The Ultimate Guide: Best Hikes in Acadia National Park

Are you looking for the best hikes in Acadia National Park? Whether you’re looking for easy hikes, beautifully scenic hikes, or more challenging hikes, Acadia National Park has it all.

To show us around I asked my friend Sam from The Lifestyle Travelers. Sam is an experienced hiker who has a passion for outdoor travel. She also spent three days hiking and exploring the trails at Acadia National Park with her partner, Dylan, so she can share her tips and recommended hikes!

There are so many reasons to visit Acadia National Park, but the top reason is that it arguably has the best hikes on the East Coast! The beauty of Acadia National Park is unparalleled.

You’ll experience everything from rocky beaches to granite peaks, and woodland landscapes. You don’t want to miss exploring this area and checking out some of the best hikes in Acadia National Park!

Best Easy Hikes in Acadia National Park

One of the best things about Acadia is that it has an abundance of hiking routes that vary in difficulty and distance. At this national park, you don’t necessarily need a high elevation gain to get the best views!

If you have limited time while visiting this national park or are simply looking for an easy trail, check out the following hikes listed below.

1. Ocean Path Trail 

Length: 4.5 miles, out & back
Elevation gain: 374 feet

Ocean Path is by far one of the most popular coastal hikes in Acadia. The rosy granite rocks that line the beautiful coastline provide you with a plethora of picturesque views along the way.

This route also features two famous national park attractions: Thunder Point and Otter Hole. 

From the Sand Beach parking lot, you’ll hike .7 miles to arrive at Thunder Point. The crashing waves sound like thunder in this underwater sea cave if you visit two hours before high tide.

Continue along the path to reach Otter Hole which marks the highest point on the trail at the 110 feet cliffs.

2. Jordan Pond Path

Length: 3.1 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 42 feet

The Jordan Pond loop trail passes through one of the iconic destinations the park is known for: Jordan Pond. Walk the forested path as you traverse boardwalks and footbridges to arrive at a steep valley created by melted glaciers.

The pond is surrounded by grandiose mountains including Penobscot, Pemetic, and the Bubble Peaks. This hike is great for all wildlife watchers, as there is an opportunity to see loons, hear otters, and spot peregrine falcons on the overhead granite cliffs.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, you may consider driving a short distance down Park Loop Road to dine at Jordan Pond House restaurant!  

3. Ship Harbor Trail

Length: 1.4, Loop
Elevation gain: 65 feet

Ship Harbor Trail is one of the best Acadia national park hikes for families and bird watchers. Along this figure-8 route, read the interpretive signs for information on the park’s natural resources to learn more about the area.

Common birds that are spotted on this trail include loons, eiders, blue herons, ospreys, eagles, and guillemots. 

The trailhead is located off of Maine 102A near Seawall Campground and Wonderland Trail. On this route, you’ll pass through a narrow cove, spruce woods, and mudflats. 

4. Cadillac Summit Loop

Length: .5 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 55 feet

The Cadillac Summit Loop Trail circles around Acadia’s highest point: Cadillac Mountain.

This short paved path is an extremely popular trail, as it loops around the highest point of the United States’ eastern seaboard. The trail emphasizes the magnificent vista of the glaciated island landscape of Acadia. 

In order to access this trail, you’ll need to drive up Cadillac Mountain off of the Park Loop Road or take a trail leading up to the summit.

If you decide to drive, you may need to pay a vehicle registration fee depending on the time of the year. Make sure to check out the interpretive signs and gift shop at the top! 

5. Wonderland Trail

Length: 1.4 miles, Round Trip
Elevation gain: 78 feet 

Wonderland Trail is a fantastic and easy trail to take in the wildlife with your loved ones. Take the short gravel fire road to reach the coastline for some remarkable tide pooling during low tide. 

The road is mostly flat with minimal obstruction, making it fairly accessible to all age groups. After taking the fire road, you’ll walk through a spruce forest until you reach Jack Pine.

From the ocean opening, you can see Great Cranberry Island and the Duck Islands. 

6. Kebo Brook Trail

Length: 2 miles, Out & Back
Elevation gain: 321

The Kebo Brook Trail takes hikers through the quiet forest and exposed rocky areas as they summit Kebo Mountain. Enjoy the calming sounds of streaming water as you cross over Kebo creek.

At the top, you can take in the overview of the breathtaking Frenchman Bay for a much-deserved post-hike reward. 

Begin the two-miles round-trip hike at the Cadillac North Ridge Island Explorer Stop. Follow the trailheads for Kebo Brook Trail.

Be cautious as you ascend the steps up and across the Park Loop Road. 

7. South Bubble Trail

Length: 1 mile, Out & Back
Elevation gain: 250 feet

South Bubble Trail is the easiest hike to experience the infamous “Bubbles” (North Bubble and South Bubble mountains).

The South Bubble trail leads hikers to Bubble Rock: a boulder that was once carried by glaciers to the edge of a cliff! Park at the Bubbles parking lot located along Park Loop Road. 

