About 15 to 20 years ago you would not have had any problems spotting beaver in the park, that was before the park service began rounding them up and removing them from the park. It is my understanding that the park service no longer does that, and that only distructive beavers are removed. Sadly the damage has already been done and beaver sightings are way down.
The waters over by Duck Brook Bridge still have a few active beaver, the waters right behind that small building before the bridge. You can see the nice beaver lodge out in the water.
One half of the Duck Brook Bridge Road is now closed to cars so to reach the area of the bridge by car you need to drive out on the Eagle Lake road, route 233, and look for The Duck Brook Bridge road on the right..
Monday, May 16, 2016
WHY IS THERE A HELICOPTER AT THE BAR HARBOR BALL FIELD?
Nearly once a day throughout the Summer and Fall a lifeflight helicopter is called to the island - usually because someone has had a bad fall on a mountain in Acadia National Park or had a bad bike accident. The Bar Harbor ball fields, the one closest to Main Street, is the landing zone for the helicopter.
If you are in downtown Bar Harbor and hear or see a low flying helicopter passing overhead, it most likely is Lifeflight either heading to the Ball fields or leaving the Ball Fields.
If you are in downtown Bar Harbor and hear or see a low flying helicopter passing overhead, it most likely is Lifeflight either heading to the Ball fields or leaving the Ball Fields.
ARE THERE CAVES IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
Yes, the mountain sides have a number of caves in various sizes, some are old bear caves while larger caves were once used by Native Americans. Perhaps the most famous of these caves is called the Great Cave, a cave located along an abandoned loop off of the Precipice trail. It has an opening that is 100 feet high and the cave goes back into the mountain side about 100 feet. Even though it has been abandoned by the Park Service, a number of sites on line tell how to reach The Great Cave.
The second most famous cave in the park is yet another abandoned cave, Anemone Cave, an ancient sea cave that can only be entered at low tide. People have become trapped and drowned in this sea cave so pay close attention to the tide.
The Bear's Den is an abandoned bear cave within sight of the Park Loop Road and hundreds pass it every day without ever knowing its even there.
There are many other caves you can find on line, including the caves of Day Mountain.
The second most famous cave in the park is yet another abandoned cave, Anemone Cave, an ancient sea cave that can only be entered at low tide. People have become trapped and drowned in this sea cave so pay close attention to the tide.
The Bear's Den is an abandoned bear cave within sight of the Park Loop Road and hundreds pass it every day without ever knowing its even there.
There are many other caves you can find on line, including the caves of Day Mountain.
WHERE CAN I GO TO LISTEN TO LOONS IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
Next to Whales, Loons produce the most beautiful sound, and can be found on many of the lakes and ponds in Acadia National Park. To listen to Loons, the best time is at dusk, but you will want to bring along some good insect repellent as the bugs at dusk can be thick.
My favorite place to listen to Loons over the years has been at Bubble Pond. Just find a nice spot along the shore and wait.
My favorite place to listen to Loons over the years has been at Bubble Pond. Just find a nice spot along the shore and wait.
HOW CAN I GET INTO THE NATIONAL PARKS FOR FREE?
If you are disabled or a senior citizen, you qualify for a free lifetime pass into any of the National Parks. And the free pass does not only cover you, it covers all the people entering the parks with you, as long as the pass holder is in the car - you don't even have to be the driver.
But the lifetime free pass goes even further - it entitles the pass holder to stay at any National Park campground for half price. You apply for your lifetime pass by visiting any of the National Park headquarters. They will give you a short form to fill out and ask to see two pieces of paperwork showing you are either a senior citizen or disabled, that's it, they give you your free pass right than and there.
These free passes have been available for a very long time but the Park Service keeps it low on their radar and most people don't even know about them.
But the lifetime free pass goes even further - it entitles the pass holder to stay at any National Park campground for half price. You apply for your lifetime pass by visiting any of the National Park headquarters. They will give you a short form to fill out and ask to see two pieces of paperwork showing you are either a senior citizen or disabled, that's it, they give you your free pass right than and there.
These free passes have been available for a very long time but the Park Service keeps it low on their radar and most people don't even know about them.
