Acadia beginner hikes?

[BLJ]

Daughter may be heading there later this summer.
Looking for suggestions on easy/moderate/scenic in or around Acadia.
Thanks.

 

[juniatahunter]

I really like the Cadillac mountain trail. I’d say it’s one of the more scenic trails in the park.

 

[grossklw]

I spent a summer there after grad school and hiked 5-6 days a week.

Some of my favorite hikes were actually on the Schoodic Peninsula. Still a part of Acadia but 1/3 the people that MDI has in the summer. Plenty of easy hikes throughout Acadia. Hiking around Jordan pond is very easy and some nice views.

When she’s a little older take her on the Precipice and BeeHive. Incredible Views.

Another option is a bit of a drive to get to the Bold Coast which has some of the best views in Maine and no people.

 

[summs]

I lived and worked there for a bit. Most all hikes are beginner friendly, just not beehive and precipice (may be closed to falcon nesting anyway). Any questions, feel free to PM me.

I'd recommend bringing a bike and exploring the carriage roads, they lead to POI's and wont be as strenuous.

Best thing on the entire island is CJ's ice cream. Gotta get the cookie dough, chunks the size of golf balls.

 

[nettereo16]

Stop at the roadside shacks for lobster/clams, they're much better than the nicer restaurants and can be a lot of fun

 

[BLJ]

Appreciate the advice everyone.

 

[Erict]

Acadia is a busy place in the summer. Parking spots in the park can be hard to come by in some of the lots depending on time of day. Carriage roads are as easy hiking as it gets, but very busy and lots of idiots on rented e-bikes who probably don't belong on a bike. Cell phone coverage is spotty in many parts of the island. Skeeters and black flies/midges can be annoying at times, so go prepared. Don't plan on taking a shower if you stay in their NP campgrounds - there isn't any I know of as fresh water is a commodity on the island. Take snacks if you hike in the park, or climb up Cadillac Mt and visit the gift shop for a $12 ice cream sandwich. There is a free shuttle bus that runs around alot of the island - do an internet search for details.

Take a side trip to the Bass Harbor area in the southwestern part of the island - much less "crowded".
- Get the hot lobster roll at ARCHIES - nice outdoor seating and maybe live music that day. You'll never have a cold lobster roll again.
- Nearby, visit Bass Harbor Head Light Station - a neat old lighthouse on the edge of a big rock shore. Parking can be difficult near sunset as the parking lot is very, very small.
- Hike the short and level Ship Harbor Nature Trail - it can get buggy.
- Stop for a peaceful break on the public shoreline - a few picnic tables may be open. Go down the road opposite the entrance to the NP Seawall campground.
- A neat and inexpensive place to stay is Bass Harbor Campground. Tent/camper sites and even small cabins/yurts for rent. They have a nice setup with shower rooms and even a small pool and "game room" area with WIFI. Within walking distance to the lighthouse.
- Biking on the roads in that part of the island was okay, but there are zero shoulders and I found the motorists, many of them from other states/tourists, not overly careful.

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