Emergencies and Medical Service: In the park, call (207) 288-3369 for emergency medical or police assistance, or to report accidents or injuries. There are no doctors stationed in the park, but first aid is available. In Bar Harbor, dial 911. Bar Harbor is home to the Mount Desert Island Hospital, a modern, 49-bed facility located on Wayman Lane. It provides 24-hour emergency and cardiac care as well as cardiac intensive care, pediatric and laboratory services, and respiratory therapy. Medical facilities are also available in Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor and Ellsworth. The region's largest hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, is located 45 miles away in Bangor.

Land Area: Acadia encompasses more than 40,000 acres, the vast majority of it on Mount Desert Island (pronounced like "dessert").

Staying Safe At Acadia: Exercise caution along Acadia's rocky shoreline. As thrilling as the crashing waves can be, they are also potentially lethal. Wet rocks are slippery rocks and a sudden wave can sweep the unsuspecting sightseer into the sea.

Winter poses additional safety problems. Pay attention to weather forecasts and know and respect your own limits. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to tissue damage or frostbite. To protect against frostbite, dress warmly and bring along extra layers while cross-country skiing or winter camping. Take special care to protect your extremities: fingers, toes, ears and nose. Avoid tight clothing and boots that constrict blood flow. If you notice a small white patch forming on your skin, seek shelter immediately and rapidly re-warm the affected area by immersing it in warm water (104°F to 108°F).

• Be prepared. Carry a trail map, wristwatch, knife, matches, flashlight, water, food, insect repellent, rain gear and a first-aid kit.
• Hike with a partner and leave an itinerary with a responsible person, or on the dashboard of your vehicle.
• Stay on the trail so you won't get lost.
• If you become lost, exhausted or injured, stay calm and stay on the trail. Ask passing hikers for assistance. Do not bushwhack or travel in darkness. Should evening fall, you are better off staying where you are and waiting for help to arrive.
• While some trails can be comfortably hiked in sneakers, sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, especially for steep ascents such as Champlain Mountain's Precipice Trail.
• To prevent blisters, the most common ailment on the trail, wear comfortable shoes and quality outdoor socks to cushion and protect your feet.

Because of Maine's changeable weather, dress in layers and bring along some rain gear. This is not merely for comfort but also to prevent hypothermia. This potentially fatal condition occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it. Skiers and winter campers are not the only candidates for hypothermia. Being tired or wet on a chilly summer day can also bring on the condition. If you find yourself or a member of your party shivering uncontrollably and acting disoriented, seek shelter immediately, remove all wet clothing, wrap them in a blanket and drink warm, nonalcoholic liquids. Serious cases of hypothermia require prompt medical treatment.