Acadia National Park (US)

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Acadia National Park - 9th Most Visited U.S. National Park in 2011 [40 PICS]

Acadia National Park along the rugged coastline of Maine may not be the first place that jumps to mind when thinking about America’s busiest parks, but maybe it should come to mind in the top 10 because it was the 9th most visited U.S. national park in 2011 with over 2,300,000 visitors. Acadia and Cuyahoga switched places from 2010, when Cuyahoga Valley National Park was ranked 9th in visitors. Acadia National Park protects more than 47,000 acres of lakes, ponds, woodlands, granite-domed mountains, and ocean shoreline along the coast of Maine. There are more than 140 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of historic carriage roads, and scenic park roads for drivers. Diverse wildlife, waterfalls, cliffs, stone bridges and scenic vistas can all be found on this cluster of islands that make up Acadia. Hikers, bikers, horseback riders, kayakers, climbers, bird watchers and photographers are among the nature lovers who visit Acadia National Park. [40 Photos]

The largest island along the rugged coast of Maine is Mount Desert Island. A cluster of islands make up Acadia National Park. The photographer called this the ‘Wild gardens of Acadia NP.’ Photo #1 by Liz West




‘Sunset Over Mountain Pine Tree.’ According to NPS, “Acadia National Park protects a landscape of rare scenic beauty. The vistas from the high rocky headlands encompass forested woodlands, shimmering lakes, quiet marshes, bold rocky shores, and coastal islands. On all sides, the ocean surrounds the park and strongly influences the park’s character.” Photo #2 by Kim Seng




Near the Gorge Trail Trailhead. Regarding the natural features and diversity of ecosystems within Acadia, NPS wrote, “Ocean, mountains, lakes and streams, wetlands, forests, meadows, and beaches are all found within the roughly 45,000 acres of Acadia, and each feature makes its unique contribution to the natural tapestry.” Photo #3 by Andrew Mace




NPS reports “The waters around Mount Desert Island are littered with shipwrecks.” By 1855 there had been so many shipwrecks that it was decided a lighthouse was needed. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Mount Desert Island was built in 1858 and was completed in 1876. It’s now a private residence but Bass Harbor Lighthouse remains a favorite shot for photographers. Photo #4 by Kim Seng




Kayaking at Acadia looks fun and much more peaceful than extreme kayaking. Photo #5 by NPS / Todd M. Edgar




Crashing waves at Schoodic Peninsula, another section or 5% of Acadia. There are 2,266 acres of the Schoodic Peninsula and it is often less crowded than other areas of the park as an estimated 10% of Acadia visitors come here. Photo #6 by Leslie Linscott




This was titled simply ‘Acadia Dam.’ Photo #7 by NPS / Clay Gilley




Cairns, or piles of rocks, mark the trail on Cadillac Mountain overlooking Bar Harbor, Maine. The photographer wrote, “Cadillac Mountain is largely composed of pink granite with forests of spruce and pitch pine. Views of Acadia National Park from the top of the mountain are spectacular.” Photo #8 by Princess Stand in the Rain




Jordan Pond Boardwalk for hikers and nature lovers at Acadia. The park service wrote, “Lakes and ponds add shimmering contrast to Acadia’s forested and rocky landscape. They cover about 2,600 acres of the park, which is equivalent to approximately 7.4% of its area. Within or adjacent to the park, you will find 14 Great Ponds (natural bodies of water greater than 4 hectares/10 acres) and 10 smaller ponds.” Photo #9 by Charles Tilford




Pink granite with red bushes and ocean view, the view from Gorham Mountain during fall. Photo #10 by NPS / Ginny Reams

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Peregrine Falcon chick after banding which helps the park keep an eye on the population. “Peregrine falcons have rebounded since being on the brink of extinction in the mid-1960s. The falcons were reintroduced into the park in 1984, and have been returning of their own accord to nest successfully from 1991 to the present.” NPS further reports, “With a record of 338 bird species encountered, Acadia National Park is considered one of the premier bird-watching areas in the country.” Photo #11 by Todd M. Edgar / NPS




‘Summer Fawn.’ Photo #12 by L Haller / NPS




A trail passing underneath one of the Carriage Road bridges. Photo #13 by dustin_j_williams




Along the shore of Acadia National Park in Maine. Photo #14 by David Patterson




A Loon — Acadia NP wildlife. More than 20% of the park is classified as wetland with swamps, marshes and forested wetlands. Photo #15 by NPS / Lora Haller




Schoodic Coast. Photo #16 by NPS




Frenchman Bay and Porcupine Islands around the town of Bar Harbor viewed from Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island. While Mount Cadillac rank comes in at 47th for the “highest elevation” within U.S. national parks, Acadia National Park service says, “Steep slopes rise above the rocky shore, including Cadillac Mountain, which at 1,530 feet is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast.” Photo #17 by Matthew Field




An occasional surge soaks the viewing area at Thunder Hole. The photographer wrote, “These waves made an awesome sound as they raced between the sides of the chasm, thundering as they burst out of the end.” Rogue waves at the park have washed people over and rescue teams have been called in. Photo #18 by Giant Ginkgo




Catching a wave…or getting cought by one in Acadia National Park on ‘Ocean Drive’ near Thunder Hole. Photo #19 by miss_L




Bubble Pond: The photographer wrote, “Acadia National Park preserves much of Mount Desert Island, and associated smaller islands, off the Atlantic coast of Maine. Traditionally inhabited by Wabanaki Native American hunters, fishers, and gatherers, the area includes mountains, an ocean shoreline, woodlands, and lakes. In addition to Mount Desert Island, the park comprises much of the Isle au Haut, a small island to the southwest of Mount Desert Island and parts of Baker Island, also nearby. A portion of Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland is also part of the park. In total, Acadia National Park consists of 30,300 acres (47 square miles or 123 km2) on Mount Desert Island, 2,728 acres (4.6 square miles or 11 km2) on Isle au Haut and 2,366 acres (3.5 square miles or 9.2 km2) on the Schoodic Peninsula.” Photo #20 by Plh1234us