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April 18, 2022

Acadia’s trail system added to National Register of Historic Places

granite steps and cliff File photo / Laurie Schreiber Many of Acadia’s trails feature granite steps laid throughout the 20th century.
By Staff

After several years of work on the nomination, Acadia National Park’s island-wide trail system has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The park’s trail system was recognized for its national historic significance and ties to the history of Mount Desert Island and the establishment of Acadia National Park.

The listing recognizes the 109 historic, maintained trails, which cover 117 miles and include 18 memorial plaques and 12 scenic viewpoints. 

The listing also includes trails that extend outside the park boundary on Mount Desert Island.

“Acadia National Park now has the largest system of trails to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places,” Acadia’s superintendent, Kevin Schneider, said in a news release. “This recognition is a testament to not only the historic significance of these trails, but also the incredible dedication of the National Park Service staff, partners and volunteers who continue to preserve them.”

The National Park Service has been working on the National Register nomination for several years and it was approved last week. Friends of Acadia, a nonprofit that last week named a new president and CEO, helped fund the research and writing for the nomination.

wood cradle
File photo / Laurie Schreiber
Today’s crews continue to maintain trails.

Acadia's trail system evolved over centuries of human use, settlement and recreation on Mount Desert Island. The Wabanaki blazed early trails and the Village Improvement Associations and the Civilian Conservation Corps built or maintained many of the trails.

The National Register listing focuses on the period of significance for the trail system starting in 1844, when artist Thomas Cole first documented views of the island landscape that influenced the trail system’s development, and ends in 1942, when the CCC work at Acadia National Park concluded.  

The NPS, partners and volunteers preserve Acadia’s historic trail system today. 

Acadia already has several historic places listed on the National Register, including the Schoodic Peninsula Historic District, Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds, and the historic carriage roads and gatehouses.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture. The NPS administers the register.

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