The popularity of the location and limited space does present some challenges. While many of the most popular national parks in the U.S. are out west, Acadia is a great option for those of us in the east. The 3.2 mile loop (rated moderate) around Jordan Pond is an excellent hike. It;s a great spot to take pictures of Acadia – nature does all the work for you! Accessible by car, it is the highest point on the east coast of the U.S., and offers magnificent views of a glaciated coastal and island landscape. Just like sunrise, sunset is a great time to photograph many areas of the park. You’ll actually need to turn onto Arey Cove Road the head down to Schoodic Point. It has a clip that you can use to add some extra weight for even better sturdiness. In fact, the trail runs parallel to the road for much of its length! "We are seeing some species move away to the north, we are seeing new species move away to the south, we've seen about one out of every six plants in the park have disappeared," said Abe Miller-Rushing scientist at Acadia National Park. I use and recommend the Sirui T-024x carbon fiber tripod, which is a nice lightweight tripod that is also very sturdy. You can easily get to Sieur de Monts from Park Loop Road. Chumming or placing preserved or fresh fish eggs, fish roe, food, fish parts, chemicals, or other foreign substances in fresh waters for the purpose of feeding or attracting fish in order that they may be taken. In all other areas, fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Maine (36CFR2.3(a)) EXCEPT as provided below. A free special use permit signed by the superintendent or designee is required to transport weapons, traps, or nets across park lands in order to access the Great Ponds. Most of the people will head to their cars at sunset. Watch out for hitchhiking plants on boats and equipment. A polarizer can help to add contrast to the sky and to reduce glare on wet rocks and water. Acadia has several trails rated as strenuous that make use of iron rungs, handhold, and ladders to go up steep sections of mountains. There are nice views available at Eagle Lake, although not quite as iconic as Jordan Pond. You’ll want to return to visit Acadia anyway, so leave something for your next visit. Also be aware that weather can be an issue here. And Maine does not disappoint! There are also tour buses available. Aquatic invasive species are a growing risk to parks and their values. Fish so released shall not be included in the catch or possession limit: Provided, that at the time of catching the person did not possess the legal limit of fish. smallmouth bass Any time you are photographing near the ocean you will want to make sure you keep your lens and gear clean. While this road does not loop around the entire park, it does provide access to many of the most noteworthy and popular areas of the park, all on the east half of Mount Desert Island. The National Park Service is already predicting another record-breaking visitation year in Acadia for 2021. If you are going to be hiking it’s ideal if your tripod is also lightweight. The crowds make it a challenge to find the shot that you want, assuming you want to keep people out of your shot. Acadia scientists pointed out that one out of every six plants in the park has disappeared. All of the most popular, iconic destinations for photographers are on Mount Desert Island, but the Schoodic Peninsula does offer some nice scenery and smaller crowds. Parks are “islands”, but the much larger “ocean” that surrounds them affects the natural resources inside a park. This sample Acadia national park 2 day itinerary below has you arriving in Acadia Friday afternoon and leaving Sunday early afternoon. Popular options include the Beehive Trail, the Precipice Trail, and Acadia Mountain Trail. I’m Ale and I love to plan super detailed itineraries and guides to US National Parks (and beyond!) The following regulations apply only within Acadia National Park. Lonely Planet's Maine & Acadia National Park is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. I think all of Maine is gorgeous but Acadia has a special place in my heart <3. I use and recommend these lens wipes from Zeiss. The main campground is Blackwoods Campground, located on the east side of Mount Desert Island. It can be very windy on top of the mountain, so I would recommend avoiding tall trees and plants in the foreground of your photos as they are likely to be blowing and blurry. An ideal time would be a cloudy, overcast day. [US Code Title 16, Chp 1, Subchp 37 §342]. Keep in mind it’s one way in several sections, so plan accordingly! In addition to the park area, Mount Desert Island is also home to a few small towns and communities (the park covers about half of the island). At the summit there is a decent-sized parking lot. There’s a restaurant here, Jordan Pond House (the only full service restaurant in the park) with indoor and outdoor seating. The trail begins east of Sand Beach and rises in elevation to provide an excellent view of Sand Beach and the southeastern part of Mount Desert Island. From the summit you can get a nice east-facing view looking over Frenchman Bay and Bar Harbor. The 1.5 mile loop Great Head Trail (rated as moderate) offers some great views. They’ll be among the first in the United States to see the dawning of a new day. There’s a panoramic vista point, as well as sets of stairs that will take you down near the water (this is where the lighthouse is most often photographed from.). Found inside – Page 27Acadia NP reported that plant poachMountains NP based on LANDSAT thematic In the fall of 1990 , organized groups ille- ing most likely has resulted in ... I love to dip my toes into the chilly water at Sand Beach and play in the waves! The island is easily accessed by road over a bridge. