Visiting Maine: Acadia National Park

Located on the Maine island of Mount Desert, Acadia National Park was opened in 1916. It was the first national park east of the Mississippi River and the first national park whose land was entirely donated by private citizens. Boasting more than 40,000 acres, it's highest elevation peak is at the top of Cadillac Mountain at more than 1500 feet.

Over 160 species of common native plants can be found in the park, along with 60 different species of land and marine animals plus over 150 different types of birds. Among the fun offered at the park is fishing, biking, boat cruises, hiking, walks, and skiing. There are also over 500 campsites in the park itself. Nearby, there are over 4,500 motel and hotel rooms surrounding the park.

Entry fees to the park are low, as with most national parks, at about $20 for the year. The weather varies considerably, depending upon the time of year you travel to Acadia, with June, July and August being the most desirable months. In early fall you can still camp without it being too cold but by late October it's generally very chilly.

Be sure to visit the NPS Hulls Cover Visitor Center located just off Route 3. The two-story building is home to an auditorium, information booths, restrooms and even a book shop. The center is open daily from April to October. See an orientation about the history of Acadia or study a scale model of the park. Check the schedule for other events.

The Thompson Island Information Center offers park information, lodging and dining info, and is open from May to mid-October. At the Acadia Information Center of Trenton, offers brochures, floor displays, interactive tv, camping and cruising info and much more. Although the park itself is open year-round, some of the park facilities close during the colder months.

Most of the most sought after scenery in the area is located on the east side of the island. Natural attractions can be seen along Park Loop Road - make a note to visit some of them: Frenchman Bay, Sand Beach, the Beehive, and Thunder Hole. On the opposite side of the island, Echo Lake is the place to be. Or, for a peaceful bit of paradise, Little Hunters Beach.

Make a note to visit Jordan Pond, one of the most beautiful of the ponds and lakes in the area. Clean water, scenic mountains, hiking trails and an impressive view are amongst the features. Cadillac Mountain is another must-see that lures tourists from around the world. The tallest mountain on the Eastern side of the U.S., Cadillac Mountain affords views of nearly the entire state. When the sun comes up every morning, Cadillac Mountain is one of the first places that can see it, making it a very desirable place to visit.

You'll definitely want to visit one of the most photographed lighthouses on the east coast: the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Built in 1858, the light is located at the entrance to Bass Harbor and near Blue Hill Bay.

There are some great museums in the area, like the Abbe Museum, located off of Park Loop Road. They feature a collection of Native American artifacts and a reasonable entry fee. Others are the Islesford Historical Museum, the College of the Atlantic's Natural History Museum, and the Wendell Gilley Museum.

You'll enjoy your stay at Acadia National Park, whether you go to see the lighthouses, the glacial ponds, the wildlife or just for the fresh mountain air. Pets are permitted, too, but you must keep them leashed.