If you’re planning a family trip with a hope of seeing exciting wildlife, Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is your dream destination.
Nestled along the coast of Maine, this expansive park not only offers breathtaking landscapes but also a vibrant mix of wildlife.
Get ready to create lasting memories as we explore the best ways and optimal times to witness the park’s wild animals.
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Introduction: Acadia National Park – Where Nature Meets Adventure
Welcome to Acadia National Park, the first national park east of the Mississippi River.
Sprawling over 49,000 acres, this natural haven is a unique blend of ecosystems, from the northern boreal forest to the eastern deciduous forest.
As you plan your family’s journey, let’s check out the best places and the best ways to see the wildlife of Acadia National Park, ensuring an exciting experience for you and your family.
Acadia National Park Wildlife
And now for our list of the top animals to try and spot during your trip!
Peregrine Falcons
Where To Find: Early spring brings them to the park, with the Precipice Cliffs on Champlain Mountain being an ideal location.
Best Time: March to August provides the best window, and trail closures are in place to protect their nests.
Known as the fastest animal on Earth, peregrine falcons are a marvel to behold. Reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour, these raptors migrate to Acadia each year.
Joining a sunrise tour atop Cadillac Mountain (the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard) offers a front-row seat to the show in the sky!
Black Bears
Where To Find: Explore wooded trails around Jordan Pond and the eastern deciduous forests for a chance encounter.
Best Time: Early morning and late afternoon are optimal times to spot black bears as they emerge from their forested hideaways.
Acadia’s forests come alive with the presence of black bears. The most majestic of the mammal species found in the park can often be seen foraging and exploring their woodland habitat.
Because bears are present in this park, it’s best to carry bear spray on your hikes, and travel in a group of 4 or more. If you’re flying to Acadia, purchase your bear spray after arriving. You can’t pack bear spray on flights, even in your checked luggage.
Harbor Seals
Where To Find: Visit the Schoodic Peninsula area of the park, where intertidal zones and rocky shores become the home environment for these marine mammals.
Best Time: Spot harbor seals basking on rocks during low tide, making this the best time for observation.
Harbor seals grace the rocky shores of Acadia, providing a delightful marine spectacle during low tide.
We were best able to see these guys while on a lobstering tour (you visit the same spots on most whale watching tours as well).
Atlantic Puffins
Where To Find: The best way to see these animals is to take the Acadia Puffin Cruise departing from Bar Harbor between April and August.
Best Time: The puffin season is at its peak during these months, offering the best opportunity for sightings.
The islands off the coast of Maine, accessible through tours from Bar Harbor, host colonies of Atlantic puffins, easily the cutest of Acadia’s park residents.
Whales
Where To Find: Join a whale-watching tour departing from Bar Harbor for an unforgettable marine safari.
Best Time: Warmer spring weather increases the chances of spotting these majestic marine creatures.
Acadia’s waters come alive with the playful antics of whales, including minke whales, finback whales, harbor porpoises, and even orcas.
Whale tours are very popular in this area. We have a whole article devoted to whale watching near Acadia here.
Tidepool Treasures
Where To Find: At Wonderland Beach on the “quiet side” of the island (near Bass Harbor), explore these coastal tidal pools during low tide to discover starfish (sea stars), sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and crabs.
Best Time: Check a tide chart and time your visit accordingly for the best trip to the intertidal zone.
While many focus on larger ecosystems, don’t miss the smaller seashore creatures hidden in tide pools.
Beavers
Where To Find: Stroll around freshwater ponds like Jordan Pond or The Tarn. Look for chewed-up trees or stumps as signs of their presence.
Best Time: Early morning walks increase your chances of spotting a beaver swimming through the water or working on a dam.
Beavers quietly go about their business around freshwater ponds, showcasing their dam-building prowess.
White-Tailed Deer
Where To Find: Wander the Great Meadow Loop or Jesup trails during dawn and dusk for optimal deer sightings.
Best Time: Dawn and dusk are prime times for deer activity.
White-tailed deer grace the forests and meadows throughout Acadia, and the New England region as a whole.
Owls and Other Birds
Where To Find: Keep your eyes on the sky, especially around the Seawall Campground area for barred owls. Winter brings the migration of snowy owls from the Arctic, occasionally spotted on bare summits.
Best Time: Participate in ranger-led birdwatching programs and winter hikes for optimal bird sightings.
