Acadia National Park is a must to see while in the coastal town of Brooklin, Maine. Brooklin was the home of the famous author E.B. White of "Charlotte's Web", "Stuart Little" and "The Trumpet of the Swan". This author describes Brooklin life frequently in his books. This small town of about 840 people has a lot to offer, especially the sea. This makes it a great place for summer activities including sailing (famous all over the world), and fishing.
Acadia National Park
Rte 233 McFarland Hill
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-3338
www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
This gorgeous park on Mount Desert Island has over 47,000 acres of natural beauty including scenic mountain views and landscaping, and ocean shoreline with many beautiful ponds and lakes.
The distance of Acadia National Park is about a 45 to 60-minute drive from Brooklin. Many guests enjoy staying at a Brooklin Inn while visiting the area.
Things to Do at Acadia National Park
- Hiking: This Park offers 125 miles of trails for hiking.
- Biking or Walking: The Park has 45 miles of winding roads for biking or walking, along with paved roads. Visitors should use caution when biking up Cadillac Mountain as it is very steep.
- Birdwatching: There are more than 270 bird species in the park for viewing along the carriage roads, including many other areas along the harbor and mountain and cliff areas.
- Swimming: There are two beaches for swimming staffed with lifeguards. Guests can play in the sand and enjoy the beach at Sand Beach on Mount Desert Island or Echo Lake Beach on Rte 102 north of Southwest Harbor.
- Picnicking: The Park offers six picnic areas.
- Tidepooling: Visit the intertidal zone for tidepooling on your own or with a ranger-led program. Caution must be taken if this is being done on your own as rogue waves can occur at any moment.
- Scenic Driving: The scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road has beautiful views and access to Sand Beach and some of the ponds and mountain areas. It is however, closed in the winter. Many vacationers choose to stay at a Brooklin Bed and Breakfast as it is within driving distance, and is a beautiful town in which to relax.
- Boating: Many nearby towns rent boats, and are permitted in the lakes and ponds on Mount Desert Island.
- Taking a Boat Cruise: Visitors will love the ranger-led narrated boat tours, including the dive-in theater boat cruise.
- Climbing: The Park offers many small cliffs for climbing. Climbing instructions, guidance, and equipment are available locally.
- Fishing: There are several species of freshwater fish available for fishing at the Park.
- Visit the Nature Center: Children and adults both will love the hands-on exhibits of plants and animals at the Nature Center.
- Visit Hull's Cove Visitor Center: Here visitors can find audiovisual presentations as well as a fabulous bookstore.
- Visit the Islesford Historical Museum: This museum on Little Cranberry Island depicts the people of Cranberry Isles through its many exhibits.
- Visit the Abbe Museum: The Abbe Museum at Sieur de Monts Spring offers history from over 12,000 years ago to the present about Maine's Native American heritage.
- Visit the park by Horse Drawn Carriage: Narrated carriage rides are available for enjoyment.
- Visit by Bus: Narrated bus tours are offered for guests.
- Visit by Horseback: A horse camp is available for visitors wishing to bring their own horse. Horseback riding can be done on the carriage roads, and in other areas at specified times.