Thuya Garden

Madison M

2023-11

Super sweet, very quiet garden. I loved the flowers and the detail of it with many places to sit and meander. Clean and well maintained. This was a nice half an hour stop or so. Perfect day ender to a busy day in the park. There was plenty of parking about an hour before close. No entrance fee although a $5 donation is encouraged. They do have a gift shop which is sometimes open. I would definitely recommend and would even return to see which flowers were in bloom.

Lara Schrimpshire

2023-09

A very cute, quiet, well done garden. Even though I saw somewhere that it didn't open until 9 their website says sunrise to sunset so we were there early. We practically had the place to ourselves. There was a large assortment of different plants and flowers with multiple places to just sit and enjoy the area. It was nice to just relax and enjoy it.

Lori Craig

2023-10

Pretty flowers and very serine area. I'm sure it changes as the flowers stop blooming and such. I was there at the end of Sep. The parking lot isn't huge, and it's a one lane road in and out, so that's a bit of a challenge. But, glad I went.

Stephanie Stahr

2023-08

Beautiful garden. The flowers were so fragrant for our visit in August. Lovely place to take a stroll and enjoy the tranquility. We also enjoyed the walk behind the lodge down towards the harbor. There was a great overlook point.

Sharon Holzmeyer

2023-10

Lovely Florals, met a couple married in the garden. We took pictures for them. Watched hummingbirds play around. Climbed the three terraces to see this and the foggy, rainy view.

Al Leo.

2023-09

Not very large but for just $5 suggested donation you see fantastic rows of flowers, dahlias, zinnias, plectranthus, lillys, many others that I don't recall the names for. Good way to spend an hour enjoying all that.I have never seen dahlias as big as theese

Jean-Philippe Cyr

2023-07

There are to ways to get to this garden. The easy way, by the parking lot or by parking on the road 3 (look for the garden sign on the Harbor side) and then by the stairs and path up to the garden. The later is more rewarding with a view of the Harbor.If you go by the stairs path you’ll end up at terrasse when they unveiled on 1933 the memorial of Joseph Henry Curtis who contributed to make all this possible as a gift to the visitors and habitants of Acadia.If you visit his house in the park, you’ll see a photo of the memorial unveiling. It gives some perspective.The garden is well maintained and your voluntary contribution of $5 helps in this regard.Don’t miss its sister site the Japanese inspired garden, the Asticou Azalea Garden at 10 mins from there.

Yoyo MA

2023-09

Amazing! Hidden gem close to Acadia. Go there on a sunny day and enjoy the hubdreds of well maintained flowering shrubs and trees. Sit on the bench and soak in the beauty of Mother nature while you hear the gentle sounds of birds and a small brook! Perfect place to let go of any stresses in life and just admire the creation. Then head on to the gardens next doors at the Ascitou Azalea garden and Wild Gardens of Acadia!

Emma Dixon

2023-05

My partner and I always visit the Thuya Garden and go up the cliff side hike. We love to stop and take in the views in the pavilions on the way up. It’s spectacular, and refreshing to see so many blooms even in fall.

Michele Barber

2023-05

Peaceful and serene. Even just watching the gardeners silently tend to their earthly wards with such delicate care and joy puts you in a contemplative mood. The rustic but comfortable open pavilion seems akin to a traditional Japanese Tea Room and allows you to sit quietly in the shade as you survey the beauty of your natural surroundings.

Steven Long

2022-05

We parked at the base and walked up a magical pathway. You'll need a good pair of shoes, but the trek up to the gardens is doable and worth it. The gardens themselves were breathtaking. The layout was simple, but the mixture of perennials was astounding. The beds were packed with an explosion of plants and colors. And the scent of blooming plants was delightful. We easily passed the afternoon breathing in the view. Truly a worthwhile place to visit.

Katie

2023-11

So beautiful- amazing garden and nice overlook. Perfect escape, friendly staffRestrooms: Very clean

RobRich

2023-05

Beautiful garden with trails. The hike up from the parking lot has great views. You can also drive up if you want. Must see.

Seth M

2023-05

Thuya Garden is the sister garden of Asticou Azalea Garden, both administrated by the Land and Garden Preserve.Thuya is home to migrating monarch butterflies, wonderful flowers, some nice paths, a frog pool, and the wall up from Rt.3 features some of the most scenic views on Mount Desert Isle.Playground: None.Dog-friendliness: Absolutely do not ruin this place with your dog.Picnic area: None.

Casey

2023-05

Honestly really cool. They have tons of different flowers and mosses and the majority of them are labeled. You can tell they put a lot of work into this place for a long time. I'm glad that I stopped by.Restrooms: They exist.

