Learn About the Park

Acadia touches something inside of us. Beyond just beautiful, the park is an interwoven fabric of meaning. Learn more about the past, present, and future of the place we now call Acadia National Park.

The Natural World

Explore the natural environments of Acadia and how humans have interacted with them

A porcupine walks along granite and ground vegetation

Explore fascinating animals, plants, and landscapes where the summits meet the sea and learn about the challenges facing this special place.

Tree roots and moss along a forest floor

Plants

The diversity of Acadia National Park is reflected in its plant life; more than 1,100 plant species are found here.

Three barred owls sitting on a tree branch

Animals

Acadia is home to a diversity of wildlife, from microorganisms living in tidepools to larger animals on land and in water.

A coastline at sunset with pink coloring on the granite

Natural Features & Ecosystems

Geology, intertidal zones, forests, lakes and ponds, wetlands, mountains, night skies, and more.

Mountains

Acadia is home to more than 20 mountains that rise from the sea and comprise much of Mount Desert Island.

Waves crash against rocky coastline at sunset

Coasts and Rocky Shorelines

Acadia protects nearly 64 miles of coastline on Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, and other islands.

A mountain summit at sunset with a view of the ocean

Geology

Acadia's landscape tells the tale of a time when fire and ice covered these lands.

History & Culture: A Living Landscape

The stunning landscape and natural resources of of Acadia have attracted people for more than 10,000 years, beginning with the Wabanaki people, and have fostered an ongoing interconnectedness between people and the landscape. The interconnectedness between people and the landscape can be seen in Acadia’s human-shaped ecosystems, its archeological record, the tradition of conservation philanthropy, and the local culture and economy dependent on natural resources.

Historic photograph held in front of a landscape

History & Culture

Learn about the people and places that make up our past, present, and future.

People

Learn about the people who have lived, worked, and explored in Acadia.

A stone carriage road bridge over a stream in a forested area

Historic Places

Park history and the culture of this area are evident in its places: historic structures, lighthouses, memorial paths, bridges, and more.

B&W photo of two men with pond and treed hillside behind them

Founding Acadia

Civic groups & philanthropists formed to create the first national park entirely from donations. A tradition of giving that continues today.

Deck hand Joe Mandusa works to clean the underside of the 151′ Schooner Margaret Todd in Hulls Cove

Working Waters & Waterfronts

Life in coastal maine is no lobster bake. Learn about the heritage of the many people who live and have lived near these giving waters.

Three women work a saw over a piece of wood

Working Woodlands, Farms & Quarries

The traditions of working the land runs throughout this living landscape. Learn more about how people worked the land yesterday and today.

Wabanaki Heritage, Culture, & Craft

Learn more about the heritage, culture, and craft of Wabanaki people.

What We Do

The National Park Service protects and administers Acadia National Park and protects the ecological integrity, cultural history, scenic beauty, and scientific values within the Acadia archipelago and Schoodic Peninsula. Learn more about what we do and find authoritative sources of park information.