Acadia Nationwide Park in Maine is likely one of the prime 10 most-visited U.S. Nationwide Parks, with the variety of guests growing every year. 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 Nationwide Park.
To begin with, it is best to know that Acadia Nationwide Park is definitely made up of three sections. The principle space of Acadia Nationwide Park is on Mount Desert Island. That is the place most vacationers go to and the place you will see well-liked sights like Cadillac Mountain (notice: reservations are required to drive to the summit for dawn), Jordan Pond, Thunder Gap, and the Beehive Path. Discover out extra about visiting Acadia Nationwide Park.
Along with 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 mountaineering 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
Past 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 presents 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 tips about issues to do in Acadia Nationwide Park.
However let’s take a look at some non-touristy issues to do close to Acadia Nationwide Park.
Issues to do Close to Acadia Nationwide Park
This put up is written as a part of a paid partnership with the Downeast Acadia regional tourism board based mostly on my private journey to the realm. All opinions are my very own.
Whether or not you’re visiting Acadia as a part of a Downeast Maine highway journey or Maine Coast highway journey, or simply specializing in this area, it is best to plan on spending greater than three days, so that you’ve time to flee Mount Desert Island and revel in among the different issues to do close to Acadia Nationwide Park that aren’t practically as crowded.
Earlier than you go, you should definitely test the park web site for present highway situations, closures, or reservations. You too can go to the Downeast Acadia tourism web site for extra concepts on what to do close to Acadia Nationwide Park.
1. EXplore the Schoodic Part of Acadia Nationwide Park
Okay, I do know I promised issues to do exterior of Acadia Nationwide Park. Nevertheless, so many guests to Acadia by no means even see the Schoodic Part of Acadia Nationwide Park. The Schoodic Part 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 lease bikes and discover the Schoodic Peninsula. Or, you’ll be able to drive the Schoodic Nationwide Scenic Byway round Frenchman’s Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula. Within the Schoodic Part of Acadia, ensure you strive the next:
- Have a picnic at Frazer Level
- 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 highway after beginning the loop highway. There’s a little unmarked path starting on the opposite aspect of the highway from the pull off
- Drive Schoodic Head Highway — a gravel highway 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 Level
- Hike Sundew Path close to the Schoodic Institute
- Climb Schoodic Mountain — park at Blueberry Hill and observe the Alder Path or the steeper Anvil Path
- Stroll 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. Go to Deer Isle
Deer Isle is positioned on the jap aspect of Penobscot Bay and is linked to the mainland by way of bridges. Standard with artists, birders, and boaters, the island can be recognized for its granite manufacturing and is dwelling to 300 lobster boats.
There are additionally eight lighthouses close by on the Deer Isle Lighthouse Path, together with three which are seen from shore. The U.S. Lighthouse Society presents lighthouse passports that may be stamped (for $1) when visiting every lighthouse.
3. Take the ferry to Isle au Haut
You may entry Isle au Haut and its part of Acadia Nationwide Park by way of a year-round, passenger-only ferry from Stonington on the tip of Deer Isle to the Isle au Haut City Touchdown. As soon as on the island, it’s best to discover by mountain bike on 5 miles of paved roads or seven miles of tough, unpaved roads.
Simply understand that ferry service is first-come, first served and there’s an additional price charged for bicycles. There are additionally 18 miles of mountaineering 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 among the Cranberry Islands, named for the wild, low-bush cranberries that develop there. Nice Cranberry Island is the most important of the islands and presents lovely 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 wish to study extra in regards to the islands, you too can 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 Nationwide Wildlife Refuge not removed from Acadia. You may take a puffin boat tour with Acadia Puffins in Winter Harbor or Robertson Sea Excursions & Adventures in Milbridge.
These boats are smaller than the bigger sightseeing cruise out of Boothbay Harbor, so chances are you’ll get somewhat nearer to those colorful-beaked little cuties, but it surely additionally means you’ll really feel the results of the ocean a bit extra and are topic to climate situations. Bear in mind to convey alongside some robust binoculars for close-up views.
6. Go Kayaking at Jones Pond
Sea Schoodic Kayak and Bike presents freshwater kayak leases on Jones Pond in close by Gouldsboro. Jones Pond presents 400 acres to discover, together with many small islands and loads of wildlife. There’s a picnic space with tables and grills and even a playground for households. If you wish to go swimming, there are loos and altering rooms on-site.
7. Guided Hike or Paddle with Maine Outside College
If you wish to uncover one of the best mountaineering trails or study extra in regards to the native wildlife, vegetation, or ecology, rent a registered Maine information from Maine Outside College to go discover. Hazel from Maine Outside College presents 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 crops and native wildlife, plus see some nice views and get different native suggestions!
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 Nationwide Scenic Byway. This is likely 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. One of the best time to see it’s two hours earlier than or after low tide.
This nutrient-rich atmosphere is nice for wildlife and guests typically see seals, osprey, kingfishers, and eagles, and generally spy otter, mink, blue heron, and different wildlife. There may be an remark deck and picnic tables with loads of room to run round and search for wildlife.
9. Hike in Petit Manan Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
The Petit Manan Nationwide Wildlife Refuge covers 4 mainland properties together with 3,180 acres on 64 islands. These are all nice spots for mountaineering in addition to chicken watching. The islands are dwelling to bald eagle nests, Atlantic puffins, razorbills, frequent murres, and black guillemots. Within the fall, 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 several other grassland and blueberry fields.