To extend this hike, continue onto the South Bubble trail to make it a loop, but be cautious as the trail becomes rocky pretty quickly!

Additionally, you can add in North Bubble Trail and/or Jordan Pond Trail if you’re looking to increase the distance! 

🥾 Check out Sam’s YouTube video documenting her 3 Days in Acadia National Park with scenes from the Ocean Path Trail and Backwoods campground.

Best Hikes in Acadia National Park

Now that we’ve covered some of the easier hikes, let’s dive into some of the most popular hikes overall in Acadia!

The five trails listed below are rated from moderately challenging to challenging, so make sure to check the description before embarking on your hiking journey.

8. Great Head Trail

Length: 1.9 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 265 feet
Difficulty level: Moderately Challenging

If you’re looking for a national park hike that covers all of Acadia’s landscapes, the Great Head Trail is the trail for you!

This trail is perfect for its ocean views, rocky scrambles, and historical landmarks. You’ll find a milestone at the beginning of the trail, a bronze monument on the way, and ruins of a stone tower at the highest point. 

You also have the option to shorten this 1.9-mile loop hike to 1.3 miles by taking the trail to the left at the junction, leading you back to Sand Beach. 

9. Beechcroft Path

Length: 2.1 miles, Out & Back
Elevation gain: 951 feet
Difficulty level: Challenging

Beechcroft Path is a special route, as it is a memorial path that has been maintained and improved by Anna Warren Ingersoll Smith’s endowment fund.

This trail leads hikers up to Champlain Mountain which provides visitors with panoramic views over Mount Desert Island, Acadia Mountain, and Frenchman Bay.

Begin this mountain trail at the Beechcroft Path trailhead located off of Maine Route 3. Enjoy views of Dorr Mountain as you cross a large bouldered field.

Circle around Huguenot Head before making the final ascent. 

10. Cadillac North Ridge Trail

Length: 4.2 miles, Out & Back
Elevation gain: 1,128 feet
Difficulty level: Moderately Challenging 

Want to skip the forest views and opt for more open ocean views? Take the Cadillac North Ridge Trail to experience expansive vistas of Schoodic Peninsula, Frenchman Bay, and the town of Bar Harbor.

Consider hiking during sunrise or sunset to experience the national parks’ brilliant, colorful skies during your hiking trip!

Please note that there is no public transportation to or from the top of Cadillac Mountain. You will either need to drive or hike to the top. 

11. Cadillac South Ridge Trail 

Length: 7.1 miles, Out & Back
Elevation gain: 1,548 feet
Difficulty level: Moderately Challenging 

For more experienced hikers, the Cadillac South Ridge Trail is one of the longer hikes Acadia has to offer. If you want to experience Cadillac Mountain but are without transportation, this trail is the route to reach the top.

On this scenic trail, you’ll ascend through the thick forest, an expansive meadow, and a granite ridgeline before arriving at the peak. 

For a shorter trip back, take the Cadillac North Ridge Trail or Gorge Path and use the Island Explorer shuttle to get back to the trailhead. 

12. Gorham Mountain Trail

Length: 3 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 583 feet
Difficulty level: Moderately challenging 

Gorham Mountain Trail is another one of Acadia National Park hiking trails that gives you a glimpse of everything the park has to offer.

Walk the rocky coastline while you catch a glimpse of Cadillac Mountain and Ocean Drive in the distance.

This trail also offers historical information on Waldron Bates, the outdoor recreation visionary who is responsible for many of the trails in the park today.

Hikers have the option to take Cadillac Cliff Trail to increase the difficulty (but not the length) of this hike at the junction. 

Most Dangerous Hike in Acadia National Park

Sometimes, the best hikes are the ones that challenge us the most. Plus, oftentimes they lead to the greatest overlooks!

While Acadia has a ton of great easy hikes for families or dog owners, the park also has trails for more experienced hikers. 

Check out these three strenuous hikes down below to choose your next challenging hiking adventure!

Dabble with the forces of open cliff faces, rock staircases, and iron rungs and ladders! Believe me, it’s not the distance that counts for these hikes! 

13. Beehive Trail 

Length: 1.5 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 508 feet

While the Beehive loop may be on the shorter side, it definitely ranks as one of the more challenging hikes in Acadia!

This trail is full of iron rungs, ladders, granite staircases, and cliff faces. Despite the challenge of the ascent, hikers are rewarded with stunning views at the top of Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Gulf of Maine.

Avoid this trail during poor weather conditions to avoid slipping, as it is slippery and dangerous when wet. 

14. Jordan Cliffs Trail

Length: 5 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 1,610 feet

Jordan Cliffs Trail is challenging not only because of the iron rungs that are to be climbed but also because of the intense elevation gain to reach Sargent Mountain.

However, this 5-mile loop trail is a strenuous hike that’s well worth it for those who reach the top as they gain spectacular views of two mountains and a quaint pond. 

This hike is only meant for hikers who are experienced and do not have a fear of heights. It should never be attempted during poor weather. 

