Friends of Acadia drop-in volunteers and service groups helped park staff restore 12 scenic vistas this season, reclaiming beautiful views of Acadia’s natural and historic landscapes.
December 19th, 2025
Some of Acadia’s historic carriage road vistas got a refresh this past season.
Led by Acadia National Park’s Emily Owens, with support from park staff and Friends of Acadia’s stewardship volunteers, a dozen of the park’s 182 carriage road vistas were reawakened. Crews trimmed branches and cleared brush to renew the views, which were designed in the 1920s and ’30s in tandem with the carriage roads.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his team of local engineers, architects, and noted landscape architect Beatrix Farrand developed these views to highlight the island’s natural features. The vistas are as historic as the carriage roads themselves, and one of the many reasons visitors cherish their experiences here (even if they had no idea those views were enhanced by human hands).
As the park’s trees and shrubs stretch and grow, those scenic vistas need regular upkeep. Over eight volunteer days this summer and fall, Friends of Acadia drop-in volunteers and service groups helped restore 12 scenic vistas, reclaiming beautiful views at Bubble Pond, Chasm Brook Bridge, Around the Mountain Loop, Gilmore Meadow, and Breakneck Pond. 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.
Check out the before-and-after images and time-lapse videos below to see some of this season’s work, and read more about the history of Acadia’s carriage road vistas and current work to maintain them in “Point of View: Managing Acadia’s Vistas,” an article from the summer issue of our membership magazine.
Before photo of Vista 108: Gilmore Meadow, where brush and tree saplings crowd the view to the meadow
After photo shows how the trimming of brush and removal of saplings opens the view – and keeps plenty of natural vegetation in the foreground.
Before shot of overgrowth at Vista 21: Breakneck Pond
After photo of Breakneck Pond with views to the pond through the trees.
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!
Before and After of the view from Chasm Brook Bridge, where the cutting back of vegetation gives improved views of the rocky gorge and brook below.
Before photo of Vista 186: Bubble Pond. Views to the pond are hindered by sampling and shrub growth.
After photo following a thinning of vegetation that allows visitors to glimpse the pond beyond the trees, and retrains the aesthetic of the tree-lined carriage road. Unlike the vistas with more obvious sweeping views, these vistas – that hint on features beyond – is also an important part of the vista management plan for Acadia.
Before photo of Vista No. 4 with saplings and shrubs crowding the view of the pond.
After photo shows open views, while keeping a visual frame of low-growing shrubs and tall trees.
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