Maximize Your Time in Acadia National Park: 11 Best Easy Hikes

Looking for the best easy hikes in Acadia National Park? You’re in the right spot. Jack is our built-in “easy hike meter.” Our hiking crew enjoys hikes that have a massive payoff, like a great view, a spectacular waterfall, rocks to climb over, or some combination. They really dislike a straightforward walk in the woods that showcases trees. 

Why You Should Choose Acadia National Park for Your Next Hiking Trip?

During the last four summers, we explored “new to us” areas of the United States, and this year, we selected Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park is home to the first sun rays in the United States thanks to its eastern location and tallest peak, Cadillac Mountain (tallest peak on the eastern seaboard at 1530 feet!). 

Navigating Acadia is super easy! Without traffic, visitors can drive around the park loop road while taking in many scenic overlooks in about 2 hours! The FREE Island Explorer Shuttle system makes navigating the park during the busy summer months easy. 

Acadia National Park offers visitors a wide variety of activities from easy hikes (over 150 miles of trails) to stunning views of the rocky coastline to calm and peaceful lakes accessible only via the Carriage Roads. Visiting Acadia feels like stepping back in time to the Gilded Age!

With about 47,000 acres (35,000 acres on Mt. Desert Island), Acadia is a small national park compared to Yellowstone, Glacier, and other parks in Alaska! Despite it’s smaller size, Acadia attracts over 4 million visitors per year. Planning is crucial to maximizing your visit to this park. 

TL;DR: Easy Hikes in Acadia National Park

Looking for easy hikes in Acadia National Park? Here are the highlights:

• Top Trails: Ocean Path, Jordan Pond Path, Wonderland Trail, Bar Island Trail, and Ship Harbor Trail.
• Scenic Views: Stunning coastal vistas, serene lakes, and beautiful forests.
• Family-Friendly: Perfect for kids and casual hikers, with plenty of short, rewarding trails.
• E-Bike Adventures: Explore the Carriage Roads on e-bikes for a fun alternative to hiking.
• Places to Stay: Hadley’s Point Campground, hotels, motels, VRBO, and Airbnb options nearby.

Best Easy Hikes in Acadia National Park

If you’re looking for easy or moderate hikes in Acadia National Park you’re in the right spot! Mount Desert Island offers more than 179 “easy” and “moderate” hiking trails in and around Acadia National Park! 

Since we often judge hikes based on the number of times we are asked “are we there yet”, the hikes above are short and easy with great payoffs like ocean views, pink granite cliffs, and tide pools.

Pro Tip: We use and recommend AllTrails to discover hiking trails AND to scope out trail conditions before we start our hikes!

Ocean Path

Ocean Path Trail is a 4.2 mile out and back style trail (e.g., 2.6 miles out and then 2.6 back). This trail a flat and an easy walk along the rocky coast line.

Generally, hikers start at Sand Beach and hike toward the pink granite cliffs of Thunder Hole. If you time the tides right, you can hear Thunder Hole in all it’s glory! We arrived in the evening and heard what sounded like distant thunder. Nevertheless, this is an iconic must see stop at Acadia National Park.

Since the hike follows the ocean shore and cliff line the views are stunning throughout this hike.

An easy way to cut the mileage in half is to start at Sand Beach and hike towards Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. Grab the Island Explorer shuttle at Thunder Hole and continue your Acadia exploration!

Other option is to hike the Beehive Trail starting at Sand Beach then hike the Gorham Mountain Trail and join the Ocean Path Trail closer to Otter Cliffs and hike back to Sand Beach.

Pro Tip: The best time to hike the Ocean Path Trail is around high tide to take advantage of hearing Thunder Hole. Take the shuttle because parking is crazy at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole! Early morning or evening times are also excellent times to hike this trail because the pink granite cliffs are glowing in the warm sunlight!

Jordan Pond Path

Take a leisurely stroll around Jordan Pond and then enjoy some popovers from the Jordan Pond House Restaurant. A word of caution…the wait for popovers can be really long. So, you may have better luck in downtown Bar Harbor!

Jordan Pond Loop trail is about 3 miles around the lake and nearly perfectly flat. Starting at the southern end of Jordan Pond (close to the restaurant) we hiked along the east shore towards the South Bubble Rock Trail turnoff. 

