Acadia National Park in Maine is without doubt one of the prime 10 most-visited U.S. National Parks, with the variety of guests growing annually. So how do you benefit from the pure magnificence in and round Acadia whereas avoiding the crowds? Get off-the-beaten path with this stuff to do within the space close to Acadia National Park.
First of all, you must know that Acadia National Park is definitely made up of three sections. The important space of Acadia National Park is on Mount Desert Island. This is the place most vacationers go to and the place you’ll find standard sights like Cadillac Mountain (notice: reservations are required to drive to the summit for dawn), Jordan Pond, Thunder Hole, and the Beehive Trail. Find out extra about visiting Acadia National Park.
In addition to touristy Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island, there are two different sections of the park that aren’t practically as busy, however nonetheless present that rocky shoreline, scenic viewpoints, and enjoyable mountain climbing and biking trails. These are:
- Isle au Haut, an island off of Stonington, Maine
- the Schoodic part of Acadia, positioned throughout the bay to the east of MDI
Beyond that, the Downeast Acadia area of Maine stretches east alongside the coast to the border with New Brunswick, Canada border. This lesser-visited space has so many nice methods to take pleasure in nature away from the crowds. Maine’s midcoast additionally gives many sights inside a brief drive, together with cities like Rockland, Camden, or Boothbay Harbor. My good friend Bryanna has you coated in case you are on the lookout for recommendations on issues to do in Acadia National Park.
But let’s take a look at some non-touristy issues to do close to Acadia National Park.
Things to do Near Acadia National Park
This put up is written as a part of a paid partnership with the Downeast Acadia regional tourism board primarily based on my private journey to the realm. All opinions are my very own.
Whether you might be visiting Acadia as a part of a Maine street journey, or simply specializing in this area, you must plan on spending greater than three days, so that you’ve time to flee Mount Desert Island and revel in a number of the different issues to do close to Acadia National Park that aren’t practically as crowded.
Before you go, make sure you test the park web site for present street situations, closures, or reservations. You can even go to the Downeast Acadia tourism web site for extra concepts on what to do close to Acadia National Park.
1. EXplore the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park
Ok, I do know I promised issues to do exterior of Acadia National Park. However, so many guests to Acadia by no means even see the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park. The Schoodic Section is on the Schoodic Peninsula, which is simply throughout the water from Mount Desert Island.
In season, you’ll be able to take a passenger ferry from Bar Harbor to the city of Winter Harbor after which hire bikes and discover the Schoodic Peninsula. Or, you’ll be able to drive the Schoodic National Scenic Byway round Frenchman’s Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula. In the Schoodic Section of Acadia, be sure to strive the next:
- Have a picnic at Frazer Point
- Take within the view from the cliffs at Ravens Nest — to seek out the path, cease on the third pull-off on the aspect of the street after beginning the loop street. There is just a little unmarked path starting on the opposite aspect of the street from the pull off
- Drive Schoodic Head Road — a gravel street 2.5 miles from the park entrance with a one-mile drive to a summit
- Bike or drive the 6-mile loop across the park
- Watch the waves crash in opposition to the rocks at excessive tide at Schoodic Point
- Hike Sundew Trail close to the Schoodic Institute
- Climb Schoodic Mountain — park at Blueberry Hill and comply with the Alder Trail or the steeper Anvil Trail
- Walk to Little Moose Island — when it’s low tide you’ll be able to stroll throughout the rocks to Little Moose Island and search for seals
2. Visit Deer Isle
Deer Isle is positioned on the jap aspect of Penobscot Bay and is linked to the mainland through bridges. Popular with artists, birders, and boaters, the island can be identified for its granite manufacturing and is dwelling to 300 lobster boats.
There are additionally eight lighthouses close by on the Deer Isle Lighthouse Trail, together with three which might be seen from shore. The U.S. Lighthouse Society gives lighthouse passports that may be stamped (for $1) when visiting every lighthouse.
3. Take the ferry to Isle au Haut
You can entry Isle au Haut and its part of Acadia National Park through a year-round, passenger-only ferry from Stonington on the tip of Deer Isle to the Isle au Haut Town Landing. Once on the island, it’s best to discover by mountain bike on 5 miles of paved roads or seven miles of tough, unpaved roads.
Just needless to say ferry service is first-come, first served and there may be an additional payment charged for bicycles. There are additionally 18 miles of mountain climbing trails on the island and a freshwater lake to take pleasure in.
4. Take the Mail Boat to the Cranberry Islands
From Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island, you’ll be able to hop on the mail boat and ferry to go to a number of the Cranberry Islands, named for the wild, low-bush cranberries that develop there. Great Cranberry Island is the most important of the islands and gives stunning views of Mountain Desert Island and the mountains.