Tammy Wines

2019-05

This garden was beautiful when we visited. (3rd week of Sept) There was an official Monarch butterfly "way station". It was all the things the Monarchs need to feed on for their migration to Mexico. We didnt get to see any butterflies but there were still plenty of caterpillars eating. The flowers were all spectacular! They ask for a voluntary donation of $5 per person. Well worth it.

Dill Buggan

2023-07

----How To Gain Thuya Enlightenment------- --------- Do not drive to this garden! --------- Boat in across the harbor to the Asticou dock, stop in the shelter there and meditate on the waters below. Should the tide be high and waters deep step up onto the rail and dive into the salty coolness. You have completed the first level. Walk up the path and cross the cursed highway, as you cross promise to own only a sailboat, a bicycle, and a Tesla. You have completed the second level. Follow the gravel trail leading upwards. Take the first left, "memorial trail", and walk up to the Joseph H. Curtis memorial. Give thanks for Brother Joseph's foresight in preserving this place. You have completed the third level. Climb upwards to the Stone House. You know what to do here... you have completed the fourth level. Climb ever Higher to the wood house, stop and enjoy the view. You have completed the fifth level. Use pranayama breath to calm your heart and mind as you climb to the "Lookout", here you must avoid the wood gazebo, instead walk the cliff to reveal the glory below peeking through the pine tops. You have completed the sixth level. Now climb into Thuya garden, bow deeply to the Goddess as you pass through the carved cedar gates and donate, (no, not just a Lincoln, at least a Hamilton is required but not requested of you). You have completed the seventh level. Welcome to Heaven On Earth (if you are a bee), otherwise please enjoy the plants, and promise yourself, if you ever get enough money to buy a 140 ft power yacht with a 22 ft tender powered by 3 computer controlled Yamaha outboards you will immediately donate said funds to your local land trust after purchasing a Cape Dory Typhoon for you and your's enjoyment. Did you skip a level? Perhaps you failed to pay tribute to Brother Curtis, or did you not perform the rite at the Stone House? If that is the case you must leave Thuya by the back gate, leave the lands & gardens, the power & privilege, and follow the Eliot Mt. trail into the post-Covid chaos of America's National Parks.

Lily B

2022-05

Truly, the gem of Acadia-adjacent gardens and Rockefeller legacy. Dahlia season is late August was the most overwhelmingly gorgeous experience in summer 2021.

Ashley Long

2023-05

The most beautiful flower garden I’ve ever seen! Please go, you will not regret it!

Francisco Companioni

2019-05

Beautifully kept gardens with great views of the harbor on the hike up. Trails are well kept and easy to hike. Elevation change of 200 ft was fun but not too challenging

Mercedes Hunt

2020-05

Spectacular, spectacular. It felt lake a fairy garden. So many beautiful flowers both perennials and annuals. I loved it, I can't wait to return.

Scott Anthony Smith

2023-09

Such a wonderful place to find quiet, calm, and enjoy such a beautiful garden.

Bing Bing Gumapac

2023-09

Beautiful collection of perennial plants. Love it. Well maintained. Labelled correctly the name of the plants. Highly recommend when you’re nearby the location.

Tom Parsoneault

2020-05

Very well done. Most of the garden plants are labelled. Quite a variety of beautiful flowers. There were several caretakers working while we were there. Also has a small museum cottage with posessions of the founders on display. Enter on Thuya Drive to a small parking lot for very little hiking. Use the crosswalk entrance to hike in. The trail has some very nice scenic views. Easy to moderate difficulty, some steep areas. Strollers probably won't make it. Requires maybe 2 hrs. to see.

Wendy Young

2023-10

It was beautiful! There was so much color :)The lead gardener told us most of the plants had flattened and some has died after the winds of Tropical Storm Lee 5 days earlier. You would never had known it.

Katya Maiser

2022-05

This garden is incredible. Definitely worth a stop and walk around.

Matt Cesario

2023-10

One of the best gardens I have been to. Really enjoyed spending some time among the flowers and trees. Definitely worth a stop in between hiking.

Helen Frye

2023-11

Beautiful walk on trails to get there. The gardens were full of late blooming flowers. Overall a very nice relaxing area.

Timothy McGuire

2023-10

Very well laid out and beautiful combinations of flowers and plants.Restrooms: Clean and comfortable restroom.

Brooke August

2023-11

A very beautiful garden, and unlike Arcadia it is not swarming with people. Lots of hike trails and all are not only rewarding but peaceful. Beautiful!