Tell me about Maine- Portland to Bar Harbor areas

[Acorn]

Thinking about a June trip and need some recommendations please.  If we go, we would fly into Portland, then tent camping, could backpack.  We usually prefer rustic wilderness so I'm afraid this area might be too developed or touristy.  I'm pretty sure dh will make us sleep in the car before going to a campground with some hokey theme event.  Some nights would be camping at Arcadia Nat. Park.  A few meals would be from restaurants.

 

So far my limited internet research has led me to consider applying for a permit on Isle de Haut and to definitely see Rachel Carson Salt Water Pond Preserve.  I'd like to consider a puffin boat tour to Egg Rock Island, not sure there is family support for that.

 

How killer will black flies be? I think they taper off in July, but I don't think we want the increase in crowds- pretty sure dh would have all blood drained by pests than camp next to a person. We would pack bug netting hats anyways.

 

 

Any recommendations for hikes, camping, food, must see places, etc?  What else should I think about? TIA.

[Pam in CT]

:001_wub:

 

 

Right over the border coming from New Hampshire is Kittery, the original Outlet Haven of New England.  (I can't stand it, but I'm not a shopper.  My husband and two of my kids ADORE it.)

 

Portland is a *great* small city.  There are tons of cafes and restaurants and ice cream places and book stores in the Commercial St / pier district, many of them hanging off the piers themselves, with picnic tables overlooking the water.  There are day trip ferries going out to the various outer islands.

 

Old Orchard Beach is ~20 minutes out, a marvelous old-style honky tonk amusement park scene again right on the water.  The beaches there are (unusual for Maine) white sand and very, very flat.  The water is CRAZY COLD although warmer there than anywhere else in the state.

 

Kennebunkport (the Bushes' ancestral hangout) and Olgonguit to the south, Cape Elizabeth heading north, are beautiful sleepy classic rocky-coastal New England towns, with charming B&Bs and antique and used book stores.

 

 

 

 

Acadia is among my very favorite places on earth.  Try Diver Ed (trust me on this), assembling the right whale skeleton at the College of the Atlantic, watch the sun set on Cadillac Mountain, the nature boat to Frenchboro Island (this is actually a good way to see puffins and seals and sea lions en route while still giving your family a "destination," and it's super-cool to see how people live, in these modern times, on an island of only ~250 people that gets socked in by weather for long stints every winter), the ranger-led boat to Cranberry Island.  ETA and popovers & apple butter at Jordan Pond.  There's a totally flat ~3 mile circumambulation path around the pond suitable for toddlers on up, or a shorter but more challenging/gratifying hike up to Bubble Rock (OK for 5+ year olds) to build up an appetite.

 

The whale boat out of Bar Harbor is tricky -- they go FAR out and it's very often quite turbulent and they do NOT turn around when people get sick, which very often happens.  OTOH to see humpback whales emerge from the sea... well, they really are BIGGER than ones I've seen closer to shore, it makes an impression, lol.  And they do almost always find them -- there's a cooperating network of fishing boats in the area that use radio and they generally know more or less where they are.

 

 

(There's a whole other inland lake Maine as well, very different and also very beautiful, dunno if that's on your plan?)

 

Have a wonderful time.

 

 

 

 

eta Jordan Pond

Edited January 14, 2018 by Pam in CT

[Kalmia]

There are many small preserves that have few visitors that are owned by The Nature Conservancy or local land trusts that will have low visitorship.

 

The Maine Coast Heritage Trust: https://www.mcht.org/

 

The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/maine/placesweprotect/index.htm

 

Popham Beach in Phippsburg is my favorite beach. You can walk out to Fox Island at low tide. Phippsburg also has an old fort with a small sandy beach that has a few tide pools as well as a number of land trust and Nature Conservancy properties. Head Beach Campground is near Popham Beach. Hermit Island campground is another option. You would have to get reservations very soon!

 

Popham Beach: https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/parks-and-natural-attractions/popham-beach-state-park

 

Head Beach Campground: http://www.headbeach.com/

Hermit Island Campground: http://hermitisland.com/

 

If you want fewer people on your beach adventure. Seawall Beach is on the other side of the Morse River from Popham. It is a two mile hike in.

