Acadia National Park

 

Just off the coast of southeastern main Acadian national park is a 49 000 acre living masterpiece that graces mount desert island and like a gallery spanning some of America’s most inspiring landscapes Acadia national park presents a broad palette of diverse textures and colors the seasons change in Acadia mother nature's brush strokes blend new hues into the scenery most nature lovers.

However come to witness the gold’s auburns and deep reds of fall while mount desert island was first inhabited by the native Wabanaki and later a scattering of hearty new Englanders in the late 1800s society's elite began discovering this isolated paradise these high flyers found this earthy wilderness so grounding.

After cruising from the mainland across Trenton bridge drop anchor for a day or two in Bar Harbor the main gateway of Acadia this vibrant seaside community bustles with shops bars and restaurants and is the launching point for tours and adventures throughout the park.

Head down to the docks and try some iconic main lobster fresh from the sea learn about the island's first peoples at the abbey museum and check out what's happening in village green the lush heart of this coastal town after exploring the delights of bar harbor hit the road and let the scent of spruce and pine lead you into the national park.

The 27-mile loop road is the main route for driving to Acadia’s natural attractions and best hiking trails and is also conveniently serviced by a shuttle bus for early risers your first stop should be boulder beach where stones sculpted by the ebb and flow of ocean tides throughout the ages glow golden in the morning sun from the cove climb to the top of otter cliff gaze out from one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the park.

Watch as the brilliant waters of the north Atlantic crash against the headland just off the loop road is another of mount desert island's town's northeast harbor known as the quiet side for its slower pace over the years northeast harbor has been an exclusive summer hideaway for several influential families including the Rockefellers Pulitzers and fords.

Many visitors return to Acadia again and again because the park welcomes four-legged vacationers too Acadia is known as one of the most pet-friendly national parks in the U.S with no shortage of lodging options that cater to furry friends.

After resting up in northeast harbor pull on your hiking boots or bike shorts and spend a day exploring the island's interior carriage roads in 1915 Jed Rockefeller commissioned an elaborate network of gravel roads and bridges strictly off limits to motor cars to this day the 57 miles of roads are available for bike carriage and pedestrian enjoyment only follow the carriage roads to Jordan pond carved by the Wisconsin ice sheet admire nature's kaleidoscope in the still waters and gaze across at the bubbles rising from the northeast shoreline.

Join other leaf peepers basking in Acadia’s Indian summer on Jessup path when you're ready close your eyes to the intense rainbow of colors and open your ears to the calls of goldfinch and crossbills echoing through the trees.

After bathing in the colors and sounds of the forest hike or drive to the summit of Cadillac mountain this pink granite peak worn smooth by restless glaciers is the first place in the nation that is warmed by the sun's rays each winter's morning like a vivid canvas sparkling off the new England coast Acadia national park has lured adventurers Sand those with an eye for beauty for generations.

Past visitors became custodians adoring this wild place so much that they fought to protect its rugged and often delicate beauty so now it's our time to tread lightly and be humbled by the ever-changing majesty of Acadia one of mother nature's most inspired for you.