Imagine standing atop a granite cliff, watching the wild Atlantic waves crash hundreds of feet below. That’s the unforgettable magic waiting for you in Acadia National Park, Maine. Protecting 47,000 acres of the highest rocky coastline in the United States, Acadia offers a unique blend of mountain drama and coastal serenity. This blend of beauty and accessibility makes the Trails in Acadia National Park popular, attracting over 3.5 million visitors annually and earning its spot among the top 10 most-visited National Parks.
Though smaller than many other national parks, Acadia delivers intense and rewarding adventures. From the exhilarating iron rungs of the Precipice to the quiet paths around Jordan Pond, the best Acadia National Park hikes offer views you won’t find anywhere else. Ready to discover the top sights, lodging, and essential tips for your visit to Mount Desert Island? Let this comprehensive Acadia National Park hiking guide lead your Maine adventure.
Why Visit Acadia National Park?
This beautiful, albeit busy, National Park should absolutely be on your travel list! Most of the park lies on Mount Desert Island (MDI), and while we’re big hikers, MDI offers so much more.
Beyond exploring the best hikes in Acadia, you can also:
- 🚲 Biking on historic Carriage Roads
- 🧗 Climbing (technical and via iron rungs!)
- 🛶 Kayaking and boating
- 🎣 Fishing and 🏊 swimming (in the summer!)
- 🐴 Horseback riding
If you only have one day to spend in Acadia National Park, here are our best recommendations.
This article will answer your frequently asked questions while providing guidance on the best trails in Acadia National Park, and ideal places to stay for your next Maine adventure.
What are the Best Trails in Acadia National Park?
Acadia National Park is renowned for its diverse trails, ranging from easy coastal walks to strenuous, vertical climbs. Here are our top recommendations for hiking in Acadia:
Ocean Path & Thunder Hole
Ocean Path begins near Sand Beach and travels two miles along the rocky coast to Otter Point. Along this path, you’ll find incredible viewpoints like Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE: 1.7 Miles Round Trip
Thunder Hole is a small, naturally carved rock inlet where crashing waves send foam flying and create thunderous booms! The viewpoint is easily accessed along the Ocean Path Trail or from a small parking area across the street from the viewpoint.
One of the best parts of Ocean Path is exploring the shoreline. Don’t hesitate to venture off the path and onto the jagged pink granite formations. This is a wonderful, accessible activity for families, and the breathtaking coastal views are a must-see.
Beech Mountain
This is an easy hike away from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor and the Loop Road, located on the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island. You can access the trails from the Echo Lake parking area or Beech Hill Road.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE: 1.2 Miles Round Trip
ELEVATION: 360 Feet
When it comes to Beech Mountain Fire Tower, there are two different trails you can choose from. Choose the shorter, steeper route (veer left at the junction) or a steady climb (stay right) to the 839-foot summit.
Beech Mountain is home to one of the only remaining Fire Towers in the park. This old observation tower provides beautiful views of Somes Sound.
Jordan Pond Loop
The Jordan Pond Path is an iconic, family-friendly loop around one of Acadia’s most pristine glacial lakes, offering the classic postcard view of the rounded mountains known as The Bubbles.
The path begins near the famous Jordan Pond House (known for its famous popovers and tea) and offers spectacular, mirrored reflections of the mountains on the water’s clear surface. While mostly flat and easy, the trail has two distinct halves:
- Eastern Half: The easiest section, featuring a well-maintained, compact gravel path.
- Western Half: More challenging, requiring hikers to navigate sections of narrow wooden plank boardwalks over wetlands and scramble over a short but rugged granite boulder field that broke away from the sheer Jordan Cliffs above.
This is a quintessential Acadia experience perfect for all ages, but be mindful of the boardwalks and rocks, especially when wet! Swimming and wading in the pond are strictly prohibited as it is a public water source.
The Bubbles
The Bubbles are two distinct, glacially-carved mountains—North Bubble and South Bubble—that frame the north end of Jordan Pond, famous for the easily-accessible Bubble Rock, a massive boulder perched precariously on a cliff edge
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DISTANCE: 1.5 – 2.0 Miles (depending on starting point)
ELEVATION: North Bubble 872 feet, South Bubble 766 feet
There are multiple access points, but the most popular is from the Jordan Pond House Trailhead. The trail climbs steeply to the summit of South Bubble, leading directly to the photographic phenomenon: Bubble Rock, a huge granite erratic left by receding glaciers.
The loop is steep and involves some strenuous rock scrambling, but the view is one of Acadia’s best, overlooking Jordan Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. You can easily extend this hike to include North Bubble for a slightly longer journey and different vantage points over the pond and surrounding forests. This trail offers a quick, rewarding workout and is a must-do for classic Acadia views.
Gorham Mountain
This is a phenomenal mountain with stunning views of Sand Beach and the coastline.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DISTANCE: 3 Mile Loop
ELEVATION: 567 Feet
Just south of the summit, Cadillac Cliffs provide the most picturesque views of Otter Point, Baker Island, and Sand Beach. These are absoluely stunn
We combined Gorham Mountain with The Beehive hike by continuing past The Bowl. For an easy descent, follow the trail down to the Gorham Parking Lot and walk the flat Ocean Path Trail back to your vehicle.
