Acadia, Unbelievable!! We Return Again and Again.
Written: Aug 27 '02 (Updated Aug 10 '08)
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Pros: Rugged unspoiled beauty, diversity in activities
Cons: foggy days
cold water. Hey, you are in Maine!
The Bottom Line: As close to heaven as you can get on this earth! The beauty, diversity, adventure, and tranquility. It has it all.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Acadia National Park |
I have been traveling to Acadia National park for the last thirty something years. We have been there more than sixteen stays of a week to a month each time. The best part is that it really has never changed.
The park covers the greater part of an island called Mt Desert. The island is severed by Somes Sound. The sound is compared to a fiord with high rising mountains surrounding the water. Most of the "action" is on the northeastern side of the island. You will find the park loop drive and Bar Harbor there.
CAMPING in the PARK
In the early years my wife and I camped. The park has two campgrounds, Blackwoods and Seawall. Blackwoods is a gorgeous campground in deep fir and pine woods with large sites and a short walk down a trail to the rocky coast. Seawall is on the quieter side of the island. It is a much more open area with sites exposed to each other, very close to the water. Both campgrounds have night time naturalist programs that are very informative to young and old alike. Check the latest as far as reservations. They have been reservations only and first come first serve at other times. Each campground may have it's own policy. There are a few fine private campgrounds on the island too.
SEEING THE PARK
I would suggest starting your stay at the park by stopping at the visitor center off route 3 in the Hulls Cove area. Get your maps, see a film, talk to the naturalists and sign up for a walk or two. Some of the walks are very popular and fill up quickly. A particularly interesting walk is the "Forest to the Sea" walk. You start in the old forest continuing into new growth due to a devastating fire that destroyed much of the east end of the island and Bar Harbor years ago. The walk continues down to the sea where the diversity of the area is explained Another walk is the "Tidal Walk." It changes time due to the changing tides. You are set to go at low tide to check out the tidal pools. Very interesting indeed. These walks and the names of them change every year. The park tries not to trample the same area over and over. The tidal walk is now done on the other side of the island.
The naturalist cruises are also a must!! I could go on and on about the naturalist programs. It is such a wonderful "classroom", so interesting and so diverse. My five children grew up on these walks and always loved them. My oldest son, who was married five years ago, took his wife to Acadia National Park for their honeymoon!!
PARK LOOP DRIVE
Once acclimated at the visitors center go onto the park loop drive. It will become a one way road. You may find yourself stopping your car every minute or so to absorb more of the scenery. The 27 mile road is two lanes. If there isn't a turnoff you simply stop and park in the right lane, get out of your car, and enjoy. The park loop will take you through dark woods, beaver ponds, incredible vistas, and interesting sites such as "Sand Beach" and "Thunder Hole". I could give you so much more detail on these different sites but I must leave something for you to experience on your own.
Continuing to Otter cliffs, which happen to be the highest cliffs on the sea from Maine all the way to South America, you will drink in the beauty of the rocky coast. Acadia is known as the place where "The mountains meet the sea" It is much unlike the rest of the Maine coast. You must see it to believe it.
HIKES
I do suggest for those able to take a difficult hike, climb the "Beehive" mountain that overlooks sand beach and Frenchman's Bay. Do have good footwear and follow all guidelines to safe hiking. I have done it a few times over the years with all my children. You cannot be greatly fearful of heights. I must say though, that my wife who is, did accompany me up thirty years ago. She has never repeated the climb. For those even more daring there is the Precipice Trail. It is closed many times in July due to nesting Falcons. Speaking of which the birdwatching on the island is great. Ospreys and eagles are a sure thing on a naturalist cruise.
For a more moderate hike go to Sand beach and do The Great Head trail. It's a good one!
There are many different inexpensive hiking guides available. Find one and do some popular hikes and there are others for just being out on your own.
CARRIAGE PATHS
The diversity of the park shows itself as the road travels inland. You will see horse corals, carriage paths, granite bridges, lovely ponds and tranquil lakes.
The carriage paths are actually a gift from John D Rockefeller Jr and family members. He knew with the beginning of auto travel that the horse and carriage was doomed. He wanted to keep this for future generations, thus from 1913 till 1940 he built a 57 mile system of paths that were made for comfort and beauty.
The rides and tours start in Wildwood Stables south of Jordan Pond. It is run byCarriages in the Park. Though we have made use of the carriage paths on biking tours over the years we took a carriage tour just last week, August of 2003. It was a slow, relaxing trip into the past. I recommend doing it.
