Acadia National Park

After Great Smoky Mountains National Park, John and I decided it was time to see the park closest to home, Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine.  It was a six hour drive up from our home in Boston, but it was worth every minute.

Coastline of Acadia National Park

We arrived at the Harborside Hotel and Spa in Bar Harbor around noon and couldn't wait to get out and see what Acadia had to offer.  We knew we would not be disappointed after the views from the scenic drive up the coast.  We headed to the Ocean Path first, a 4.4-mile round-trip walking trail along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island.  The deep blue ocean waves crashing against the sandy brown cliffs, topped with evergreen trees is an image we won't soon forget.  The Ocean Path is a definite must-see, and if you can I recommend getting off the path and heading down to the rocks on the edge of the water for even more incredible views.  About half way down the Path is an area known as Thunder Hole.  When the waves are just right, they create a sound of a distant thunder clap as they crash against the small inlet and pull back out.  The Ocean Path ends at Otters Cliff, a massive headland which offers spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding coastline.

Rocks by the water on the Ocean Path

We, of course, had to make the drive up to Cadillac Mountain for dawn, as it is the first place the sun hits every morning in the Continental United States.  Unfortunately for us, due to clouds and lots of fog, we didn't see much of a sunrise.  But, I'm sure we'll we back to Acadia in the future and hopefully the next time the weather will cooperate!

In the following days, we hiked up to Bubble Rock, it was a relatively short (1-mile) but steep trail with beautiful views of the numerous ponds and lakes in the area.  We also completed the Beech Mountain Trail, a 1.1-mile hike to the summit, where you can climb an old observation or fire tower.  Two of Acadia's most famous trails are the Precipice and the Beehive. Neither of these hikes are for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights.  They include narrow pathways on the edge of steep cliffs with iron rungs and ladders attached to the cliff walls.  John and I decided to work up our courage for these trails on the next trip to Acadia!

View from Bubble Rock Trail

Instead of horseback riding in this park, John and I decided to rent a kayak for the day.  We went out on Long Pond and paddled to Rum Island.  It gave us an opportunity to see the park from a new perspective and is one of our favorite memories from the trip!


National Park Ratings:
1. Acadia National Park
2. Arches National Park
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4. Canyonlands National Park
5. Shenandoah Valley National Park
6. Capitol Reef National Park
7. Mesa Verde National Park
8. Congaree National Park