Cadillac Mountain is a must-see when traveling to Bar Harbor, Maine…read more It gives a great overview of the harbor and a real rugged experience. But be prepared. Make reservations in advance online; you can't make them in person. You must buy park tickets, which are $35 (kind of ridiculous for a state park), and $6 bucks to tour the top of the mountain. They had a small gift shop and only one working restroom with two portalets close by. Some people drive it, some hike it to see the sunrise and some bike it. I would only recommend driving it given how narrow the road is and it's off the side of a cliff. It was a nice overall experience.

We opted for the one and a half hour shore excursion that takes you to the top of the highest peak…read moreon the North Atlantic Seaboard. You enter Arcadia National Park. Today it was foggy yet as we ascended up we climbed above the clouds: surreal and beautiful. There is a gift shop and a restroom.

I hiked the Hollingsworth Trail and it was well marked and relatively easy. Just have to be mindful…read moreof some roots and rocks. It looped around the Rocky shoreline,, which was beautiful. So it was. The ride to The preserve (Pigeon Hill Rd) is scenic. Parking could be tight on the busiest days but I was lucky!

We hiked the Birch and Lobster Point trails. There is a fairly decent sized parking area at the…read moreBirch/Lobster trail head, which is the first parking lot on the right. There were only a couple of cars when we arrived on a Thursday in September. The trail starts off in a mass of blueberry fields. Unfortunately for us, it was past blueberry picking season. As a note, you can only hand pick the blueberries, no rakes are allowed. The trail then enters the woods, and you are in the woods until you reach the water. The trail is gravel/natural mulch which makes for easy walking. There are some roots but it's not too bad. In several wet areas, they have built boardwalks. There are some strategically placed adirondack chairs at various viewpoints of the water. They were very comfortable - what a great idea! So, if you plan ahead, you can pack a lunch and dine by the water :) As you hike along, there is a spur trail that takes you to Lobster Point. When you return to the main trail, the loop trail to Birch Point is not far away. Once you leave Birch Point, continue around the loop. There is a pretty narrow part through some low bushes that is cleared just enough for you to walk through. Then you come upon a very open, rocky space that is on the water. Another place that would be fun to hang out and have lunch. Finish the loop trail and head back to the parking lot on the original main trail. This isn't a hike that will get your heartbeat up; however, it is an enjoyable walk with some great water views. It took us about 2 1/2 hours but we lollygagged around quite a bit. There were some bugs but they weren't too bad in September.

This was my favorite hike in Acadia! A bit challenging, but worth it…read more If you are even remotely afraid of heights, this is probably not the hike for you. My husband turned around and bailed, and several people I passed were scared and stuck at difficult spots throughout the climb. It starts with some serious rock scrabbling and then it only intensifies from there. You have to be able to climb vertical metal bars punched into the stone and navigate some pretty narrow ledges with sheer drops (think mini version of the worst parts of Angel's Landing) to get to the top. It's not long - less than a mile - to the top. But, it got a little intense. I LOVED it. Wonderful views throughout, beautiful and just challenging enough to get the blood pumping. It's not encouraged to go back down the way you came - and you can easily continue on hiking as it meets up with a loop to come back down to the parking area or you can continue on some other trails to continue your journey.

I visited around 7 am, and the trail was not too busy, but there were some lines and short waits of…read moreless than a minute at the most exposed areas of the trail. I think the cliff exposure is similar to Angel's Landing, but this trail is much shorter and not as strenuous. It's no walk in the park either, so definitely be safe and there's no turning around in the difficult part once you start because there's only room for one-way. If you have rock climbing experience, it makes a huge difference because it felt like a long slab climb with jugs. The trail was honestly shorter than I expected, and I completed the loop returning via the bowl trail in less than 2 hours. Great views throughout with lots of resting points so you could easily spend longer. You can chill by the pond on the loop, or relax at Sand beach nearby afterwards.

When visiting Acadia National Park in Park Loop Road., one place you must stop is Sand Beach. It's…read morebeautiful, peaceful, with cliffs, mountains, what more can you ask for. This is the largest, sandy beach on Acadia. I did not see a lifeguard when I came so be aware when swimming. Sometimes they are not present. You do have to go down stairs to get here. There is parking or you can come in the Island Shuttle that stops here. Then at night, on Sundays and Wednesdays, weather permitting, the Park Rangers put on an excellent Stargazing program to do. I came and really enjoyed it. But dress warm, bring chairs or a blanket to sit on. Whether you are visiting day or night, this beach does not disappoint !

Beautiful beach in Acadia National Park. We took the LLBEAN shuttle and it took us right to it, it…read morewas the loop road route. This was convenient as parking looked tough. We weren't prepared to go swimming but we still walked the beach and took some pictures. A lot of people were there to swim and it was pretty crowded. The air was chilly so I was surprised how many people were swimming but maybe the water was warm. I didn't notice lifeguards but there was a park ranger circulating. Plus bathrooms and changing rooms up top. At night they had a stargazing program here which we came back for which was ranger led and honestly one of my favorite memories of the trip.

