Great Drives - Maine

Acadia National Park

Thundering surf, granite ridges meeting the sea, the highest east-coast mountain, woods, little lakes ringed with wildflowers, and the wonder of seeing the magical sun as it approaches the shores of America. This is Acadia, a national park made up of more than a dozen sites, all in a region with small, picturesque seaside villages and offshore islands.

From the peak of Cadillac Mountain, you'll have the perfect New England vista, the coastline, as far as you can see, lovely little islands scattered across Frenchman Bay. that thrilling sunrise, blueberries, and wildflowers.

For just about the most unusual park tour available anywhere, take a local mail boat to Isle au Haut or, better still, a tour boat to Baker Island. On the outbound cruise you'll see ospreys and seals. And, on the island, you'll walk through an eerie birch forest, and spot many song and water birds. Spring and fall are the ideal months for exploring the Maine coast.

Walk, cycle, or ride a horse on the old carriage paths built by John D. Rockefeller after he had decided that the new automobile would ruin the area's ecology. The paths offer wonderful access to a waterfall, and a pond&emdash;with loons. The park also has 120 miles of walking and hiking trails, including trails leading to Cadillac and Dorr mountains. Less traveled is Schoodic Peninsula, where granite laced with volcanic magma is splashed with surf. Walk from the peninsula (at low tide) to nearby Little Moose Island, and an intertidal zone, with myriad sea creatures in rocky pools.

The park's main visitor center is located near Bar Harbor, on Maine Highway 3, just south of Hull's Cove. Two campgrounds are available, with a 14-day limit.

Entrance Fee: $5 per car.        

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