East Of Eden
EAST OF EDEN
Near Eden, ME
Acadia National Park is called the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast and if you have been there, you understand why. This unique national park/island is filled with wonderful photographic locations, including an endless coastline, timeless lighthouses, and amazing fall colors.
Just after arriving on the island, on your way to Bar Harbor, you are greeted with this quaint spot (right off the side of the road). There’s a tributary off of the Eastern Bay and under the right conditions, this location turns from a pretty little scene into a magical moment.
If you are looking for a great place to visit for fall colors, Acadia NP - including Bar Harbor and the surrounding communities, are perfect places to relax, enjoy and photograph to your heart’s content.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - EASY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). There is a small pullout (viewing area) just past this location on the east side. The location of the shot is an easy 100 ft walk from the pullout - but you might have to push through some bushes to get this shot.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
Sea Level - Elevation
View In Google earth
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to pull-out for East of Eden.
The closest town to this location is Bar Harbor, ME. From Bar Harbor, drive 8 miles on Bar Harbor Rd /ME-3 W through the communities of Hulls Cove, Salsbury Cove, and Eden. The location of the shot is on the south side of the road just as you approach a small tributary off of the Eastern Bay (about 1/2 mile past Eden).
Photography Tips
There are many different views, perspectives and, angles from this little pullout near Eden, ME. If you move 10 yards to the east or west, the perspective changes and the “S” of this little tributary either widens or contracts. I visited this location the day before and shot from several different spots, but ended up choosing this view. If you catch the good fall colors and nice light, there are many opportunities to get a nice shot.
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 35 mm
Exposure – 10th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Oct 11th
Time – 7:35 am
Best Time of Day to Shoot
This is a sunrise - early morning shot. I found it best just as the sun crest the horizon - when the trees and brush on the right side of the river light up with a nice soft glow. This shot had the benefit of some early morning mist/fog which helped to give the location a dreamy look.
Best Time of Year
This is a picturesque location all year round but is at it’s best in the fall when the colors of the trees and underbrush help to paint a magical scene. This image was shot on October 11th.
Lens(es) Needed
This location is full of many interesting angles and views and can be photographed anywhere from a wide-angle to short telephoto. I chose this composition - which was shot at 35mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
There are no permits required at this location.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is south by southeast at approximately 140°.
Equipment Needed
Other than a tripod, there is no need for any special photography equipment unless you plan on doing a panoramic shot. This shot is a simple lay-up just off of the road (Bar Harbor Rd /ME-3 W) near Eden.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
This location will catch your eye while driving on Bar Harbor Rd /ME-3 W, so there may be a few folks pull over for a quick snapshot. But at sunrise, you will most likely have the place to yourself.
Weather
The weather is Acadia can be very pleasant in the Fall and Spring and mild in the summer.
Cell Service
Cell service around Acadia National Park can be spotty in places, but this location is good with Verizon.
Lodging & Camping
There is no shortage of lodging opportunities in the Bar Harbor and Acadia areas, but as far as I know, there is only one campground in Acadia National Park (Blackwoods). There are also many VRBO and Airbnb locations in this area.
Nearby camping and lodging
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Blackwoods Campgrounds (Acadia)
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Edgewater Motel & Cottages
137 Old Bar Harbor Rd., Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel
269 Main St, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME
Nearby Restaurants
Bar Harbor and the surrounding areas are GREAT places to visit and relax and there are tons and tons of very good food choices and brewpubs. I really enjoyed dinner at a nice traditional seafood place down by the water called West Street Cafe. If you are looking for a nice, no-frills lobster ice house that serves fresh lobsters and cold refreshments - try Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound. You pick out your lobster, and they cook it while you sit out on the patio.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
West Street Cafe
(207) 288-5242
76 W St, Bar Harbor, ME
Side Street Cafe
(207) 801-2591
49 Rodick St, Bar Harbor, ME
Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound
(207) 667-2977
1237 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME
Area Guides and Workshops
None