5 Kid-Friendly Trails in Acadia National Park With Beautiful Views

Acadia is a beautiful national park with amazing trails accessible all year. Whether you’re new to hiking, going with your family or just want to see beautiful views, this guide has the best trails within the park. Acadia is a smaller national park, but full of wildlife, views and activities for the entire family. It’s also a great park to visit if you are already an outdoor lover or just wanting to start exploring thanks to it’s close proximity to Bar Harbor.

One of the amazing parts about Acadia National Park is how family friendly it is. Almost all of the trails in the park are shorter distances with minimal elevation gain, making them great for all abilities and ages. Acadia also has countless activities to keep everyone in the family happy. From hiking to water activities or rock climbing and relaxing at the beach, there is something for everyone here!

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Things to Know About Acadia National Park

• Acadia National Park requires a fee to enter the park for all visitors. You can pay $35 for a seven day pass, or purchase the America The Beautiful pass for $80, which gets you access to all national parks and monuments for a year. If this is the only place you intend to visit in a year, the seven day pass is great. If you plan to visit other parks or want to stop at national monuments, a yearly pass is the way to go. Passes can be purchased at the entrance gates, online or in-store at most outdoor recreation stores. If you can, purchase prior to visiting the part to help keep the entrance lines moving and prevent lines into the park.

• The roads within Acadia can get a little confusing at times because there are one way sections, neighborhoods and loops. Park Loop Road is a one way loop, but not for the entire loop. Having a map, planning hikes in advance by locations and knowing where the one way sections are will save you a lot of time. I had to take the long loop around more than once because I was not aware of this at first. You can use this map here to help you find the one way sections and plan out your days accordingly.

• Dogs are allowed in many areas of the park and hiking trails, but not all. If you bring a dog into the park they must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Always pick up dog poop and dispose of it properly. Dog poop left in the park can cause wildlife to catch diseases. Dogs are not allowed on Sand Beach between June 15 to September 8 or at Echo Lake from May 15 to September 15. They are also not allowed within any public building, ranger hosted events or the Wild Gardens of Acadia.

• Most of the lakes within the park are public water supplies and therefore off limits to humans and pet activity. This means no swimming is allowed in the lakes. There are signs posted stating no swimming and if you’re unsure about a body of water, ask a ranger before entering.

• If you want to drive up Cadillac Mountain, you will need to make a reservation in advance. There is limited parking and is one of the most popular spots in the park. It is the highest elevation, at 1,530, making it one of the best views of the surrounding area. Reservations are available for sunrise and daytime.

• The Park Loop Road is a two lane road but people are allowed to park in the right line. Use the left lane to pass and drive when there are cars stopped on the right. Be sure to pay attention to park signs and always follow the posted rules.

Before Visiting Acadia National Park

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in existing campsites rather than over vegetation.

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly bury it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them.

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plants off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states.

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use existing fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing with multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away.

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum of 100 yards for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.

• Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!

Acadia National Park Location

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island on the Atlantic Ocean. It sits just outside of Bar Harbor, Maine, a quaint coastal town on Frenchman Bay. The entrances of the park are just a quick 4 minute drive away from Bar Harbor, making it a popular spot to stay.

The Island has multiple small towns throughout as well as quiet neighborhoods nestled throughout. As you drive the park you’ll pass through many of these areas. The park is roughly 3 hours north of Portland and an hour from Bangor, if you fly into either of those airports.

Best Time of Year to Visit Acadia

Acadia is a great park to visit year-round, but most popular in the summer and fall months. The summer brings about the warmest tempers and humidity. Fall is beautiful with all the fall foliage around the park. In the winter months, Acadia can get snow and ice. The rocks and water looks magical covered in snow this time of year. Spring is a beautiful time to go if you’re looking for warmer temperatures and wildflowers.

5 Family-Friendly Trails in Acadia National Park

Below are five beautiful trails to hike that are perfect for the entire family. These trails are the top choices because they not only offer epic views of the park and surrounding area, they are short and easier elevations.

