A new accessible viewing terrace is nearly complete at Bass Harbor Head Light Station. Through funds from Friends of Acadia, visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the lighthouse and ocean from the platform, which is just off the parking lot. The platform will be officially completed in early spring, and the mariner’s bell from the overlook by the tower will be relocated to the viewing terrace as well.

This winter, crews selectively removed trees to open views to the light tower and removed obsolete oil tank foundations and overhead utilities (which were
moved underground). They installed a new potable water well to serve the
light keeper’s house and solar-powered exhaust fans to the public restroom.

The park also plans to re-vegetate areas disturbed by the construction and install interpretive signs.

Wintertime view of Bass Harbor Head Light
Station from the new accessible viewing terrace. Photo by JK Putnam Photography

With support from Friends of Acadia’s Carriage Road Endowment and hands-on effort from volunteers, park staff restored 43 historic vistas this past year, reclaiming beautiful views of Acadia’s natural and historic landscapes.

Led by Acadia National Park’s Emily Owens, Friends of Acadia stewardship volunteers took on 12 of the vistas, trimming branches and clearing brush to renew the views, which were designed in the 1920s and ’30s in tandem with the carriage roads.

Over eight volunteer days, beautiful views were reclaimed at Bubble Pond, Chasm Brook Bridge, Around the Mountain Loop, Gilmore Meadow, and Breakneck Pond, among others.

In keeping with each vista’s original design, some unfold as sweeping views of the coastline and lakes, while others are intentionally subtle, offering quiet glimpses of features beyond the trees. There are 182 carriage road vistas, and more are planned for restoration this year!

Read more:
Before-and-After Photos From This Season’s Carriage Road Vista Clearing from last year

Point of View: Managing Acadia’s Vistas from the summer 2025 Acadia magazine

Before photo of Vista 132: Around the Mountain Loop with views of Eagle Lake obscured by tall vegetation.

After photo shows clear views of Eagle Lake and mountains beyond!