Books About
Acadia National Park, Maine: hiking, roads, photographs, maps, guides

The third title in the Acadia National Park guide series, Acadia's Carriage Roads covers the history, geology, and biology of the area. It includes practical advice and maps to help visitors get the most from their tours of the roads, whether on foot, by bicycle, or on cross-country skis. With their work-of-art stone bridges, these crushed-rock carriage roads -- the result of decades of effort by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. -- are known throughout the world for their beauty.

Writer-photographer Steve Perrin believes there is no more intimate connection than the one between a natural setting and its inhabitants. This sumptuously illustrated book, containing over 250 photos, clearly demonstrates his conviction. Acadia features 60 different hikes throughout the year in Acadia National Park, each one containing a description of a particular trail loop and its major features, interwoven with the author's musings as he interacts with this richly diverse area.
reviewed:"Virtual winter walks for real summer strolls   All winter our hearts are on Mt. Desert Island, 750 I-95 miles north of us. All winter, with Steve Perrin's book, we take virtual hikes on "our" island. Come summer (well, in July anyway) when our hearts and bodies are actually in Acadia we can stroll those trails we now know are compatible with my two aging knees and Margaret's greatly dimished vision. Steve's words are more valuable than he knows: we teach people to be "audio describers" for folks who are visually impaired or blind so their ears can be their eyes in theaters, museums, and yes, for television. Steve's writing is truly audio description. This summer if we meet him again on the Shore Path we'll tell him in person. Until then, thanks, Steve."

Vacation destinations Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are proven even more enjoyable by this guide to Bar Harbor, the Cranberry Isles, Isle au Haut, the Schoodic Peninsula, Seal Harbor, and Swan's Island. Written by a Maine native, the listings point out the best spots for eating, shopping, and lodging in the towns and villages of the area, and carefully researched chapters on history, geology, and wildlife beckon travelers to hike, camp, and kayak in the unspoiled wild areas of the park.
reviewed:"Great Guide!,    James Kaiser has written an infromative, plus colorfully photographed book. I read this book prior to traveling to Acadia for a bike tour for additional information. Very good! Even managed a few of the recommended hikes after biking."
reviewed:"This is a beautiful book   I have many travel guides to beautiful places around the United States, but this book is the best I have seen. The photos are stunning, and there is just the right amount of information for a first time traveler to the area. I am really happy that I chose this as my guide to Acadia. "

Black and white photographs reflect the landscapes of Acadia National Park along with poems that reveal its natural beauty.
reviewed:"A treasure of vision and verse   I became aware of this book by seeing Jack Perkins interviewed on Maine Public Television about it. It was a wonderful interview and he read some of his poems and explained how the book came to be. It has always been a secret hope of mine that I might bump into Jack some place in Maine, but it has not happened yet. The next best thing is to own his book, and then he can talk to you and share his vision of this unique area of our lovely state. His talent is not limited to his high profile experiences in television journalisim for NBC. He is an accomplished photographer and poet and he has a wonderful heart. "

Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine is the place for family adventures, and this new guide is filled with easy ways to make them happen. An Outdoor Family Guide to Acadia National Park shows families how to take advantage of the fifty-seven miles of carriage roads ideal for biking and strolling; easy ocean and shore access; inland lakes and coastlines ideal for kayaking and canoeing; a variety of historical, cultural, and natural attractions; and extraordinary interpretive programs. Trip descriptions direct families to historic landmarks as well as animals, plants, and other natural features that might otherwise be missed. Author Lisa Gollin Evans gives us expert tips on hiking, biking, and paddling with children; park regulations; essential equipment; and much more.

Covers all of Acadia National Park - Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut, and Schoodic Peninsula. Detailed trip descriptions, trip times, distances, and difficulty levels - for 15 hikes, 12 bike trips, and 13 paddling and sea-kayak trips. Includes a full-color, pull out map of Acadia National Park, showing all hiking trails, carriage roads, park roads, and parking areas. This guide also includes descriptions for all the hiking trails in Acadia National Park, sidebars on natural and local history, trip highlights chart for easy planning and access, campground and lodging suggestions, local outfitters and resources, safety and gear tips, National Park Service information and guidelines for protecting the environment.
reviewed:"Great book, with plenty of detail for everyone!    This book gives you all you need to know about travelling to Acadia. It covers biking, hiking, kayaking, and just about any other "-ing" you might be interested in. The maps help out anyone not familiar to the area, too. I think it's a great, well-written book that will aid anyone planning to visit this part of Maine."