Morse Mountain and SeaWall Beach: https://www.bates.edu/bates-morse-mountain-shortridge/

 

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockport is worth visiting: https://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/

 

In Camden, the Red's Eats lobster roll food truck is worth the wait in line: http://www.redseatsmaine.com/ There are also picturesque farms with belted galloways that are worth a drive by photo opportunity: http://www.aldermere.org/index.php

 

Acadia National Park is filled with amazing things to do. If you find it too crowded travel to the less populous part: Schoodic Peninsula: https://acadiamagic.com/schoodic/index.htm

The Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor is a wonderful place to learn about the native peoples of Maine: https://www.abbemuseum.org/

 

The tide pool at the Rachel Carson preserve is great. Definitely go on the puffin tour you mentioned.

 

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is worth a detour: https://visitmaine.com/organization/pemaquid-point-lighthouse/vtmA4A53E72AF048924C

 

We have dark skies in much of Maine which makes for good stargazing: https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/lighthouses-and-sightseeing/watching-maines-night-sky

 

By June the black flies should be much less numerous or gone. Mosquitoes will still swarm at dusk and through the night especially near wetlands or salt marshes but they won't be as bad as they were in May.

 

 

Edited January 14, 2018 by Kalmia

[MEmama]

Are you looking for things to do between Portland and Acadia, or in addition to?

 

Bar Harbor is a tourist town, so if you don't like that kind of thing I'd recommend skipping it and heading straight into the park. For all the bluster about Acadia being overcrowded, we've never experienced anything like what WE would consider crowded, but YMMV. We find that while the popular spots will have people, they drop off once you get past any trailhead (carriage trails excepted, but still not crowded by any stretch). Seawall is the quieter campground in the park; it is one of my favorite places anywhere. If you want to be more remote, you might enjoy the Schoodic Penninsula, way off MDI. There is a campground there now but we haven't stayed there. It's a lovely, wild area (expect few amenities).

 

Isle au Haut is definitely remote. You'll need to know survival basics and be comfortable being completely offline. It is, obviously, accessible only by boat, and only when weather permits.

 

As Pam said, there is also inland which tends to be less "crowded". You might enjoy Katahdin or our new national monument Woods and Waters, which will be very remote. There are endless quiet places to go in the state, depending what you are looking for.

 

Because you asked, black flies are no big deal along the coast. Inland will be a different story. Do worry about ticks and protect yourself wherever you go.

[MEmama]

There are many small preserves that have few visitors that are owned by The Nature Conservancy or local land trusts that will have low visitorship.

 

The Maine Coast Heritage Trust: https://www.mcht.org/

 

The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/maine/placesweprotect/index.htm

 

Popham Beach in Phippsburg is my favorite beach. You can walk out to Fox Island at low tide. Phippsburg also has an old fort with a small sandy beach that has a few tide pools as well as a number of land trust and Nature Conservancy properties. Head Beach Campground is near Popham Beach. Hermit Island campground is another option. You would have to get reservations very soon!

 

Popham Beach: https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/parks-and-natural-attractions/popham-beach-state-park

 

Head Beach Campground: http://www.headbeach.com/

Hermit Island Campground: http://hermitisland.com/

 

If you want fewer people on your beach adventure. Seawall Beach is on the other side of the Morse River from Popham. It is a two mile hike in.

Morse Mountain and SeaWall Beach: https://www.bates.edu/bates-morse-mountain-shortridge/

 

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockport is worth visiting: https://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/

 

In Camden, the Red's Eats lobster roll food truck is worth the wait in line: http://www.redseatsmaine.com/ There are also picturesque farms with belted galloways that are worth a drive by photo opportunity: http://www.aldermere.org/index.php

 

Acadia National Park is filled with amazing things to do. If you find it too crowded travel to the less populous part: Schoodic Peninsula: https://acadiamagic.com/schoodic/index.htm

The Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor is a wonderful place to learn about the native peoples of Maine: https://www.abbemuseum.org/

 

The tide pool at the Rachel Carson preserve is great. Definitely go on the puffin tour you mentioned.

 

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is worth a detour: https://visitmaine.com/organization/pemaquid-point-lighthouse/vtmA4A53E72AF048924C

 

We have dark skies in much of Maine which makes for good stargazing: https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/lighthouses-and-sightseeing/watching-maines-night-sky

 

By June the black flies should be much less numerous or gone. Mosquitoes will still swarm at dusk and through the night especially near wetlands or salt marshes but they won't be as bad as they were in May.

