Acadia National Park
Been Here Life List

Picture of Acadia National Park, Maine (Adam Jones/Digital Vision)

Thanks to the robber barons who used the park as a private playground in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands of Acadia have been preserved for the masses in a pristine state. Read More »

Acadia National Park Highlights

The first National Park created east of the Mississippi, Acadia remains the only park made up entirely of land donated to the government. Although the park offers opportunities for hiking, climbing, sea kayaking, road and mountain biking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and trail running, you should remember to save a few afternoons for the oldest summer pastime: doing nothing at all. See a map of Acadia National Park.
Eagle Lake lies entirely within the national park and has no development along its shores. The slopes of Pemetic and Cadillac mountains rise from the south end of the lake and are home to ospreys. On a four-mile circumnavigation of the lake, you may see these raptors diving into the water to catch fish.
The Precipice Cliffs of Champlain Mountain contain the best multi-pitch climbing on the island. The cliffs are closed by the National Park Service during peregrine nesting season (usually May-August), so make sure to check signs in the parking lot. Fear of Flying is a tricky 5.10a on spectacular terrain, while Old Town (5.7) follows a clean corner to a bolt anchor.
There are four Porcupines in Bar Harbor: Sheep, Burnt, Bald, and Long. These rounded islands were formed when glaciers retreated after the last Ice Age. A tour of their shores is a good, seven-mile paddle. Harbor seals, bald eagles, and the red-footed guillemot seabird are all abundant around the Porcupine Islands. Watch out for boat traffic in this busy passage.
Learn more about Acadia National Park at our sister site GORP.com.

By Travel Expert: Mike Kautz