Chris Sockalexis, Penobscot, is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Penobscot Nation. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Maine with his primary focus being on Maine Archaeology. He is currently conducting research for his Masters of Science degree at the University of Maine Climate Change Institute with his thesis work focusing on Cultural Identity and Maritime Adaptation in Frenchman Bay, Maine. Chris is one of the lead singers of the RezDogs, an intertribal powwow drum group based out of Indian Island, Maine. He is a flintkapper with knowledge of the ancient art and technique of stone and bone tool production. He serves on the Abbe Museum board and is also an avid canoe/kayak paddler who loves being out in the Maine woods and on the waterways that his ancestors have traveled for thousands of years.
All "Cultural Connections in the Park" programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with the Abbe Museum, and are free and open to the public.
Junior Ranger Table
Hulls Cove Visitor Center, daily 8:30 to 10:30 am, and 2 to 4 pm. Stop by the Junior Ranger table at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center with your completed book and get sworn in by a park ranger.
Ranger Programs
For greater flexibility and staffing efficiency, ranger program schedules at Acadia are finalized only about 10 days in advance. You can make plans to attend ranger programs during your visit by exploring the descriptions spelled out below, and then browsing and searching for instances that specific programs are scheduled on the Calendar page.
Ranger Tours
Fees apply, please see descriptions
Baker Island Cruise
5 hours, Harbor Place, 1 West Street, Bar Harbor. Spot seabirds and marine mammals on a cruise along coastal Acadia.Explore beautiful Baker Island on a moderate hike, viewing historic homesteads, a lighthouse, and geology. $49 adults, $27 children 6–14, $9 children age 5 and under. (207) 288-2386 www.barharborwhales.com
Carriage Road Bike Tour
2.5 hours, 6 mile moderate ride. Enjoy the car-free carriage roads at a comfortable pace while discovering the diverse beauty of Acadia. Twenty-one speed bike, transport to the park, and gear provided for the full day. Fee and reservations: $54 per person, including the bike, helmet and tour. Coastal Kayaking Tours/Acadia Bike, 48 Cottage St., Bar Harbor, or call 800-526-8615
Frenchman Bay Cruise
2 hours, Bar Harbor Inn Pier. Climb aboard a schooner and hoist sails in search of wildlife and history. $42 adults, $39 seniors (65+), $32 ages 6–11, $7 ages 2–5, infants free. Group rates (15+) are available. (207) 288-4585 www.downeastwindjammer.com
Islesford Historic and Scenic Cruise
2 hours 45 minutes, Municipal Pier, Northeast Harbor. Explore the connections between people and the sea with a visit to the Islesford Historical Museum on Little Cranberry Island. $31 adults, $29 seniors (65+), $18 ages 5–11, $7 ages under 5. (207) 276-5352 www.cruiseacadia.com
Program Descriptions
Mount Desert Island District
Carroll Homestead Open House
3 hour, Carroll Homestead, Drop-in between 10 am and 1 pm
Visit an 1800s farm home, hear family stories, and play pioneer games. Imagine what life was like for the generations who lived here.
Evening Programs
1 hour, Blackwoods Campground Amphitheater, or Seawall Campround Amphitheater. Check campground bulletin boards or visitor centers for a complete list of program topics. Parking area near the amphitheater accommodates non-campers.
Family Programs
Expect kid-focused fun and activities on scheduled dates and hours.
Carroll Homestead • An Island Backyard. Drop by for family fun and activities to learn about Acadia's Forests (Sundays) and life in Downeast Maine (Mondays)
Sand Beach • Super Sand Sleuths. Explore all the things that make this sandy beach so unique. All ages.
Seawall Picnic Area • Kids Rock. Sculpt, color and sketch to discover Acadia’s geologic story through art and exploration.
Sieur de Monts Springs Nature Center • Wild Things. Run, jump and investigate to discover some of Acadia's amazing animal adaptations.
Fire Tower Open House
Beech Mountain Summit. Enjoy the views from Beech Mountain Fire Tower. Hike from parking lot at the southern end of Beech Hill Road, 0.4 mile one way.
Missing Mansion
1.5 to 2 hours, Compass Harbor parking area, 1 mile (1.6 mile) south of Bar Harbor on Rt. 3. (Look for orange cones.) Explore the site of George Dorr’s former mansion on this easy walk. Look for clues and learn about the man who helped create our national park.
Mr. Rockefeller’s Bridges
2.5 hours, Parkman Mountain parking area. Follow tree-lined carriage roads to explore the stories behind John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s gift to Acadia on this easy 1.5-mile (2.4 km) walk.
