Interesting Facts About Acadia National Park:
• The closest city is Bar Harbor, Maine
• The area is 47,400 acres
• In 2004, the visitors of Acadia Natl Park reached 2,207,996
• The National Park Service governs Acadia National Park
• Cadillac Mountain on the east side of the island is a renowned tourist destination, because it is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise!
• Miles of picturesque carriage roads were initially built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. with great compassion to the trees and contours of the land
History of Acadia National Park:
Acadia National Park was established on January 19, 1916 by the U.S. National Monument and called the Sieur de Monts National Monument. On February 26, 1919 it became a national park by the National Park Service and was given the name "Lafayette National Park" to honor the Marquis de Lafayette, a French supporter of the American Revolution. In 1929, the park's name was changed to what it is known as today - Acadia National Park.
Museums in Acadia National Park:
The Islesford Historical Museum -
Here you can learn about the five Islands of the Cranberry Isles, changing exhibits, original settlers of the Cranberry Isles, the museum's founder, ship captains, and art history. It is open from June until September. You would be transported to the museum by a tour boat.
The Robert Abbe Museum -
This is a private museum that exhibits the Native American culture and history of the land. It's open from May to October.
Nature Centers at Acadia Natl Park:
Sieur de Monts Spring Nature Center -
Here you will learn about the natural history of the park. You will also learn about how the park uses and protects the land's natural resources. It's open from May to September.
The Wild Gardens of Acadia -
These are 75 acres of land with outdoor gardens and typical habitats of certain animals. Each specie is labeled in its most distinguishing habitat.
Camping Acadia National Park:
There are two campgrounds for camping Acadia National Park: the Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds. They both have individual and group camping sites. All of the campsites are located ten minutes walking distance from the Atlantic ocean. The Blackwoods Campground is open from May through October. Reservation need to be made ahead of time, either online or over the phone.
The Seawall Campground is also open from May through October.
Rules and regulations for the two campgrounds (from the official website):
By following these regulations and tips, you can help protect park resources and make your stay at Acadia more enjoyable. Thank you for planning ahead and complying with park regulations.
• All camping must be done in established campgrounds. Overnight backpacking is prohibited in Acadia National Park because the park is small and fragile.
• No person may camp in the park for more than a total of 30 days in a calendar year. From May 1 through October 31, camping is limited to 14 days total in Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds.
• Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds are closed to persons other than registered campers from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Generators may only be used from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Check-out time is 10 a.m.
• All campers must comply with conditions of camping permits.
• Camping fees are subject to change. Camping fees and entrance fees are separate charges.
• Contained charcoal and wood fires are prohibited except in provided fireplaces or receptacles or private grills in established campgrounds and picnic areas. Dead and down wood may be collected for campfires in the park provided that 1) wood is not collected from within the campground unless it is in park-provided wood piles and 2) chainsaws are not used to gather wood.
• Pets must be kept on a leash six feet or less in length and may not be left unattended. Please do not leave pets locked in the car. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car-even with the windows cracked-can reach over 100 degrees within 10 minutes.
• Proper food storage helps ensure your safety and the safety of those camping around you. Please store all human and pet foods and cooking equipment in an enclosed vehicle or a hard-sided food locker whenever you are not present. This precaution will limit the opportunity for wild animals to be attracted to your camping site, tent, or vehicle. Remember to place all garbage, including empty cans and bottles, in trash containers or in your vehicle. Never store food or any container with human or pet foods in your tent or under tarps. Park regulations require all campers to properly store food, trash, cooking utensils, and other items that may attract wildlife. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
• Cookware, flatware, and utensils must be cleaned at cleaning stations (gray water stations located at restrooms) where provided.
• Attention! Firewood brought in from other areas may contain non-native insect species that pose a threat to Acadia National Park's resources. Please leave your firewood at home if you live in the affected areas: portions of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana (emerald ash borer) and portions of Illinois, New York, and New Jersey (Asian long horned beetle). Quarantines have been issued for some areas. For more information, see the pest alert (188KB PDF) produced by the National Park Service.
The official website for Acadia National Park: http://www.nps.gov/acad/