Kittredge Brook Forest
Bar Harbor
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Guidelines
What You Need to Know
- No camping permitted
- No fires permitted
- Carry out all trash (see details)
- Keep pets under control
- No dogs allowed at MDI High School trail head
- Respect privacy of preserve neighbors
Why we Care
A Coastal Sanctuary
Nearly three miles of trails await you in this expansive preserve, winding through dense forests, over low ridges, by numerous wetlands, and occasionally across private property and land owned by Acadia National Park. Be sure to keep your binoculars handy and watch for the more than 60 species of birds that call Kittredge Brook Forest home—a vital habitat we’re committed to protecting.
Features
How to Get There
Year-round preserve access is available behind MDI High School in Bar Harbor. Park near the tennis courts and follow signs around the west side of the running track and across the upper playing field to reach the trailhead. Another trailhead is available between spring and fall at the end of Bluff Road, off Norway Drive.
Please note: dogs are prohibited from MDI High School grounds, including the trailhead near the school.
Explore the Map
Click on trails and landmarks to learn more about what Kittredge Brook Forest has to offer.
Preserve Details
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Field Notes
Getting to Know Kittredge Brook Forest
The Path to Conservation
MCHT acquired the Kittredge Brook Forest in 2011, thanks to a bargain sale by the previous landowner and with support from generous donors and a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant.
On the Preserve
Kittredge Brook Forest, a 523-acre preserve, is one of the largest tracts of open space on Mount Desert Island outside of Acadia National Park. It lies within a nearly 2000-acre undeveloped block on the north-central portion of the island.
The preserve is named for Kittredge Brook, which runs west through the conserved property. Flowing from a beaver pond, the stream channel bisects open wetlands and forested areas before reaching Babson Creek. The preserve’s wetlands, including numerous functioning vernal pools, provide ideal habitat for a wide diversity of plants and animals, such as white-tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, otter, and snowshoe hare.
Stories from Mount Desert Island
How We’re Restoring Marshes
Many tidal marshes in Maine aren’t working the way they’re supposed to, but through restoration we can improve chances of successful marsh migration as sea levels rise in the decades to come.
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healthy, open lands & waters
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care for the coast
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for conservation
Spread the Word
More Information on Kittredge Brook Forest
Help Us Take Care of the Preserve
This preserve belongs to all of us; that’s why it’s important to leave as little trace as possible when you visit.
To do that, please:
- Carry out all trash
- Carry out all pet waste
- Carry out all human waste (including toilet paper)