Ranger-led Programs In Acadia National Park

Ranger-led Programs In Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Rangers lead many interesting programs that are designed to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the Park and Mount Desert Island. Most programs are free. Some of the programs are coordinated with local businesses and therefore do require a fee.

The information provided below is unofficial and is not intended to be a complete listing. It is provided to give you a feel for the type of programs provided by the Park Rangers. Schedules are available at the Park Visitor Center in Hulls Cove. The programs are scheduled at various times throughout the week and most are offered throughout the peak season (July and August). Several programs require reservations so check with the Rangers early to assure yourself a spot.

In addition, evening programs are provided at several Amphitheaters throughout the Park. Also, during July and August, there are regularly scheduled Kodak Photographic Programs that offer expert instruction on photographic techniques. Schedules for both programs are available at the Park Visitor Center in Hulls Cove. Disabled visitors are welcome to participate in programs marked with an below.

Program Name

Program Description

Difficulty

Length

Acadia's Birds Find, identify, and discuss some of Acadia's most fascinating creatures. Bring binoculars. Expect motor travel to various park locations.
Easy

3 hrs

Beginning Birders Workshop Learn about the tools and techniques of bird watching. Bring field guides and binoculars if you have them.
Easy

1.5 hrs

Otter Point Walk Casual early morning walk and talk along one of the prettiest trails in the world.
Moderate

2 hrs

2 miles

Jordan Pond Bridges Walk Learn the history of Acadia's unique carriage roads and stone bridges.
Moderate

2.5 hrs

2 m

Acadia Mountain Hike See spectacular views of mountains, off-shore islands, and Somes Sound.
Strenuous

3.5 hrs

2.5 m

Written in the Rocks Walk to a dramatic headland to discover the geological processes that created Acadia's scenic grandeur.
Moderate

2.5 hrs

2 m

Nature's Way Small group exploration. Designed for children 5-12.
Easy

1.5 hrs

1 m

Mountain Mysteries Hike one of Acadia's mountains and discover its secrets. Children 5-12
Moderate

2 hrs

1 m

Islesford Historical Cruise Learn the history of Acadia and look for wildlife while cruising to the Cranberry Isles. Land on Little Cranberry island to sample island life. Boat fees apply.
Easy

2.75 hr

Frenchman Bay Nature Cruise Cruise among the islands of Frenchman Bay in search of eagles, osprey, and porpoises. Boat fees apply
Easy

2 hrs

Park Loop road Orientation Discover the highlights of the 27 mile scenic drive through the park.
Easy

10 min

Island's Edge Explore coastal forest and rocky shore. A discovery walk for children 5-12. Must be accompanied by an adult.
Easy

2 hrs

.75 m

Shoreline Discovery Walk Explore the realm of nature extending from the forest to the rocky shore.
Moderate

2.5 hrs

1.3 m

Baker Island Cruise Cruise to storm-sculptured Baker Island. Land by small boat, hike with a park ranger, explore the island's human and natural history. Boat fees apply.
Moderate

4.5 hrs

South Ridge Ramble Hike part way up Cadillac Mountain through Acadia's evergreen forest.
Moderate

2.5 hrs

3 miles

At the Summit A look at Acadia's cultural and natural history atop Cadillac Mountain.
Easy

1 hr

0.5 m

Blanket of Ice Ascend the steep side of an ice-carved valley to read the glacial record.
Strenuous

2.5 hrs

2 m

Tell Me A Story Families with young children (8 and under) hear nature stories on a short walk.
Easy

1.5 hrs

0.5 m

Paradise Hill Walk Read landscape of beaver ponds, and forest changed by fire and ice.
Moderate

2 hrs

2 m

Forest of Lilliput Explore the fascinating world of mosses, ferns, lichens and fungi.
Moderate

2 hrs

1.5 m

Great Head Hike Hike to a spectacular headland while learning about Acadia's cultural and natural history.
Moderate

2.5 hrs

1.75 m

Acadia Time Traveler What does the name "Acadia" mean? What did it mean to go "rocking" in the 1880's? How high were the glaciers that covered the island? Learn the answers to these and many other interesting questions about the island. Bus fee applies.
Easy

2.5 hrs

The Making of a National Park Hear the fascinating story of how Acadia National Park came to be.
Talk

.5 - 1 hrs

Green Kingdom Walk into the intricate and beautiful world of Acadia's flora along an historic carriage road.
Easy

2 hrs

1-2 m

Trees Along the Trail Identify and discuss the natural and cultural uses of trees of Acadia.
Easy

2 hrs

2 m

Birds of Prey Learn about Acadia's raptors - eagles, owls and others.
Talk

1.5 hrs

The Beaver's World A dusk walk that explores the world of these remarkable animal architects. Fees apply.
Easy

2 hrs

Dusk Walk Use all your senses to experience the transition from day to night.
Easy

