Established: Since it opened in 1916, Acadia National Park has boasted a number of firsts.
It was the first national park east of the Mississippi. Perhaps more significantly, it was the
first national park whose land was donated entirely by private citizens.
Land Area: Acadia encompasses more than 40,000 acres, the vast majority of it on Mount
Desert Island (pronounced like "dessert").
Highest Elevation: The summit of Cadillac Mountain at 1,530 feet.
Number of Plant and Animal Species: About 165 species of common native plants, about 60 species
of land and marine mammals, and more than 150 breeding species of birds call the park home.
Popular Activities: Naturalist-guided walks and talks, biking, fishing, carriage rides, boat
cruises, hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
Biking: There are paved roads and 45 miles of picturesque carriage roads on which to ride bikes
in the park.
Hiking: More than 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads vein the park.
Camping: There are more than 500 campsites in the park.
Lodging: You can find a variety of accommodations and a total of 4,500 rooms surrounding the
park on Mount Desert Island.
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