Be sure to check out these popular hikes at Acadia National Park! These are some of the most favorite hikes for families.
Let’s talk about popular, family-friendly hikes at Acadia National Park. Have you visited Acadia National Park yet? If not, I highly recommend a trip there, even just a weekend will suffice if that is all you have time for. My husband and I were able to get away for few days so we drove along the coast of Maine and headed to Acadia National Park. We loved this national park and wanted to share with you some fun hikes at Acadia National Park. Most of them are easy and a few are medium level hikes, but all of them are beautiful and worth a stop!
*This post contains some affiliate links and is sponsored by Responsival.
How to Prep for Your Hike in Acadia National Park
First of all, I gotta say now that I’m getting a little bit older, I never head out on a hike without some kind of comfort insoles inside my shoes like these comfort shoe inserts. In recent years, I have been plagued with plantar fasciitis and it makes hiking so much harder. Adding comfort insoles in to my shoes has made huge difference and made it so I can still hike a lot!
Before you head out to hike this national park, or any adventure in the outdoors, it’s good to prep ahead. Here’s a few items you will want to take along when hiking at Acadia National Park:
Water Bottle (it can get very humid since it is along the coast)
Sunscreen (although it is cooler, the sun still comes out)
Trail Running Shoes (remember those comfort insoles if you need them!)
Packable rain jacket (because rain is frequent)
Hiking Poles (for those rocky trails)
Other Ways to Explore Acadia National Park
Before I show you the best family-friendly hikes at Acadia National Park, I gotta let you know that there are other ways to enjoy Acadia. You don’t have to just hike it to enjoy it. One of our favorite ways to tour spectacular places on our vacations is using the self-guided tour app called Shaka Guide.
Shaka Guide is an easy way to explore by car because it follows you along as you drive and tells you all that you need to know about an area–what to see, what to skip, where to park, where to eat and go to the restroom, and what not to miss! WE LOVE SHAKA GUIDE! And now they have a specific self-guided tour for Acadia National Park!
*Also, read our review of using the Shaka Guide App for driving the Road to Hana in Maui and see how we used to there.
Family-Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park
1. Carriage Roads Hikes at Acadia
For our first hike, let’s start with one of the most famous areas in the park, The Carriage Roads (EASY LEVEL HIKE). The Carriage Roads are historic gravel roads in the park that are for walking, biking, and equestrian use. No motorized vehicles are allowed. The roads are all over the park and total up to 45 miles. For the most part, the roads are flat and wide and are well-maintained. They go by streams and lakes and right through the forest. It’s very peaceful and worth checking it out.
The Carriage Roads are NOT open all year, so be sure to check if they are open at the park. There are several routes you can take, so be sure to check out the link above that takes you to the National Park Service info about the roads.
2. North Ridge Trail Hike at Acadia
Next let’s go over a hike at Acadia National Park that is a little more challenging. The North Ridge Trail (MODERATE LEVEL HIKE) is a fun hike to get to the top of Cadillac Mountain. It’s a 4.4 mile roundtrip adventure with a lot of variety along the trail. It has many large, exposed rocks and even some rocky steps. It goes through trees, and it has some large open areas that make way for some pretty awesome views of the islands that surround Bar Harbor and Acadia. The hike has a lot of uphill, but it’s only 2 miles or so to the summit of Cadillac Mountain which has a parking lot, restrooms, and even a gift shop.
There is a South Ridge Trail trail on this mountain too and it is a little bit easier. Parking at the trailhead is limited, so get there early! For more info on that check out this video explaining the North Ridge Trail vs. The South Ridge Trail.
3. Ocean Path Trail Hike at Acadia
Another easy trail at Acadia National Park is walking the Ocean Path Trail (EASY LEVEL). This path is mostly flat and is 2.2 miles one way. It starts at Sand Beach upper parking lot. Along this trail you will follow the coastline and see spectacular views of the ocean. You can also see Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Point.
4. Sieur de Monts Garden Hikes at Acadia
Finally, some of our favorite family-friendly hikes at Arcadia National Park were the Sieur de Monts Garden Hikes and Trails (EASY TO MODERATE LEVEL). There are several different trails in one area at Sieur de Monts that you can explore. Our favorites were the Homans Path and the Emery Path. We also went down the mountain by way of the Kurt Diederich’s Climb. There is also the Schiff Path and the Jesup and Hemlock Path (and easier route with a boardwalk).
These paths all a 1.5 miles or less and kind of interconnect and it’s easy to start on one and then continue on another during the same hike turning it into a loop. Most the these trails have a lot of granite steps and rocky trails. The greenery and trees are lush, the rock formations are unique, and the views are beautiful. I highly recommend this hike for families.
PS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU TRY THE SHAKA GUIDE ACADIA CAR TOUR IF YOU ARE ROAD TRIPPIN’! IT’S THE BEST WAY TO SEE MAINE.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of our favorite family-friendly hikes in Acadia National Park! Now then . . . where should we go to next?
