Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island established in 1919. Its landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. Among the wildlife are moose, bear, whales and seabirds. The park is known for great hikes, amazing views, foggy beaches and its fall foliage. The main visitor center is at Hulls Cove, northwest of Bar Harbor.
SCA at Acadia
SCA has placed members into positions at Acadia National Park since the 1960’s. Both national high school crews and interns have found professional opportunities and life-changing experiences in their placement at the park. Additionally, members of our CDIP program, which SCA manages in partnership with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, have grown their knowledge of conservation careers in roles within facilities and park management.
Things to do
- Along the rugged coastline of Maine, this gem of the Northeast offers ocean shoreline, coastal forests, remote islands, rocky mountains and historic lighthouses. With 45 miles of historic carriage roads to bike and 125 miles of trails to hike, Acadia is a premier destination for the adventurous and outdoorsy. Among the park’s granite peaks is Cadillac Mountain, which at 1,530 feet stands as the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast.
- Ocean Path offers a low-effort, high-reward hike. Meander along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island from Sand Beach to Otter Point on this rugged, scenic 2-mile path (each way). The trail goes directly past the park’s famous Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff.
- October brings peak fall foliage season to Acadia. Spanning across Maine’s Mount Desert Island, the park boasts thousands of acres of lush foliage in spectacular autumnal colors. The leaves typically start to change in late September all the way through mid-October. The famous 27-mile Park Loop Road weaves through the colorful landscape to land on top of Cadillac Mountain which offers impeccable views of the entire park.
- Acadia boasts a mix of evergreens and hardwood trees that commands attention and will satisfy the yearnings of even the most discerning of leaf peepers. Visitors to Acadia National Park in northern Maine often comment about the striking contrast that can be seen between the vivid fall colors of the flaming hardwoods against the backdrop of the dark green coniferous forests and the blue-green waters of the Atlantic Ocean
Hours & Seasons:
Acadia National Park is open year-round, although winter weather or other conditions may force the closure of visitor facilities, roads, and campgrounds. SCA recommends calling the park’s visitor center or check the park website for the most current information: (207) 288-3338
Park Highlights:
- Attend a Ranger-led program
- Camping & Hiking
- Kayaking/canoeing
- Swimming at Sand Beach and Echo Lake
- Sea kayaking and guided ocean boat tours
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Snowmobiling
- Ice fishing
- Mountain Climbing
- Fall Foliage
- Wildlife
- Horseback riding