On Little Cranberry Island, you’ll be able to go to the village of Islesford. If you need to study extra concerning the islands, it’s also possible to take a ranger-led boat cruise from Bar Harbor to Baker Island.
5. take a Puffin Boat Tour
The Atlantic puffin is making a comeback alongside the Maine coast, with sanctuaries on rocky islands such because the one off of the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge not removed from Acadia. You can take a puffin boat tour with Acadia Puffins in Winter Harbor or Robertson Sea Tours & Adventures in Milbridge.
These boats are smaller than the bigger sightseeing cruise out of Boothbay Harbor, so you might get just a little nearer to those colorful-beaked little cuties, nevertheless it additionally means you’ll really feel the consequences of the ocean a bit extra and are topic to climate situations. Remember to convey alongside some robust binoculars for close-up views.
6. Go Kayaking at Jones Pond
Sea Schoodic Kayak and Bike gives freshwater kayak leases on Jones Pond in close by Gouldsboro. Jones Pond gives 400 acres to discover, together with many small islands and loads of wildlife. There is a picnic space with tables and grills and even a playground for households. If you need to go swimming, there are bogs and altering rooms on-site.
7. Guided Hike or Paddle with Maine Outdoor School
If you need to uncover the very best mountain climbing trails or study extra concerning the native wildlife, vegetation, or ecology, rent a registered Maine information from Maine Outdoor School to go discover. Hazel from Maine Outdoor School gives guided experiences together with hikes, snowshoe treks, fly fishing, and night canoe or kayak excursions to search for wildlife.
I took a guided hike with Hazel and was capable of study a lot about edible and toxic vegetation and native wildlife, plus see some nice views and get different native ideas!
8. Watch the Reversing Falls at Tidal Falls
The Frenchman Bay Conservancy operates preserves all through the Acadia area, together with one at Tidal Falls in Hancock, proper earlier than the beginning of the Schoodic National Scenic Byway. This is without doubt one of the few locations in Maine the place you’ll be able to see reversing falls, because the river flows backward after which forwards. The finest time to see it’s two hours earlier than or after low tide.
This nutrient-rich surroundings is nice for wildlife and guests typically see seals, osprey, kingfishers, and eagles, and typically spy otter, mink, blue heron, and different wildlife. There is an commentary deck and picnic tables with loads of room to run round and search for wildlife.
9. Hike in Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge
The Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge covers 4 mainland properties together with 3,180 acres on 64 islands. These are all nice spots for mountain climbing in addition to fowl watching. The islands are dwelling to bald eagle nests, Atlantic puffins, razorbills, frequent murres, and black guillemots. In the autumn, the Cranberry Flowage fills with over 4,000 migratory seabirds together with black geese, pintail, green-winged teal, and mallards. The Refuge protects salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and a number of other grassland and blueberry fields.
For a straightforward hike choice with each woodland and coastal views, strive the Hollingsworth Trail in Steuben. This 1.5-mile lollipop path gives good ecosystem variety and beautiful coastal views, together with one of many Petit Manan Lighthouses.
It isn’t clearly marked however to get there drive down Pigeon Hill Road in Steuben (you might also need to cease and hike Pigeon Hill for scenic vistas). Go previous the primary parking zone with an data kiosk and proceed on the direct street to a second parking zone in your proper. The path begins via the blueberry fields throughout the street.
10. See a Granite Demonstration
This space of Maine is well-known for its granite manufacturing. To study extra about this historical past and the craft of quarrying, go to Granite Art Garden in Sullivan. If you e-book forward, you’ll be able to observe a quarrying demonstration, or take part in a stone carving class.
11. Hike at Frenchman Bay Conservancy Sites
The Frenchman Bay Conservancy maintains 10,000 acres of land and 30 miles of free mountain climbing trails. So when the paths in Acadia get too crowded, there are many different locations to go. Taft Point in Gouldsboro covers 65 acres of woodlands and a half mile of coastal frontage, with two path loops that present seashore entry, the place eider geese raft up offshore.
There is a 1.5-mile self-guided hike alongside the Jones Cove Trail and Beach Trail with 12 stops the place guests can find out about timber, mosses, ferns, lichens, fungi, and life on the Intertidal Zone. A information is offered at Discovering Habitats at Taft Point and a Habitat Matching Game can be offered or might be accessed utilizing a QR code offered on the numbered indicators alongside the path.
The Frances B. Wood Preserve in Gouldsboro covers 438 acres of small pure streams and bogs to discover. This protect is dwelling to deer, beaver, and bobcats, in addition to warblers and considerable wildflowers.