15. Precipice Trail

Length: 3.2 miles, Loop
Elevation gain: 1,053 feet

Precipice Trail is another short yet steep trail found in Acadia. This hike requires both physical and mental resilience as the terrain is rugged and requires climbing iron rungs.

Similar to Jordan Cliffs Trail, this hike is not intended for inexperienced hikers, children, or people with a fear of heights.  

It is not advisable to return the same way. Take the North Ridge Trail of Champlain Mountain down to ensure your safety. 

💡 Did you know? Part of Acadia National Park is located further away on Isle Au Haut! You can read about access to the island from Stonington, Maine. There are some great hikes on the island such as Duck Harbor Mountain Trail, Cliff Trail, and Western Head Trail.

Most Popular Hikes in Acadia National Park

From the listed hikes above, here is a breakdown of the best hikes for families, dogs, and overall views. Refer to the trail descriptions above for more information!

Tips for Hiking Acadia National Park Trails

Before you go, there are a few things you should know before your visit to Acadia National Park.

Let’s cover some important topics for your trip, such as required fees, what gear to bring, where to stay, when you should visit, and how to get around. 

⭐️ Fees

There are a few fees that you’ll need to keep in mind before you go to Acadia. The first is the park entrance fee. The cost varies depending on the mode of transportation, but the breakdown is listed below (prices current in 2023). 

Private Vehicle: $35
Motorcycle: $40
Individual Person (Entering by Foot/Bike/Taxi): $20

Alternatively, you can buy an annual pass to the park for $70. If you have an Interagency Pass, you can enter the park for free. The NPS website also lists days of the year on their website when visitors can enter for free. 

Additionally, if you want to drive up to Cadillac Mountain, vehicle registration is required from May 24th – October 22nd.

The registration costs $6 for a timed entry, but visitors do not have to leave until 10 PM when the road closes. Visitors that are entering Cadillac Mountain by foot, taxi, or bike do not have to pay a fee. 

⭐️ Gear

There are two important things to think about when packing for Acadia: the weather and the terrain.

While you should still pack the “essential” camping gear, you’ll also want to account for the rain, and the rocks. 

Make sure to bring waterproof gear for your visit, which includes a rain jacket, tarp or footprint, and weather shelter if you have one.

Maine is notorious for being rainy, so it’s better to come prepared. The rain can also make the granite rocks extremely slippery, so make sure that you bring closed-toed, durable hiking boots to prevent any injuries when hiking. 

⭐️ When to Visit

The best time to visit Acadia is anytime in the fall, winter, or spring. Acadia’s busiest season is the summertime, and the park can become extremely crowded.

Visiting Acadia in the wintertime has increased in popularity due to the park offering many of the same attractions as the rest of the year.

Travelers have been choosing to visit during the months between November and January to escape the crowds, see Maine’s coastal winter wonderland, and explore all that Bar Harbor has to offer.

Fall is also a popular time to visit when the leaves are turning colors. If you visit in the spring or fall, make sure to check the weather as rain and thunderstorms may be on the forecast.

It’s important to be cautious during the rainy season as the rocks may become slippery!

⭐️ Campgrounds

Acadia has four campgrounds total: two on the Mount Desert island (Blackwoods and Seawall), one on the Schoodic Peninsula (Schoodic Woods), and one on Isla au Haut (Duck Hall). 

There are no primitive or backcountry campsites in Acadia. Additionally, there are no same-day reservations, but you can book your campsite up to two months in advance at recreation.gov.

There are plenty of hotel accommodations in the nearby town of Bar Harbor for those looking to forgo the camping experience. 

⭐️ Transportation

Acadia is a big national park, so it’s important to prepare for how to get around before you get there.

You won’t necessarily need a vehicle, but it may be preferable for exploring the different sides of the island. It is also easier to experience Cadillac Mountain by car than hiking up to the summit. 

If you do decide to go carless, the Island Explorer is a free shuttle that the park offers for its visitors. It has many routes and makes many stops throughout the park to different campgrounds, attractions, and landmarks.

A few of the stops the Island Explorer makes include Bass Harbor Head Light Station, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, many trailheads, and more. 

🚘 Looking for additional destinations on the North East coast?
You don’t want to miss: The All-Inclusive 7-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary!

FAQS: Best Hikes in Acadia National Park

Still, have questions about your visit? Let’s discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about Acadia!

The Wrap Up: Best Hikes in Acadia Maine

Acadia National Park is a fantastic place to visit due to its expansive 47,000-acre recreation area and over 60 miles of hiking trails. The park is great for anyone looking to explore Maine’s coastline and all that it has to show. 

There are so many ways to hike Acadia: by summiting a mountain, strolling the coastline, or traversing the forest. Some trails even offer all of these options in one!

No matter which trails you decide to take during your trip, you’re bound to see some beautiful scenery wherever you go. Happy trails! 

🥾 Looking for more exceptional hikes in Maine? Check out my guide on Hiking Great Wass Island or read about the Best Hikes in Southern Maine.