When staying at one of the Bar Harbor vacation rentals, there is one attraction that you must not miss, and that is the Acadia National Park. This U.S national park was originally created to preserve the unusual natural terrain and wildlife. It covers over 47,000 acres of land, and has an ocean shoreline, lakes, rocks, mountains and woodlands near Bar Harbor vacation rentals. The park offers innumerable recreational facilities like hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, wildlife photography and much more. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can plan your trip during the off-season months, but all park services are only available during the peak tourist season, which is between July and September.
History
Originally inhabited by the Wabanaki people, the area with its extraordinarily beautiful terrain was first sighted in 1604 by Samuel de Champlain. The idea of converting it into a park was the brainchild of landscape architect Charles Elliot, and it was President Woodrow Wilson who gave the park its federal status.
Hiking Trails
The park is a hiker's delight, with more than 120 miles of trails, ranging from low paths to mountain trails. Philanthropist Rockefeller, Jr. had miles of rustic carriage roads built around the valleys and mountains, built with broken stones, and surrounded by sweet fern and blueberries, and offering the most gorgeous views. Vehicles are not allowed on these roads, and you will find only hikers, people on horseback, cyclists and carriages.
Birds and Animals
Between September and November, you will find thousands of falcons and hawks, and the Beech Mountain is a great place for watching these birds. The Cadillac Mountain offers great vantage points too, from where you can see golden eagles and sharp-shinned hawks. If visiting during early spring, you will get to see different kinds of ducks floating in the park's waters, while songbirds make their presence felt with the arrival of spring. Acadia National Park is home to beavers, porcupines, foxes, chipmunks, bobcats, coyotes, moose, muskrats, squirrels, black bears and white-tailed deer.
Camping
There are two campgrounds in the park: Blackwoods and Seawall. You can book your campsite at Blackwoods in advance, but Seawall operates strictly on a "first come first serve" basis. Understandably, the campgrounds are at their busiest from July to September. Your group size must not exceed six members, with one vehicle and one large tent or two smaller ones. Though located in the woods, your campsite will be less than ten minutes away from the ocean. Remember, the weather changes very quickly, so be prepared for rain, strong winds and cold weather.
Fishing is another popular activity all year round at the park, and you will find plenty of salmon and trout in the lakes and ponds. Look up the shops near your Bar Harbor vacation rentals, for special fishing gear, sailboats and other paraphernalia. These Maine villages retain that typical coastal charm, and you can learn a lot about fishing methods from the locals. Get started with your holiday plans by logging onto Vamoose.com, and go through the listings by location, amenities and price.