WELCOME TO ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ..................................................................................................... 6 Letter from the Superintendent ............................................................................................................. 6 Acadia National Park – A Place Like No Other ........................................................................................ 7 Acadia as Part of the National Park System ............................................................................................ 9 Park Map ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Acadia Fast Facts ................................................................................................................................... 11 Weather ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................. 12 IMPORTANT PARK INFORMATION ............................................................................................................ 16 Bus/Coach/Vehicle Restrictions/Bridge Heights ................................................................................... 16 Commercial Fees ................................................................................................................................... 17 Acadia National Park Regulations ......................................................................................................... 18 PLANNING YOUR GROUP’S VISIT .............................................................................................................. 22 Accessibility Checklist ........................................................................................................................... 22 Basic Information to Share and Remember Throughout the Trip......................................................... 22 Helpful Resources ................................................................................................................................. 23 Providing an Introduction to Acadia for Your Group ............................................................................ 24 SCHOOL GROUPS – EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ......................................................................................... 25 Programs for Educational Groups ......................................................................................................... 25 Creating Your Own Program ................................................................................................................. 25 The Junior Ranger Program .................................................................................................................. 25 Teachers’ Guides and Activity Books .................................................................................................... 26 Activity Ideas for Children’s Groups – Specific Park Areas ................................................................... 26 VISITOR SERVICES/ACCESSIBILITY ............................................................................................................. 28 Accessible Options ................................................................................................................................ 28 Camping ................................................................................................................................................ 28 Restrooms ............................................................................................................................................. 28 Picnic Areas ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Information Centers .............................................................................................................................. 30 Concessions and Partners ..................................................................................................................... 30 1 PARK ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 32 Bicycling ................................................................................................................................................ 32 Boating .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Boat Cruises (Privately Operated) ......................................................................................................... 32 Camping ................................................................................................................................................ 32 Carriage Rides ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Fishing ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Hiking .................................................................................................................................................... 33 Interpretive Guides ............................................................................................................................... 33 Museums/Nature Centers .................................................................................................................... 33 Swimming ............................................................................................................................................. 34 Tidepooling ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Winter Activities ................................................................................................................................... 34 DRIVING THROUGH THE PARK .................................................................................................................. 36 General Information ............................................................................................................................. 36 Driving Regulations ............................................................................................................................... 36 Overviews of the Scenic Drives ............................................................................................................. 36 The Park Loop Road Overview .............................................................................................................. 37 The Park Loop Road Sections In-Detail ................................................................................................. 38 Other Park Areas on the East Side ........................................................................................................ 47 Westside of Acadia ............................................................................................................................... 48 Park Sites Off Island .............................................................................................................................. 52 ISLAND ATTRACTIONS ............................................................................................................................... 56 Lighthouses ........................................................................................................................................... 56 Towns .................................................................................................................................................... 56 Museums and Research Facilities ......................................................................................................... 57 PARK ACTIVITIES IN-DEPTH ....................................................................................................................... 60 Accessible Carriage Roads..................................................................................................................... 60 Accessible Trails .................................................................................................................................... 60 Bicycling ................................................................................................................................................ 61 Boat Excursions ..................................................................................................................................... 65 Camping ................................................................................................................................................ 65 2 Fishing ................................................................................................................................................... 67 Hiking .................................................................................................................................................... 68 Rock Climbing 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