CANOEING: Mount Desert’s ponds offer scenic if limited canoeing; most have public boat access. Canoe rentals are available at the north end of Long Pond (the largest pond on the island, at 3 miles long) in Somesville from National Park Canoe & Kayak Rental (tel. 207/244-5854). The cost is about $37 for 3 hours, $22 if you go out for sunset, or $61 for the whole day.

GOLF: The Northeast Harbor Golf Club (tel. 207/276-5335) is an attractive choice for golfers. Greens fees range from $45 to $85 per person for 18 holes; to find the course, drive all the way through the small downtown, then turn right on Manchester Drive, which takes you to the course. Alternately, a few miles north of town as you come south on Route 3/198, exit right onto Sargent Drive and continue 1/2 miles to the course.

CARRIAGE RIDES: Several types of carriage rides are offered by the park concessionaire Carriages of Acadia ( tel. 877/276-3622), about a half-mile south of the Jordan Pond House. The tours depart daily in season and take in sweeping ocean views from nearby Day Mountain or explores the network of Rockefeller bridges. There’s a special carriage designed for passengers with disabilities, and you can even charter your own carriage for a private group. Reservations are recommended; figure to pay $65 per adult, or $55 per child, for an hour-long tour, and $105 and $95, respectively, for a two-hour tour.

ROCK CLIMBING: Many of the ocean-side rock faces attract experienced rock climbers, as much for the beauty of the climbing areas as the challenge of the climbs and the high-grade quality of the rock. For novices or experienced climbers, Acadia Mountain Guides (tel. 207/288-8186) offers rock-climbing lessons and guide services, ranging from a half-day introduction to rock climbing to intensive workshops on self-rescue and instruction on how to lead climbs. The Bar Harbor branch (the other’s in Orono) is located at 228 Main Street.

SKIING: Cross-country skiers have a glorious mix of terrain to choose from, especially within Acadia National Park, where skiing is allowed for free on park grounds throughout the winter. Volunteers groom more than 30 miles of Acadia’s carriage roads—which were designed for maximum scenic potential, but also to be gradual enough not to tax horses pulling huge carriages, making them ideal for Nordic skiing. I’d go so far as to say it’s among the best cross-country ski destinations in the country. Visit the Facebook page or Twitter feed of Friends of Acadia for grooming updates in winter. For more about cross-country ski areas in Maine, visit the Nordic skiing website of the trade association Ski Maine.


 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.