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.

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.

Programs available online that are 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 include

High-speed (fiberoptic) internet service. A personal laptop is needed.
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.
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.

Meals

Nature retreat guest meal arrangements are the same as for seminar participants. LINK

If a seminar is scheduled during a given week, the full meal plan is also required for all guests ... $295 (Sunday arrival dinner through breakfast before Saturday morning departure).

Lists of species at Eagle Hill and vicinity

Getting here ... Directions and travel options.

Costs ... $100 per week, plus accommodations, plus meals (if a seminar is taking place during the retreat dates). LINK

Signing up for a nature retreat ... We use the standard week-long seminar application form. Enter "Nature Retreat" in place of a seminar title.

We welcome questions. ... 207-546-2821 Ext 4 ... office@eaglehill.us