Hikers can choose to add on about half a mile of strenuous and technical rock scrambles to see South Bubble OR continue around to Jordan Pond’s west shore.

The western shore has many boardwalk trails and offers views of Jordan Pond and the Pemetric Mountain to the east!

Jordan Pond is beautiful from every direction. We recommend hiking the east shore first. We returned on the east shore as well because the sun set cast the perfect light on the lake from this view point. 

Pro Tip: The best time to hike Jordan Pond is late in the day because the crowds have all retreated for dinner. We hiked the trail about 6:30 PM and practically had the trail to ourselves!

Wonderland Trail

Wonderland Trail is a perfect family hike for visitors with really young hikers interested in exploring the tidepools of Acadia.

This 1.3 mile out and back trail is a flat trail leading from the parking area and trail head to the beach. At low tide tidepools readily form and it’s a great chance to see some of Acadia’s smallest lifeforms!

Hikers also get to experience Maine’s beautiful rocky coastline. Sunset along this trail can be pretty as well.

The best time to hike the Wonderland is around low tide to enjoy the tidepools! Remember to leave no trace and don’t disturb the animals in the tidepool.

Bar Island Trail

Taking the Bar Island Trail requires planning the tides correctly or you will be swimming back to Mount Desert Island. Or you could wait until the next low tide,  which is probably the safer option. 

Don’t worry! It’s obvious when the tide is low and when it’s too high. We found it amazing we could literally walk to the island.

The sand bar is huge and fills with tidepools. So many people were exploring the tidepools on the day we hiked. We skipped most of the tidepools unless we accidentally stepped in one…they look like puddles!

Bar Island Trail is an out and back with a very short loop on the island section of the hike. The trail is about 2 miles and pretty easy. On the island there is a small hill to climb and the views that look back on downtown Bar Harbor are pretty.

I enjoyed seeing the boats moored in the harbor and how graceful and peaceful they looked on the water.

Pro Tip: The best and only time to hike this trail is at low tide! Don’t get caught on the island or you will be waiting a long time to walk back. Uber does not pick up on the island!

Ship Harbor Trail

Ship Harbor Trail is an easy 1.4 mile hike along a looped trail. This trail offers visitors views of the rocky seashore and a gentle flat stroll through the woods.

Ship Harbor Trail is located near Bass Harbor Lighthouse which makes it a perfect stop over after visiting the lighthouse. We took the shuttle to Bass Harbor and would’ve needed a special stop to jump on this trail. 

Pro Tip: Island Explorer shuttle drivers make stops on demand and will stop if you flag them down on the side of the road!

The best time to visit is near sunset. You can grab a seat along the rocky shore and watch the sunset. Make sure you bring a headlamp to light your way back along the trail. 

Bass Harbor Lighthouse

The Bass Harbor Lighthouse may be one of the most recognized lighthouses in Acadia and the eastern United States. Our National Park poster is an artist rendering of the lighthouse.

When you see the lighthouse from the rocky seashore the lighthouse looks perfectly placed along the coastline.

Pro Tip: Parking areas near the lighthouse are very small and limited.

Traffic backs up from the parking area towards the half mile road during daylight hours. Imagine the traffic nightmare around sunset!?! We took the Island Explorer from downtown Bar Harbor and walked half a mile from the Bass Harbor Campground to the Lighthouse Trail. This was is easy and alongside the road.

The hike is less than half a mile from the parking area to the rocky seashore to see the lighthouse. During the day, you can walk down the paved path on the right hand side of the parking area to talk with NPS rangers about the history of Bass Harbor Lighthouse.

Be warned the picture from this side of the lighthouse sucks!

To get the RIGHT trail, walk toward the restrooms and take the trail to the right of the restrooms. Head down the stairs.

The trail walks on packed dirt and then you climb around the rock to get your perfect picutre. It gets crowded so get creative with framing your shot!

The best time to visit Bass Harbor Lighthouse is early morning or late evening (sunset). The lighthouse is very popular so remember to be patient! Or take the shuttle like we did!

Additional Recommended Easy Hikes

Our next recommended trails take explorers deeper into the island via the carriage roads, climbing iron rung ladders on a cliff wall and generally a level up in the excitement department. 

