Acadia National Park
Mount Desert
Acadia National Park covers much of Mount Desert Island. Most of the park is preserved in its natural state, with commercial activity taking place outside the park in surrounding communities. Busy little resort towns offer modern services, lodging, dining spots, gift shops and antique stores.
The eastern half of Mount Desert is the more populated side. It is home to the town of Bar Harbor, which is near the Cadillac Mountain Entrance to Acadia National Park. The western half, locally known as the "quiet side," is more rural. The land is punctuated with marshes, coves, inlets and an occasional village.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor (population 4,820) is a vibrant gateway community to Acadia. Where the millionaires' summer cottages once stood, contemporary visitors will find inns, hotels, guest houses, sidewalk cafés, formal restaurants and block after block of boutiques, specialty shops and galleries.
Bar Harbor is also home to such prestigious institutions as Jackson Laboratory, a leading genetics research center, Mount Desert Island Biological Lab and the College of the Atlantic, a small liberal arts college. During the summer, all offer educational programs for the public.
Learn more about the town's history at the Bar Harbor Historical Museum located at 33 Ledgelawn Avenue; (207) 288-0000 or (207) 288-3807 (reservations).
Northeast Harbor
Eleven miles from Bar Harbor lies Northeast Harbor (population 1,100). This low-key town, punctuated by stately summer homes and boats bobbing at the waterfront, sits on a protected deep-water port—one of the best in the state. Walk along Municipal Pier or poke your head into the town's antique store and old bookshop. On Route 3, Thuya Gardens mixes formal English flower beds with simple Japanese influences, and each June, Asticou Azalea Gardens, on Route 198, presents more than 20 varieties of azaleas.
The Great Harbor Maritime Museum on Main Street is a good place to see some of the island's historical artifacts. Seasonal activities include golf and tennis.
Southwest Harbor
Found on the island's western "quiet side," this large fishing town of 1,952 looks out over Somes Sound. The second-largest town on Mount Desert, it is ranked one of the top 10 commercial fishing harbors in Maine. Boat-building is the main industry and some of the world's finest crafts come from here.
The Wendell Gilley Museum exhibits more than 200 bird carvings and offers carving demonstrations.
On land, you can golf, hike, rent a bike or have a beachside picnic. You can take to the water and hop the ferry to the Cranberry Isles, or go deep-sea fishing for halibut or tuna.
On the outskirts of Southwest Harbor is the village of Manset, home of several boat yards. The nearby settlement of Tremont, home to 1,300 islanders, takes its name from the French trois and mont, describing the three mountains seen from the town. Lobstering is the primary industry. West Tremont, Bernard and Bass Harbor are smaller villages associated with Tremont.
Acadia In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
