Maine and the other states of New England enjoy a well deserved reputation for displays spectacular colors in the autumn.

The pictures below were taken at various places within the park or near its borders in October, 1994.

       

All of the deciduous trees contribute to the drama of color in autumn. The leaves of the sugar maple trees turn yellow, orange, and red, while the red maple adds crimson colors to the mix.

Clear blue skies heighten the drama of the fall foliage.

The colors of autumn are seen reflected in The Tarn, a glacial trough, at the foot of Dorr and Cadillac mountains.

Low clouds and fog and diffuse light deepen the saturation of the fall colors.

One of the park roads can be see crossing the forest with bright colors in the foreground

Colorful plants can be seen against the backdrop of a rock wall.

Acadia contains a wide variety of trees, plants, and other kinds of vegetation. One of the most plentiful trees is the maple, which accounts for more that its share of colors in the autumn.

Other trees and fruit-bearing plants and trees are also plentiful. In the picture below can be seen the red fruit of the mountain ash, on Day mountain.

Among the most beautiful trees in any season are the white birch.

In addition to maple and other deciduous trees, Acadia's interior forests are dominated by balsam fir and red spruce, with white spruce trees growing along the coast itself.

Although the rocks on the summit of Cadillac Mountain are treeless, there is still a variety of vegetation, such as the moss and fungus which grow on the face of the granite itself.

There are no permanent lodging facilities for visitors within the boundaries for the park, so many people stay in the town of Bar Harbor on the northeast side of the island. The largest town on the island, Bar Harbor was once a summer residence of many of the wealthiest families of the east who built magnificent "cottages" along the waterfront. Many of these residences were destroyed in a catastrophic fire in 1947, although a few still remain.

The first picture below looks across the north end of the town toward Frenchman's Bay and the Porcupine Islands.

Below is shown Bar Harbor's Main St., which terminates at the town pier on Frenchman's Bay.

In the picture on the right the point of departure for a ferry to Nova Scotia, and the ferry itself, can be seen.

Acadia is always a delight. At any time of night or day, from any place in the park, Acadia provides a wealth of wonderful sights. Below the rising moon can be seen shining across Frenchman's Bay from the summit of Cadillac Mountain.

Information about Acadia National Park has been drawn from personal experience, data available in the park itself, and a number of other sources, including:

• National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of the United States. (1992). National Geographic Society.
  
  
• The Sierra Club Guides to the National Parks: East and Middle West. (1986). Stewart, Tabori, & Chang,
  
  
• Dorr, George B. (1991). The Story of Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor, ME: Acadia Publishing Co.
  
  
• Rothe, Robert. (1979). Acadia: The Story Behind the Scenery. Las Vegas, NV: K.C. Publications.
  
  
• Roberts, Ann Rockefeller. (1990). Mr. Rockefeller's Roads. Camden, ME: Down East Books.