Wildwood Stables

Horses Shorty and Shamu begin their carriage tour.

Will Newton/Friends of Acadia

Quick Facts

Location:

Mount Desert Island

Amenities

6 listed

Hitching Post/Corral, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Restroom - Seasonal, Toilet - Flush, Trash/Litter Receptacles

Wildwood Stables continues the rich tradition of exploring Acadia by horse. Its central location near Jordan Pond provides easy access to over 40 miles of historic carriage roads through the east side of Mount Desert Island. 

In summer, you can reserve carriage ride tours of the park departing from Wildwood Stables, a campsite, or a stall for your own horse. For information about the tours offered at Wildwood Stables, e-mail [e-mail] or by phone [phone]. Register or learn more at https://acadiabycarriage.com/.

A Brief History of Wildwood Stables

What we now call Wildwood Stables was historically a farm.

Ernest Dane and his Wife, Helen, bought the property in 1911. Ernest Dane was a Massachusetts financier, philanthropist and Harvard University graduate. In 1909 he bought an estate in neighboring Seal Harbor. Helen Dane donated Wildwood Farm to the National Park Service. All of the structures except the barn were demolished by the park in 1958. 

But the name "Wildwood" was associated with the prior owners of the  farm of W. E. Hadlock and at least two prior owners. William E. Hadlock was a Lieutenant Colonel with the 28th Maine Infantry during the Civil War and was also a resident of Islesford on Little Cranberry Island. Hadlock had purchased the farm from the Jordan brothers (George an John of Jordan Pond and Jordan Stream). 

Accessibility at Wildwood Stables 

Wheelchair accessible carriages are available to reserve through email [e-mail] or by phone [phone]. Register or learn more at https://acadiabycarriage.com/.

There are three accessible parking spaces at Wildwood Stables, and a wooden ramp to get to the check-in office. The restrooms are located across from the check-in office in the parking lot, and have a larger stall intended for wheelchair users. 

Tags: acadia national park, horse, horseback, horseback riding, carriage, tours, carriage tour, carriage roads, stables, camp, stock, concessionaires, farming

Open Transcript  Open Descriptive Transcript

Transcript

The video shows an asphalt loop at the end of the entrance road with two distinct parking areas. The video starts around the loop at the second parking area where there is one accessible space, designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground. This parking space connects to an asphalt path that leads over to the restrooms which are in a white building in the middle of the loop. Across from the restrooms, there is the first parking area and the main office building. There is another accessible space in front of the main office building, also designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground. A wooden ramp connects the access aisle to the main office's porch and front door.

Descriptive Transcript

The video shows an asphalt loop at the end of the entrance road with two distinct parking areas. The video starts around the loop at the second parking area where there is one accessible space, designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground. This parking space connects to an asphalt path that leads over to the restrooms which are in a white building in the middle of the loop. Across from the restrooms, there is the first parking area and the main office building. There is another accessible space in front of the main office building, also designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground. A wooden ramp connects the access aisle to the main office's porch and front door.

Duration:

37.154 seconds

An accessible description and transcript of the Wildwood Stables parking area in Acadia National Park. (July 2025)