Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park offer a remarkable diversity of natural and human history. This book guides you through the unparalleled scenic beauty, dramatic geology, and historic importance of the 21-mile Park Loop Road.

On January 1 of 2016, Stefanie Payne, a creative professional working at NASA Headquarters, and Jonathan Irish, a photographer with National Geographic, left their lives in Washington, D.C. and hit the open road on an expedition to explore and document all 59 of America's national parks during the centennial celebration of the U.S. National Park Service - 59 parks in 52 weeks - the Greatest American Road Trip. Captured in more than 300,000 digital photographs, written stories, and videos shared by the national and international media, their project resulted in an incredible view of America's National Park System seen in its 100th year. 'A Year in the National Parks, The Greatest American Road Trip' is a gorgeous visual journey through our cherished public lands, detailing a rich tapestry of what makes each park special, as seen along an epic journey to visit them all within one special celebratory year.

Moon Travel Guides: Find Your Adventure Breathe in fresh coastal air, hike pine-filled trails, and discover a new kind of natural serenity with Moon Acadia National Park. Inside you'll find: Flexible, strategic itineraries for every season, from the best of Acadia in one day to a two-week road trip, designed for day hikers, campers, families, outdoor adventurers, and more The top experiences and unique ideas for exploring Acadia: Island-hop by sea kayak, see the tide surge at Thunder Hole, or embark on a whale-watching excursion. Pedal the park's famed carriage roads, ski fresh powder, or drive the scenic byways and admire the stunning fall foliage. Wiggle your toes in the warmth of Sand Beach, hike the rugged and remote Isle au Haut, or climb to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Peruse the galleries in downtown Bar Harbor, take a dip in Echo Lake, and watch the sunset over a feast of freshly caught lobster Practical tips for hiking, cycling, kayaking, wildlife spotting, and more, plus essential packing and health and safety information Detailed hike descriptions with mileage, elevation gains, difficulty ratings, and trailhead directions Local insight from born-and-bred Mainer Hilary Nangle Honest advice on when to go and where to stay inside and outside the park, from forested campgrounds to historic inns Up-to-date information on park fees, passes, and reservations, plus strategies for getting to Acadia National Park Full-color, vibrant photos and detailed maps throughout Coverage of gateway towns, including Bay Harbor, Northeast and Seal Harbors, the Southwest Harbor, Tremont, and islands near Mount Desert Recommendations for families, seniors, visitors with disabilities, and traveling by RV Thorough background on Acadia's wildlife, terrain, culture, and history With Moon Acadia National Park's practical tips and local know-how, you can experience Acadia your way. Exploring the rest of Maine? Try Moon Maine or Moon Coastal Maine. Hitting the road? Check out Moon New England Road Trip. For full coverage of America's national parks, check out Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 National Parks.

Explore the pine-lined mountain trails, serene ponds, and rugged island coasts of Maine's stunning Acadia National Park with Moon. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries for every season, from the best of Acadia in one day to a two-week road trip, designed for day hikers, campers, families, outdoor adventurers, and more The best hikes in Acadia: Detailed descriptions, mileage and elevation gains, and difficulty ratings Experience the outdoors: Embark on a whale-watching excursion to spot humpbacks, minke whales, porpoises, and puffins. Climb the pink granite steps to Huguenot Head or hike along the secluded rocky shore of Isle de Haut. Sea kayak at sunset, take a leisurely bike ride through fiery fall foliage, or cross-country ski along miles of carriage trails. Take a swim in Echo Lake, summit Cadillac Mountain, and marvel at the tide roaring through Thunder Hole Explore around Acadia: Munch on a hot popover with tea, feast on freshly caught lobster, and sip a cold beer at a local microbrewery. Shop for antiques and local artisan goods or wander through the galleries in downtown Bar Harbor. Discover Maine's rich history, admire the coastline from atop a towering lighthouse, and take a scenic drive along Park Loop Road How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, fees, reservations, and tours Where to stay in and outside the park, from forested campgrounds to historic inns Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and easy-to-use maps throughout Expert insight from born-and-bred Mainer Hilary Nangle Helpful background on Acadia's wildlife, terrain, culture, and history Find your adventure in Acadia National Park with Moon. Exploring the rest of Maine? Try Moon Maine or Moon Coastal Maine. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

From Acadia and Great Smoky Mountains to Zion and Mount Rainier, millions of visitors tour America's national parks. While park roads determine what most visitors see and how they see it, however, few pause to consider when, why, or how the roads they travel on were built. This illustrated book highlights the qualities of park roads, details the factors influencing their design and development, and examines their role in shaping the national park experience--from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive to Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, Yellowstone's Grand Loop, Yosemite's Tioga Road, and scores of other scenic drives.