Situated in the southeast region of Maine is the historic Acadia National Park. Home to gorgeous coastlines, small islands, lakes, and mountains, this national park serves as a breathtaking destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Here are several fun activities to do there.
Families Will Love These 10 Activities In Acadia National Park
1. Embark on a ranger-narrated boat cruise
From late spring to early autumn, Acadia National Park features several guided boat cruises. Hop aboard the Baker Island Cruise, Frenchman Bay Cruise, or Islesford Historical Cruise to learn about the park’s wildlife, history, and nearby islands.
2. Participate in winter sports
When it’s snowy, the park transforms into the ideal setting for winter recreation. Typical cold weather activities include winter hiking, ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. There is an online Carriage Road User's Map to assist visitors in finding suitable areas to ski and snowboard. Local communities around the park have equipment and rentals available.
3. Go tide pooling
Get up close and observe wonderful sea creatures at the tide pools. While the Bar Island Sand Bar is ideal for younger children, the other tide pools at Ship Harbor and Wonderland are exceptional as well. The tides are often at their lowest during the full and new moon cycles.
4. Climb rocks and cliffs
Featuring many granite formations throughout the park, Acadia National Park is the perfect place for climbing. The most popular areas include Precipice and South Bubble which are meant for beginners. Accordingly, the more advanced sea cliffs are Great Head and Otter Cliff.
5. Camp overnight
There are several designated campsites at Acadia National Park including Blackwoods Campgrounds, Duck Harbor Campground (Isle au Haut), and Seawall Campground. It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance.
6. Take a day trip to Isle au Haut
Situated off the coast of the town of Stonington, Maine is the scenic island Isle au Haut. It is accessible by a year-round ferry service. Due to its small size, Isle au Haut can only accommodate a limited number of patrons each day. With numerous trails for bicycling and hiking, the island is a serene destination to partake in outdoor recreation.
7. Become a Junior Ranger
The National Junior Ranger program allows children to actively get involved in learning and taking care of the park. Upon completion of the program which requires filling out an activities booklet and attending training, participants will earn a patch that officially designates them as an Acadia Junior Ranger. Although children of all ages are encouraged to participate, Junior Rangers are usually between the ages of 5 and 13.
8. Take part in the Leave No Trace program
Led by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, this national educational program teaches visitors to responsibly enjoy the outdoors. Acadia National Park and several other parks throughout the country have Leave No Trace educators on hand to host exciting events, train new members, and answer questions.
9. Explore the Schoodic Peninsula
Boasting a beautiful, rugged shoreline composed of granite, the Schoodic Peninsula demonstrates Maine’s untamed beauty. The peninsula houses a picturesque view of volcanic dikes as well as biking and hiking trails where visitors can admire seabirds and lighthouses. The Schoodic Woods Campground is also located close to the peninsula.
10. Dine at Jordan Pond House
The park’s one and only dining facility is the Jordan Pond House, a charming New American eatery that operates from mid-May until the end of October. Serving lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers comfort food and signature New England fare such as Maine seafood chowder and lobster rolls. In addition, there’s an afternoon tea service where patrons can enjoy warm popovers and jam accompanied by a choice of tea, coffee, or juice.
Address: Acadia National Park, 2928 Park Loop Rd, Acadia National Park 04675
This article was written by Justina Tran.