Acadia hosts a rich birdlife, including barred owls, snowy owls, songbirds, hawks, shorebirds, and even the elusive Arctic tern.
If you choose glamping as your choice for lodging, you may have the opportunity to sit in on one of the wildlife programs, like the one that was offered during our stay at Acadia Under Canvas.
Bald Eagle
Where To Find: Look for them soaring above cliffs and coastal areas. Cadillac Mountain provides an excellent vantage point.
Best Time: Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for spotting bald eagles as they hunt for prey.
Bald eagles, symbolizing freedom and majesty, frequent the skies of Acadia. Their impressive wingspans make them an iconic sight.
Snowshoe Hare
Where To Find: Explore the wooded trails around Jordan Pond and the eastern deciduous forests during the winter months.
Best Time: Winter months, especially early morning and late afternoon, provide the best opportunity for snowshoe hare sightings.
Adapted to the winter landscape, snowshoe hares bring a touch of enchantment to Acadia’s snowy trails.
Common Loon
Where To Find: Keep an eye on the park’s freshwater lakes, where common loons often make their home.
Best Time: The early morning and late afternoon hours are ideal for hearing and seeing common loons.
The haunting calls of common loons add a musical note to Acadia’s freshwater lakes.
Blackburnian Warbler
Where To Find: Look for them flitting among the trees, especially in the wooded areas around Jordan Pond.
Best Time: Spring and summer are optimal times, and their colorful presence is a highlight during these seasons.
The Blackburnian warbler, with its vibrant plumage, is a small but stunning addition to Acadia’s birdlife.
Practical Tips for Viewing Wildlife in Acadia National Park
To optimize your wildlife encounters in Acadia National Park, consider the following practical tips:
Best Times for Wildlife Viewing
- Plan visits during early spring and the summer months for optimal wildlife sightings.
- Early morning and late afternoon are peak times for terrestrial wildlife activity.
Ranger-Led Tours and Educational Programs
- Join ranger-led tours for in-depth insights into Acadia’s ecosystems.
- Participate in educational programs offered by the National Park Service for an interactive learning experience.
Acadia offers a variety of amazing ranger-led tours, including the Carriage Road bike tour, seen below, as well as a slew of others, depending on the time of year you visit. Check availability and schedules for these programs, and make reservations, when allowed, in advance. Especially during peak summer months.
Safety First: Respect Wildlife and Nature
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife to ensure their well-being and your safety.
- Adhere to park guidelines and Leave No Trace principles for responsible exploration.
Watch for Small Mammals Throughout the Park
- Traverse the eastern deciduous forests anywhere in the park for a chance to spot adorable Pine Martens.
- Keep a keen eye during your evening strolls, especially in open areas, for cottontail rabbits and striped skunks.
Book a Wildlife Tour or Cruise Outside the Park
Bar Harbor, the town outside of the park boasts many excellent private companies that do wildlife tours, especially those for sealife, notably whale watching, and lobstering tours.
We wrote an article specifically dealing with these types of tours, so check that out if it sounds like something that your family may enjoy.
Our family did a lobster tour, and it was fabulous. It was also how our family got to see the harbor seals, which we likely wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to see!
Acadia National Park, with its diverse ecosystems and captivating wildlife, promises a family adventure like no other.
From thrilling raptor flights to the playful antics of whales and the subtle beauty of tidepool treasures, every corner of the park holds a new discovery.
So, pack your binoculars, plan your hikes wisely, and immerse your family in the enchanting world of Acadia’s wildlife!
Oh, and be sure to print out our free family wildlife in Acadia National Park Bingo cards! Then you can enjoy a little friendly-family competition while you scan for animals in the park!
Looking for more information about Acadia NP, or wildlife encounters in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- Acadia National Park Closest Airport: 7 Best Options
- 12 Best Family Glamping Spots: Acadia National Park
- Yellowstone National Park Bears: Guide For Families
- Wildlife in Badlands National Park: 8 Animals To Spot
- Denali National Park Wildlife: 10 TOP Animals to Spot
- U.S. Wildlife Guide: Everglades National Park Animals
- Zion National Park Wildlife: Ultimate Spotting Guide
- Yellowstone National Park Animals: Best Family Guide
- Acadia National Park Whale Watching: Family Guide
- Moose in Rocky Mountain National Park: 5 Best Spots
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