Bar Island facts for kids
Bar Island (44°23′54″N 68°12′24″W / 44.39833°N 68.20667°W) is a special place in Maine, United States. It's a small, quiet island located right across from the town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island. The island is covered with pine and birch trees and is part of the beautiful Acadia National Park. You can even find walking trails there!
What makes Bar Island so unique is that it's a tidal island. This means it's connected to the mainland by a strip of land that appears and disappears with the ocean tides.
Contents
Discover Bar Island: A Tidal Wonder
What is a Tidal Island?
A tidal island is a piece of land that is sometimes an island and sometimes connected to the mainland. This happens because of the ocean's tides. When the tide is low, a path of sand or gravel appears, linking the island to the shore. But when the tide comes in, this path gets covered by water, turning the land back into an island.
Bar Island is a perfect example of this! A natural path of sand and gravel connects it to Bridge Street in Bar Harbor. This path is only visible for a few hours when the tide is low.
Exploring the Island Safely
Many visitors enjoy walking across the exposed sand and gravel bar to Bar Island during low tide. Some people even try to park their cars on this temporary path. However, it's very important to be careful! The tide comes in quickly. If you don't pay attention, your car could get stuck in the rising water. You might even find yourself stranded on the island until the tide goes out again. It's always best to check the tide times before you visit!
The Island's Ownership Mystery
For many years, the town of Bar Harbor wanted to officially own Bar Island. It makes sense, since the island is right next to them and connected by the famous sand bar. However, a court decision in 1903 said that the island actually belongs to a different town, Gouldsboro, which is much farther away. This decision was based on old documents from 1798. So, even though it's right there, Bar Island is not officially part of Bar Harbor!