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, The Secretary [of the Interior] shall allow for the traditional taking of marine species, marine worms, and shellfish, on land within the Park between the mean high watermark and the mean low watermark in accordance with State law. It leads through a forest and to a beautiful rocky coast. I didn’t find the lighting to be that great on the day I was there, but I still loved it as a sunrise location. There are a few different areas along the trail where you step out to the rocks and get these nice views. When I was there in early June sunrise was around 4:45. BASS HARBOR — It’s a rough life in the rocky intertidal zones of Acadia National Park. There are plenty of great locations for both sunrise and sunset at Acadia. The third section is Isle au Haut. Major airline carriers will also fly into the Bangor airport, about 1 hour from the park. ... Acadia National Park, Maine. Things to Do in Acadia National Park, Maine: See Tripadvisor's 15,039 traveler reviews and photos of Acadia National Park tourist attractions. This trail runs along Park Loop Road from Sand Beach to Otter Point. By coming in late April or May you can beat the summer crowds and still get to see everything in the park. Bar Harbor is the largest town on the island and sort of serves as a gateway to the park. All others were processed with the Landscape Legend Lightroom Presets. It is just north of Otter Cliff. This one also provides excellent views of the southeastern part of Mount Desert Island, from the opposite side of Sand Beach as compared to the Great Head Trail. There are a few small pull offs along the road where you can park. Applicants for permits must possess a valid State of Maine license to hunt waterfowl, trap, and/or fish as a condition of the permit. How much time will you have there? To access this area take park loop road and go past the parking area marked for the Gorham Mountain Trailhead. Found insideSmart, short, and irresistibly illustrated, This Is a Book for People Who Love National Parks is a park-by-park celebration of the American outdoors. Needless to say, there is a ton to explore in the nation’s most-visited national park. I have seen photos of several of them and they are excellent options if you are looking for some adventure and great views. Patience, relaxation, challenge, and memories are a few words often associated with fishing. It gets really cold at night, so dress in warm clothing if stargazing; Pack a picnic blanket or two if you’re going to Cadillac Mountain or Sand Beach so you can stargaze in comfort; Have dinner in Bar Harbor, and explore downtown Bar Harbor. The park has abundant wildlife, a wide variety of plants, remote campsites, and over 800 miles of hiking trails. The colors in the sky over the mountains and reflecting in the lake can be beautiful. Work with the weather to make the best of your time in the park. A single invasive plant or plant fragment can infest an entire lake or stream. This level trail features a boardwalk that leads you through a beautiful forest of birch trees. For me, a polarizer was most important at Acadia for photographing the lakes and ponds without intense glare (especially at Jordan Pond). You can also find Bar Harbor, a picturesque New England town on Mount Desert Island as well. Â You can pick up this section of the Jesup Path just behind the Wild Gardens of Acadia. The overlook can get quite crowded, so finding your spot is a challenge. The ocean path trail is a relatively flat 4.4 mile round trip hike that officially starts right off the Sand Beach parking lot (behind the bathrooms), but is easily accessible from several different pull outs along the park loop road. Covered in spruce-fir forests, outlined by the rocky Atlantic coastline and dotted with dozens of lakes and ponds, Acadia is … Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, at 1,530 feet (466 meters), is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7 through March 6. Because the park is super close to Bar Harbor and other small communities in Mount Desert Island, there’s plenty of places to stay near Acadia. We want you to have an enjoyable time during your visit, and for those who come after you to fish. The weather can be a little unpredictable. The Schoodic Peninsula also has a one-way loop road that provides access to the park. In 2007, Acadia National Park hosted the 5th Northeastern Alpine Stewardship Gathering at the Schoodic Education and Research Center in the park. While many of the major points of interest in the park can be reached by car, there are many trails that are worth hiking.