Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located on the Atlantic coast off Down East region of Maine, near the town of Bar Harbor in New England in the United States. The national park, comprising much of Mount Desert Island and other smaller islands off the Atlantic coast, features diverse geographical features like mountains, coastline, lakes and woodlands. Areawise, Acadia National Park comprises 123 square kilometres are on Mount Desert Island, 11 square kilometres area on Isle au Haut (small island located southeast of Mount Desert Island) and 9 square kilometres area on the Schoodic Peninsula in the mainland. Although a smaller park in the USA, Acadia National Park attracts about 3 million visitors annually.

Climate:

Acadia’s climate is determined by latitudinal and marine location. Mount Desert Island experiences a more moderate temperature than inland Maine region. Winter is accompanied by ice storms and early spring while Maine coastal receives a high precipitation, second only to Pacific Northwest. Fog is a common occurrence from June to August. Summer days are warm while evenings are cooler.

Avifauna:

Acadia National Park is home to over 273 birds species including woodpeckers, orioles, ducks, geese, great blue herons, peregrine falcons, blue jays, bald eagles and others.

Fauna:

Acadia National Park is home to about 40 different mammal species. Red and gray squirrels, white-tailed deer, moose, chipmunks, beaver, porcupine, muskrats, foxes, coyote, black bears are common sights. Earlier, mountain lion and gray wolf were also spotted.

History:

The park was originally designated as Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916 while its park was renamed as Lafayette National Park in 1919. In 1929, the park was given its current name of Acadia National Park. The park was ravaged by fire in 1947.

Reaching Acadia National Park

• By air:
  Hancock County Airport is located about 10 miles from Acadia National Park. Bangor International Airport is just an hour’s drive from the park. Cars are available on hire from both airports.
• By road:
  Mount Desert Island can be reached by car. Acadia National Park is about six hours drive from Boston due north (via I-95 to Augusta and Route 3 to Ellsworth and to Mount Desert Island). Bangor, Portland, Montreal are other nearer cities.
• By water:
  Bar Harbor is linked with Yarmouth in Nova Scotia through ferry service. Ferry schedules vary depending on the season.
• Get around:
  Island Explorer bus service provides tour of the park. The propane-powered buses also carry bicycles for added exploration opportunities.

Fees/Permits:

Seven-day (vehicle) entrance permit is available ($20 for on-season and $10 off-season). Besides, seven-day individual park pass is available for $5. There is also an annual Acadia pass of $40.

Attractions:

• Egg Rock Light (a lighthouse in the middle of Frenchman Bay which dates back to 1875)
• Sand Beach
• Echo Lake beach
• Cadillac Mountain

Activities:

• Bicycling on carriage roads made of crushed stone throughout the park. Park Loop Road is another road to cycle
• Bird watching
• Carriage tours
• Fishing in the ocean, freshwater lakes and ponds. Fishing in the freshwater lakes and ponds require Maine state fishing license.
• Hiking
• Sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing tours. Rental boats are available from Bar Harbour
• Guided nature walks
• Swimming
• Camping (pimitive camping is available at Isle au Haut)

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