Tour de Wildlife

Details

Activity

Wildlife Watching

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Some areas of the park are closed or not recommended for pets. Additionally, bringing a pet along may reduce your chances of seeing wildlife in the park. Always keep your pet on a leash for their safety, and the safety of the wildlife. 

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

Who's watching who? Keep your senses sharp to spot whitetail deer in the park's many meadows.

NPS/FOA/W. Newton

The best part about wildlife...is that it's wild! You never know if and when you might catch a glimpse of a bobcat or a fox dashing into a meadow or a seal poking it's head out of the water! That said, if seeing wildlife during your visit to Acadia National Park is high on your priorities list, plan your route to include the following spots that have great potential for wildlife viewing and learn about what you might find there. Don't forget to check out our wildlife viewing page to get a sense for what to expect--plus tips and tricks to make your tour safe and successful!

Jordan Pond

A walk around the Jordan Pond Path might give you a chance to spot mergansers or loons gliding across the surface of the pond. Tadpoles and frogs can be easily seen in the water close to shore. Visiting this area around dawn or dusk may even afford you a beaver sighting too! Beaver lodges are visible from the trail at all times of day. Remember that swimming or wading is not allowed in Jordan Pond, and you should never leave the trail to approach a beaver lodge.

Sieur de Monts

Follow the Jesup Path north to Great Meadow for the chance to see whitetail deer. Use sharp eyes to spot barred owls and songbirds along the boardwalk on your way. Take the Jesup Path south to the Tarn and keep your eyes peeled for mink and otters along the water’s edge.

Witch Hole Pond Loop

A stroll along this carriage road will bring you by many ponds where you might be able to spot painted turtles sunning themselves on rocks, or snapping tutles along the water's edge. Don't forget to look up too! There might be a bald eagle soaring through the sky.

Cadillac Mountain

During late summer and fall, you can join a ranger on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail for Hawk Watch to spot hundreds of migrating raptors flying over the park’s tallest peak!

Precipice Trailhead

Bring your binoculars and look up to spot peregrine falcons-- the world's fastest animal-- flying around the cliffsides. During nesting season in the spring and early summer (when the trail is closed) you can join a ranger for Peregrine Watch to learn more!

Is that a rock or a seal? If it's shiny and it moves, you have your answer! A zoom lens is often required to get a good photo from shore.

NPS/FOA/A. Conti

Along the coast

A drive or walk along the coast might give you the opportunity to see harbor porpoises, seals, many different shorebirds. While there isn’t one guaranteed spot to see marine wildlife, Bar Island, Ocean Path, Schoodic Point, and Seawall are good options. Note that you’re unlikely to see whales or puffins from the shore, and visitors hoping to see these will need to take a boat.

Want to see snails, sea stars and crabs?

Spend a day tidepooling around the park! Or join a ranger for a drop in touch-tank program.