1.5 hrs

1 m

Stars over Sand Beach Dress warmly and learn about the summer stars.
Easy

1.5 hrs

Park Information List
Acadia Information Center

	Acadia National Park Rangers lead many interesting programs that are designed to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the Park and Mount Desert Island. Most programs are free. Some of the programs are coordinated with local businesses and therefore do require a fee.
The information provided below is unofficial and is not intended to be a complete listing. It is provided to give you a feel for the type of programs provided by the Park Rangers. Schedules are available at the Park Visitor Center in Hulls Cove. The programs are scheduled at various times throughout the week and most are offered throughout the peak season (July and August). Several programs require reservations so check with the Rangers early to assure yourself a spot.
	In addition, evening programs are provided at several Amphitheaters throughout the Park. Also, during July and August, there are regularly scheduled Kodak Photographic Programs that offer expert instruction on photographic techniques. Schedules for both programs are available at the Park Visitor Center in Hulls Cove. Disabled visitors are welcome to participate in programs marked with an below.

Program Name	Program Description	Difficulty	Length
Acadia's Birds	Find, identify, and discuss some of Acadia's most fascinating creatures. Bring binoculars. Expect motor travel to various park locations.	Easy	3 hrs
Beginning Birders Workshop	Learn about the tools and techniques of bird watching. Bring field guides and binoculars if you have them.	Easy	1.5 hrs
Otter Point Walk	Casual early morning walk and talk along one of the prettiest trails in the world.	Moderate	2 hrs 2 miles
Jordan Pond Bridges Walk	Learn the history of Acadia's unique carriage roads and stone bridges.	Moderate	2.5 hrs 2 m
Acadia Mountain Hike	See spectacular views of mountains, off-shore islands, and Somes Sound.	Strenuous	3.5 hrs 2.5 m
Written in the Rocks	Walk to a dramatic headland to discover the geological processes that created Acadia's scenic grandeur.	Moderate	2.5 hrs 2 m
Nature's Way	Small group exploration. Designed for children 5-12.	Easy	1.5 hrs 1 m
Mountain Mysteries	Hike one of Acadia's mountains and discover its secrets. Children 5-12	Moderate	2 hrs 1 m
Islesford Historical Cruise	Learn the history of Acadia and look for wildlife while cruising to the Cranberry Isles. Land on Little Cranberry island to sample island life. Boat fees apply.	Easy	2.75 hr
Frenchman Bay Nature Cruise	Cruise among the islands of Frenchman Bay in search of eagles, osprey, and porpoises. Boat fees apply	Easy	2 hrs
Park Loop road Orientation	Discover the highlights of the 27 mile scenic drive through the park.	Easy	10 min
Island's Edge	Explore coastal forest and rocky shore. A discovery walk for children 5-12. Must be accompanied by an adult.	Easy	2 hrs .75 m
Shoreline Discovery Walk	Explore the realm of nature extending from the forest to the rocky shore.	Moderate	2.5 hrs 1.3 m
Baker Island Cruise	Cruise to storm-sculptured Baker Island. Land by small boat, hike with a park ranger, explore the island's human and natural history. Boat fees apply.	Moderate	4.5 hrs
South Ridge Ramble	Hike part way up Cadillac Mountain through Acadia's evergreen forest.	Moderate	2.5 hrs 3 miles
At the Summit	A look at Acadia's cultural and natural history atop Cadillac Mountain.	Easy	1 hr 0.5 m
Blanket of Ice	Ascend the steep side of an ice-carved valley to read the glacial record.	Strenuous	2.5 hrs 2 m
Tell Me A Story	Families with young children (8 and under) hear nature stories on a short walk.	Easy	1.5 hrs 0.5 m
Paradise Hill Walk	Read landscape of beaver ponds, and forest changed by fire and ice.	Moderate	2 hrs 2 m
Forest of Lilliput	Explore the fascinating world of mosses, ferns, lichens and fungi.	Moderate	2 hrs 1.5 m
Great Head Hike	Hike to a spectacular headland while learning about Acadia's cultural and natural history.	Moderate	2.5 hrs 1.75 m
Acadia Time Traveler	What does the name "Acadia" mean? What did it mean to go "rocking" in the 1880's? How high were the glaciers that covered the island? Learn the answers to these and many other interesting questions about the island. Bus fee applies.	Easy	2.5 hrs
The Making of a National Park	Hear the fascinating story of how Acadia National Park came to be.	Talk	.5 - 1 hrs
Green Kingdom	Walk into the intricate and beautiful world of Acadia's flora along an historic carriage road.	Easy	2 hrs 1-2 m
Trees Along the Trail	Identify and discuss the natural and cultural uses of trees of Acadia.	Easy	2 hrs 2 m
Birds of Prey	Learn about Acadia's raptors - eagles, owls and others.	Talk	1.5 hrs
The Beaver's World	A dusk walk that explores the world of these remarkable animal architects. Fees apply.	Easy	2 hrs
Dusk Walk	Use all your senses to experience the transition from day to night.	Easy	1.5 hrs 1 m
Stars over Sand Beach	Dress warmly and learn about the summer stars.	Easy	1.5 hrs