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#5 on this list
Acadia National Park
Maine
Peak season — ocean swims, lobster, and granite summits.
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#6 on this list
Boundary Waters
Minnesota
Warm water for swimming between portages; berries ripen.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Acadia National Park | Boundary Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mount Desert Island, Maine | Northeastern Minnesota |
| Acreage | Approx. 47,000 acres | — |
| July Weather | Highs around 76°F, lows around 57°F | — |
| Ocean Temp | Typically 55°F to 60°F in July | — |
| Timed Entry | Vehicle reservations required for Cadillac Summit Road | — |
| Local Transit | Free Island Explorer shuttle runs island-wide | — |
| Managing Agency | — | U.S. Forest Service (Superior National Forest) |
| Total Acreage | — | Approximately 1,090,000 acres |
| Access Type | — | Canoe paddle, kayak, and foot travel only |
| Permit Requirement | — | Quota permit required from May 1 to September 30 |
| Campsite Type | — | Designated backcountry sites with fire grate and latrine |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Acadia National Park
- Dramatic juxtaposition of granite summits plunging directly into the Atlantic Ocean
- Forty-five miles of car-free, perfectly graded crushed stone carriage roads
- Fare-free Island Explorer shuttle system connects major trailheads reliably
- Exposed, non-technical iron-rung routes provide rare East Coast scrambling
- Intense July crowding causes gridlock and fills major trailheads by 8:00 AM
- Dense sea fog can abruptly obscure summit panoramas and coastal views
- Atlantic water temperatures rarely crack sixty degrees, limiting casual ocean swimming
Boundary Waters
- Warm lake temperatures allow comfortable swimming after grueling overland portages
- Abundant wild blueberries and raspberries ripen directly along sunny portage paths
- World-class freshwater fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike
- Expansive human-powered territory entirely free of motorized craft in most zones
- Intense mosquito and biting fly activity along portages and forested shorelines
- Popular entry routes and island campsites face heavy competition in midsummer
- Severe afternoon thunderstorms present sudden wind and lightning dangers on open lakes
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