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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Top Spots in and near Mount Desert

    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Hike Parkman Mountain

      4.0
      3.06 mi / 748 ft gain
      Parkman Mountain is already a lesser-hiked trail in the summer, and if you snowshoe it in the winter, it is very likely you’ll have the entire mountain to yourself. It offers exceptional views, a good amount of exposure, and solitude that is inspiring. From Parkman Mountain Parking area, walk pa...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Hike Acadia's 6 Peak Circuit

      6.26 mi / 1373 ft gain
      Park yourself at Parkman Mountain Parking Area, a small lot located off of Route 3.  Remember to arrive early as this parking lot fills up quickly.  Load up your pack, grab your water, and maneuver your way through the carriage roads until you reach the Bald Peak Trailhead.  After a mile climb up...
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    • Southwest Harbor, Maine

      Swim at Echo Lake

      Take a dip at Echo Lake in Acadia National Park! It's a small beach that's best driven to and easily park-able once you arrive. It's a refreshing stop for swimming that's right off of the beat and path. There are many campgrounds that rest upon the shores of Echo Lake if you want to be right on t...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Camp at Mount Desert Campground on Somes Sound

      5.0
      Being in the center of Mt. Desert Island, you are just a quick drive to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.This campground offers waterfront and off-waterfront sites.  The waterfront is right along Somes Sound and offers amazing views at anytime of the day.  We went during off season (no reserva...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Hike Sargent Mountain via South Ridge Trail

      4.4 mi / 1400 ft gain
      This has been one of my favorite winter adventures that I have had in a long time. There were gorgeous views of Somes Sound, we saw three snowy owls and there is a gorgeous  frozen waterfall on the way up to the summit! Because much of the Park Loop Road is closed in winter, we started our hike ...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Kayak Long Pond

      You can reach the northern shore of Long Pond by following 102 South until you reach Somesville.  A few miles past this you will notice a Kayak Rental shop on your right and Whitney Farm Road.  You can park near here and utilize the shore to put your kayak in, or you can rent from the shop.  A pu...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Explore Asticou Azalea Garden and Preserve

      Asticou Azalea Garden is a portion of 1400 acres managed by Land & Garden Preserve.  Here, you park at a small parking lot on the east side of 198 close to the intersection of Peabody Dr. and 198.  Parking is limited so if it is full come back in a bit! From the parking lot you can follow a ...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Hike Pemetic Mountain in Acadia NP

      5.0
      3.81 mi / 1000 ft gain
      Pemetic Mountain is a challenging hike in the Jordan Pond area of Acadia National Park.  There are several route options to the summit, with varying levels of difficulty.  The most common route is a loop hike starting from the Jordan Pond parking lot.  This option ascends the South Ridge Trail, w...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Hike around Jordan Pond

      4.8
      3.23 mi
      If you ever find yourself in Acadia National Park, be sure to check out Jordan Pond. Jordan Pond is a 3.6 mile long pond sitting in the heart of Mt. Desert Island. The shoreline of the pond has amazing views of the The Bubbles, which are two similar mountains that resemble "bubbles". The pond has...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Hike the Bubbles Divide Trail to Bubble Rock in Acadia NP

      4.7
      1.16 mi / 300 ft gain
      Bubble Rock is a well-known natural wonder in Acadia National Park.  This large boulder, which was carried by powerful glaciers, is resting precariously on the edge of the summit of South Bubble.  Due to its fairly accessible location, it is a common stop for visitors to the park. The trail begi...
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    • Mount Desert, Maine

      Explore Thuya Garden

      Thuya Garden is a separate portion of a larger preserve.  You can reach this garden by either parking on route 3 heading north a quarter mile past the main entrance or you can park in the actual Thuya Garden lot.  If you park on Route 3, you can enjoy a nice walk through the Maine forest on your ...
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    • Bar Harbor, Maine

      Explore Cadillac Mountain

      4.8
      0.35 mi
      Seeing the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain is an absolute must when in Acadia National Park. Not only is it awesome to catch the first sunrise in the U.S., but the views from Cadillac Mountain are unparalleled. At 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic sea...
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    • Bar Harbor, Maine

      Cadillac North Ridge Trail

      5.0
      4.15 mi / 1530 ft gain
      The Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead is accessible through Paradise Hill Road once you enter the park through the Hulls Cove Entrance. When driving on route 3 in Bar Harbor, keep an eye out for a sign that says "Acadia National Park Hulls Cove Entrance, Visitor Center Right Lane". Stay in the right...
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    • Bar Harbor, Maine

      HIke the Dorr Mountain Loop via the Tarn Trail

      4.75 mi / 1100 ft gain
      This hike starts from the parking lot of Sieur de Monts Nature Center parking lot, walking on the Wild Gardens Path to the Tarn Trail.  This is a section of the Kane Path so you will not see any mention of a Tarn Trail on the maps for Acadia National Park. The trail runs right along the lake edge...
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    • Bar Harbor, Maine

      Hike the Jesup Path & Hemlock Road Loop

      1 mi
      This easy hike starts over a wooden foot bridge to the left of the Wild Gardens Of Acadia.  Here you will take a right on the Jesup Path paralleling the gardens.  You will soon cross the Hemlock Road which will be where you return.  The path now becomes a boardwalk taking you along a boggy area o...
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    • Bar Harbor, Maine

      Summit Dorr Mountain via the Ladder Trail

      5.0
      3.6 mi / 1100 ft gain
      To find the trail head, drive out of Bar Harbor down Route 3. There are no signs for the trailhead or for parking, so as soon as you pass Tarn Lake on the right, you can pull off and park on the side of the road. Elevation on the ladder trail starts immediately and doesn't let up until you reach...
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    Camping and Lodging in Mount Desert

    Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday
    Bar Harbor, Maine

    Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday

    Schoodic Woods Campground
    Winter Harbor, Maine

    Schoodic Woods Campground

    Duck Harbor Campground
    Isle au Haut, Maine

    Duck Harbor Campground

    Bucksport / Fort Knox KOA Holiday
    Orland, Maine

    Bucksport / Fort Knox KOA Holiday

    Bangor / Holden KOA Holiday
    Holden, Maine

    Bangor / Holden KOA Holiday

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Mount Desert

    Why You Should Visit Acadia National Park Anytime This Year

    Why You Should Visit Acadia National Park Anytime This Year

    Chris Mongeau

    Fall in Acadia National Park

    Fall in Acadia National Park

    Molly Mann