Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, ME
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 44° 24.514 W 068° 14.816
19T E 559960 N 4917528
Acadia National Park, the first National Park in the eastern U.S. is a beautiful blending of mountains and rocky shores against the Atlantic Ocean.
Waymark Code: WMPQVJ
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 10/09/2015
Views: 13
On the coast of Maine, centered on Mt. Desert Island, is Acadia National Park, one of the places listed in the 1000 Places to See in the United States and Canada.
Acadia National Park is principally in three parts: on Mt. Desert Island, on Isle Au Haut, and on the Schoodic Penninsula (the only portion on mainland). The main entrance is on Mt. Desert Island, off Maine Route 3 and a couple miles west of Bar Harbor. The waymark is located at the visitor center there.
Acadia National Park is the first U.S. National Park east of the Mississippi. When it was created in 1919, it was first named Lafayette Park, but it was renamed in 1929. Charles Eliot, a landscape architect who saved large spaces around Boston, Mass., and designed the Esplanade on the Charles River, is credited with the idea to form the park. Others joined in to establish and develop the park. John D. Rockerfeller, Jr., was very involved. One of his lasting legacies is the network of carriage roads, bridges and gatehouses throughout the park. This network is used not by cars, but by hikers, bikers and the occasional horse carriage. Through the heart of the park on Mt. Desert Island is the park loop, which is a 27 mile road loop that passes by some of the more notable sights. I recommend buying an auto road guide at the visitor center to guide you on your way.
There are many places to see within the park. Here are a few:
- Sand Beach: a beach that is mostly made of pulverized shells and is one of the few actual beaches in the park.
- Thunder Hole: a rock feature where ocean waves run through a narrow fissure and in the right conditions will make a booming sound.
- Jordan Pond: a popular place where there is a concentration of carriage roads, a pretty lake named Jordan Pond, and a restaurant that serves popovers.
- Mt. Cadillac: the tallest mountain on the island, there is an auto road to take you up.
- Precipice Trail: a very scenic but challenging trail where you climb up a cliff - including places with iron handholds. A picture in the book is along this trail - we didn't attempt it.
There are many scenic views in this park. Many are along the loop road and there are many places to stop - though at certain times of the year the popular places may be full of cars parked, already. Each of the areas above have great views.
The fee is $25/car for a pass that is good for a week. There are other passes available, too.
Name of Source Book: 1000 Places to See in the USA and Canada
Page Location in Source Book: 20-21
Type of Waymark: Scenic
Location of Coordinates: Visitors Center near Bar Harbor
Cost of Admission (Parks, Museums, etc.): 25.00 (listed in local currency)
List Available Hours, Dates, Season:
All year round during daylight hours.
Official Tourism Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Because of the vastness of many of the "non-localized" sites (Gobi Desert, Great Wall of China), waymark owners are encouraged to allow visits that reflect different perspectives and experiences.
Localized waymark sites (Structures, Landmarks, Businesses) should reflect standard waymarking visit criteria (Logs & photos).