HOW DO I GET TO BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND USING THE FREE ISLAND EXPLORER BUSES?
At the Bar Harbor Village Green, get onto the Sand Beach bus. It's last stop before turning around and heading back to Bar Harbor is at the Blackwoods Campground.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
WHERE IS LITTLE HUNTERS BEACH?
Little Hunters Beach is a very small stone beach that is not marked and hard to locate if you are not from the area. It is most famous for its perfectly smooth round and oval stones, which some believe hold mystical healing powers. It is the only beach of its kind in Acadia National Park and is unmarked because the park service would rather people don't find it.
Since it is unmarked, I will give the easiest way you can locate this tiny stone beach. Drive to Blackwoods Campground and park, or take the Sand Beach free bus from the Bar Harbor Village Green and get off at Blackwoods campground. The campground road to the far left of the bus stop will take you to a service road, which runs through the woods a short ways. The service road comes out onto the One Way section of the Park Loop Road.
Follow the road moving in the same direction as the traffic, and continue on until you come to a small bridge with a wooden stairway on the left hand side of the road. That is Little Hunter's Beach.
Oh, and removing those perfectly shaped stones is illegal.
Since it is unmarked, I will give the easiest way you can locate this tiny stone beach. Drive to Blackwoods Campground and park, or take the Sand Beach free bus from the Bar Harbor Village Green and get off at Blackwoods campground. The campground road to the far left of the bus stop will take you to a service road, which runs through the woods a short ways. The service road comes out onto the One Way section of the Park Loop Road.
Follow the road moving in the same direction as the traffic, and continue on until you come to a small bridge with a wooden stairway on the left hand side of the road. That is Little Hunter's Beach.
Oh, and removing those perfectly shaped stones is illegal.
ARE THERE ANY HIKING TRAILS NEAR BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
Yes, the Cadillac Mountain Southwest Trail actually begins along one of the roads that loop through the campground. If you can't locate it, walk out to the entrance of the campground and just across the road to the left is a trail head sign - usually a number of cars are packed in that area of people hiking the trail.
The Cadillac Mountain Southwest trail crosses the Bear Brook Trail just beyond the Featherbed, a small mountain pond. From there is climbs to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Once there you really have two choices, either hike back down the way you came, or hike down the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail and catch the free Island Explorer bus and go to the Bar Harbor Village Green, where you can catch the Sand Beach Bus back to the Campground.
The Cadillac Mountain Southwest trail crosses the Bear Brook Trail just beyond the Featherbed, a small mountain pond. From there is climbs to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Once there you really have two choices, either hike back down the way you came, or hike down the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail and catch the free Island Explorer bus and go to the Bar Harbor Village Green, where you can catch the Sand Beach Bus back to the Campground.
WHERE CAN i RENT A BIKE?
Downtown Bar Harbor has three bike rental shops - all are located on Cottage Street. The largest bike rental shop is the Bar Harbor bicycle Shop located at the corner of Cottage Street and Eden Street. They also rent tag-a-longs and bicycle's built for two as well as electric bikes. They also have a large selection of those new Fat Tire bikes for rent which seems to be very popular.
The next bike rental show is a shot ways away, on the other side of the street. It is located across from the A & B Natural Food Store. They rent bikes, motor scooters and kayaks.
Further down Cottage Street, almost across from the Post Office is yet another bike rental shop. I believe they also rent out mopeds as well.
The next bike rental show is a shot ways away, on the other side of the street. It is located across from the A & B Natural Food Store. They rent bikes, motor scooters and kayaks.
Further down Cottage Street, almost across from the Post Office is yet another bike rental shop. I believe they also rent out mopeds as well.
IS THERE A LAUNDRY MAT CLOSE TO BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
No, but there is a laundry mat in downtown Bar Harbor. If you have used the laundry mat there in the past, which was located off of Cottage Street, that one has been turned into a place that sells tires.
The new laundry mat is along Main Street, tucked in behind a diner just before the YMCA and town ball fields - look for the sign. Sorry, I don't know the name but when I find out I will update this.
