Here is a brief write up of our journey that may help as a resource for anyone else heading up to Maine:
First - do it! What an amazing place and such friendly people...
Timberland Acres is in our minds a great base camp. It's like two campgrounds - the older seasonal one where you can almost hear the banjo music and the newer big rig section. Reasonable amount between sites in the new section. They are massively long and no shade. There are no cabins there. It's a 20 minute drive to the park entrance (visitor center), 30 minutes to about any place on MDI, and close to a great beer/wine store, a butcher, and Ellsworth if you want to try someplace off island. Plus the Walmart for anything you've forgotten...
As with any National Park - our goal is always "done by one". Get there early and leave early and you should be fine. Otherwise, the crowds are just crazy...
Eat a lot of Lobster and enjoy Maine IPAs! Thurmonds Lobster Pound on Bass Harbor is one of the few pounds on the water and great food. Also liked Charlottes and a place in Trenton called Lobster Pound and Real Pit BBQ - only a couple of miles from the campground. There is a nice Farmer's Maret up the road towards MDI as well. Also liked Atlantic Brewing Company on MDI and Airline in Ellsworth.
The loop around ANP is a must. Thought there were some beautiful vistas/pull outs along the way. See the sun rise from Cadillac Mountain. Go on a whale watching cruise. Saw three humpbacks including one doing a deep dive about 30 yards from the boat, a Minke, and a Finback plus tons of birds (Puffins!) and some seals and porpoises.
Did not do the Carriage Ride, but thy sound really fun. Particularly the Rockefeller Bridge one...
Weather was beautiful - nights in the 50's are really nice in July!
Hope everyone has a great summer, amazing adventures, and safe travels!
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Scott & Phyllis
2016 Crossroads Sunset Trail 250RB
2015 Ford F150 Supercrew/3.5 Ecoboost/Max Tow
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