I agree with everything!

(Except Reds Eats is in Wiscasset, not Camden)

[whitestavern]

We adore Acadia. We camp at Mount Desert Campground which is very low key, super clean and quiet. You can use their kayaks and rowboats. It is located on Somes Sound which is just a lovely location. Our favorite activity is really just hiking in the park and a visit to Jordan's Pond House for popovers and tea. You must do some of the ladder trails--they are so much fun! For best weather I would say go towards the end of the month. We have been all times of summer and fall and the park itself never feels crowded. Some of the roads can get a bit congested. Bar Harbor is touristy but nice. You can certainly avoid it if it's not your thing.

 

If you want awesome lobster, head to Thurston's Lobster Pound. It's in Bernard, about 20 minutes from Acadia.

Edited January 14, 2018 by whitestavern

[Serenade]

Thanks for this thread!  Over the weekend, I was reading this old thread and was going to bump it, because I'm planning a trip to this area, too.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/639974-acadia-national-park-niagara-falls/

 

I was wondering if any of the people familiar with that area could make a comment or two about accessibility.  I'm not officially handicapped, but I can't walk very well due to RA, although sometimes I can do more than others.  I would really like to see some of Acadia, and not just from the RV or a cafe in town.  Does anybody know if there are some accessible, short trails or platforms for viewing, right on the coast?   Do all/most of the tour boats have seating?  Does one campground have decent views that don't require a hike?  What I can't do is walk on a rocky short without assistance, although if it's a short way down, one of my boys or my DH could help me.  I'd love to be able to dip my toes in the water, but that might not be possible, given the rocky shore and my limitations. 

[MEmama]

Thanks for this thread! Over the weekend, I was reading this old thread and was going to bump it, because I'm planning a trip to this area, too.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/639974-acadia-national-park-niagara-falls/

 

I was wondering if any of the people familiar with that area could make a comment or two about accessibility. I'm not officially handicapped, but I can't walk very well due to RA, although sometimes I can do more than others. I would really like to see some of Acadia, and not just from the RV or a cafe in town. Does anybody know if there are some accessible, short trails or platforms for viewing, right on the coast? Do all/most of the tour boats have seating? Does one campground have decent views that don't require a hike? What I can't do is walk on a rocky short without assistance, although if it's a short way down, one of my boys or my DH could help me. I'd love to be able to dip my toes in the water, but that might not be possible, given the rocky shore and my limitations.

Yes, you will find that much of the park is accessible. Hopefully this guide will help.

 

https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/upload/AccessibilityGuide.pdf

[MEmama]

Serenade--

 

For camping in the park, I always recommend Seawall. It is located directly across the street from a natural sea wall, where there are picnic tables overlooking the water. My favorite thing to do is make our morning coffee there as the sun rises (early in summer!) and watch the lobster boats head out of Southwest Harbor. It would be very easy to drive instead walk the short distance across the road. Also, because the campground is so close, you can hear the ocean at night...bliss!

 

There may be even better accessible campgrounds outside the park that I don't about, but surely others here do.

 

I honestly think there is so much to do in the park that doesn't require much walking. Most of the "big attractions" (Thunder Hole, the top of Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond tea house, etc) are definitely accessible with or without a wheelchair. Just driving the Loop Road is so spectacular--I hope you decide to go! Acadia is one of my favorite places in the world. Truly there is something for everyone, and the scenery is Maine at its very finest. :)

 

Eta: yes tour boats have indoor seating

Edited January 15, 2018 by MEmama

[Serenade]

Yes, you will find that much of the park is accessible. Hopefully this guide will help.

 

https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/upload/AccessibilityGuide.pdf

 

Thank you so much!

[Serenade]

Serenade--

 

For camping in the park, I always recommend Seawall. It is located directly across the street from a natural sea wall, where there are picnic tables overlooking the water. My favorite thing to do is make our morning coffee there as the sun rises (early in summer!) and watch the lobster boats head out of Southwest Harbor. It would be very easy to drive instead walk the short distance across the road. Also, because the campground is so close, you can hear the ocean at night...bliss!

 

There may be even better accessible campgrounds outside the park that I don't about, but surely others here do.

