir, dozens of lakes and ponds, and rugged granite hills boasting panoramic
views of the ocean. You can savor the tranquility of a serene mountain lake one
moment and enjoy the roar of the pounding surf the next.
The first U.S. National Park east of the Mississippi, Acadia is laced with
hiking and biking trails, studded with mountains, and home to a menagerie of
wildlife. Small wonder it ranks among the most popular national parks in the
country. Acadia is an extraordinary corner of the country for outdoor lovers of
every stripe, a place where the kids will never have time to be bored or wonder
what they're missing back home on television.
Climb
Cadillac Mountain
Acadia's ancient landmass embraces 26 mountains and 120 miles of hiking trails.
You can pad through a still forest, pick your way along the thundering coast, or
trek across a golden meadow. But Acadia's most memorable hike is undoubtedly up
Cadillac Mountain. At 1,532 feet, it's the highest point on the Atlantic coast
north of Rio de Janeiro, with hypnotic views from its broad, boulder-strewn
summit. Depending on the direction you turn, you'll be treated with panoramic
views of woodland, coastline, and endless expanse of ocean. If you're an early
riser, hit the mountain around 4 a.m. so you can make it to the top in time for
dawn, when the first rays of sunshine to strike the United States illuminate the
peak.
Bike
Rockefeller's Roads
Although Acadia's paved surfaces beckon road bikers, mountain bikers are in for
a special treat, courtesy of John D. Rockefeller. In the early 20th century, the
oil zillionaire commissioned 45 miles of criss-crossing carriage paths
throughout Mount Desert Island. These crushed stone roads, engineering marvels
worthy of the ancient Romans, wind through forests, around lakes, over hills,
and under stone bridges. Want to climb steep paths up mountain ridges? Ride
through a cool, leafy tunnel of overhanging branches? Pedal to a quiet lake for
a midday dip? Acadia's carriage trails will take you there. Make sure to try the
Eagle Loop Lake loop, a 14-mile excursion along rolling terrain with some long
climbs and great views.
Driving
the Loop
Acadia is a small park by Western standards. But within its confines lies one of
the country's most picturesque drives: the Park Loop Road. The most spectacular
stretch of this 27-mile, one-way road hugs the edge of the island, where tall
cliffs plummet down into the crashing surf. Don't let the length of the road
fool you. It takes far longer to drive than you think, with a stunning vista at
nearly every turn. Stop for a dip in the chilly waters of Sand Beach, enjoy the
roaring spectacle of famous Thunder Hole and take the turnoff for Cadillac
Mountain; it's a twisting, turning, view-packed ride that takes you right to the
summit. Remember to keep your eyes on the road. It's not easy.
Catch a
Speeding Bullet
Acadia is a world of fresh and salt water, mountains and beaches, forests and
meadows, a relatively small place crawling with an amazing variety of wildlife.
The list of animals that call Acadia home includes 273 species of birds, 40
species of mammals, and 18 species of amphibians and reptiles. But Acadia's most
impressive inhabitants are its peregrine falcons, which can attain dive speeds
exceeding 200 mph. Sadly, these majestic predators are on the endangered list,
but they're making a comeback in Acadia. Peregrines were first sighted in the
park in 1936, but the last known nesting pair was reported in 1956. But since
1991, several pairs of chicks have been successfully raised on the cliffs of
Champlain Mountain. Park rangers close trails near any known nests, so bring a
good pair of binoculars.
Camp by
the Surf
There's no better way to take advantage of all Acadia has to offer than camping,
but backpacking is prohibited. The two major campgrounds are fairly Spartan
sites as far as car camping goes, without hot water, showers, or utility
hookups. Blackwoods Campground lies in a forested area due south of Cadillac
Mountain and is just a short walk from the sea. Seawall Campground lies on the
southwestern corner of the park and also lives up to its name, with sites right
by the ocean. If you brought your canoe or kayak, try Duck Harbor Campground on
Isle au Haut, and spend your days exploring the coastlines of Acadia's many
islands. Reserve early, since these sites start to go by early spring. |
