INUSA Parks and Gardens


Acadia Zoological Park

Rt 3, Ellsworth 04605 207-667-3244
Children will love more than 100 local and exotic creatures, and they can touch many of them in the petting zoo. Open all year; 7a-9p daily in summer.

Acadia National Park

Rt 3, Bar Harbor 04609 207-288-3338
Magnificent Acadia National Park is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Camping, hiking, bicycling, boat cruises.

Cadillac Mountain

Park Loop Rd, Bar Harbor 207-288-3338
The view from the 1,532 ft summit, the highest point on the Eastern seaboard, is breathtaking. Cadillac is a special place where the sun first touches the nation each morning, and so it lends itself to unique rituals. One of them is the annual 4th of July midnight square dance at 12:01am, followed by a sunrise breakfast and more dancing.

Shore Path

Rt 3, Bar Harbor 04609 207-288-5103
This easy, 1/2 mile walkway along the ocean's edge between the municipal pier and the foot of Wayman Lane offers changing seascapes plus unique views of many of the town's elegant "summer cottages". En route, pass famous "Balance Rock", and inviting tidal pools puddled in the irregular, rocky shoreline. Parking available.

Ship Harbor Nature Trail

Rt 102A, Southwest Harbor 04679 207-244-9264
The self-guiding 1.4 mile pathway features 13 trailside stations that identify flora, fauna and the geological processes that shaped Mount Desert Island. Ship Harbor is often associated with the 1739 shipwreck of the Grand Design from Ireland. Parking available.

Birdsacre Sanctuary

Rt 3, Ellsworth 04605 207-667-8460
Several miles of trails above the east bank of the Union River give access to nesting areas, ponds rich with aquatic life, and several species of wild flowers. Adjacent is the Stanwood Homestead Museum, memorial to the pioneering ornithologist Cordelia Stanwood, housing collections of mounted birds, eggs, etc. Parking and picnic areas available.