The new laundry mat is along Main Street, tucked in behind a diner just before the YMCA and town ball fields - look for the sign. Sorry, I don't know the name but when I find out I will update this.
IS THERE WI-FI AVAILABLE AT BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
No. Your nearest free wi-fi places are in downtown Bar Harbor. Most of the parks offer a free wi-fi connection. The Jesup Library on Mount Desert Street also has free wi-fi as well as a computer room downstairs with a number of computers for the public to use for free.
The nearby College of the Atlantic also has a large library with free wi-fi, as well as a computer room with several computers the public can use free of charge.
If you go to the Jesup Library on Mount Desert Street and they are closed, there are picnic tables to one side of the library where you can pick up their wi-fi signal, the password is jesuplib, which is posted on the walls in the library.
The nearby College of the Atlantic also has a large library with free wi-fi, as well as a computer room with several computers the public can use free of charge.
If you go to the Jesup Library on Mount Desert Street and they are closed, there are picnic tables to one side of the library where you can pick up their wi-fi signal, the password is jesuplib, which is posted on the walls in the library.
IS THERE WI-FI AVAILABLE AT SEAWALL CAMPGROUND?
No. The closest free wi-fi is in Southwest Harbor, they have a few hot spots around town, and the Southwest Harbor Library also has free wi-fi as well as computers available for the public to use.
The Bernard Library also has free wi-fi as well as computers for the public to use.
The Bernard Library also has free wi-fi as well as computers for the public to use.
CAN I PURCHASE FIREWOOD NEAR BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
Yes, a number of people sell firewood out by the roadway in front of their homes, but before you lay down money for firewood, check at the campground to see if they have free firewood. Seawall Campground usually has a pretty large supply of free firewood, it is piled along one of the campground loops that runs through the section where the RV's are. Every time I have ever stayed there they have had a pile of free firewood available. iF you can't locate the firewood, ask at the checkin office.
CAN I PURCHASE FIREWOOD NEAR SEAWALL CAMPGROUND?
Yes, a number of people sell firewood out by the roadway in front of their homes, but before you lay down money for firewood, check at the campground to see if they have free firewood. Seawall Campground usually has a pretty large supply of free firewood, it is piled along one of the campground loops that runs through the section where the RV's are. Every time I have ever stayed there they have had a pile of free firewood available.
IS THERE A CAMP STORE AT SEAWALL CAMPGROUND?
No, not at the campground itself, but there is a camp store very close to the campground. They carry basic items you would expect to find at a camp store along with items like donuts, bread, firewood, soda, beer, and can goods.
There are also two general food stores a short drive away along route 102, the most popular with the locals being Gotts on the hill, the other store nearby at the intersection doesn't put prices on a lot of the items they sell and I avoid shopping there.
Both stores sell gas, camping items like insect repellent, firewood, propane, pizza and subs, sode, beer and wine, and other food items. Gotts has an ice cream stand to one side of the store. Oh, and Gott's puts prices on the stuff they sell.....just saying.
There are also two general food stores a short drive away along route 102, the most popular with the locals being Gotts on the hill, the other store nearby at the intersection doesn't put prices on a lot of the items they sell and I avoid shopping there.
Both stores sell gas, camping items like insect repellent, firewood, propane, pizza and subs, sode, beer and wine, and other food items. Gotts has an ice cream stand to one side of the store. Oh, and Gott's puts prices on the stuff they sell.....just saying.
IS THERE A CAMP STORE AT BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
No, not at the campground itself, but there is a camp store very close to the campground. They carry basic items you would expect to find at a camp store along with items like donuts, bread, soda, beer, and can goods.
ARE THERE HOT SHOWERS AT SEAWALL CAMPGROUND?
No, however there are privately run hot showers right around the corner from the campground. They are coin operated.
ARE THERE HOT SHOWERS AT BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
No, however there are privately run hot showers right around the corner from the campground. They are coin operated.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THUNDER HOLE?
You want to plan your visit to Thunder Hole so you are there as the tide is coming in, not going out or at low tide. This is why you read where people visited Thunder Hole and only heard whispers with no thunder to speak of.
