In Maine’s Acadia National Park, you can experience in one day what some people won’t in a lifetime: a cruise on a boat to a lushly forested island, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage over historic, broken- stone roads, and an evening sunset atop Cadillac Mountain – the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard. Mount Desert Island is where rugged mountains meet a majestic sea – an archipelago of luxurious landscapes filled with unique flora and fauna, and linked by pristine waterways.

For thousands of years this island’s bounty and beauty has attracted people: fisherfolk and farmers, scientists and artists, tourists and transplants. Come to our island paradise today to see what you’ve been missing.

The Stunning Views of Acadia

From the breathtaking, panoramic views atop Cadillac Mountain to the charm and mystique of the outer islands, Acadia National Park has something for everyone. Carved by glaciers then sculpted by the crashing waves, our granite cliffs attract photographers from around the world. Hikers and bikers experience sweeping vistas from hand-forged carriage roads and bridges, built by John D. Rockefeller and his family in the 1900s. Travel these roads as Rockefeller did and a horse-drawn carriage to the Jordan Pond House for Tea and Popovers or to the top of Day Mountain for a scenic seascape.

For a different perspective on this unique landscape, you can slip on your sailor’s hat and join a National Park Ranger for a porpoise’s perspective of Acadia’s mountains at a distance. Take a boat trip around Frenchman Bay—the waterway that, for thousands of years, transported generations of fisherfolk and seafarers to the coasts of nearby off-shore islands. From the quiet charm of Islesford to the remote beauty of Baker Island or Isle au Haut, you can dock and experience the history of generations of families who have made these islands into homes.

For wildlife enthusiasts, there are countless opportunities for intimate experiences with the natural world. White-tailed deer, moose, porpoises and harbor seals, and even humpback whales all call Acadia “home” at different times of the year. If you are a bird watcher, bring your “life list” and have a pen poised—ospreys, bald eagles and peregrine falcons soar and swoop over Acadia’s granite cliffs.

Travel Information for Dog-Friendly Acadia

Mount Desert Island’s seaside villages offer visitor amenities that rival larger resort communities. Whether you seek a quaint bed and breakfast, a hotel with spa services, or a restaurant showcasing local seafood, the villages of Mount Desert Island have much to offer.

Our communities are absolutely “dog-friendly.” If you can’t stand the idea of leaving your canine companion at home, bring them along on leashes to stroll the roads and trails at your side. Some people refer to Bar Harbor as “Bark” Harbor– with dog water dishes and treats in many a store front door, Acadia welcomes visits from our loyal, four-legged friends.

Whether you spend the day strolling ocean paths, or the evening listening to the lullabies of loons, Acadia National Park will captivate you. Discover Acadia today–it is Maine in all its glory.

By Lynne Dominy, Chief of Interpretation, Acadia National Park