Mt Desert Land & Garden Preserve

The Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, is a unique combination of natural beauty, conservation effort, and curated gardens. Spanning thousands of acres, the preserve is dedicated to protecting the island’s landscapes while offering visitors a chance to explore its breathtaking scenery. One of its most notable attractions is the Asticou Azalea Garden, which blends Japanese garden design with local flora. In spring and summer, blooming azaleas, rhododendrons, and irises paint the area in vivid colors, making it a paradise for photographers and flower enthusiasts. Nearby, the Thuya Garden showcases meticulously arranged flower beds, herb gardens, and scenic viewpoints overlooking Northeast Harbor. The preserve is not just about manicured gardens—it also offers miles of hiking trails that wind through forests, meadows, and along the coast. Trails range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes, ensuring something for every fitness level. The Little Long Pond area is especially popular for peaceful walks, birdwatching, and picnicking.

My wife and two dogs feel so fortunate to be able to enjoy the lovely trails, carriage roads, woods, pond, and streams. Unlike most parts of ANP that are overrun with visitors we often have this magical place seemingly all to ourselves. Thank you for all the hard work maintaining and improving the Preserve and most importantly allowing public access for all to enjoy.

Highlight of any MDI visit, only place to hike with dogs off leash. Wide trails, varied woodlands, extensive moss covered landscape. Extremely well maintained Kudos to the Land and Garden Preserve.

Neat little nook that gets little traffic. Sandwiched between huge ocean-side mansions this little lot takes visitors to a poison-ivy-covered clifftop. That doesn't sound great, but it is a beautiful morning location in September and October.

Beautiful! Especially in the winter!

This is not the gardens you are searching for. There are nothing but private residences here. Search for THUYA GARDENS. That is where the beautiful gardens are at. It is only about 3 miles from this address.

Even in a hurricane... wild and beautiful

So beautiful and peaceful!