Maine’s Largest Island Is One of America’s Best Hidden Gems

Maine is one of the smallest states in the country, and yet it’s home to over 4,000 islands. Some of the most popular islands include Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, and Great Cranberry Island. As incredible as these islands are though, they aren’t the largest island in Maine. Follow along to discover Maine’s largest island and all of its beauty!

What is Maine’s Largest Island?

Maine’s largest island is Mount Desert Island with a surface area of 108 square miles. The highest point is Cadillac Mountain sitting at an elevation of 1,528 feet. Not only is Mount Desert Island the largest island off the coast of Maine, but also the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States.

The History of Mount Desert Island

There is still a lot we don’t know about the history of Mount Desert Island. However, it’s likely Native Americans lived on the island since about 6,000 years ago. The Wabanaki people lived along the coast in the summer and the forests during winter. They created beautiful and strong birch bark canoes.

The first Europeans to come in contact with Mount Desert Island, previously known as Pemetic, were the French. On an expedition in 1604, Samuel de Champlain found the island and described it as void of trees, naming the island Isle of the Desert Mountains.

Nearly a decade later in 1613, French Jesuits set up the first French mission in America. They built a fort and began trying to convert the Native Americans, however, Captain Samuel Argall of the English colony of Virginia arrived on the island and burned down the village, replacing the cross, with another Protestant one. The French and English continued to fight for centuries.

After the American Revolution, this island was given to John Bernard and Marie Therese de Gregoire. The island continued to grow and develop and by 1850, fishermen and sailors permanently lived on the island.

The Best Time to Visit Maine’s Largest Island

The best time to visit Mount Desert Island depends on your interests. During summer, there are plenty of activities to do, however, the summer crowds are thick. Over 3 million residents visit the island every year, many of which visit in the summer. If you want to beat the crowds, while also enjoying warm and comfortable weather, it’s best to go from September through November. You can also visit during late spring after the last frost.

Things to Do in Mount Desert Island

Mount Desert Island is paradise, especially for nature lovers. If you want to spend a lot of time outdoors, this is an excellent island to visit. One of the most popular things to do on Maine’s largest island is visit the Acadia National Park. This large national park stretches over about half of Mount Desert Island. It’s also located on part of the Isle au Haut.

Acadia National Park was established on July 8, 1916, as Sieur de Monts National Monument. However, it became Acadia National Park on January 19, 1929. Three million people visit this lovely national park. Its surface area is 49,075 acres. Apart from wildlife viewing and walking multiple nature trails, visitors can also camp at two NPS campgrounds. Every September, the Acadia Night Sky Festival, takes place in the park.

As amazing as the Acadia National Park is, there are more things to do on Maine’s largest island. You can also visit the Bass Harbor Head Light Station. It opened in 1858, making it over 150 years old! If you’re a fan of gardens, you can also take a day trip to Asticou Azalea Garden. It’s been open since 1956. On this island are also a few museums including the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History and the Abbe Museum.

Animals on Mount Desert Island

When visiting Mount Desert Island, there is a chance you may run into an animal or two. Here are some animals you may find on the island, or in the water. You may need to take a whale-watching trip to see some of the marine animals.

Bobcats

The first animal you can find on Maine’s largest island is the bobcat. These medium-sized wildcats are native to North America. They have thick and fluffy fur, especially around their faces. Bobcats are only slightly larger than domestic cats.

Although there is a chance you may spot one while hiking on Mount Desert Island, it’s not a given. Bobcats are shy animals and stay away from humans whenever possible. Bobcats are 18.7 to 49.2 inches long and can weigh as much as 49 pounds, however, most only reach 21 pounds.

Snowshoe Hares

The second animal on our list is the snowshoe hare, but they also go by varying hares. These hares are native to North America and have a long range. You can find them from Newfoundland, Canada, and West Virginia in the United States. Sadly, they are locally extinct in multiple states including Ohio, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

Snowshoe hares aren’t always white. Instead, in spring and summer, they are rusty or golden brown. Their coats change to white during winter, which helps them hide from predators in the snow.

As their name suggests, snowshoe hares have large hind legs, which makes them look like they are wearing snow shoes! They also have long upright ears with black tips.

North American Beavers

While visiting Mount Desert Island, you may also see a North American beaver. These large rodents are native to North America. You can find them throughout the United States. They’ve also been introduced to other parts of the world like South America and parts of Europe.

North American beavers are about 44 pounds but can weigh as much as 110 pounds, but this is uncommon. Interestingly, their weight and length vary depending on their location. They are very intelligent animals that build dams to keep them safe from predators and to provide water during winter. Their dams usually have an underwater entrance.

Harbor Porpoises

You might not see harbor porpoises right away, but they live off the coast of Mount Desert Island. Many visitors take marine animal viewing tours from this island in hopes of glancing at a whale or dolphin, like the harbor porpoise. These porpoises reach about 5 feet long.

They live in groups of 2 and 3 and live in temperate and subarctic waters. While there are thousands of harbor porpoises, some populations are struggling. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Baltic Sea and Western African populations are critically endangered.

Harbor Seals

Imagine seeing a harbor seal while visiting islands off the coast of Maine! One of the best places to see seals on this island is the Bass Harbor lighthouse. You may also see them sunbathing on rocks. Harbor seals can measure up to 6.1 feet and weigh as much as 370 pounds. Although debated, there are about five subspecies. Harbor seals mainly consume fish. They are known to swim into rivers after migratory fish.

Humpback Whales

The last animal on our list is the humpback whale. You can mainly see them on whale-watching tours that depart from Mount Desert Island, however, some people occasionally spot them breaching from the island. Humpback whales are one of the largest animals in the world. They easily surpass 40 feet long and can weigh up to 44 short tons. In one year, humpback whales travel 9,900 miles. Although they are massive, humpback whales aren’t aggressive animals and mainly consume krill and small fish.

Where is Mount Desert Island Located on a Map?

Mount Desert Island claims the title of Maine’s largest island, spanning a vast surface area of 108 square miles. The island’s pinnacle is Cadillac Mountain, reaching an impressive elevation of 1,528 feet.

This not only makes Mount Desert Island the biggest among Maine’s islands but also earns it the distinction of being the sixth-largest island in the entire contiguous United States.

Here it is on a map:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock.com