The best time is when the tide is coming in and the sea is rough due to bad weather, this is the time when you really hear loud thunder at Thunder Hole.
Other that that, if you can visit the area in early spring or late autumn when the sea is naturally rough, not only will you hear thunder but also see large crashing waves.
The best time is when the tide is coming in and the sea is rough due to bad weather, this is the time when you really hear loud thunder at Thunder Hole.
Other that that, if you can visit the area in early spring or late autumn when the sea is naturally rough, not only will you hear thunder but also see large crashing waves.
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| THUNDER HOLE - ACADIA NATIONAL PARK |
WHERE CAN I SEE A BEAR IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
The Maine Black Bear is not an easy animal to spot in the wild to negin with, an bear sightings are rare with the National Park. Once a Black Bear wandered into downtown Bar Harbor and climbed high up in one of the large tree's ib front of the town office on Cottage Street. And Black Bears have been spotted, but rarely, along the Park Loop Road where wild Maine Blueberries grow. Black Bear sightings have also occured at the area in and around the Seawall Picnic area at dusk. And a few sightings have been reported along the Bass Harbor Lighthouse Road. The area along there has berry patches located in the woods which attract bear.
But if you really want to see a Maine Black Bear up close, your best bet is to drive over to the Trenton Zoo located along route 3 in Trenton, Maine - it is not far from the Bar Harbor airport.
The In The Woods shop on Main Street in downtown Bar Harbor has a Native American display upstairs of their shop and they have a real stuffed Maine Black Bear on display as well. It is located right across from the Village Green along Main Street.
But if you really want to see a Maine Black Bear up close, your best bet is to drive over to the Trenton Zoo located along route 3 in Trenton, Maine - it is not far from the Bar Harbor airport.
The In The Woods shop on Main Street in downtown Bar Harbor has a Native American display upstairs of their shop and they have a real stuffed Maine Black Bear on display as well. It is located right across from the Village Green along Main Street.
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| BLACK BEAR AT IN THE WOODS, MAIN STREET BAR HARBOR |
WHERE ARE THE RESTROOMS LOCATED IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
Restrooms are located throughout Acadia National Park, but not all restrooms are created equally. In Acadia restrooms fall into three categories, as follows; flush toilets, glorfied outhouses, and port-a-potties.
Flush toilets have sinks with running water, mirrors on the wall and most importantly - toilets that flush. By far I think most people prefer flush toilets when visiting a restroom.
Flush toilets can be found in both of the National Park campground, at Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds, as well as at the more populat attractions in the park such as Sand Beach, the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, the Wild Gardens of Acadia the Cadillac Mountain Gift Shop, the Hulls Cove Visitors Center and any of the picnic areas such as rhe Bear Brook Picnic area.
Glorfied outhouses are pretty much just that, outhouses that are more solidly constructed but are pretty much a hole in the ground with no flush, no running water, no sinks and no mirrors. And its syrprising where some of thses are located in the National Park, places like the Ship Harbor Nature Trail.
Sadly even in this day and age port-a-potties can be found within the National Park. Two port-a-potties are located at the very popular Duck Brook Bridge carriage roads, hidden behind tall fencing by the parking area.
Flush toilets have sinks with running water, mirrors on the wall and most importantly - toilets that flush. By far I think most people prefer flush toilets when visiting a restroom.
Flush toilets can be found in both of the National Park campground, at Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds, as well as at the more populat attractions in the park such as Sand Beach, the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, the Wild Gardens of Acadia the Cadillac Mountain Gift Shop, the Hulls Cove Visitors Center and any of the picnic areas such as rhe Bear Brook Picnic area.
Glorfied outhouses are pretty much just that, outhouses that are more solidly constructed but are pretty much a hole in the ground with no flush, no running water, no sinks and no mirrors. And its syrprising where some of thses are located in the National Park, places like the Ship Harbor Nature Trail.
Sadly even in this day and age port-a-potties can be found within the National Park. Two port-a-potties are located at the very popular Duck Brook Bridge carriage roads, hidden behind tall fencing by the parking area.
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| RESTROOMS AT BEAR BROOK PICNIC AREA - ACADIA NATIONAL PARK |
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