• Granite mountains on islands along coast

    Acadia

    National Park Maine

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  • Park Loop Road opening

    May 17, 2013: The entire Park Loop Road and all other paved roads in the park open today. All dirt roads in the park, including the Seal Cove Road, will open on June 3.

  • Trail closures

    April 22, 2013: The Precipice, Orange and Black, Valley Cove, and Jordan Cliffs Trails are closed until further notice because of nesting peregrine falcons. All other trails in the park are open, whether accessible from the park or from state roads.

  • Hulls Cove Visitor Center

    May 17, 2013: The visitor center will open on May 19 and will be open 9-5 every day. All park passes are available there. There is an accessible entrance at the back of the building for those who have trouble climbing stairs.

Tidepooling

Tidepool VIP
The longer you watch, the more you'll see.
NPS
 
wading

Where

 

Self Guided:

  • Bar Island Sand Bar: Great for young children. Accessible off Bridge street for about 1.5 hours on either side of low tide.
  • Ship Harbor and Wonderland: West side of Mount Desert Island

Ranger Programs: Check the Schedule of Events for times.

  • Life Between the Tides: June, September, October at Ship Harbor
  • Beyond the Beach: July and August at Sand Beach
 

When

 

Before you head out to the intertidal zone on your own, check online for a tide chart. The best times for tidepooling are the extreme low tides of the full and new moons ("spring" tides).

 

Tips and Safety

 
Remember these marine animals are not indestructible. Our careless handling and footsteps can do damage that the changing tides cannot. When you visit the intertidal zone, keep in mind these tips for your safety and for the protection of marine life:
  • Do not wade or sit in tidepools.
  • Rocks and algae are slippery. Watch your step.
  • Never turn your back on the ocean: rogue waves can occur at any time.
  • Wear suitable clothing and closed-toe shoes.
  • Sea creatures live everywhere. Be careful where you place your feet.
  • If you move animals or rocks, return them to the same spot.
  • Do not pry animals from rocks; you may injure them in the process.
  • Re-cover animals you find under rocks or seaweed so they won't dry out.
  • All living creatures are protected in the park. Take only pictures.

Did You Know?

A girl stands along the stone steps of the Kurt Diederich Path in this historic image taken around 1920.

Acadia National Park contains more than 120 miles of historic hiking trails. Many of these trails were established by local village improvement societies in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today many of the historic features, such as stonework, are still visible.