Whistler Cove

Mount Desert Island


This pretty stretch of rocky shoreline backed by pine forest is reached by a short trail (one-mile round-trip) that starts near the Great Cranberry Island Historical Society. Keep an eye out for wildlife – bald eagles sometimes nest in the area.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mount Desert Island attractions

2. Islesford Historical Museum

1.98 MILES

Run by the National Park Service, this appealing little museum gives the lowdown on all things Cranberry Isles–related. Exhibits cover everything from…

3. Wendell Gilley Museum

3.6 MILES

For rainy-day amusement, pay a visit to this handsomely designed museum, which displays the exquisite wooden carvings of Wendell Gilley, one of the world…

4. Bass Harbor Head Light

3.61 MILES

There is only one lighthouse on Mount Desert Island; it sits in the somnolent village of Bass Harbor in the far southwest corner of the park. Built in…

5. Thuya Garden

3.61 MILES

Some of the most beautiful gardens on the island lie hidden atop a forest-backed bluff overlooking the east side of the harbor. Flowers bursting with…

6. Asticou Azalea Garden

3.94 MILES

Created in 1957, this lovely 2.3-acre garden is laced with paths, little shelters and ornamental Japanese-style bridges. Azaleas and rhododendrons bloom…

7. Somes Sound

5.78 MILES

This fjord-like embayment is one of the most striking natural features in Acadia. It was formed by glaciers and makes for a picturesque backdrop to a…

8. Jordan Pond

6.16 MILES

On clear days, the glassy waters of this 176-acre pond reflect the image of Penobscot Mountain like a mirror. A stroll around the pond and its surrounding…