Once a playground for prominent families like the Rockefellers and Astors, Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island are now known for their serene natural beauty. Founded in 1919, Acadia was the first national park east of the Mississippi and is still the only one in the New England area, making it a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. The park covers about half of Mount Desert Island as well as parts of nearby Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and other smaller islands. It’s famous for its hiking trails, watersports, and views of the rugged Maine coast.
Acadia National Park has over 130 miles of hiking trails to be explored on foot, as well as 45 miles of carriage roads open to cyclists. The carriage roads were originally designed and financed by wealthy philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr, and the granite stones that act as guard rails on the roads are still nicknamed “Rockefeller’s Teeth” in his honor. Visitors can also rent kayaks or canoes to explore the rocky granite coastline of Mount Desert Island and the mainland.
There are several cliff faces in Acadia that are popular among rock climbers, including Great Head, Precipice, and the 60-foot Otter Cliff. During the winter, visitors can snowmobile, go trekking or cross-country skiing, and even try a little ice fishing on Mount Desert Island’s frozen lakes and ponds. Some common winter fish in Maine include trout, northern pike, and bass.
If you don’t feel like filling your day with activities, Acadia National Park is also the perfect place to relax and take in nature. Mount Desert Island was popular with artists and writers in the mid-19th century and it’s easy to see why when you’re surrounded by gorgeous Maine landscapes. In the evenings, Acadia is one of the best places on the east coast for stargazing.
To make the most of your trip to Mount Desert Island, check out our Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking and Driving Tour.
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