For a simple hike possibility with each woodland and coastal views, strive the Hollingsworth Path in Steuben. This 1.5-mile lollipop path presents good ecosystem range and lovely coastal views, together with one of many Petit Manan Lighthouses.
It isn’t clearly marked however to get there drive down Pigeon Hill Highway in Steuben (you might also need to cease and hike Pigeon Hill for scenic vistas). Go previous the primary car parking zone with an info kiosk and proceed on the direct highway to a second car parking zone in your proper. The path begins by means of the blueberry fields throughout the highway.
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 Artwork Backyard in Sullivan. Should 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 Websites
The Frenchman Bay Conservancy maintains 10,000 acres of land and 30 miles of free mountaineering trails. So when the paths in Acadia get too crowded, there are many different locations to go. Taft Level 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’s a 1.5-mile self-guided hike alongside the Jones Cove Path and Seaside Path with 12 stops the place guests can study bushes, mosses, ferns, lichens, fungi, and life on the Intertidal Zone. A information is out there at Discovering Habitats at Taft Level and a Habitat Matching Sport can be supplied or will be accessed utilizing a QR code supplied on the numbered indicators alongside the path.
The Frances B. Wooden Protect 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 ample wildflowers.
12. Go Wine Tasting
Simply up the highway from the Frances B. Wooden Protect you’ll be able to style blueberry and different fruit wine on the oldest vineyard in Maine, Bartlett Maine Property Vineyard. If that isn’t your factor, additionally they distill rum and provide 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 observe Wyman Highway to McClellan Park. The nondescript picnic space you first encounter is deceiving, however observe the small footpath out to the rocks trying over Narraguagus Bay. There are picnic tables on the rocks and loads of area 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. Through the summer season, you’ll be able to take pleasure in “Lunch on the Wharf” with a contemporary lobster roll, fried clams, and different seafood on the wharf overlooking the lobster boats bobbing within the water.
15. See Dawn at West Quoddy Head Mild
It’s a little bit of a drive from Acadia, however a preferred factor to do is watch the dawn over West Quoddy Head Mild in Lubec. It’s the easternmost city within the USA, on the border with New Brunswick, Canada. It’s possible you’ll need to keep in a single day in Lubec to make this simpler, or on the beautiful Inn at Schoppee Farm in Machias.
Afterward, ensure that to take a while to stroll round downtown Lubec or you’ll be able to see the Roosevelt Campobello Worldwide Park and the historic summer season dwelling of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. On the town, you’ll be able to have cocktails at Cohill’s Inn or strive a craft beer at Lubec Brewing Firm. Don’t depart city with out stopping at Monica’s Goodies, the place the award-winning chocolate is handmade with care.
16. Watch the Sundown from Prospect Harbor City Pier
Maine sunsets are legendary and among the greatest locations to look at are over the water. Schoodic Level within the Schoodic Part of Acadia Nationwide Park is one possibility. 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 Truthful Commerce Lobsterman (he’s the most important lobsterman in Maine.) Afterward, head to the Pickled Wrinkle in Birch Harbor for dinner and reside music, or seize an ice cream cone at Me & Ben’s subsequent door.
17. Take Scenic Drives
Everybody loves the loop highway in Acadia Nationwide Park, however there are a lot of different scenic drives close by with loads of locations to cease for photographs and benefit from the surroundings. Begin off on the Schoodic Nationwide Scenic Byway after which wind your approach alongside the coast on the Daring Coast Scenic Byway.
18. Go to Native Farms
An effective way to satisfy locals and study extra in regards to the space is by stopping into native farms. Darthia Farms presents natural produce and eggs, selfmade preserves, salsa and seasonings, and hand-woven items and wool from native artisans. The Hatch Knoll Farm in Jonesboro presents goat’s cheese, and goat milk-based soaps, and you may even keep on the property by glamping in yurts and tents.
19. Take pleasure in a Seaside 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 Seaside, however that will likely be extra pebbles so convey your water socks or footwear.
The place to Keep Close to Acadia Nationwide Park
If you wish to keep exterior of the Acadia Nationwide Park campgrounds or the lodges within the Bar Harbor space (one of many greatest locations to go to in Maine), I’ve two suggestions:
Terramor Outside Resort
Should you desire glamping to tenting, there are fairly just a few choices within the space however my decide can be Terramor, a brand new luxurious glamping resort about quarter-hour exterior of the park and Bar Harbor. The attractive lodge presents breakfast and dinner, with grab-and-go choices for lunch. On-site visitors have use of the heated pool and scorching 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 loos. Some even characteristic an outside bathe. Whereas there isn’t a kitchen within the tent, they do present pour-over espresso and free ice for the equipped cooler. Outdoors, the tents have a screened-in porch and there are two Adirondack chairs circled across the hearth pit.
MainStay Cottages and RV Park
Positioned simply throughout the bay within the small fishing village of Winter Harbor, MainStay Cottages and RV Park provide three cottages, one in every of which sleeps as much as 4, and 10 RV websites proper on the water. It’s simple to stroll into the village and it’s only 5 minutes to drive or bike to the Schoodic Part of Acadia Nationwide 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 a part of the crowds on MDI.
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Professionals journey podcast.