12. Go Wine Tasting
Just up the street from the Frances B. Wood Preserve you’ll be able to style blueberry and different fruit wine on the oldest vineyard in Maine, Bartlett Maine Estate Winery. If that isn’t your factor, in addition they distill rum and supply tastings from the Bartlett Spirits of Maine Distillery.
13. Picnic at McClellan Park in Milbridge
For a beautiful picnic spot overlooking the water with nobody else round, head to the city of Milbridge and comply with Wyman Road to McClellan Park. The nondescript picnic space you first encounter is deceiving, however comply with the small footpath out to the rocks wanting over Narraguagus Bay. There are picnic tables on the rocks and loads of house to discover or sunbathe.
14. Eat Lobster on the Wharf in Corea
For a quintessential Maine meal, head to the small fishing village of Corea. During the summer time, you’ll be able to take pleasure in “Lunch on the Wharf” with a recent lobster roll, fried clams, and different seafood on the wharf overlooking the lobster boats bobbing within the water.
15. See Sunrise at West Quoddy Head Light
It is a little bit of a drive from Acadia, however a well-liked factor to do is watch the dawn over West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec. It is the easternmost city within the USA, on the border with New Brunswick, Canada. You could need to keep in a single day in Lubec to make this simpler, or on the beautiful Inn at Schoppee Farm in Machias.
Afterward, be certain to take a while to stroll round downtown Lubec or you’ll be able to see the Roosevelt Campobello International Park and the historic summer time dwelling of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. In city, you’ll be able to have cocktails at Cohill’s Inn or strive a craft beer at Lubec Brewing Company. Don’t depart city with out stopping at Monica’s Chocolates, the place the award-winning chocolate is handmade with care.
16. Watch the Sunset from Prospect Harbor Town Pier
Maine sunsets are legendary and a number of the finest locations to observe are over the water. Schoodic Point within the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park is one choice. The ferry pier in Winter Harbor is one other. I’d additionally advocate the city pier in Prospect Harbor. The solar displays on the fishing boats and the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse within the distance.
Look behind you to see the Maine Fair Trade Lobsterman (he’s the most important lobsterman in Maine.) Afterward, head to the Pickled Wrinkle in Birch Harbor for dinner and dwell music, or seize an ice cream cone at Me & Ben’s subsequent door.
17. Take Scenic Drives
Everyone loves the loop street in Acadia National Park, however there are lots of different scenic drives close by with loads of locations to cease for pictures and benefit from the surroundings. Start off on the Schoodic National Scenic Byway after which wind your manner alongside the coast on the Bold Coast Scenic Byway.
18. Visit Local Farms
A good way to fulfill locals and study extra concerning the space is by stopping into native farms. Darthia Farms gives natural produce and eggs, do-it-yourself preserves, salsa and seasonings, and hand-woven items and wool from native artisans. The Hatch Knoll Farm in Jonesboro gives goat’s cheese, and goat milk-based soaps, and you may even keep on the property by glamping in yurts and tents.
19. Enjoy a Beach Day
There aren’t many sand seashores on this a part of Maine, however in case you are craving a seashore day, drive out to Roque Bluffs State Park close to Jonesboro. This sandy cove is simply what it is advisable to cool off within the ocean waters. Locals additionally advocate Jasper Beach, however that shall be extra pebbles so convey your water socks or footwear.
Where to Stay Near Acadia National Park
If you need to keep exterior of the Acadia National Park campgrounds or the accommodations within the Bar Harbor space, I’ve two suggestions:
Terramor Outdoor Resort
If you favor glamping to tenting, there are fairly just a few choices within the space however my choose could be Terramor, a brand new luxurious glamping resort about quarter-hour exterior of the park and Bar Harbor. The beautiful lodge gives breakfast and dinner, with grab-and-go choices for lunch. On-site visitors have use of the heated pool and sizzling tub, BBQ grills and picnic tables, an outside pavilion, garden video games, and free firewood.
The safari tents can sleep as much as 5 and are each spacious and luxuriously appointed with very massive bogs. Some even characteristic an outside bathe. While there isn’t a kitchen within the tent, they do present pour-over espresso and free ice for the equipped cooler. Outside, the tents have a screened-in porch and there are two Adirondack chairs circled across the fireplace pit.
FundamentalStay Cottages and RV Park
Located simply throughout the bay within the small fishing village of Winter Harbor, FundamentalStay Cottages and RV Park supply three cottages, one among which sleeps as much as 4, and 10 RV websites proper on the water. It is simple to stroll into the village and it’s only 5 minutes to drive or bike to the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park.
Owned and managed by a fifth-generation Maine household, this location will provide you with an actual native taste away from vacationers. And, the pedestrian ferry to Bar Harbor is true subsequent door do you have to need to be part of the crowds on MDI.
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