Thuya Garden — Attraction in Mount Desert

----How To Gain Thuya Enlightenment------- --------- Do not drive to this garden! --------- Boat in across the harbor to the Asticou dock, if you have not yet found your own boat take the green launch "Harbor Welcome" from the Northeast Harbor dock, President Jackson can help you aboard. At 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 Prius. 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 by selling inferior CCP products to buy an infinitely ridiculous 383 ft power yacht with a 32 ft tender powered by 4 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...

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...

garden #10 07AUG2025. summer lodge and formal garden on top of steep slope above northeast harbor. the "border gardens" are fabulous. granite steps up the hill have an ancient middle-earth vibe. clear view of harbor from pavilion part way up hill.

A-Scale: 4. there's really just one garden, but it's quite large. with a pavilion on the uphill end and frog pond 400' (120m) away at the other end. B- Art: 5. the border gardens are spectacular, a shock of color and texture, some plants towering over my head, all buzzing with bees. broad grassy path along the beds. C- Unique Specimens/Collections: 4. the border gardens are expertly composed and maintained. D- labels/information: 5. all well...