12 Jul Ship Harbor Trail: An Easy Hike in Acadia National Park

Are you looking for an easy hiking trail with coastal views in Acadia National Park? Do you plan to hike with kids and/or dogs? Then I recommend the Ship Harbor Trail, located on the western side of Mt. Desert Island in Acadia. The trail is just over one mile (~1.6 kilometers) long with minimal elevation gain. That being said, the trail is relatively flat and easy, making it perfect for any type of hiker. Moreover, the trail offers stunning coastal views of the Ship Harbor Cove as well as the opportunity to explore the rocky coastline.

Do not let the fact that the trail is on the western side of Mt. Desert Island dissuade you from adding it to your itinerary. The island is quite small, and thus it is just a quick 30-minute drive from the town of Bar Harbor.

We hiked along the trail during our second day in Acadia National Park. We did a more difficult and daring trail (the Beehive Trail) the day before, so it was nice to have a more relaxing trail for the following day.

Contents:

1) Location of Ship Harbor Trail, Acadia

2) Acadia National Park Entrance Information

3) Estimated Visit Time

4) Trail Information

5) Things to See Along the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

6) Recommended Items to Bring

7) Nearby Attractions

1) Location of Ship Harbor Trail, Acadia

Where is the Ship Harbor Trail located?

The Ship Harbor Trail is located on Mt. Desert Island in Acadia National Park. More specifically, it is located in the southwestern region of the island near Seawall Campground and the town of Bass Harbor.

For reference, the town of Bar Harbor and attractions such as Cadillac Mountain and the Beehive Trail are on the eastern side of Mt. Desert Island. Do not worry, however, for they are just a quick drive away. For example, the drive from the Ship Harbor Trail to the land bridge in Bar Harbor is only around 30 minutes.

Parking for the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

The designated parking area for the Ship Harbor Trail is a small pull off area on the side of the road. There are approximately 20 parking spots, including two accessible spots. Due to the limited amount of parking, you might have to wait a couple of minutes for a spot if you visit on a weekend afternoon in July or August. Plan to visit earlier in the morning or later in the evening for less crowds.

Additionally, the parking area has one restroom.

On the other hand, you can ditch the car and utilize the park shuttle.

Lodging near the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

If you would like to stay the night in or near Acadia National Park, you have a few options. First, you can book a site at a campground. I recommend you stay at Seawall Campground since it is closer to the Ship Harbor Trail than any of the other campgrounds available in Acadia.

Second, you can opt for comfort and book a stay at a hotel in Bar Harbor. For a more luxurious experience, book a room at the Saltair Inn Waterfront B&B or the Hampton Inn Bar Harbor. On the other hand, book a room at the Island Place or the Bell Isle Motel to stick to a budget.

Airports near the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

The closest airport to Acadia National Park is the Bangor International Airport. It is located one and a half hours northwest.

Please keep in mind that there are no public transportation options available from the airport to Acadia or the Ship Harbor Trail specifically. Your best option is thus to rent a car from the airport.

Rocky coastline along the Ship Harbor Trail

2) Acadia National Park Entrance Information

Acadia National Park is the only national park located in the northeastern United States. Furthermore, it has the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the US due to Cadillac Mountain.

The park is broken down into three main sections: (1) Mt. Desert Island (2) Schoodic Peninsula (3) Isle Au Haut. However, the majority of Acadia National Park, including the Ship Harbor Trail, is located on Mt. Desert Island.

When driving around the park on Mt. Desert Island, you might be a bit shocked to see that it is essentially intertwined with residential areas. You can be driving on park roads one minute and then driving down a neighborhood street the next. I will say that this makes it a bit more convenient to find somewhere to grab a bite to eat.

You can plan an entire weekend or even just a one-day itinerary in Acadia National Park.

When is Acadia National Park Open?

The park is open to visitors all day, every day. You thus do not have to worry about getting to the park late at night if you have a campground reservation. We worried a bit about this because we did not research it in advance. Nevertheless, while the entrance stations are closed, you can simply drive right through.

However, I would not recommend hiking the Ship Harbor Trail late at night simply because you will not be able to see much. Additionally, the area can become dangerous when it is dark outside if there is low visibility and the trail is slippery due to wet rocks and wooden planks.