Beech Cliffs via Echo Lake
The Beech Cliffs Trail is often referred to as the Echo Cliff Trail, as it ascends the rugged eastern face of Beech Mountain, offering dramatic views directly overlooking Echo Lake.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate-Strenuous
DISTANCE: 1.6 Miles Round Trip
ELEVATION: 485 Feet
This exhilarating trail is known for its steep ascent from the Echo Lake parking lot, requiring the use of ladders and iron rungs bolted into the sheer rock face—a true Acadia “ladder trail” experience. Once you top out on the cliffs, you are rewarded with epic, expansive views down to Echo Lake and the surrounding western side of Mount Desert Island.
- Route Options: From the top, you can take the fairly level loop trail before following the more gradual Canada Cliffs Trail back to the Echo Lake Parking Lot.
- Family-Friendly Alternative: For a route that avoids the ladders and strenuous climbing, take the shorter, gradual path up from the Beech Hill Road Parking lot to access the Beech Cliffs loop.
This is a fantastic option for hikers looking for a thrilling challenge with stunning rewards on the quieter side of the park.
Beehive Trail
The Beehive Trail is a short, exhilarating climb up an exposed cliff face renowned for its challenging use of fixed iron rungs and ladders. This extremely popular hike, located near Sand Beach, offers incredible, unobstructed views of the Atlantic coastline but is not recommended for those with a fear of heights or young children.
DIFFICULTY: Mod. – Strenuous
DISTANCE: 1.5 Mile Loop
ELEVATION: 508 Feet
Parking for The Beehive Trail is on Park Loop Road near Sand Beach. Arrive for sunrise, or before 8:00 AM in summer, to secure parking and avoid legitimate lines on the rungs.
Afraid of heights or hiking with younger children? There is an easier trail available to reach the Beehive view (Beehive Loop Trail via the Bowl Trail) that avoids the rungs.
Precipice Trail
Arguably the best option for experienced hikers in Acadia. This climb ascends the impressive cliffs of Champlain Mountain using iron rungs, ladders, handrails, and rock scrambles.
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
DISTANCE: 2.1 Mile Loop
ELEVATION: 1,000 Feet
The small lot fills quickly, but overflow parking is allowed in the right lane of Park Loop Road. Within five minutes, you’ll encounter a boulder with two awkward iron rungs—this is your test! If you’re not comfortable here, turn back.
This trail is not for children or dogs. It is highly suggested to take a different trail to descend from Champlain Mountain (we took the Black and Orange Path) to avoid descending the steep rungs.
5 Essential Acadia National Park FAQs
1. Is an entrance pass or reservation required to visit Acadia National Park?
Yes, an Entrance Pass is required for all visitors year-round, regardless of whether you arrive by car, bicycle, or the Island Explorer shuttle.
Additionally, a separate Vehicle Reservation is required to drive up the Cadillac Summit Road during the busy season (typically late May through late October). Reservations are timed-entry and must be purchased online in advance.
2. Is there lodging available inside Acadia National Park?
No, there is no lodging within the park boundaries, only campgrounds. The two most popular campgrounds on Mount Desert Island are Blackwoods and Seawall.
For hotel, motel, and inn accommodations, you must stay in the nearby gateway towns. The busiest hub is Bar Harbor, while Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor offer a much quieter experience on Mount Desert Island.
3. Are the famous ladder trails, like the Precipice, always open?
No, the most strenuous iron-rung trails are often closed seasonally. The Precipice Trail is typically closed from mid-spring until mid-to-late August to protect nesting Peregrine Falcons. The trail may also be closed due to inclement weather, ice, or excessive wetness. It is essential to check the official National Park Service website for current status before attempting the hike.
4. Is the Island Explorer Shuttle Bus free, and where does it go?
Yes, the Island Explorer is a free shuttle bus system funded by partners like L.L. Bean. It operates seasonally (typically late June through early October) and connects the main areas of Mount Desert Island, including the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Bar Harbor, Jordan Pond, and popular trailheads like Sand Beach and Acadia’s major campgrounds.
This is often the best way to access the Trails in Acadia National Park. Mount Desert Island get busy and many of the trailhead parking areas fill up quickly – the Island Explorer can save the day.
5. Are there Moose or Black Bears in Acadia National Park?
While black bears have a small permanent population on Mount Desert Island (MDI), sightings are rare. They are generally shy and avoid people. Moose sightings are extremely rare. Visitors should practice bear safety by securing all food and scented items in bear-proof containers or their vehicles, especially when camping, but they are far more likely to see white-tailed deer and seals.
Conclusion
Although our time in Acadia was cut slightly short by misty weather, the experiences we did have—from the thrilling rungs of the Precipice to the tranquility of Jordan Pond—cemented this park as an absolute beauty. The diverse landscape, combining rugged coastline with challenging mountains and historic carriage roads, ensures there is truly an adventure for every visitor. We highly recommend utilizing the Island Explorer bus system to maximize your time, and we look forward to returning soon to conquer Cadillac Mountain and add more trails to this ultimate Acadia National Park Travel Guide!