How may I Direct Your Click?™

RV Vacations
RV Vacation and RV Camping ideas

Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England and was the first one established east of the Mississippi. In the summer months it attracts visitors like a magnet. But by fall quiet space is easier to find especially if you're prepared to camp and hike in the park.

It's a special place on America's Atlantic coast and famous for its rocky and breathtaking coastal terrain. The park is home to more than 500 species of plants, 300 species of birds, and the tallest mountain, at 1,530 feet, on the east coast of U.S.

The park is largely located on Mount Desert Island, which is south of Ellsworth, Maine. Acadia covers 46,000 acres and includes 120 miles of hiking trails and an extensive 45-mile network of carriage paths popular for mountain biking. The paths were created during 1913 and 1940 by John Rockefeller, Jr.

Peak foliage in the area is generally around early to mid-October and camping is restricted to Blackwoods campground after September. But the park has many trails and a number can be combined to create longer excursions and climbs for hikers of all ability. Just allow enough time to return to Blackwoods campground for your overnight stays as backcountry camping is not allowed in the park.

Moderate ability trails include: the 4.4 miles Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail with open views of Bar Harbor and Frenchman Bay, Champlain Mountain at 2.2 miles, and the 3.3 mile loop of the scenic Jordan Pond Shore Trail.

Three of the more popular trails for strenuous hikes are the Precipice Trail, Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, and Acadia Mountain Trail.

The Precipice Trail is very steep as it ascends 1,000 feet almost vertically, and includes climbing ladders on exposed cliffs. It's the most challenging of all the trails in the park but an exhilarating climb if you've a head for heights.

The Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail starts close to the campground and is a 7.4 mile roundtrip hike through forests and to the summit with marvelous scenic views at the top. The Acadia Mountain Trail is on the opposite side of Sommes Sound and offers stunning views of the Sound, and Southwest Harbor.

Mountain cyclists can marvel and enjoy the impressive broken-stone carriage roads located east of Sommes Sound in the Jordan's Pond and Eagle Lake areas. These roads are also a wonderful way of seeing the park for hikers, and those wanting easy scenic walk trails.

Allow a week to experience the varied hikes and terrain of the park during fall.

Trail maps and park information can be picked up at Hulls Cove Visitor Center located on Route 3 and open from May thru October. For more information on Acadia National Park and reservations at the campgrounds visit www.nps.gov/acad

About the Author For more details on other destinations and attractions in New England and to pick up your free travel and vacation reports go to Cliff Calderwood's New England vacation site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/

10 Great Reasons to Choose Acadia for Your Next Family Vacation   by Colin L Wolfenden

If you are in search of an ideal family vacation spot, Acadia National Park is definitely worth considering.

This little gem of a park is located on the rugged east coast of Maine. The 47,000 acres that comprise it are diverse, ranging from rocky-topped mountain domes, to thick pine forests, to ocean shoreline, to creeks, lakes, and ponds. Acadia is mostly contained on Mt. Desert Island, but it does extend to the nearby Schoodic Peninsula and even Isle au Haut out in Frenchman's Bay.

More than 2 million people visit Acadia each year, but you'll find most of them visit during July, August, and September. Pick a different month for your vacation and the park may almost be deserted. At any rate, even during the busy months, it is easy to get away from the crowds if you try.

Here are 10 great reasons why Acadia is such a great choice for your next family vacation...

1. It is America's first national park east of the Mississippi. That means it is rich in history and heritage. Take time to learn about the history in one of the visitor centers with your children. They have books, movies, and displays. Or, rent the audiotape auto tour... it provides a wonderful introduction to the park.

2. There are hiking trails to meet every level of outdoor enthusiast. If you are looking for thrills and chills, try the Precipice, West Face Cadillac/Jordan Cliffs, or Beehive Trails, which come complete with iron rungs, ladders, and sheer drop offs. If you want to experience varied terrain, including rolling creek side walking, tramping on boardwalks through marshland, and exploring tidal pools at the ocean's edge, then you and your family might enjoy the Jordan Creek Trail. Is a leisurely stroll more your style? Then, take advantage of the nicely-groomed carriage roads that you'll find in every corner of the park or even the mostly flat Jordan Pond Trail.

3. You can try water sports. Rent a canoe on Long Pond on the western side of the island. Or join a sea kayaking group in Frenchman's Bay out of Bar Harbor. Or just play in the crystal clear waters of one of the many ponds or creeks. You can even spend a day at the beach...Sand Beach. The waters are always cold, but the kids will love it.

4. Leave your car in the hotel or campground parking lot. Acadia has a terrific shuttle system. You can get off most anywhere in the park and re-board when you're ready. Save on gas and the aggravation of driving too.

5. Enjoy some local culture. If you happen to need a break from the great outdoors, head into Bar Harbor. You'll find lots of funky little shops, some great restaurants, and even a movie theater or two. If you're there for the 4th of July, take part in the annual pancake breakfast, town parade, lobster bake, and fantastic fireworks. They come highly recommended.

6. Take a bike ride. Bring your own or you can rent them from one of several shops in Bar Harbor. Then head on over to the park and hit one of the carriage roads. A word of warning... they are all at least a bit hilly, so if you have small children or out of shape family members, don't bite off more than you can chew. Stick to a short ride around a single lake. Eagle Lake is a great solution.

7. If you have teens, try rock climbing. A couple of outfits in town will fit you with the right gear and then take you out to Otter Cliffs (on the ocean) or Bubble Rock and teach you rock climbing skills and techniques. Great fun!

8. Although when you're hiking the trails of Acadia, you may feel as though you're far from civilization, in reality, you're no more than an hour or two from Bangor, the nearest "big" city. And right outside the park boundaries is the town of Ellsworth, which has a movie theater and small mall, not to mention the local Wal-Mart if you need to restock your camping supplies.

9. Acadia has accommodations for every kind of family. There are many fine campgrounds on the island, including Bar Harbor Campground, where you can choose your own campsite, be it ocean view or in the woods. You can also camp right in the park, as long as you're comfortable with very few amenities. If you want something a bit less rustic, then one of the many cabin and cottage places may be more to your liking. But Acadia's surrounding towns offer a host of bed and breakfasts, motels, and hotels to suit nearly every budget and preference.

10. There is something for everyone in Acadia, no matter what age or ability. Outdoor activities abound, of course, but there are also opportunities to soak in Maine's rich history and modern-day culture. Kids might like to spend an evening at Pirate's Cove, a popular miniature golf venue. Hiking, walking, biking, boating, exploring... Acadia has it all!

So, for your next family vacation, you can't go wrong if you spend it in Acadia National Park.

About the Author

For more travel articles, tips and regular Free downloads
visit http://bargaintravel.my-resource.com