Nature Retreats at Eagle Hill

The Eagle Hill Institute welcomes guests who would like to escape to the coast of eastern Maine and are looking for a secluded academically-focused setting where they will be living in a nature reserve with a quarter mile on the ocean.

The Institute occupies the summit of the only peninsula immediately east of the Schoodic Point peninsula of Acadia National Park and west of the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge peninsula.

The Institute is a natural history science-focused organization which offers diverse programs throughout the year, some of which may be of interest to nature retreat guests. Programs vary depending upon the the time of year. They are open by separate application.

In-person programs offered at Eagle Hill:

Natural history science weeklong seminars and weekend workshops. Participants share meals and accommodations with nature retreat guests.
Chamber concerts. Musicians and concert guest share dinner afterwards with nature retreat guests.

Online programs offered by Eagle Hill:

Online natural history science seminars over Zoom. Nature retreat guests may join participants who log in remotely from their homes.
Discussion Forums in the late afternoon. Nature retreat guests are welcome to participate and are welcome to suggest and offer a Forum.

Campus Resources

High-speed (fiberoptic) internet service, using your own laptop or mobile device.
A browsing library with 10,000+ natural history and art history books.
Compound and dissecting microscopes for use in natural history studies.
The use of the classroom if not being used for teaching.
Two lounges with a fireplace and other study areas.
A ceramics studio with pottery wheels. This is only applicable to long-term guests.
Two canoes.

Hiking and Canoeing Opportunities

2.5 miles of hiking trails meander through the Institute's 150 acre heavily forested nature reserve from the summit of Eagle Hill, at 235 feet above sea level, down to the ocean. There are overlooks with panoramic vistas and a blueberry field.Click here for lists of species at Eagle Hill and vicinity.
The Birch Harbor Nature Reserve of the Institute has 1.25 miles of trails and 700 feet on the ocean. It can be visited in tandem with a trip to Schoodic Point.
Other hiking opportunities ... Acadia National Park, Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, and many other nature reserves with hiking trails, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are just a short distance away by car.
Winter hiking of trails with snowshoes as well as cross-country skiing.

Guest Reservations

Nature retreat guests are welcome on a weeklong basis throughout the year. Most often this means a Sunday mid-afternoon arrival and a Saturday morning departure. Long-term reservations may be considered. Accommodations are modest. Space is limited, so please apply at least 1 month in advance to ensure that there are rooms available for the week you are interested in coming. In the fall, winter, and spring, the only rooms available for Nature Retreats are the bedrooms in the classroom building.

Meals

During the fall, winter, or spring (or summer weeks where a seminar is not running) Nature Retreat guests will be responsible for their own meals. There is a kitchenette in the top floor of the classroom building. There is a fully equipped kitchen available for use in the Eagle Hill Commons Building.

If a seminar is scheduled during a given week, the full meal plan is also required for all guests ($345 for Sunday arrival dinner through breakfast before Saturday morning departure).

Getting Here. Click here for directions and travel options.

Costs. $100 per week, plus accommodations, and meals (if applicable).

Application. We use the standard field seminar application form. Enter "Nature Retreat" in place of a seminar title.