My first encounter with Acadia National Park happened quite a few years ago. My niece and nephew were staying with us for a few weeks during the summer, so, wanting to be the fun, adventurous aunt, I thought it would be a great idea to pack up my mother and my own three young kids and take them all camping for two weeks. All the mothers reading this just gave a little shudder knowing the impending doom I was in for. I mean what could possibly go wrong. Well, it rained. It rained a lot! Did that stop us from having fun? Well, kind of, but I did become pretty creative in my ability to entertain 5 kids under the age of 10. In spite of the rain we walked along the ocean path to Thunder Hole, participated in ranger-led programs which allowed the kids to be inducted as “junior rangers”, dipped our toes in the frigid waters at sandy beach, explored tidal pools and picked blueberries until I thought we’d turned blue. It would take me about 15 years to return and of course, it would be a race that brought me back.
Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain
The Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon in Portland Maine usually takes place on the third weekend in June. The first seven miles of the course run through the Old Port and residential areas. It then takes you around the back cove before heading back to the start/finish line. I absolutely love everything about this course with one exception, the sewage plant at mile eleven and a half. I broke my first two hour half marathon at this race, however, so even with the sewage plant smells I will always give it high reviews.
Mile 5!
Traveling to Acadia from Portland is a pretty straight shot. You can either take the scenic route 1 along the coast or route 95 and 295, which will expedite the trip but not provide much in the way of scenery (unless you make a pit stop in Freeport for a photo opt in front of the big boot at L.L. Bean). Since that first trip to Acadia my youngest daughter and I have returned on three separate occasions. Each time we have our tried and true favorite hikes and restaurants but also try to include some new things. One thing that never changes is our accommodations. We camp. In a tent, with sleeping bags, flashlights and campfire, the real deal. This is the reason my husband opts out of our annual trek to Acadia. His idea of roughing it is a stay in a hotel without a hot tub. We have tried various campgrounds in the area and by far our favorite is the Bar Harbor Campground. It is a family run campground and the closest to Bar Harbor and the park itself. Be warned, they do not accept reservations or credit cards. During the summer I recommend arriving late morning on a Sunday when some people are packing up and leaving. Our favorite spot sits on top of the hill to the left of the pool. The views are amazing and you have your own supply of blueberries right outside your tent door. This year they even put a port-a-potty near the sites which made my daughter and I giddy!
The first thing to do before setting out to explore the park is pay a visit to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. This is where you can purchase your entrance pass ($25 per vehicle for 7 days), pick up a park map and get a list of the ranger programs being offered during your stay. Definitely try to participate in some of the programs being offered. Once you have your map in hand you are ready to set out.
View from our tent
Our must do list for every trip to Acadia includes:
- Drive around the Park Loop Road. Make a point to stop off at Sand Beach. From here you can walk the Ocean Path to thunder hole.
- Wake up before the sun and head to cadillac mountain for sunrise (bring blankets to wrap yourself in, early morning in Maine is COLD!)
- Blueberry pancakes at the Great Maine Breakfast
- An afternoon spent exploring the shops of Bar Harbor
- Bike ride on any of the carriage roads
- Walk along the Jordon Pond path
- Popovers and afternoon tea at the Jordon Pond House
Some of our other favorite hikes and activities include:
- Rock climbing on the otter cliffs. We used Acadia Mountain Guides. It was an amazing, if not terrifying experience, seeing as I am afraid of heights!
- Picnicking at the end of the Wonderland Trail. This is a very short, easy trail (great for young families) that at the end opens up into an unforgettable expanse of ocean. Large flat rocks make it an ideal spot for a picnic and afternoon snooze.
- Take a boat ride on Diver Ed’s Dive-In theatre. A fun experience, especially for kids. Diver Ed dives down and brings up an abundance of things from the ocean floor.
- Hike the great head trail. Located at the far end of sand beach, this trail provides views to write home about!
- Start your day off with a coffee from the The Coffee Hound (yes, I do consider this is an activity)
- Walk across the sand bar (more like stone bar) from Bar Harbor to Bar Island. Make sure you check the tides before you go and give yourself plenty of time to make the trip so you do not find yourself stranded on Bar Island for the night.
I’m sure I could travel to Acadia every year for the rest of my life and still find new areas to explore. The Mount Desert Island Marathon, which takes place the second weekend in October, is one of my bucket list races that I can’t wait to run. If you plan on visiting Acadia, my advice to you is something I learned on my very first trip; pack your sense of adventure and a raincoat!