Just because these are easy hikes in Acadia doesn’t mean the are boring. Our teens really enjoyed these hiking trails! 

Carriage Roads

Confession time! We didn’t hike the Carriage Roads. 

Since the Carriage Roads cover nearly 50 miles of trails, we decided renting bikes and exploring on two wheels was twice the fun of walking. And we were right! 

Several local bike shops offer daily bike rentals. The shops outline safe routes from downtown Bar Harbor to the Carriage Roads. From there cyclists can explore the 50 miles of trail. 

Our exploration was closer to 10 miles round trip, but still a lot of fun. 

We cycled around Witch Hole Pond and to Eagle Lake before heading back to the bike shop. 

E-Assist bikes are a great way to explore the carriage roads. Unfortunately, riders must be 16 to ride an e-bike. Since our teens are under 16, we rode traditional human powered bikes. Be aware the carriage roads have hills. 

The carriage roads are great for hiking, running, horseback riding, and cycling! 

Gorham Mountain Trail

The Gorham Mountain Trail can be completed as a loop (3.4 miles) or a one way (1.7ish miles). We planned to loop the trial but decided to make it one way.

Starting just sound of Thunder Hole the Gorham Mountain trail hikes through the woods and up the Gorham Mountain. Less than half a mile in hikers have a choice to explore a slotted canyon type section of the trail which includes 2 iron rungs to climb or take the easy walk outside the canyon.

The kids and I took the canyon section and enjoyed the rock scrambles and the natural features of the trail. Sara and Finn took the easier stroll. I think Finn could’ve navigated this trail without any problems. It’s much easier than the Beehive or South Bubble!

Pro Tip: Bring lunch to enjoy from the top of Gorham Mountain while you enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Gorham Mountain Trail intersects the Beehive Bowl Trail where hikers make the turn down the rocky section to Sand Beach. If you have bad knees you might consider trekking poles or skipping this trail. Since we were at Sand Beach and the Island Explorer was arriving, we decided to skip the Ocean Path Trail back to Thunder Hole.

The Gorham Mountain Trail can be combined with the Beehive for a longer trail.

Beehive Trail

We LOVED the Beehive Trail! The Beehive is part walk in the woods, part unbelievable views of the Atlantic Ocean, and part cliff climbing adventure on the iron rung ladder to the pinnacle of the Beehive!

AllTrails rates this 1.5 mile looped trail as “HARD”. We disagree. It’s not hard, rather it’s challenging and those afraid of heights will want to hike up the backside which skips the iron rungs! No shame is skipping these…stay safe!

Beehive’s trailhead is across the street from Sand Beach. Take the shuttle to Sand Beach or gamble you can find a parking spot.

Pro Tip: Get up early and watch the sunrise from Otter Cliffs, hike along Ocean Path Trail past Thunder Hole to Sand Beach and start the Beehive Trail before most visitors roll out of bed!

Cadillac Mountain Loop

The Cadillac Mountain Loop is an easy half mile loop around the summit of Cadillac Mountain. This is a great warm-up for some longer hikes like the Beehive, Gorham Mountain, or the Ocean Path Trail.

This trail offers panoramic views from the highest point on the eastern seaboard (1530 feet)!

The best time to hike is near sunrise or sunset. 

Pro Tip: Entrance passes are REQUIRED to access Cadillac Summit Road. Get your pass at ReserveAmerica.gov.  

Sundew Trail

Venture over to the Schoodic Peninusula. If the crowds in Acadia are stressing you out, take a day trip over to the Schoodic Peninsula. This is the quiet side of Acadia National Park. 

Less than 1% of all visitors explore the Schoodic Peninsula. This quiet reprieve has 25+ miles of hiking trails ranging from super easy trails like the Sundew Trail (1.8 miles) to the Birch Harbor Trail (a 13 mile loop around Schoodic!).

Along the Schoodic, hikers can take three short trails to the coastline. Each offers a unique view of the coast. We liked the first and third views the best!

The best time to visit is really anytime! This section of the park never gets crowded.

Family-Friendly Hiking Tips

America’s National Parks are a great place to create family memories that last a lifetime. During our planning stage we have visions of bright sunny days and blue skies the entire trip. 

