© Courtesy of Paul Lemke - Fotolia.com
Acadia National Park offers several opportunities for climbers to enjoy the park. Otter Cliff features 60 feet sea cliffs, rappel access, and crack and face climbing. Great Head also offers sea cliff climbing and rappel access. Climbers should know weather and tides before attempting this high-grade sea cliff climb. The South Wall has thin cracks and good corners.
The park also has a few spot that are good for beginner climbers. South Bubble provides some good beginner routes and friction climbing. 1-pitch routes can be found at Central Slabs. There are several other small climbing areas that are used infrequently. Climbers can find good bouldering between Otter Cliff and Sand Beach along the ocean, as well as near the Blackwoods Campground.
Visitors have the chance to search for birds, porpoises, and seal along a ranger-narrated boat cruise in Acadia National Park during the season. During one of four different boat cruises, guests get the opportunity touch sea life brought up from the ocean floor, as well as learn about maritime history and island life. The two hour Frenchman Bay Cruise searches for wildlife and history aboard a four-masted, 151-foot schooner.
The Islesford Historical Cruise, a two and half hour cruise, travels to Little Cranberry Island for a visit to the Islesford Historical Museum. The cruise also explores the Somes Sound's scenic fjords, searching for wildlife along the route and the connections between the sea and people. The longest of the ranger-narrated boat cruises is the Baker Island Cruise that lasts four and a half hours. During this cruise, visitors will discover a remote, ocean-sculpted island that few visitors have ever seen. Guests will get the chance to explore the unique cultural and natural history of the island during a moderate hike led by a park ranger.
Another activity available while visiting Acadia National Park is tidepooling. Visitors can choose either self-guided tidepooling or ranger programs. For self-guided tidepooling, visitors can visit Bar Island Sand Bar, which is a great spot for young children.
The area can be reached from Bridge Street for around one and a half hours on either side of low tide. Another good tidepooling area is Wonderland and Ship Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island's west side. Ranger tidepooling programs are offered in Acadia National Park from June to October. Visitors should check a tide chart before heading out on their own to the intertidal zone. The most ideal times for tidepooling are the "spring" tides, the extreme low tides of the new and full moons.
You are reading "Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine: Acadia National Park Today" Back to Top