| Activities |
Park rangers lead interpretive walks, cruises, talks, hikes and evening slide programs from late May to Mid-October. Topics include geology, shoreline, birds, plant life and human history.
When you arrive in the park, ask for a schedule of ranger-led activities (mid-June through early October). Program schedules are not available by mail.
Children 8 years or older can participate in the Junior Ranger program during the summer. There are also several ranger-led programs specifically for children.
 | Hiking |
Acadia offers about 120 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Terrain varies from rugged shoreline and deep woods, to open mountain summits with views of the ocean and outer islands.
Acadia's 45 miles of carriage roads are also suitable for walking.
| Hiking Tips: | |
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Most injuries in the park result from falls while hiking
or biking.
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 | Biking |
Acadia's 45 miles of carriage roads, and over 27 miles of paved motor roads, are suitable for bicycle riding. The carriage roads have crushed rock surfaces and wind through the heart of the park. Private carriage roads are posted and off-limits to bicycles.
Cyclists share the carriage roads with horses and pedestrians. Cyclists should observe safety and courtesy rules of the roads:
 | Scenic Driving |
The 27 mile scenic Park Loop Road begins at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and offers access to such sites as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain.
Park entrance fees are collected at the entrance station north of Sand Beach on the Park Loop Road.
The entrance station on the Park Loop Road will carry all passes.
Park Headquarters will carry all passes except the Acadia Annual Pass.
The Hulls Cove Visitor Center and the Sieur de Monts Nature Center will carry only the Golden Access Passport.
In addition to Park Loop Road, other state and county roads may offer scenic views. The road located on Schoodic Peninsula, one hour north of Bar Harbor, offers views of the rugged coast on the only part of the park on the mainland.
Federal law requires you to buckle up while driving in a national park.
 | Swimming |
Acadia National Park has two lifeguarded beaches:
Sand Beach, located off Park Loop Road, offers ocean swimming. The water temperature rarely exceeds 55 degrees.
Echo Lake Beach offers a somewhat warmer swimming experience on the west side of the island.
Other than Echo Lake, freshwater lakes located in the park serve as drinking water reservoirs and are off-limits to swimming and wading.
Most fishermen agree that Mount Desert fishing rates fair to poor, especially during July and August.
 | Freshwater Fishing |
Long Pond, Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond and Upper and Lower Hadlock Ponds are part of the Mount Desert Island drinking water supply. Please observe posted regulations.
Freshwater fishing requires a Maine state fishing license for residents 16 years or older and non-residents 12 years or older. Non-resident licenses can be purchased for the season or for shorter periods in town offices and some local businesses.
No license required. Be cautious of surf conditions. Seaweed and algae covered rocks are extremely slippery.
 | Boating |
Fresh water Boating
A variety of lakes and ponds on Mount Desert Island permit boating. There is a 10 horsepower limit on Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, and Echo Lake. There is no horsepower limit on Long Pond. Motors are not permitted on Upper and Lower Hadlock Ponds.
Saltwater Boating
All towns have launching areas for saltwater near town docks and municipal piers.
*The law requires you to carry a Coast Guard approved life vest for each passenger. A better idea is to wear them. It could save your life!
Canoes, kayaks, sailboats and motorboats can be rented in surrounding communities. A variety of commercial vessels offer ferry service, fishing, nature cruises, sailing, and whale watching excursions.
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