Ocean Path Trail

The Ocean Path Trail is the perfect trail for all abilities because you can hike as little or as much of it as you wish. The trail is quite flat as well, therefore easier for all abilities. The best place to start this trail is from the Sand Beach Parking lot, but go early because it’s a busy parking lot. From there you can hike along the trail as far as you wish or do a short section before driving the rest. The nice thing about the Ocean Path Trail is that there are multiple parking lots along the route making it easy to just hike sections of the trail.

It is a beautiful trail that has sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding coastline in the distance. Thunder Hole is a must-stop spot. There is also a popular climbing spot near Otter Cliff. Be sure to explore random areas of the cliffs so you can see various viewpoints.

One downside to this trail is that it literally goes next to the main Park Loop Road. As you walk there will be cars passing next to you, which can be nerve racking with small children, but still a must see spot. And to top it off the fumes of the cars aren’t ideal while enjoying nature. Luckily you can escape this area by exploring the rocks along the coastline, but do keep in mind the closeness of the road if you have young children.

Jordan Pond is a large lake along the Park Loop Road. There are two ways to hike around Jordan Pond. The first is starting at the Bubble Rock Parking Lot, where the South Bubble Trail begins as well. The second and more popular option is to start at the Jordan Pond House.

This is a popular spot in the park thanks to the historic Jordan Pond House, just off the shores of the lake. The Jordan Pond House is favorite among visitors to grab a bite to eat or enjoy tea on the lawn. You can hike the loop and then enjoy snacks at the house!

A fun add on to this trail is the South Bubble, as mentioned below. The route to the summit from Jordan Pond is quite steep with large boulders hikers have to literally climb over and through near the top. It is a constant stair climb up, but worth the views if you can add it on. Another option is the walk the short distance to meet the South Bubble trail mentioned below.

South Bubble

Most visitors choose to hike the Beehive, a popular trail within the park. The Beehive trail is a steep overlook trail with scrambling and drop offs, therefore a more challenging trail. South Bubble is a friendlier option with equally amazing views. The trail starts at the Bubble Rock Parking Lot and quickly hits a junction. Going left will take you to Jordan Pond Trail. Just behind the bridge is a steep scramble up to the summit of South Bubble. This is the route I took, but it is definitely a more difficult, steep route and has a lot of rock scrambling.

At the first junction, if you go right instead you’ll take the easier route up to South Bubble. There are two other junctions along this trail, so pay attention to signs. A good add-on to this trail would be the North Bubble Trail, which overlooks Eagle Lake.

When you reach the summit you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding hills, Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake and even the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. In the fall months, the surrounding hills are spotted with the fall foliage.

Cadillac Mountain Loop

This is the shortest and easier of the hikes shared. It is also one of the most coveted spots of the park, hence the need for a reservation. It is the highest point in Acadia National Park and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. This makes is a must see sunrise spot for many people as it is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise every day.

It is a paved trail with very little elevation change. Unfortunately when I went the mountain was in a cloud and we didn’t get to see a view after going halfway up, but the summit has 360 degree views of the surrounding area and well worth the added reservation.

Reservations must be made in advance, prior to arriving at the park. They are available here, and are released on a 90 day and 2 day window. There are two time slots available: sunrise or daytime. Once you enter at your time slot, there is no time limit on when you must leave. The fee is $6 for either time slot and nonrefundable.

Eagle Lake Carriage Road

Eagle Carriage Road is another easy trail around Eagle Lake, which sits just off Park Loop Road. Eagle Lake is double the size of Jordan Pond, making it a longer walk. The fall foliage along this trail is one of the best in the park though! This trail is much more of a road than a trail, but is perfect for families or anyone wanting to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

This trail is the only one that is not located off of Park Loop Road. It is just off Park Loop Road, along Eagle Lake Road. It is a small parking lot, but not a very busy part of the park. There are two access points off of Park Loop Road. The first is parking at the Bubbles Parking Lot and then walking the Jordan Pond Carriage Road north until you reach the trail. The second option is to park at Bubble Pond Carriage Road parking lot and walk north to the trail. Both of these options will add up to an additional mile round trip.

