Explore one of my favorite national parks in the entire country! Acadia National Park is home to stunning landscapes where mountains meet the sea. This park sits on Mount Desert Island in the Northern part of Maine. Visit this park in the Fall and you’ll see a kaleidoscope of oranges and reds over craggy cliff tops that will leave a lasting impression.
I’ve been to most of the National Parks and this is one that I would return to over and over again. I’ve been in Fall and Summer, both seasons truly blew me away. The hikes in Acadia make you feel as if you’re on top of the world!
If you enjoy getting outdoors and hitting the trails, then read below for the best hikes in Acadia. I’ve included trail descriptions as well as the hiking info that you need to know. So, now you can plan an amazing trip to Acadia!
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Table of Contents
The 5 Best Hikes in Acadia
#1 Precipice Loop
Despite this trail being short, it’s rather difficult and is one of the most challenging hikes in Acadia. Once you start the trail, you will have to climb directly up the mountain about 1,000 feet. You’ll find yourself huffing and puffing, possibly taking a few extra breaks to make it up.
Along the way you’ll have to climb over boulders, use iron rungs attached to the mountain side, and hold on to railings as you make your way over cliff edges. This trail is not for the faint of heart and if you have a fear of heights then definitely stay away.
If you make it to the top, then you will be rewarded with views that take your breath away. We went during sunset, and I felt on top of the world as I spun around and around trying to figure out where to focus my attention. The views went on for miles all around Mount Desert Island, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best way.
Quick Hike Info:
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation: 997 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
#2 Penobscot Mountain
This trail is one of the best hikes in Acadia, because it’s the quintessential trail. It has cliff side railing, mountain rungs, beautiful mountains, and rugged cliff views. There are a few ways to do this trail, but I recommend going around Jordan Pond and up the Cliffs Trail.
Once you’ve made it through the cliffs section, you will be rewarded with 360 degree views of Acadia from the Penobscot Mountain peak. Below you’ll see Jordan Pond and you’ll be surrounded by the fir covered mountains. We were lucky enough to go during the fall, staring out at various hues of reds, oranges, and greens. I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried.
For those who want a challenge, continue up 300 feet to Sargent Mountain and complete the loop back down to Jordan Pond.
Quick Hike Info:
Distance: 2.8 miles
Elevation: 977 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
#3 Beehive Loop
When you travel to Acadia, you’ll learn that the majority of trails seem deceptively easy, because they are short. Beehive is one of those trails. You’ll climb up incredibly steep rocky faces but then at the end you’ll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic vistas.
The trail gains 500 feet of elevation in less than a mile, which is no joke. Yet again, you’ll have to hang on to railings and rungs to get over the mountain. There are a few lookouts along the way, which are fun to stop at and catch your breath.
We went during sunset and every time we got to a new vista, the colors had magically transformed the landscapes. The peak of this hike provides a punch, with powerful views of the area beyond. You’ll see why this is one of the best hikes in Acadia.
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation: 500 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
#4 North Bubble Trail
If you’re short on time, this is the perfect hike for you. Stretch your legs and get out for a quick leg burner up the mountain. The trailhead leaves directly behind Jordan Pond, so it’s fairly easy to find. You’ll follow the trail up over 300 feet using boulders and rocks to make your way to the peak.
When you get to the stop, you will be able to see into the dark blue of Jordan Pond below. This is the deepest lake in Maine, so the water is a shade that you’ve rarely seen before. Unfortunately, when I took this trail the fog had rolled in and the views below were completely obscured, but that’s just my luck!
Quick Hike Info
Distance: .9 miles
Elevation: 374 feet of gain
Type: Out and back
Length: 30 minutes-an hour
Difficulty: Moderate
#5 Jordan Pond Loop
Jordan Pond is one of the most family-friendly hikes in Acadia. This trail winds its way around Jordan Pond with just a couple of sections where you climb over boulders. But, it’s very flat and the pond is one of the most scenic points in the park! It’s the first place that truly made me fall in love with Acadia.
My brother enjoyed this trail, because he didn’t have to conquer his fear of heights to finish the loop. This path follows the pond’s edge around and goes through the serene forest. It’s a great place for leaf-peeping during the fall and to take plenty of beautiful photos of the area.
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 3.3 miles
Elevation: 60 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Planning Your Acadia Hike
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Acadia’s entry fee is $30 for a private vehicle, which is good for a week. You can also use the annual passes including the America the Beautiful Pass to enter the park.
☀️ Weather can change quickly at times. Many of the best hikes in Acadia become dangerous when there are wet conditions. If there is rain in the forecast or the ground is wet, you may want to save this hike for later.
⛺️Mount Desert island has two campgrounds. Both campgrounds require reservations, which you can get up to six months in advance on recreation.gov.
🦮 Although pets are permitted in many areas of Acadia, they are prohibited on some trails like the Precipice Trail.
⚠️ Some of the trails are subject to seasonal closures. You can check trail closures on the NPS website or at the visitor center.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Best Time to Hike in Acadia
There are plenty of great trails that are open from spring through fall. However, the winter in Acadia can be bitterly cold with ice covering the trails. So, you will be limited in the hikes that you can take on.
In my opinion, Fall is the optimal time to visit and hike in Acadia with gorgeous fall foliage and great temperatures. Acadia is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit in the autumn.
Early Spring brings plenty of rain showers, gloomy days, and cold weather. But, in the late spring the weather starts to warm, the sun begins to shine, and visitors start to head to the park. You can see wildflowers along the trail and lush green trees. Early summer looks very similar and continues to get warmer. It’s a wonderful time to hike these trails.
What to Pack for Hikes in Acadia
Acadia is in the Northeast, which is a beautiful area of the country, but it gets very cold and rainy. So, it’s important to pack plenty of layers for your hikes and check the weather before heading out!
Although most of the hikes are well marked, I still recommend downloading them on Alltrails before you go and bringing a satellite phone. It’s important to be safe while you’re out on the trails.
Packing Guide Acadia
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Hat to block sun
- Rain jacket or light winter jacket
- Hiking Pants
- Satellite phone
- Parks Pass
Where to Stay in Acadia
Acadia is one of the most popular parks in the country, so it’s important to plan early to book your stays. There are two campgrounds within the park on Mount Desert Island, but they require reservations in advance.
Otherwise, you can stay nearby in the town of Bar Harbor. This adorable coastal town is a fantastic place to make your home base for your visit with tons of great restaurants and shops. There are a wonderful variety of places to stay!
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Final Tips for Hiking in Acadia
You’ll love exploring Acadia with it’s rugged mountains and incredible landscapes. My biggest tips are to layer up, download your maps, and plan your trip early! The best hikes in Acadia get very crowded during peak times of year, so you may want to visit during the week or go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. I hope you have an incredible time!
Let me know in the comments if this guide was helpful!
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