If you're looking for things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine, you can never go wrong with a trip to Acadia National Park, which is less than four miles away. Covering 41,000 acres on Maine's rocky coastline, Acadia National Park offers something enjoyable for everyone in your group. Whale watching, boating and nature watching are among the most popular activities in Bar Harbor.
History
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island. It offers stunning sights of glacier-carved mountains, magnificent ocean, sandy and cobblestone beaches, deep lakes, evergreen forests and marshes. Glaciers once covered Maine, slicing their way through the granite thousands of years ago, leaving mountains and valleys in their wake. Data show the last glacier melted about 11,000 years ago. The ice left from the glaciers formed lakes and ponds. View Somes Sound while at the park: it is the only fjord on the United States' eastern seaboard. Large shell heaps offer a glimpse of early native American life. Samuel Champlain, the famous explorer, landed on the island in 1604. He named it Isle des Monts Desers, which means "island of barren mountains." The island became a treasured retreat for many of the country's wealthiest citizens, such as the Rockefeller and Ford families.
Ranger-Led Programs and Museums
Take your pick from hikes, ocean or freshwater cruises, seminars, walks or slide-show programs between May and mid-October. Ask for a free schedule. Learn about the shoreline, birds, plant life, geology and human history of the region through the wide variety of programs offered. Junior Ranger programs designed for children are also available.
Visit the Nature Center and Islesford Historical Museum. You'll find exhibits, ship models, dolls, toys, photographs, tools, navigation aids and in-depth information on the natural resources of this region.
Hiking and Scenic Drives
There are more than 120 miles of hiking trails in Acadia National Park. Discover trails across rugged shoreline or deep into the forest, up mountains or by the ocean. There are 50 miles of "carriage" roads that you may hike as well. Take a scenic drive through the park to discover its treasures. The 27-mile Park Loop Road starts at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. It winds its way past Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs, Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond and Thunder Hole--each offering fascinating views of different aspects of this natural wonder.
Biking, Horse Riding and Walking
You can bike on paved park roads covering 27 miles or on carriage roads. Be aware the carriage roads are more challenging, as you'll encounter both wind and a crushed rock surface. Remember cyclists must yield for people who are walking or riding horses. Walking and horse-riding opportunities abound on the hiking trails. The beaches and mountain trails are popular for scenic walks.
Camping
There are two campgrounds in the park: Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground. Blackwoods requires reservations from June to September. Seawall operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campgrounds can accommodate campers up to 35 feet long. The campgrounds offer comfort stations, picnic tables, fire rings and cold running water. A store is located about half-mile from each campground.
Swimming and Other Water Sports
There are two beaches with lifeguards in Acadia National Park--Echo Lake Beach, which offers freshwater swimming, and Sand Beach, which features ocean swimming. Other opportunities for water sports include kayaking, canoeing, boating and cruising. Guided boat tours are available through various private companies and park ranger guides.
More Information
The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is on Route 3 just north of Bar Harbor. It is open from May through October. Watch an audiovisual program with an overview of the park or pick up copies of books, maps and literature at the visitor center. Park staff is available to answer questions, or you may call 207-288-3338. The park's official website is nps.gov/acad.
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