Southwest Harbor, Maine
Top Spots in and near Southwest Harbor
-
Sullivan, Maine
Photograph Bass Harbor Lighthouse
4.4The skill level can vary on photographing this picture perfect location but no matter your skill level be sure to arrive early to scout out your best composition and be prepared for the swarm of other photographers at sunset! All photos were taken the same day at different times throughout the da...Read more -
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 ...Read more -
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 ...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Sargent Mountain via South Ridge Trail
6.76 mi / 1293 ft gainThis 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 ...Read more -
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...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Relax at Little Hunters Beach
5.0Little Hunters Beach is a hidden gem in Acadia National Park. It’s the perfect place to get away from the crowds and listen to the crashing waves and the crackling of the cobblestones. You might be tempted to venture in to the water, but beware – cool waters and strong currents do not make this...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Jordan Pond
4.83.24 mi / 108 ft gainIf 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...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Hike Pemetic Mountain in Acadia NP
5.03.82 mi / 843 ft gainPemetic 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...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Parkman Mountain
4.03.07 mi / 568 ft gainParkman 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...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Acadia's 6 Peak Circuit
6.29 mi / 1893 ft gainPark 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...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Blackwoods in Bar Harbor
5.0Blackwoods Campground is one of two campgrounds located within Acadia National Park. Since the park does not permit backcountry camping, options to stay outdoors in the actual park are limited to this campground and the Seawall Campground further south on Mt. Desert Island. There are places to ca...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Off-season Camp at Blackwoods Campground
0.75 miWhen we saw that the weather in Acadia was going to be mid 40's and sunny in March, we decided we had to go. However, when you go in March there are a lot of different things about Acadia National Park that are helpful to know.First of all, it is recommended that you camp at Blackwoods Campground...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Otter Point
5.01.09 mi / 92 ft gainIf you only have an hour or so left to your day in Acadia, Otter Point offers some amazing views of the coastline, without being on a crowded beach. An easy mellow trail just inland from the shore allows you easy access to iconic places such as Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, and Monument Cove. Hike ...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Bubbles Divide Trail to Bubble Rock
4.71.12 mi / 361 ft gainBubble 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...Read more -
Mount Desert, Maine
Otter Cliff
4.5Otter Cliff – not to be confused with Otter Point – is a popular stop along the Ocean Path trail in Acadia National Park. This 110-foot cliff is one of the highest coastal headlands in North America and is a prime spot for rock climbing. If you don’t have your own gear, there are climbing tours a...Read more -
Bar Harbor, Maine
Gorham Mountain Trail
4.71.64 mi / 459 ft gainGorham Mountain Trail is one of the relatively shorter and easy trails in Acadia National Park, and it's a perfect morning spot to catch a sunrise in Acadia (much less crowded than the highly-visited Cadillac Mountain). To access the trail head, you'll need to drive into the park and down the Pa...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Southwest Harbor
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday
At the Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA, watch the sky melt into sunset pastels from your waterfront site. With 3,500 feet of Atlantic shorelin...
Winter Harbor, Maine
Schoodic Woods Campground
Overview
Schoodic Woods campsites are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Reservations for group campsites can be made starting on Marc...
Isle au Haut, Maine
Duck Harbor Campground
Overview
Campsite reservations can be made beginning on April 1st each year at 10:00am (EST). The first night to book a campsite is May 1...
Orland, Maine
Bucksport / Fort Knox KOA Holiday
For a real taste of Maine, your hosts at Bucksport/Fort Knox KOA can happily arrange a succulent fresh “lobstah” feed. It's a true Downe...
Holden, Maine
Bangor / Holden KOA Holiday
This KOA truly makes the most of its enviable Downeast Maine setting, with much of the campground preserved as woods and natural spaces. ...