My usual mountain hike areas are not well known and sometimes takes time to find the entrance to…read morethe trail. This is not such a place. Driving into the area, I found a museum for the local fish hatchery, a busy swimming area, and public bathrooms. Such luxury compared to what I usually have when out for a hike. The road to the trail was a dirt road and I believe I traveled about a mile before getting to one of three parking areas. There was a large map showing all of the local trails, mountains, and scenic spots. The trail itself was well marked with wooden blue blazes, well groomed, a well maintained bridge and signs along the way to guide a hiker song the trail they want. Much of the trail was smooth granite that made easy walking and can also make for easy mountain biking as a biker when scooting by me while I relaxed. Near the top of the mountain was where the best views were had. At the very top, the view was not as spectacular but needed so I could say I did the whole mountain. All or nothing!! I will definitely be back with my husband and our bikes to check out the mountain bike trails and to check out the museum.

Great Pond Mountain is a fabulous spot and there are different ways to get to the top. There's a…read morelot of granite higher up in the trail and there is a nice loop around the summit.

Listen up: this intense hike does not mess around…read more All those things you read at the trailhead and on the websites are true. If you're not in great shape, and if you have even the tiniest whisper of a fear of heights, then this hike is NOT for you. No kids, full stop. There's a reason it's on lists of "The Most Dangerous Tourist Attractions In The World" and the like. Now that you're appropriately warned, I can also say that this is one of the most memorable and fun hikes I've ever done. You start at the very small parking area (plan to park along the road, or honestly, just take the shuttle that stops here) and have the easiest part of the hike first. After just a bit, you'll come to your first climb up a rock face, then you wrap around the mountain to find a scramble up a talus rock slope. At the top of the that rock scramble you bop over and then under a tunnel of rock, and that's just getting you warmed up. Expect 90-degree granite cliffs where you cling to iron ladder rungs, exposed rock faces where you shuffle along the face on a tiny ledge, and a lot of thigh/glute/calf workout as you basically scale up the side of a cliff with many many many ladder segments as your sweaty palms cling to the iron rungs. In a word: awesome! At the end, you end up on the top of Acadia, looking out to the water. We visited in October when the foliage was prime, and obviously that's a pro move. Everyone talks about Cadillac but if you're willing to put in the sweat, this is the views without the crowds. Once you're at the top, they recommend coming down a different trail that pops you out on the road closer back to town, and then walking back to the trailhead. We did just that and it's the way to go--descending those ladders in two-way traffic is a recipe for problems. Shoutout the bus driver who stopped for us on the road so we didn't have to walk all the way back! If you're into hikes like this but don't want, you know, the FULL hike like this, I'm told the Beehive Trail has a little taste of this kind of thing and that may be the way to go. But if disaster flirting is your thing and you're a responsible hiker and it hasn't been raining, hit up the Precipice Trail for sure.

I love this. Not for beginners. Mostly steps and some…read moresteeper parts. When going uphill I had to stop a lot. A very good workout, and I would love to do it again when I am in shape. Don't do it midday, be there around 9. Leaving later would be too hot (it was 60F today and at 9 we were boiling from sun) Also, leaving early because of tourists. But, older people who can handle it can do it. For example: my friend who is 57 could walk and do it, but another 57 year old was much slower and behind the group. But, she did well.

Definitely off the beaten path down a narrow one-way gravel road. 3-4 pull offs which fit 1-3 small…read morecars. No turn arounds. There are better places to hike.

We hiked the trails three times now. Once in 2020 and twice in 2022. Each time a different path,…read moreeach being as new as the other. The main loop trail can be taken either clockwise or counterclockwise, we found the counterclockwise to be much in tune with the water features. The main loop offers an abundance of shoreline and water views. Today, our third trail, known as Davis Farm Trail, which appeared much less traveled and therefore more natural. Also, one leg of this path leads to the remains of the Davis Farm, circa early 1900's. Now, just overgrown granite foundations, a few fruit trees, and an informational placard. All trails in the preserve are well maintained, for instance any fallen tree must be heard and quickly cleared by the local trail elves if they so exist. The main looping trail can be rough with exposed roots and a few soggy sections during rainy periods. All in all, a fine preserve of coastal land once the labors of generations before and now left to us to respect and enjoy.

Less than an acre, this is a nice short stop along the Park Loop Road. During our visit in late…read moreJune, there were a few flowers blooming. The plants are labeled for easy identification. Parking is readily available.

A beautiful garden with labeling of the plants. There is an on-site nature center. There was also a…read morebeautiful easy trail that loops back to the garden. The Holman / Dorr paths were easily accessible from the garden trail. These two trails were more difficult since vertical hiking and climbing were required. Due to miscalculation of time and prior commitment, our party of six didn't summit and cross the pass of Dorr Path. We had to turn back. My family will return and take care of this unfinished pleasure. Parking was plentiful.

Spectacular view of Penobscot Bay, the surrounding islands, and the Town of Camden. Well…read moremaintained and clean park, we walked a few of the trails on our visit today. $6 per person for non residents of Maine. That pretty much says it all, a short review, but this is a "must visit" if you are in the area.

I always try to visit a park when I'm traveling. Camden Hills State Park is a must see while…read morevisiting Maine. There is a small $6 fee for entry. You can camp, walk, bike or drive the park. The park guides are very helpful. We went straight to Mt Battie Rd for a beautiful scenic view of Camden Harbor. Penobscot Bay and Megunticook Lake. The views are out of the world! We spent 2 days going in and out of the park to see daytime versus sunset across the bay. We actually had a small picnic while visiting. This was a very calm relaxing experience. I highly recommend especially if you like wandering and hiking in parks. There is two sides to park, so dont forget to drive across the street.