Acadia National Park, Maine
The natural treasures of Acadia National Park are found in the far north-east of the United States, in Maine. The park is made up of a collection of Islands off the Atlantic coast along with the Schoodic Peninsula. It reserves and protects much of Mount Desert Island and other smaller islands round about. This is a popular destination, not just for 'Mainers' but for people from all over the United States and beyond. When you see the beauty and diversity of this rugged area it is easy to understand its popularity.
Photo Courtesy: http://imashon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Blueberry-Foliage-Acadia-National-Park-Maine.jpg
The territory here was once inhabited by the Wabanaki people. An early description of the area was given when Samuel de Champlain observed and named Mount Desert Island in 1604. It shows that things here have changed surprisingly little since that time. The mountains, the woodlands, the views – all remain remarkable similar to how they were over 400 years ago. Acadia National Park was first formed as Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916. It became Lafayette National Park in 1919 and was renamed Acadia in 1929. This makes it the oldest National Park in the United States east of the Mississippi river.
In 1947, during a very dry year in Maine, the park suffered a huge fire which burned much of the woodland and forestry. The fire here was one of many in the state. It burned for over a month and destroyed 10,000 acres of forest before the people fighting to stop the fire were able to extinguish it.
The Rockefeller family contributed substantial sums to the park's restoration. Most of the vegetation was allowed to grow back naturally and some have said that for that reason it is now more diverse and beautiful than ever before. They say that the mixed deciduous trees that colonised the burned area, intermingling with the evergreen conifers, have added increased variety and depth to the landscape of the park.
Photo Courtesy: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Jordan_Pond,_Acadia_National_Park.JPG
If you are thinking about a visit to the Acadia National Park you can easily find a range of accommodation in neighbouring Bar Harbor or well situated for drives and exploration along the Schoodic Scenic Byway. There are also a number of camping sites or cabins where you can leave the car behind and hike or bike throughout the park.
There are over 120 miles of trail in the park, many linking together. There are walks to suit everyone, from complete novices who want a gentle stroll, to fit and experienced hikers. There are some exciting challenges for hikers – one popular trail is the Acadia Mountain Trail, another the notorious Precipice Trail. For those looking for something less white-knuckle, the Ocean Trail from near by Sand Beach to Otter Cliff.
Hiking is only one of the options for recreations within the park. There are a whole raft of options, from cycling to horse riding to kayaking or canoeing. Climb Cadillac Mountain, take John D. Rockefeller's Carriage Roads, enjoy the natural playgrounds of one of the beautiful lakes in the park – whatever you do, you are sure to love the wild scenery and friendly atmosphere of 'Down East' Maine.
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