Natural Attraction

Hints of the Satterlee Estate

Natural Attraction
a large house with a covered porch and white trim sits in the shade of trees with a big lawn.

Walk among the remnants of a gilded-age estate perched on this rockbound headland. In 1900, J.P. Morgan purchased these 117 acres as a wedding gift for his daughter Louisa; the Satterlee family summered here from 1911 to 1946 in Adirondack-style cottages with gardens designed by renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. Today, subtle traces—footpaths, benches, garden plantings—reveal how the family shaped this coastal landscape before donating it to Acadia National Park in 1948.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates
44.330861,-68.180472

Conditions & safety

Permits Required
0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions
Old Soaker Overlook, Little Hunters Beach, Beehive Overlook
Tips Advice
  • Follow pathways carefully—terrain is uneven with historic ruins and coastal exposure.
  • Look for subtle traces of Beatrix Farrand's landscape design in surviving plantings and garden layout.
  • Stay on marked routes to protect both yourself and fragile historic features.
  • Watch for drops and cliff edges on the coastal headland; stay back from exposed edges.
  • The headland offers panoramic views across Mount Desert Island's rocky eastern shore.

More details

Family Friendly Notes
Children can visit the historic site, but uneven terrain and coastal exposure require close supervision. Families with children aged 10+ who enjoy history may find the site engaging. The interpretive nature of the trail stop helps older children understand the Gilded Age context.
Attraction Type
Historic Estate Remnants
How To Get There
Follow Great Head Trail on Mount Desert Island's eastern section near Sand Beach. This is a marked interpretive stop on the trail. GPS coordinates: 44.330861,-68.180472.
Seasonal Access
Park Loop Road typically open mid-April through early December; site accessible during those seasons.
Entry Fees
$35 per vehicle (7-day pass); $20 per person on foot or bicycle
Main Features
Historic estate ruins and landscape features, Beatrix Farrand–designed gardens with surviving pathways and benches, rocky coastal headland location overlooking Mount Desert Island's eastern shore, Adirondack-style architecture traces, 117-acre property originally purchased by J.P. Morgan
What Youll See
Historic estate remnants including footpaths, benches, and garden plantings overlaying Mount Desert Island's rocky headland. Views extend across the rocky eastern shore and toward Sand Beach. Subtle landscape design features reveal the estate's original organization.
Unique Characteristics
Gilded Age summer estate designed by renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand; represents the wealthy summer colony era on Mount Desert Island; family connection to J.P. Morgan, one of America's most prominent financiers; donated to Acadia by the family in 1948.
Safety Considerations
Historic ruins create uneven terrain and structural hazards. Located on a rocky coastal headland with exposed terrain and potential cliff edges; stay on marked pathways. Coastal weather can be severe on this exposed location. Protect historic features by remaining on established trails.
Visitor Center Present
0
Restrooms Available
0
Picnic Areas
0
Interpretive Signs
1
Water Available
0
Trailheads Here
Hike Great Head Trail

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is there anything left to see besides ruins?

Yes—footpaths, benches, garden plantings, and landscape features designed by Beatrix Farrand remain. The historical traces tell the story of how this Gilded Age family shaped the coastal landscape.

How long does exploring the site take?

Most visitors spend 30–45 minutes examining the remnants and walking the pathways. Time depends on your interest in the estate's history and the Great Head Trail hike itself.

Is this suitable for children?

Children can visit, but uneven terrain, historic ruins, and coastal exposure require close supervision. Older children (10+) interested in history typically enjoy the site most.

Can people with mobility challenges visit?

The site is not designed for wheelchair or accessible access. Uneven natural terrain and historic ruins require stable footing and mobility.

Who owned this estate?

J.P. Morgan purchased 117 acres in 1900 as a wedding gift for his daughter Louisa Pierpont Morgan. She married Herbert Satterlee, and the family summered at Satterlee Field from 1911–1946 before donating the property to Acadia.

Why is this site significant?

The Satterlee Estate represents the Gilded Age summer colony era on Mount Desert Island. The gardens were designed by renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, demonstrating how wealthy families shaped this coastal landscape.

Sargent Mountain Pond

Granite bowl pond high on Sargent Mountain; alpenglow lights the surrounding peaks.

Little Harbor Brook

Shallow brook beside a mossy trail; formed by glacial erosion and meltwater through Ellsworth Schist.

Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake — glacially carved freshwater lake with clear, deep water in Acadia NP

Cadillac Mountain

Granite crown; first light on the U.S. coast; sculpted by ancient glaciers.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.