Plan Your Visit
Located on 1400 acres between Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor and Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine, the Preserve has numerous trails to hike, Little Long Pond to explore, and three beautiful gardens to enjoy.
Reservations for Preserve activities, including Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden visits, open for members on May 6 and for non-members on May 20.
Asticou Azalea Garden and Thuya Garden
Both the Asticou Azalea and Thuya Gardens are located in Northeast Harbor off Route 3. Visitors can drive directly to both gardens and park near the entrances.(Please see notes below about large vehicles and tour buses.) The two gardens are a 15-minute walk from each other along Route 3.
While the two gardens are free of charge and open to the public, a $5 per person entrance donation is suggested at each garden.
Asticou Azalea Garden
May 1 through October 31
Dawn to dusk
No reservations are needed.
3 Sound Drive
Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
On the corner of Rte. 3 and Rte. 198
in Northeast Harbor
Thuya Garden
June 15 through September 15
Dawn to dusk
Thuya Lodge open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No reservations needed.
The Asticou Terraces path and hiking trails are open daily from dawn to dusk all year round
Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
Tips for Visiting
-
Please observe any public health guidelines posted at the gardens.
-
Parking is limited. If the lot is full, please return later. The gardens tend to be busiest at mid-day.
-
A public restroom is available.
-
Respect signs indicating private areas.
-
Keep your children with you at all times.
-
Pets are not allowed except service animals (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) and must be leashed.
-
Limit cell phone conversations and picnicking to outside the garden area.
-
For bus tours to the Asticou Azalea Garden or Thuya Garden, please park buses at the Northeast Harbor marina and transport people in a van no longer than 20' to the garden.
-
RV's, buses, and trucks longer than 20 feet are not permitted in Asticou Azalea Garden parking lot or on Thuya Drive.
-
Thuya Drive is a one-lane road with no ability to turn around. Use pull-offs to let oncoming cars pass.
Accessibility at the Preserve
Accessible parking is available at each of our three gardens. There are sections of each garden that are accessible by wheelchair. For questions or for more information about the Preserve's accessibility, please email info@gardenpreserve.org.
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden
July 9 through September 8, 2024
Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
note that Friday and Sunday are member days
Reservations for 2024 will open May 6 for Preserve members and May 20 for non-members.
Tips for Visiting
-
Please observe any public health guidelines posted at the garden.
-
While in the garden, please stay on the paths and respect signs indicating private areas.
-
Photography on the property is for personal use only. Camera tripods, monopods, or easels are not permitted.
-
Children must always be supervised by an adult. Backpack carriers are recommended for very young children.
-
Public restrooms are available onsite.
-
Limit cell phone conversations to outside the garden area.
-
Picnicking is not permitted on the property.
-
Pets are not permitted in the garden except service animals (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) and must be leashed.
-
The Abby Garden is open on the specified days and times, rain or shine. If severe or dangerous weather conditions exist near the Abby Garden, we may choose to close the garden for a period. That notice will be posted on the Land & Garden Preserve’s website at www.gardenpreserve.org, on the Preserve's Facebook page, and will be the outgoing message on the Preserve phone, 207-276-3727.
Little Long Pond
The natural lands, carriage roads, and hiking trails around Little Long Pond can be accessed year-round, every day from dawn to dusk. They are free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated at the boxes located near the kiosks at the main gate and upper parking lot.
There are three parking areas with easy access to trails. All have informational kiosks and maps. Dog bag/waste stations are available at the bottom of the Friends Trail and in each parking lot.
View the Little Long Pond Trail Map.
Main Gate (10 parking spots)
On Peabody Drive at Bracy Cove. Parallel parking spots along the road, with a couple of head-in spots by the gate. Please do not block the gate. Preserve crews need access. Please use extreme caution when parking here, especially during high traffic volume times. Watch for speeding cars.
Upper Lot (12 parking spots)
Off Peabody Drive less than ½ mile west of the Main Gate entrance.
Harbor Brook Lot (10 parking spots)
Off Peabody Drive approximately ½ mile west of the Upper Lot.
Tips for Visiting
-
The lands and trails of the Preserve can be enjoyed all year round during daylight hours and are perfect for the whole family to walk, hike, and explore.
-
Biking and motor vehicles are not permitted.
-
Camping, hunting, trapping, and fires are not permitted.
-
Swimming at Little Long Pond for people and dogs is allowed only at four designated areas, which are marked with signs.
-
Please remember to take out what you bring in, including pet waste.
-
There are no public restrooms available.
Group Visits and Tours of the Gardens
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden ~ Asticou Azalea Garden ~ Thuya Garden
We welcome tour groups of individuals who are garden enthusiasts and avid gardeners. With a rising demand for group tours, the gardens of the Preserve prioritize tours specifically designed for visitors with a focus on horticulture and cultural landscapes.
Due to the fragile nature of the gardens and limited parking, the Preserve does not have the ability to accommodate a large number of tours. Tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask tour organizers to comply with the following policies:
1. Make all tour reservations in advance through the Preserve office indicating the purpose and audience for the tour.
2. Due to the narrowness of the paths and the size of gathering areas, we request that each guided group be no larger than 10 individuals. For tours larger than 10, our staff will help devise a plan for dividing into smaller groups.
3. Be prepared for the group leader to pay a fee of $5 per person at the Asticou and Thuya Gardens and $15 per person at the Abby Garden. A reduced fee of $10 is available for seniors (over 65 years), student groups, and other educational organizations.
4. Tour organizers should be aware that pets and food are not allowed in the gardens. If special access such as a wheelchair is required, let us know in advance so that we can advise the leader on accommodations.
5. The drives that lead to Thuya Garden and the Abby Garden are narrow, one-lane roads. They cannot accommodate buses. Tour groups must arrange for smaller vans to transport people to these two gardens.