Jesup Path

Easily one of the most popular and photographed trails in Acadia, it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful spots, especially in the fall months. The trail gets its popularity and unique beauty from the long stretch of boardwalk that makes up the trail.

Jesup Path ends at Park Loop Road. You can either continue on Great Meadow Loop or turn around. There are a lot of other beautiful trails off of Jesup Path in this area you can explore as well, including exploring the Wild Gardens. If you have the time to do more in this area, be sure to wander some of the other trails.

The there are multiple options to reach the trail. I started at a small parking lot off Otter Creek Road, just north of the Tarn. It was the longer option but a great way to see a little more of the park with minimal extra miles. From there I walked along Beachcroft Path and connected to the Jesup Path, which takes you to Wild Gardens of Acadia. Another option is to start at the gardens and hop on the trail from there.

Bonus Trail: Sand Beach and Great Head Trail

Sand Beach is located directly across from the popular Beehive trail and is usually a very busy place to park at. The parking lot is the Sand Beach Parking, but there is road parking as well. The beach is a must stop whether you’re just wanting to see the ocean or relax and play in the sand. I spent a few hours here letting my son play in the sand! This is also a great spot to relax and enjoy lunch or a snack.

Not only can visitors enjoy Sand Beach, they can choose to hike multiple trails from here, including Great Head. In order to hike the Great Head Trail, visitors will have to walk across Sand Beach to reach the trailhead on the opposite side. So either way you will be able to walk along the beach. The trail has a sign marking it, as well as plenty of people normally coming and going.

This is also a great spot to park and enjoy the Ocean Path Trail as well. The Ocean Path Trail begins at the Sand Beach parking lot and from it you can walk as little or as much of the trail as you wish to see.

Dogs must be kept in a leash. There were multiple dogs throughout my time here off leash and every time a ranger came over and had to ask the visitors to leash up the dog. Be sure to keep your furry friends on leashes at the park to prevent getting fined.

What to Bring to Acadia National Park

The 10 Essentials

No matter the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. If there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. In addition, you can always help a fellow hiker in need.

Backpack

Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Always be prepared by having your own gear. Do not rely on others to carry you gear. I like to use one between 25-28L so I have plenty of room for food and layers. I have the Gregory Jade 28 and the REI Trail 25.

Sun Protection

Preventing sun stroke and sunburns is important, so bring and use proper sun protection. I always pack sunscreen to reapply throughout the hike as needed. Bring a hat to help keep the sun off your face and neck. Wearing a sun shirt to help protect skin from harmful UV rays will help prevent sunburns and heat stroke. Even on a cloudy day you can get a sunburn, so always go prepared.

Trail Must-Have Accessories

Because you will possible be enjoying some time at the beach, a packable blanket is a must for visiting Acadia! If you’re going during colder temperatures, a packable Rumpl blanket is perfect for the summit viewpoints or snuggling up to watching the waves roll in. I don’t go on any hike without my seat cushion. It provides comfort on trail, a dry place to sit if its wet and insulation on cold of snowy days.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. The trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Water proof shoes are best if the trail is wet.

Clothing Layers

It’s important to pack plenty of layers, no matter the time of year you visit. The type of layers you bring will depend on the time of year and expected weather. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer. On colder days I like to also bring a fleece layer.

Acadia National Park Reminders

• The Park Loop Road is a one way loop, but not for the entire loop. Be sure to have map and know your desired routes to stops prior to going so you don’t have to do the entire loop to backtrack to a trailhead. Planning your stops accordingly with the one way will help you make the most of your time here.

• Dogs are allowed in the park but not everywhere, therefore it is best to leave them at home if you can. If you must bring a dog, be sure to stop at a visitor center first to see where your dog is and is not allowed to go. Dogs must be kept on leashes at all times in the park.

• Acadia is most people’s desired destination when visiting this area, but be sure to leave plenty of time to explore Bar Harbor. It is a quaint town just outside the park with amazing food, activities and shops to explore. Plus it is easy to explore here with its proximity to the park!

I hope this guide helps you with your adventure to Acadia National Park and enjoy these trails with your family! If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!

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