Mountains meet the sea at Acadia National Park. Located on Mount Desert Island along Maine's rockbound shore, the park stretches from sand and cobblestone beaches to granite cliffs to glacier-carved mountains and valley lakes. As the United States' first national park east of the Mississippi River—and the only one in the Northeast—Acadia receives nearly three million visitors annually to its 40,000 scenic acres. They come to hike through meadows and hardwood forests, to camp on ocean bluffs, swim in cool lakes and explore the park's offshore islands. And no matter where visitors go, the Atlantic Ocean is there in sight, sound or smell. Perhaps this, more than anything, explains why Acadia is so popular during the summer.

There are, however, places where you can get away from the crowds. Schoodic Peninsula, about an hour's drive northeast from Bar Harbor—and the only part of Acadia found on the mainland—boasts granite headlands and coastal views. Follow the one-way park road around the rim of the peninsula, and stop at Frazer Point Picnic Area and Schoodic Point for seacoast views of offshore islands, coves and rocky beaches. You may also want to escape to Isle au Haut, which is only accessible by ferry from the town of Stonington. The ferry to Isle au Haut runs year round. (Another ferry, which runs from mid-June to early September, goes directly to Duck Harbor.) Here you can enjoy 17 miles of hiking trails, but the facilities, located at the small campground near Duck Harbor Landing, are primitive—pit toilets and a hand pump for fresh water.

Even though July and August are the busiest seasons at Acadia, they are also the months when the park's many programs and activities are in full swing. Your family can enjoy boat and driving tours as well as camping, hiking and biking activities. At the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and the park headquarters, you can pick up a free copy of the BEAVER LOG, which includes the summer schedule of programs and activities.

Camping is the only lodging available in the park. At both Blackwoods Campground, near Bar Harbor, and the quieter Seawall Campground, on the southwest side of Mount Desert Island, campsites are within walking distance of the ocean. Amphitheater slide programs are offered several nights a week at both sites. Both campgrounds have cold running water, comfort stations, picnic tables and fire rings. To camp in Blackwoods from June 15 to September 15, call Biospherics (800-365-2267) for reservations. Campsites at Seawall, open from late May until late September, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. During July and August, be sure to get in line for sites before the station opens at 8:30 A.M.


VISITOR INFORMATION

The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. A seven-day pass costs $20 per vehicle. The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open from mid-April to October 31. It is open daily in July and August from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M., and daily from 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. during the other months. For information and brochures, call 207-288-3338.

To celebrate National Parks Week, Acadia National Parkand to honor the birthday of the National Park Service, August 25, the entrance fee will be waived on that day.


BEST BETS

BEST WAY TO KICK OFF YOUR VISIT
During July and August, drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain for a ranger-led program once or twice a day, usually in the afternoon. For times, check the park's listing of daily activities.

BEST SCENIC DRIVE
Rent a narrated tape that describes Park Road's natural history as well as sites for your self-guided drive along this 27-mile route. Tape rental is $12.95 from the visitor's center which is open from mid-April to October 31.

BEST SCENIC VIEW
Follow Park Loop Road to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for magnificent vistas of the surrounding coastline.

BEST EASY WALK
Acadia National Park has 120 miles of hiking trails. As a family, you may not want to tackle the rocky climbs, but there are lots of short, flat trails you can walk to get off of the highway and into the park. Don't miss Wonderland (an old fire road), the great scenery along Ship Harbor, or the Jordan Pond Nature Trail.

BEST HIKE
If your kids are over the age of five, consider hiking the 1.2-mile-long Beech Mountain Trail. A few parts of the trail are steep, but the view at the top is worth the trip. The trail is flat enough in most places to backpack smaller children.

BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING
Walk some of Acadia's 45 miles of carriage roads at dawn or dusk for the best chances of seeing wildlife. Look for—but never feed—red fox, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hare, porcupines and beavers.

BEST FAMILY PROGRAMS
From late May to mid-October, rangers lead interpretive walks, hikes and evening slide programs throughout the park. Families with kids ages five to 12 should reserve a spot on the Mountain Mysteries hike, where they'll climb a small mountain to explore the secrets of the forest. Families with older kids may want to join a hike up Gorham Mountain (2 miles in 2 1/2 hours) or the Life Between the Tides walk (1.3 miles in 2 1/2 hours).

BEST DAY EXCURSION
Hop aboard a ferry to the offshore Isle au Haut. This often uncrowded island features 17 miles of trails. As there are no food facilities, remember to pack your own picnic lunch, snacks and drinks. The fares are $32 round-trip for adults and $16 round-trip for kids. Call 207-367-5193 for updated fare and schedule information.

BEST BOAT CRUISE
The 2 3/4 hour ranger-led Isles Ford Historial Cruise is popular with families but don't forget to bring your own food. Cruise rates are $17 for adults, $10 for kids ages four to 12 and free for kids under age four.

BEST SWIMMING
Echo Lake on the park's west side is lifeguarded and has warmer waters than Sand Beach's frigid ocean waters.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.