This book offers a great introduction to Acadia national park located on Maine's Mt. Desert Island. This all color large format book offers striking images by some of America's best landscape and wildlife photographers. With chapters on geology, geography, history, wildlife, marine mammals and flora this title will carry the reader through the natural beauty of Acadia National Park.

The 42,000 acres that comprise Acadia National Park include glacier-worn granite mountains, rocky cliffs, crystal blue ponds and lakes, and a dramatic coastline where waves collide spectacularly with dramatic headlands. This book describes the flora, fauna, and geology of the park, as well as a number of the prominent trails that take you in and around some of the most charming scenery in North America.

reviewed:"Great book for the photographer visiting Maine   I took this book with me last month when our camera club went on a January trip to Acadia National Park. The photography is outstanding and inspirational to say the least! We visited many of the places shown in this book and were able to take wonderful pictures ourselves. This book inspires one to visit Acadia at any time of the year and I highly recommend it to any photographer or persons who are planning a visit to Mount Dessert Island. "

reviewed:"Beautiful   This book is superb. Packed with spectacular photography and interesting essays regarding Mount Desert Island's history, geography, and ecology. The print quality is first rate; kudos to the publisher. A very inspiring volume which reminds us how important it is to have places like Mount Desert Island and Acadia. Highly recommended from a resident of Maine."

Sample more than 120 miles of hiking trails through the approximately 40,000 acres of America's first national park.
reviewed:"Invaluable!   For a party with kids, this book is just what we needed. The descriptions and difficulty ratings were right on. The directions to the trail heads were very clear (unlike in many hiking guides). Perhaps the best thing about it was the size. The book fit easily into my back pocket. No taking off my backpack everytime I wanted to check the map! "

Hikers, cyclists, and paddlers will make the most of your trip to Acadia National Park with this completely updated recreation map in waterproof, tear-resistant Tyvek. Detailing every walking and hiking trail in the park, as well as the Park Loop Road, the Carriage Road boat access, and - new to this version - shuttle bus stops. This full-color, GIS-rendered topographic map is the ultimate pocket-size resource for exploring Maine's popular park. On one side you'll find a map of Mount Desert Island in its entirety, including insets of Isle au Haut and Schoodic Peninsula. On the reverse is a close-up map of Eastern Mount Desert Island, detailing such popular treks as Jordon Pond, Bald Peak, Cadillac Mountain, and Cranberry Hill. Trailheads, water access, and parking are clearly labeled, making trips around the island easy.

Expert travel writer Hilary Nangle helps you have a truly personal experience in this beautiful region. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with the real insights so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat—without hassles or regrets. Hilary details where to hike, paddle, bike, climb, ski, snowshoe, and picnic. Complete with maps, photographs, illustrations, and special emphasis on leading destinations such as Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, Donnell Pond Public Reserved Lands, the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Petit Manan, and outlying towns.
reviewed:"A must   This book is extremely helpful as a planning guide to a great trip. "

These pocket guides are filled with information on hikes, bike rides, and the carriage-road system in Acadia National Park. They include trips ranging from easy family outings to strenuous solo treks. The authors also include practical tips on planning and preparing for a trip, weather, and safety. Concise directions are accompanied by clearly drawn maps.
reviewed:"Worth the price   If you're headed to Acadia for some hiking, biking, or whatever, get this little guide book. Inexpensive as it is, it gives a nice overview of the trails complete with fold out maps. It was quite helpful to us when we cycled throughout the park."

reviewed:"Acadia's Story Through Words and Outstanding Photography   An excellent overall introduction to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. Good overview of geology and natural and cultural history. Provides up-to-date information on roads and hiking trails. A wonderful guide or souvenir of the Acadian experience. "

reviewed:"Excellent Photography and very informative   All of the books written by Robert Thayer convey the true beauty of Acadia National Park. Robert is an outstanding photographer/ author and is an inspiration for my own work. I have seen many slides of Roberts work and I am always impressed. I give this book my highest recommendation for any person interested in learning about Acadia, nature, wildlife, and especially photography. He also has 3 other books available on Amazon.com of an equal caliber. "

This charming tale of Michael, Emily, and their parents as they explore Acadia National Park is designed to both entertain and educate. Wildlife can be elusive, and both kids are disappointed when at first they don't encounter many animals in the park. The kids quickly learn, however, that there are animals all around, and these creatures leave behind scat and tracks. Colorful illustrations of animals and their leavings supplement this lively tale, and a quick-identification chart at the back makes field identification a breeze!