Just a short walk from campus, the park offers endless opportunities to hike, bike, climb, run, paddle, pick berries, swim, ski, make art, gain inspiration, and study everything from ornithology to poetry, botany, winter ecology, conservation policy, and interpretive exhibit design. COA gives every incoming student a trail map, and one way or another we trust you’ll put it to good use.
Many COA students engage deeply with research projects and other academic pursuits in the park, participate in internships there through our competitive Acadia Scholars program, and even go on to work there as biologists, interpreters, administrators, and more. Check out our Acadia National Park academic projects page to learn more.