After visiting national parks all over the country, we can safely say that the weather changes often! Let’s face it no matter how you choose to travel to Acadia National Park, packing space is limited. So what are the essential items to pack for your visit?

Essentials for a safe, enjoyable hike and visit to Acadia

• Water – We use camel backs to carry our water in our Osprey Daylite packs easily.
• Snacks – Hunger stops hikers in their tracks and leads to whining kids…that makes for a looonggg hike! We know! Grab a granola bar, PB&J, pretzels, or trail mix!
• Proper footwear – Hiking boots or shoes with good grip and ankle support are nice to have when climbing over the rocks
• Trekking poles – If you have bad knees or want extra support, trekking poles are the way to go
• Sunscreen – Getting a sunburn is no fun and is causes wrinkles!
• Bug Spray or Bug Bands – We didn’t encounter bugs so maybe you’ll get lucky too
• Rain jackets – Our REI and North Face rain jackets were our BEST investment ever!

Safety Considerations

Staying safe on the trail is the responsibility of hikers. Tougher trails like Beehive or South Bubble require your concentration and attention to detail. 

• Staying on marked trails – This protects the environment and you from potentially getting hurt. Many trails are near cliff lines. 
• Watching for tide schedules – If you’re visiting Bar Island or other areas near the coast keep an eye on the tide schedule.
• Weather considerations – Weather changes quickly in Acadia and all national parks.

Best Times to Visit

Three out of four seasons are perfect for visiting Acadia. We would avoid “mud” season during the spring melt of the winter’s snow.

• Acadia’s Peak Season(s) are Summer (July and August) and Fall (September and October).
  • Summer traffic really kicks up after 4th of July. 
  • The fall season is blessed with fall foliage and panoramic views of stunning colors and a lot of visitors. 

Pro Tip: Visit in late June! The weather is perfect for summer activities like cycling the carriage roads, kayaking in the bays, and enjoying ice cream on the Village Green of downtown Bar Harbor!

Other Family Activities in Acadia National Park

Scenic Drives

Acadia’s Park Loop Road circles the exterior boundary of the main Acadia section on Mount Desert Island. We joined the loop near the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, but visitors can join at at many points along the loop road. 

The Park Loop Road is one way for the majority, so IF you skip something or can’t find parking you will either have to find parking afterwards OR drive all the way around. Planning is crucial since each lap is about 30 miles around. 

Pro Tip: Download the FREE Guide Along APP for your phone and purchase the Acadia Audio Tour for your personal tour guide. We name our guide “Justin” and he shares stories about the park’s creation, fun hikes, and the best scenic views. The best part is you are in control! You choose to stop or keep going.

The Park Loop Road passes many of the most stunning areas of Acadia National Park like Sand Beach, Beehive Trailhead, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Summit Road (entrance is timed).

Since the road is accessible by cars as well as cyclists and on foot, traffic can move slowly in places. We recommend checking out this scenic drive early in the morning (after sunrise) or early evening (before sunset). And if you drive during the peak season (fall foliage or summer) in the middle of the day, be patient. Finally, the road is open year-round, but some sections may be closed in the winter because of snow. 

Kid-Friendly Attractions

Tide pooling is a fun kid-friendly activity for kids of all ages. Tide pooling is possible at many beaches on Mt. Desert Island, like Wonderland Beach, Ship Habor, and Bar Island. Look but don’t touch when tide pooling to avoid harming the wildlife living in the tide pool.

Sand Beach is a great place to catch some sun rays and have a more “traditional” beach day. Since the sand is largely crushed seashells it may not be best for sand castles. I could be wrong, and if so, please LMK on our Facebook Page! The water of the Atlantic is frigid so kids may not want to swim for long periods unless it’s really hot outside.

Older kids (e.g., senior citizens) may enjoy the Wild Gardens of Acadia located near the Sieur de Monts parking area. The Bar Harbor Garden Club maintains this garden of over 300 plant species. Most young kids, including our teens, would give this a big thumbs down and feel this is a waste of our precious time in Acadia National Park. 

Junior Ranger Programs

The NPS offers Junior Ranger Programs in all the national parks and many of the other NPS units. These programs are geared for kids ages 5 to 12. Our teens never got into these, so definitely a younger kid activity.

