Bike Rockefeller's Roads
Although Acadia's paved surfaces beckon road bikers, mountain bikers are in for a special treat, courtesy of John D. Rockefeller. In the early 20th century, the oil zillionaire commissioned 45 miles of criss-crossing carriage paths throughout Mount Desert Island. These crushed stone roads, engineering marvels worthy of the ancient Romans, wind through forests, around lakes, over hills, and under stone bridges. Want to climb steep paths up mountain ridges? Ride through a cool, leafy tunnel of overhanging branches? Pedal to a quiet lake for a midday dip? Acadia's carriage trails will take you there. Make sure to try the Eagle Loop Lake loop, a 14-mile excursion along rolling terrain with some long climbs and great views.

Camp by the Surf
There's no better way to take advantage of all Acadia has to offer than camping, but backpacking is prohibited. The two major campgrounds are fairly Spartan sites as far as car camping goes, without hot water, showers, or utility hookups. Blackwoods Campground lies in a forested area due south of Cadillac Mountain and is just a short walk from the sea. Seawall Campground lies on the southwestern corner of the park and also lives up to its name, with sites right by the ocean. If you brought your canoe or kayak, try Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut, and spend your days exploring the coastlines of Acadia's many islands. Reserve early, since these sites start to go by early spring.

Catch a Speeding Bullet
Acadia is a world of fresh and salt water, mountains and beaches, forests and meadows, a relatively small place crawling with an amazing variety of wildlife. The list of animals that call Acadia home includes 273 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 18 species of amphibians and reptiles. But Acadia's most impressive inhabitants are its peregrine falcons, which can attain dive speeds exceeding 200 mph. Sadly, these majestic predators are on the endangered list, but they're making a comeback in Acadia. Peregrines were first sighted in the park in 1936, but the last known nesting pair was reported in 1956. But since 1991, several pairs of chicks have been successfully raised on the cliffs of Champlain Mountain. Park rangers close trails near any known nests, so bring a good pair of binoculars.

Climb Cadillac Mountain
Acadia's ancient landmass embraces 26 mountains and 120 miles of hiking trails. You can pad through a still forest, pick your way along the thundering coast, or trek across a golden meadow. But Acadia's most memorable hike is undoubtedly up Cadillac Mountain. At 1,532 feet, it's the highest point on the Atlantic coast north of Rio de Janeiro, with hypnotic views from its broad, boulder-strewn summit. Depending on the direction you turn, you'll be treated with panoramic views of woodland, coastline, and endless expanse of ocean. If you're an early riser, hit the mountain around 4 a.m. so you can make it to the top in time for dawn, when the first rays of sunshine to strike the United States illuminate the peak.

Driving the Loop
Acadia is a small park by Western standards. But within its confines lies one of the country's most picturesque drives: the Park Loop Road. The most spectacular stretch of this 27-mile, one-way road hugs the edge of the island, where tall cliffs plummet down into the crashing surf. Don't let the length of the road fool you. It takes far longer to drive than you think, with a stunning vista at nearly every turn. Stop for a dip in the chilly waters of Sand Beach, enjoy the roaring spectacle of famous Thunder Hole and take the turnoff for Cadillac Mountain; it's a twisting, turning, view-packed ride that takes you right to the summit. Remember to keep your eyes on the road. It's not easy.