Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park protects 47,000 acres of Maine's rugged Atlantic coastline, including Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut. The park preserves the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coast of the United States, creating a dramatic landscape where granite cliffs meet crashing waves. Established in 1916, Acadia was the first national park created east of the Mississippi River and showcases diverse habitats from ocean to mountaintop. The park's location at the meeting point of northern and temperate climate zones creates exceptional biodiversity, supporting over 1,100 plant species and 300+ bird species. Acadia encompasses spruce-fir forests, mixed hardwood forests, wetlands, and rocky intertidal zones. The park serves as critical habitat for migrating birds and marine life, while its pristine lakes and streams support native brook trout and other freshwater species. Acadia implements comprehensive conservation programs including invasive species management, wildlife habitat restoration, and sustainable tourism practices. Managing over 3.4 million annual visitors, the park uses shuttle systems, reservation requirements, and visitor education to minimize environmental impacts. Research initiatives focus on climate change effects on coastal ecosystems, bird migration patterns, and forest health while restoration projects target native plant communities and trail sustainability.

Water Features

Atlantic Ocean, Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, Great Head coastline

Ecosystem

This destination features a temperate forest ecosystem.