Acadia National Park

It’s time for another spotlight on our great national parks. Chances are, when you hear that term, you think west to the badlands, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. But how about the other side of the country? There’s a national park over there that brings you the United States point that is the first to see sunrise every morning. Doesn’t that sound like a beautiful place to be?

Acadia National Park is located along the rugged coast of Maine and was the first national park east of the Mississippi River. This coast is home to all kinds of wildlife, plant life, and scenery. People have always been drawn to its beautiful variety, and Acadia National Park owes its preservation (like so many other national parks) to those who had the foresight to secure it as a place to explore and experience its natural beauty. Thanks to northern winters, the best time to visit is mid-April to October. In fact, if you come in the winter, you may find several parts of the park closed due to icy conditions.

So what might you see there? Acadia National Park has ocean, coastline, coniferous forest, and mountains. The visitor’s center will get you started, with a map, a film, and all the information you need for how to spend half a day to several days in the many sites throughout the park.

Cadillac Mountain comes next, the place where you can be the first to see the sunrise – depending on the time of year. There’s great hiking on Cadillac Mountain. And throughout Acadia National Park, you’ll find many ways to explore the landscape. Carriage trails are offered throughout for biking or horse-drawn carriage rides. There are wayside exhibits, an amphitheater, and you can even enjoy ranger-guided classes and tours. These activities help you really learn about the wildlife, plant life and scenery that you’re bound to love as you explore this amazing park.

Photo by JBColorado on Flickr