Mount Desert Island & Bar Harbor

Called “Eden” when founded in 1796 and renamed in 1921 for the sand bar which had accumulated in the bay,

Bar Harbor is the best known and largest town in the northeast section of the island and leads to one of the entrances to Acadia National Park. The Great Fire of 1947 changed the face of Bar Harbor forever. It destroyed 67 mansions, 5 historic grand hotels, 170 private homes and 10,000 acres of Acadia National Park. Favorable winds spared the downtown section of Bar Harbor from the fire, where several homes in the historic district operate as inns.

For a great view of the area, take Shore Path, which starts near the town pier and continues along the eastern shore. Bar Island, which you can walk to at low tide, gives you a spectacular view when you look back toward Bar Harbor with the towering mountain in the background.

Bar Harbor is home to College of the Atlantic where you can visit the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History that investigates, interprets, and displays the natural world of Maine. All exhibits are designed and produced by students at College. Mount Desert Island is the third largest island in the continental U.S. encompassing 108 square miles. Its dramatic beauty comes in large part from the seventeen mountains that rise from the sea and the shores of four lakes. There are countless smaller ponds and scenic spots and more than 120 miles of hiking trails and roads that meander throughout the island for touring by car, biking, hiking and skiing.

As home to Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island is a vacationer’s destination. From Cadillac Mountain, to the Park Loop Roads/Carriage Roads, to Jordan Pond, MDI plays host to one of the most scenic and popular National Parks in the United States.

Somes Sound divides Mount Desert Island. By coincidence this division identifies both the geography and pace of the island visit. The area west of Somes Sound, including Southwest Harbor and Tremont, offers a more sedate and secluded atmosphere. In contrast, the eastern side around Bar Harbor has more tourist attractions.