Participating in the Junior Ranger program gives kids a hands-on way to learn about the park, demonstrate their knowledge to a park ranger, and earn a park badge. Check it out if your kids want to learn more about the park.

Sunrise at Otter Point

Catching the sunrise at the top of Cadillac Mountain is the pinnacle of sunrises in Acadia National Park. Since entry to Cadillac Mountain is timed it may not be possible to get a ticket. 

If that happens, you’re in luck because Otter Point, located on the Park Loop Road, provides amazing sunrise views. Otter Point is uniquely situated on cliff lines towering at least 100 feet above the ocean, making it an excellent place to watch the sun peak over the horizon.

Parking is limited, so arrive early or plan to walk down from Thunder Hole!

Practical Information

Getting There

Acadia is located about 225 miles from Boston (4.5 hours) and 485 miles from NYC (8 hours). This short distance means in less than a day’s drive you can access this slice of heaven! 

The close proximity to these major cities means Acadia is one of the most visited national parks in the NPS system. And acre for acre, Acadia has to be the most visited national park. 

Directions from Boston to Acadia National Park are simple…take Interstate 95 North to Interstate 395 east towards Mount Desert Island.

Public Transportation at Acadia

Thanks to a generous gift from L.L. Bean the Island Explorer shuttles are FREE. The Island Explorers help reduce traffic and congestion in the park AND help visitors avoid the headaches of navigating the busy Park Loop Road.

Pro Tip: Dogs are ALLOWED on the Island Explorer.

Places to Stay

Acadia and Mount Desert Island are just about perfect for camping, especially RV camping. We stayed at Hadley’s Point Campground which is about 10 minutes away from Hulls Cove and 15 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor. Nightly rates are super reasonable…about $65 per night.

Plenty of Hotel, Motel, VRBO, and AirBnb options are available as well.

Entry Fees and Permits

Acadia National Park fees, as of 2024, are

• Entrance Fees for 7 days (unless noted):
  • Private vehicle: $35.
  • Motorcycle: $30
  • Walk-in or Bicycle-in: $20 per person
  • Acadia Annual Pass: $70, good for 1 year
  • Annual America the Beautiful Pass: $80, good for 1 year to ALL National Parks. Good for the pass holder plus 3 adults. Includes only entry fee.
  • Children 16 and under are FREE!

• Additional Fees:
  • Cadillac Mountain: $6, per day if you want to drive to the summit for sunrise OR any other time of day! You can hike to the summit for free

Pet Policies

Dogs are permitted on many of the 100+ miles of trails at Acadia National Park. Please be a responsible dog owner and pick up your dogs waste, keep Fido on a 6-foot leash, and leave your super aggressive dog, Kugo, at home with a trusted caregiver.

Dogs are even allowed on the Island Explorer. Finn was NOT a huge fan of public transportation. He’s high maintenance. 

Don’t try taking your dog on the iron rung ladder trails (Beehive, Precipice, or Gorham Mountain)…they are not allowed.

The pet policy generally uses the word pet, but we all know they mean dogs, so leave your cat, pet gerbil, hampster, fish, lizard, and alligator at home.

Conclusion: Easy Hikes in Acadia National Park

If you are looking for easy hikes in Acadia National Park, you’re lucky.

Acadia offers many easy hikes, making it the perfect spot for families and casual hikers. From the serene shores of Jordan Pond to the stunning views along Ocean Path and the fun of walking to Bar Island at low tide, there’s something for everyone. 

The park’s well-maintained trails, amazing scenery, and variety of activities ensure every visit is unforgettable. Whether you’re exploring tide pools on Wonderland Trail or catching the sunrise at Otter Cliffs, Acadia’s diverse landscapes and accessible trails provide endless fun and adventure.

Plan your visit to Acadia to get the most out of your trip. Use the Island Explorer Shuttle, visit during off-peak times to avoid crowds, and pack the essentials for a safe, enjoyable hike. With over 150 miles of trails, family-friendly activities, and pet-friendly spots, Acadia National Park is a top destination for outdoor lovers of all ages. 

Dive into the beauty and history of this East Coast gem and make lasting memories with your loved ones. 

About Us

We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!

Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!

Happy hiking!