Overview

Samuel de Champlain first saw Mount Desert Island from the vantage point looking towards what is now the Village of Otter Creek. Upon seeing the bare mountains Champlain declared that it was the Île des Monts Déserts, or island of the bare mountains. His ships, in need of repairs, were laid up in Otter Cove while they were carried out below the mountains for which he was so amazed. The name of the island carried over to the Town of Mount Desert when eventually the island became more populated, and required division into towns.

Location

The Town of Mount Desert is located on the Eastern side Mount Desert Island. Its villages are comprised of Otter Creek, Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Hall Quarry, Pretty Marsh, and Somesville. The Town of Mount Desert is primarily a cross section of Mount Desert Island. It includes everything to the West and Northwest of Bar Harbor, excluding the Town of Southwest Harbor, Town of Tremont, and the Village of Town Hill on Mount Desert Island. Its villages and bound by coast and Acadia National Park.

Amenities

In the Town of Mount Desert find many Bed and Breakfast's, inns, and motels. In Otter Creek, Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Somesville are restaurants, eateries, and dining establishments. The shops throughout the Town of Mount Desert consist of those catering to everyday necessities, and everything above and beyond including clothing, furnishings, and art. The United States Postal Service has facilities in Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Somesville.

Activities

Hiking & Biking
The location of the Town of Mount Desert centralizes it to access the hiking and bicycling of Acadia National Park's trails, carriage paths, and the Park Loop Road.

Boating
Throughout the Town of Mount Desert are boat ramps, and launching facilities, along with full service boat yards. The public access boat ramps are capable of varying degrees of watercraft, and the Harbor Master in Northeast Harbor should be contacted to help with your needs. In Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor moorings and slips may be available.  

Getting Here

If traveling from the south, follow I-95 to Bangor. Follow I-395 to 1A until Ellsworth, where state routes 1 and 3 will eventually lead to Bar Harbor.

Visitors who are taking scenic Coastal Maine's Route 1 will travel through many communities offering small novelty shops, factory outlets, and dining. Eventually arriving on Main Street in Ellsworth, which is lined with many more shops, and restaurants offering visitors the chance to find special gifts, and souvenirs. From there visitors can take High Street, which ME-3 and US- 1A merge together, to the head Mount Desert Island, and to ME-102, and ME-198 on into Somesville. You are now in the Town of Mount Desert. Advance forward and you can visit Somesville, Hall Quarry and Pretty Marsh. Turn left at the stoplight and you can explore Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, and Otter Creek.