JORDAN POND HOUSE
The park loop drive will also take you by the Jordan Pond House. It is privately run on park property. You really must stop there for afternoon tea and popovers. We also depending on time will have lunch there with the same basic menu of lobster stew and popovers with jam and butter. While enjoying these you can just sit and take in the beauty of the "Bubbles" mountains and the Jordan Pond. We have enjoyed dinner at the Jordan Pond House too. This place has been doing business for over 110 years. It really is a special place. Do call for reservations. If you happen to be waiting, check out the shop there. It's great for quality souvenirs.
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN
Cadillac mountain is another glory unto itself. The commanding views from this mountain, that you can drive up, bike, or hike to, are amazing. We did a hike that started near the top of the mountain and traveled a couple of miles down and around. It offered fantastic views in a moderate hike. This is the highest point on the US eastern coast.
The sunsets from above are glorious. On Sundays over the years different non-denominational religious groups have held sunset services with singing and praise. We enjoyed them very much.
An event that I have done with a few of my children is hooking up with one of the bike shops in town for the Cadillac downhill tour. You get to the shop in Bar Harbor at four thirty in the morning. They drive you to the top of the mountain. If it is a clear day, and many are, you will be the first to see the sunrise in the United States. You then have a continental breakfast and get to know others on the trip. After a bit of chat time all get on your bikes and start a very safe, yet exhilarating, ride down the mountain with stops to enjoy the view or hear about local lore or interesting events of the past. There used to be a cog train that went to the top of the mountain. It lasted a few years and then it was removed. Book days ahead for the mountain biking.
Cadillac Mountain at night is another world again. Bring your flashlight and very warm clothes. Try not using that flashlight too much letting your eyes getting acclimated to darkness. It's just unbelievable looking at the night sky. We have always seen shooting stars.
There are sometimes some night sky watching walks. Ask about them. UPDATE: In recent years the park has been having the sky watch nights down at sand beach. I suppose there are safety and environmental concerns to having the watch on mountain top with so many people. Just be sure to do it on your own and stay clear of areas that are marked off.
On the negative side I must mention that there are days of fog when you cannot see anything. These are days for walks with the naturalists or shopping in town.
There is more of the park off the island too, giving even more to see. Check out your park maps for this info.
PARK PASSPORTS
Also be sure to have your passport canceled at the park cancellation stations. This is a program where you have a passport that you can get at any park. Every time you visit a park or historic site it can be canceled with a stamp showing where you were and the date you were there. This is fun, educational, and exciting. For more info read my review Passport to your National Parks, All the info you may want to know.
NEARBY BAR HARBOR
The diversity of the island continues to amaze me. It is so many different things to so many people. I haven't even mentioned the kayaking, the whale watching,(which was fantastic all three times we went on the Friendship V), the town of Bar Harbor, the theatre shows, and so much more.The island is one of pure discovery and beauty. The food and restaurants on the island are also excellent. Don't forget to have some LOBSTER!!
PLACES TO STAY
Places to stay are just as diverse as the island. You can camp, find a B B, or use a hotel room or small motels etc. Do make early reservations for the much busier summer months. We have stayed at a little place just a mile out of town. It has been our home away from home many many times over the years. Its name is the Ocean Drive Motor Court. I highly recommend it for a place that is off the beaten path yet very close to Bar Harbor and the entrances to the park.
Take the time to visit this wonderful park and enjoy as my family and I have for most of our lives.
We are going up again in August of 2003. We hope to see you!!
Update: We just returned from our trip to Acadia National Park. It's still amazing!!
Acadia Nationa Park is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die It's good reading and dreaming.
500 Places To take Your Kids Before They Grow Up
Acadia National park is listed here.
other reviews in Maine by popsrocks
Bar Harbor What a great seaside town!!
Acadia National Park My favorite place in the world!
Carriage Rides in Acadia National Park
Asticou Terraces
Whale Watching from Bar Harbor
Ocean Drive Motor Court A great place to stay just out sde Bar Harbor
The Jordan Pond House A wonderful restaurant right in Acadia Park
Jordan's Restaurant cheap eats, clean and fast!
MAINE, great coastal towns and so much more.
A Canadian side trip from Maine's Acadia National Park
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
A hundred miles north of Acadia
Hopewell Rocks a Geological Phenomenon in Canada
A couple of helpful books
National Parks for Dummies A great book for planning a trip
National Geographic Guide to National Parks A good reference book
MY favorite Map.
American Map Road Atlas: Large Scale - Large Type
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: June-August
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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