It , s in Our Nature
DownEast Acadia is rich in unspoiled landscapes and strong natural heritage traditions .
DownEast Acadia ’ s most significant asset ( besides its people !) is its vast and beautiful wonderland of natural areas stretching from an inland network of grand lakes to a dramatic , bold coast . In between , colorful wild blueberry barrens stretch as far as the eye can see . Amongst all of this , hundreds of thousands acres of preserved lands provide public access to hundreds of miles of hiking trails and paddling routes .
It all began over 100 years ago when Acadia National Park was created through the most extensive conservation easement program in the National Park System — which continues to expand to protect the scenic beauty and ecological integrity we all value and enjoy .
With some of the cleanest water and least developed natural areas on the East Coast of the US , including forests that harbor rare and unusual plant communities , DownEast Acadia is ideal for wildlife watching , birding , fishing , stargazing , or soaking in the quiet beauty . All across the region , mossy forests embrace the hiker ; sparkling lakes beckon swimmers and campers . Crystal-clear rivers and streams flow into the ocean , where rugged coastal cliffs are dotted with lighthouses and seabirds .
Downeasters are historically avid outdoorsmen . Hunting , fishing , hiking , paddling are a part of the way of life here . In the 19th century , the Acadia area was the destination of choice for the Rusticators seeking reprieve from city life through a rustic , rejuvenating holiday . Today , a variety of wilderness lodges , cabins , and campsites provide an unplugged getaway , and Registered Maine Guides offer personalized outdoor adventures .
The recreation areas and intact wildlife habitats that provide all of these experiences are here for us to enjoy thanks to our incredible network of National and State Parks , National Wildlife Refuges , State Public Reserve Lands , Wabanaki Tribal Reservations , our many land trust preserves , and private landowners who generously provide public access .
Discover for yourself this magical landscape where people still work and play in harmony with nature ’ s rhythms and live attuned to the shifting tides and the changing seasons .
Did you know ?
DownEast Acadia contains :
• 200,000 + acres of ponds and lakes
• 3,300 + miles of streams
• 1,000 + miles of rivers
• 2,700 square miles of forest lands
• 54 of Maine ’ s 87 globally significant seabird nesting islands
• 9 watersheds that still sustain wild Atlantic salmon
• 700,000 + acres of conserved land — over 20 % of the total land area
• 7 units of State Public Land
• 12 Wildlife Management Areas
• 5 State Parks
• 1 National Park spanning three distinct areas of the region
• 2 National Wildlife Refuges
• 11 land trusts with a continuously growing number of preserves .
We welcome you to discover for yourself this magical landscape where people still work and play in harmony with nature ’ s rhythms and live attuned to the shifting tides and changing seasons . We invite you to meet the people and learn about the organizations who help us keep True Maine “ True to Nature ”.