 

I honestly think there is so much to do in the park that doesn't require much walking. Most of the "big attractions" (Thunder Hole, the top of Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond tea house, etc) are definitely accessible with or without a wheelchair. Just driving the Loop Road is so spectacular--I hope you decide to go! Acadia is one of my favorite places in the world. Truly there is something for everyone, and the scenery is Maine at its very finest. :)

 

Eta: yes tour boats have indoor seating

 

Thank you so much for your input.  This is very helpful.  For some reason I had missed Sewell campground -- I was getting it confused wth a different, private campground, so I'm glad to have that straightened out!    It seems like there is a lot that I can do there.  I don't even mind sitting at the campsite while my boys and DH do some hiking, but I want to be able to do some things, too.  Thanks again.

[Serenade]

I just google Bar Harbor and saw pictures of the Shore Path, and that looks right up my alley.  Paved or graveled, and lots of benches. :-). 

 

I hope we will be able to go.  I've wanted to go for years, seriously, and now my boys are in high school, with one soon to graduate, and I want to do it before they all fly the coop.  

[Pam in CT]

The extensive carriage roads are wide and wheelchair accessible as well (but no auto traffic) so you can get a wooded nature experience as well.  Overall I think Acadia is probably the most accessible national park I've visited, although there are certainly some hikes that are, for coastal New England, challenging.  (The highest elevation in the park is only 1,530 feet, at which regentrude will laugh out loud...)

 

Concur with Mama's Seawall recommendation.  My favorite of the harbors, if you stay in an airBnB or house, is Bass.  (Unless of course you *want* the bustle of Bar Harbor.  For me, Bar Harbor is good for the ice cream and the whale museum; I'd rather stay elsewhere.)

[Serenade]

The extensive carriage roads are wide and wheelchair accessible as well (but no auto traffic) so you can get a wooded nature experience as well.  Overall I think Acadia is probably the most accessible national park I've visited, although there are certainly some hikes that are, for coastal New England, challenging.  (The highest elevation in the park is only 1,530 feet, at which regentrude will laugh out loud...)

 

 

 

This is so good to know and very encouraging.  

 

We'll be "camping" in an RV, but it sounds like the campgrounds are linked via a shuttle service, so that helps.  

[MEmama]

The extensive carriage roads are wide and wheelchair accessible as well (but no auto traffic) so you can get a wooded nature experience as well. Overall I think Acadia is probably the most accessible national park I've visited, although there are certainly some hikes that are, for coastal New England, challenging. (The highest elevation in the park is only 1,530 feet, at which regentrude will laugh out loud...)

 

Concur with Mama's Seawall recommendation. My favorite of the harbors, if you stay in an airBnB or house, is Bass. (Unless of course you *want* the bustle of Bar Harbor. For me, Bar Harbor is good for the ice cream and the whale museum; I'd rather stay elsewhere.)

Yes, the crowds really thin after you leave Bar Harbor. Southwest Harbor--near Seawall--is sweet. There's a fantastic general store for provisions and picnic food and lots of great restaurants and cute shops, but it's much smaller and less crowded than Bar Harbor.

 

I'm almost positive you can drive to Bass Light, which is not to be missed for the scenery.

[Acorn]

I’m having fun reading about different places. I appreciate all the help. I’ve never seen the Atlantic and the kids have never seen any ocean. I’m excited already.

[Momto6inIN]

This is timely for me to read too as I just made reservations this morning at Somes Sound View Campground for July!

 

Sent from my Z988 using Tapatalk

[Pam in CT]

This is timely for me to read too as I just made reservations this morning at Somes Sound View Campground for July!

 

Sent from my Z988 using Tapatalk

 

If you're into off-the-beaten-trail obscure museums (as my kids will attest: such places are a passion of mine)... the Granite Museum in Somes Sound is really indescribable.

 

It is a lifetime labor of love of a, er, highly idiosyncratic soul, but to see him split a two-ton hunk of granite with a hand drill and a hammer, as the quarriers did in the 1800s, is eye-popping.  

[MEmama]

I’m having fun reading about different places. I appreciate all the help. I’ve never seen the Atlantic and the kids have never seen any ocean. I’m excited already.

Well I just might be biased (ahem), but I think the Maine coast is the Atlantic showing off its finest. You'll be spoiled forevah! ;)