Peregrine Falcon Watch
Precipice Trail parking area (Usually mid-May through July). Drop by during program hours to observe a peregrine falcon nest on the cliffs of Champlain Mountain through viewing scopes, weather permitting.
Reservation Programs
From 1.5 to 3 hours, Location TBD, reservations required: Call 207-288-8832. Learn about unique aspects of this island park. Length and difficulty varies, call for details.
Acadia's Birds • Find, identify, and discuss some of Acadia’s most fascinating birds on this easy walk. Bring binoculars.
Bike with a Ranger• Explore carriage roads on this comfortably-paced 3-4 mile (5-6.4 km) ride. Age 11+. Bring your own bike (rentals available in local communities), water, snack, and helmet.
Dusk Walk • Challenge your senses and experience the mystery of Acadia after dark. Ages 8+.
Dragonfly Discovery• Be a citizen scientist helping to study mercury pollution by collecting juvenile dragonflies. You'll wade into a lake, get muddy, and discover some amazing aquatic creatures. Age 10+
Geology Walk • Discover how Acadia’s landscape has been shaped and reshaped by observing the rocks near the shore.
Island Walk • Discover stories of history and nature along Acadia's rocky coastline on this easy to moderate two-mile (3.2-km) walk.
Knowing the Night • Challenge your senses and experience the mystery of Acadia after dark. Ages 8+.
Mountain Hike • Ascend a rocky trail to one of Acadia’s summits on a guided hike exploring the geology and plant life along the way.
Photo Walk•Bring your camera and learn valuable tips and techniques to capture Acadia’s beauty.
Sunset Hike • Hike a challenging trail to a special overlook for sunset as you uncover changes to Acadia’s landscape. Bring water, layers, sturdy shoes, and flashlight.
Stars Over Sand Beach
1 hour, Sand Beach. Sit back and learn about Acadia’s night sky. Dress warmly, bring something to lie on, and please minimize flashlight use to preserve night vision.
Touch Tank Talk
Dorr Museum of Natural History, College of the Atlantic. Drop by to get up close and personal with intertidal creatures and learn how to explore safely along the shore.
Program Descriptions
Schoodic Peninsula District
Art Adventure
2 hours, Eliot Hall parking area, Schoodic Education and Research Center Create art in the park with an artist-in-residence or ranger. Age 12+. Wear closed-toe, sturdy hiking shoes to this easy walk.
Bird Walk
2 hours, Blueberry Hill parking area Find, identify, and discuss some of Acadia’s birds on this easy 1 mi (1.6 km) walk. Bring binoculars.
Birding for Beginners
1.5 to 2 hours, Schoodic Woods Campground Ranger Station Learn basic bird identification using a free App. Wear sturdy shoes for an easy walk on uneven ground.
Campground iNaturalist Walk
1 hour, Schoodic Woods Campground Ranger Station Learn about plants and animals and connect with other users during this easy walk. Download at https://www.inaturalist.org/
Children's Story Hour
1 hour, Schoodic Woods Campground Amphitheater Learn about many different animals and plants of our forests and shores. Listen to a story and participate in activities. For ages 8 and under.
Junior Naturalists
45 mins, Schoodic Woods Campground Amphitheater Investigate animals, plans, geology, and human stories. Ages 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Marine Touch Tank
1 hour, Dorr Hall at Schoodic Education and Research Center Drop by between 1 and 2 pm to meet some marine creatures and learn about adaptations to constantly changing conditions between the tides.
Schoodic Institute Presentation
1 hour, Moore Auditorium Schoodic Institute, a park partner, invites the public to a free presentation featuring a variety of science in and around Acadia. Visit schoodicinstitute.org for topic details.
Schoodic Sleuths
1 hour, Schoodic Woods Campground Amphitheater Get the inside scoop on habitats, ecology and history during this nature walk with children's activities. Wear close-toed shoes for rocky and wet areas. Ages 12 and under.
2 hours, Schoodic Woods Campground Ranger Station Join a ranger for a look at ecology along this 1-2 mile (1.6 to 3.2 km) moderate hike. Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, bring water.
Sundew Geology Hike 1.5 to 2 hours. Eliot Hall parking area. Hike this moderate, uneven trail and explore geology first-hand. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and snacks.
Sundew Phenology Hike
1.5 to 2 hours, Eliot Hall parking area Join a ranger on this moderate, uneven trail to monitor local plants using Nature’s Notebook. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and snacks.
