Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park are two vastly different parks, each offering unique experiences for visitors. Acadia, located on the rugged coast of Maine, boasts beautiful ocean views, towering granite peaks, and a diverse array of wildlife. Hot Springs, located in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, is known for its natural hot springs and historic bathhouses. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities and scenic views, but they have distinct personalities that set them apart. Whether you’re looking to hike through rugged terrain or soak in therapeutic hot springs, these two parks have something to offer for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the beauty and diversity of Acadia and Hot Springs National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas are two very different parks with unique hiking experiences.
Acadia National Park is known for its rugged terrain and stunning coastal views. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Precipice Trail, which is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the park with steep climbs and narrow ledges. Another popular hike is the Jordan Pond Path, which offers beautiful views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. For those looking for a more moderate hike, the Jordan Pond North Shore Trail offers a more gentle ascent with the same stunning views.
On the other hand, Hot Springs National Park offers a more relaxed hiking experience with its Hot Springs Mountain trail, which is a moderate hike that leads to the summit of Hot Springs Mountain. It offers beautiful views of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains, and visitors can also see the historic Hot Springs Bathhouse Row from the top. The park also has several easy, wheelchair-accessible trails that lead to different hot springs and thermal features.
Overall, Acadia National Park is a great choice for those looking for a more challenging hiking experience, while Hot Springs National Park is ideal for those looking for a more relaxed and easy hike with beautiful views.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beehive Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 148.7424 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Cadillac North Ridge Trail | 6437.36 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail | 5471.756 | 28.956 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 181.9656 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail Loop | 12070.05 | 684.8856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop | 3379.614 | 319.7352 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ocean Path Trail: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Great Head Trail (Short Option) | 2574.944 | 91.7448 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond Loop | 2253.076 | 149.9616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Summit Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Hot Springs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Trail | 20921.42 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4 |
| West Mountain Trail | 3057.746 | 107.8992 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Goat Rock Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gulpha Gorge Trail | 1931.208 | 116.7384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| The Grand Promenade and Side Trails | 1931.208 | 33.8328 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dead Chief Trail | 4345.218 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Mountain Trail | 5310.822 | 204.8256 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Peak Trail | 2092.142 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Sugarloaf Mountain Via Sunset Trail | 11426.314 | 592.836 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Goat Rock via Dead Chief Trail | 2092.142 | 87.7824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park both offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife.
At Acadia National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals such as white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and foxes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species including the peregrine falcon, osprey, and the common loon. There are also a number of aquatic animals that can be found in the park’s streams and ponds, including brook trout and Atlantic salmon. Additionally, the park is home to a number of plant species such as the eastern hemlock and the red spruce.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is home to a different set of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see animals like white-tailed deer, raccoons, and armadillos. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the red-tailed hawk, turkey vulture, and the wood duck. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, which includes species such as the eastern red cedar, the southern magnolia, and the American holly.
Both parks offer visitors the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife, but in different settings and species. Acadia National Park offers a more forested and mountainous environment, while Hot Springs National Park offers a more varied landscape including hot springs, forests, and open landscapes.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Acadia National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Cross Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| New York Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mink |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Gray Wolf | North American River Otter |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Varying Hare | White-Tailed Deer |
| Masked Shrew | Virginia Opossum |
| Water Shrew | Eastern Red Bat |
| Red Squirrel | White-Footed Mouse |
| Virginia Deer | Norway Rat |
| Canada Lynx | Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Native Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Largemouth Bass | Fathead Minnow |
| Fathead Minnow | Golden Shiner |
| Golden Shiner | European Carp |
| Togue | Yellow Bullhead |
| Threespine Stickleback | Graceful Catfish |
| Creek Chub | Black Crappie |
| Brown Bullhead | Black Bullhead |
| Smallmouth Bass | Mosquitofish |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Eastern Garter Snake | |
| Milk Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park offer vastly different landscapes for visitors to enjoy. Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, is known for its rugged coastlines, rocky cliffs, and beautiful beaches. The park’s most famous landscape is probably Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast of the United States, offering incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding area. Visitors can also enjoy hiking on the many trails that wind through the park’s forests and along the coast.
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, is known for its hot springs, which have been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries. The park is also home to beautiful hiking trails that wind through the Ouachita Mountains and offer stunning views of the surrounding area. The park’s most famous landscape is probably the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city of Hot Springs and the surrounding area. Visitors can also enjoy bathing in the hot springs, which are said to have healing properties.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes for visitors to enjoy, but the nature of the landscape is quite different, Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastlines, rocky cliffs, and beautiful beaches and Hot Springs National Park is known for its hot springs, and beautiful hiking trails that wind through the Ouachita Mountains.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Acadia, some of the most popular activities include hiking, camping, and rock climbing on the park’s rugged coastlines and mountains. Visitors can also take in the stunning views from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast of the United States. Other popular activities include biking, wildlife watching, and ranger-led tours.
Hot Springs National Park is known for its hot springs, from which the park gets its name. Visitors can take a dip in the hot springs, which are said to have healing properties, or take a tour of the historic bathhouses that were built around them. The park also offers hiking and camping, with trails that lead to scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and natural hot springs. Other popular activities include ranger-led tours, fishing, and picnicking.
Both parks offer a variety of activities, but Acadia is more known for outdoor activities while Hot Springs is more known for its hot spring and historical bathhouses. Both are family friendly, but if you’re traveling with children, hot spring national park may be more enjoyable with its hot spring, bathhouses and easy hike.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park are two vastly different parks that offer unique experiences for visitors. Acadia National Park is located in the northeastern part of the United States, in the state of Maine. The park is known for its rugged coastline, granite peaks, and dense forests. The park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and outdoor activities. The best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the summer and fall when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its best.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is located in the southwestern part of the United States, in the state of Arkansas. The park is known for its hot springs, which have been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries. The park is also home to several hiking trails, as well as a historic bathhouse district. The best time to visit Hot Springs National Park is during the spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler and the crowds are smaller.
The hiking trails at Acadia National Park range from easy, scenic walks to challenging, steep climbs. Some of the most popular hikes include the Precipice Trail, Jordan Pond Path, and the Great Head Trail. The park also offers several carriage roads that are perfect for families.
Hot Springs National Park also has several hiking trails, but they are generally shorter and less strenuous than those at Acadia National Park. Some popular hikes include the Hot Springs Mountain Tower trail, the Sunset Trail, and the Gulpha Gorge Trail. The park also offers a variety of wheelchair-accessible trails.
Overall, the best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the summer and fall for the mild weather and the best scenery, whereas the best time to visit Hot Springs National Park is during the spring and fall for cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. If you are looking for a rugged and challenging outdoor experience, Acadia National Park is the way to go. If you are looking for a more relaxed and therapeutic experience, Hot Springs National Park would be a better choice.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Acadia National Park and Hot Springs National Park are both great options for families to visit, but they offer very different experiences.
Acadia National Park is located in Maine and is known for its rugged coastline and beautiful hiking trails. The park offers a variety of family-friendly activities such as ranger-led programs, carriage rides, and the opportunity to explore the park’s many natural wonders. The park also has a number of easy hikes that are perfect for families, such as the Jordan Pond Nature Trail and the Precipice Trail.
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, is known for its hot springs and bathhouses. The park offers visitors the opportunity to soak in the hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. It also offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, including the Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail and the Sunset Trail.
Both parks offer plenty of opportunities to explore nature and have fun as a family, but if you’re looking for a more traditional outdoor experience, Acadia National Park would be the better choice. If you’re looking for a unique experience that focuses on the therapeutic benefits of hot springs, Hot Springs National Park would be the better option.