Is There an Entrance Fee for Acadia National Park?

Yes, there is an entrance fee of $35 per private vehicle for Acadia. Please see the Acadia nps.gov page for more information on daily as well as annual pass types. Additionally, keep in mind that you will need a separate vehicle reservation if you want to drive up Cadillac Mountain from May to October.

When driving around the park, you will notice that you can access some attractions without passing through an entrance station and showing your park pass. Due to the fact Acadia is spread out around the island and somewhat intertwined with residential areas, there are only a few specific entrance stations. For example, you will need to pass through an entrance station to access Cadillac Mountain Road as well as Sand Beach.

During our weekend visit to Acadia, we only had to show our entrance pass one time at the entrance station for Cadillac Mountain Road. That being said, it is still required for all visitors of Acadia to have an entrance pass.

Summit of Bubble Rock Trail in Acadia National Park

3) Estimated Visit Time

I recommend you schedule at least one hour within your itinerary to hike the Ship Harbor Trail. An average hiker can complete the trail in approximately 30 minutes. However, there are plenty of places along the trail where you can explore the rocky beaches or rocky coastline. If you visit during low tide, you can even go tide pooling.

When is the Best Time to Hike the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia?

In general, the best time to plan a visit to Acadia National Park is from May through October. Moreover, July and August tend to be the most popular months because they offer the best weather. Nevertheless, we visited Acadia in the middle of June and had slightly chilly weather with a fair amount of rain. We were already in Maine at the time and planned our trip to Acadia so that it would coincide with a holiday weekend. We then had an extra day to explore the park. However, I would try to plan my next trip to Acadia in July or August if possible.

Keep in mind that July and August will also have the largest crowds. It thus might be difficult to find a parking spot for the Ship Harbor Trail at first due to the fact the parking area is fairly small. I recommend hiking the trail in the early morning or the late evening to avoid the crowds.

Beginning of plank section along the Ship Harbor Trail

4) Trail Information

The Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia is a 1.4 mile (~2.3 kilometer) loop trail with 65 feet (~20 meters) in elevation gain. It is considered to be an easy trail due to the fact it is a short trail with little elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike the Ship Harbor Trail? An average hiker can complete the trail in around 30 minutes. However, you might want to plan for some extra time to explore the beaches and rocky shorelines along the trail.

Another similar, and generally more popular, attraction is the Ocean Path Trail on the eastern side of Mt. Desert Island. The Ocean Path Trail is a 4.5 mile (~7.2 kilometer) out and back trail. It has about 375 feet (~114 meters) in elevation gain. Moreover, it runs parallel to the coastline and passes by a number of popular attractions, including Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs.

Trail Directions

The Ship Harbor Trail is essentially in the form of a figure eight. There is a short, straight path that leads from the left side of the parking lot before you begin the “figure eight” portion of the trail.

You can technically hike the trail in any direction due to the fact it is a loop trail. However, the recommended route is to bear right at all cross roads.

Here are some more specific directions just in case. First, start hiking along the trail from the parking lot. Second, bear right at the first crossroad, which you reach a couple of minutes after starting the trail, to hug the coastline. Third, bear right again when you come to the middle of the figure eight to remain along the coastline. Fourth, hike along the outer loop of the figure eight, which leads along the coastline and then through the forest. Once you return back to the middle of the figure eight, bear right to continue through the forest. Fifth, bear right just once more to head back to the parking lot.

All you have to do is remember one direction: bear right!

Map of the Ship Harbor Trail

Accessibility Information

The short trail from the parking lot to the figure eight loop as well as the first loop within the figure eight are ADA compliant.

Unfortunately the second loop is not ADA compliant. There are a few steps made up of logs as well as a few sections of “plank trails”. These “plank trails” are essentially sections of the trail where planks (instead of gravel, dirt, etc.) have been laid down to act as the main trail. The planks are helpful in situations where the trail is rough or muddy, for example. Moreover, some portions of the trail are covered in rocks and/or roots. Watch your step on the trail, for you do not want to trip over something when not paying attention.

Words of Warning

I do want to make note of a few things before you head out on the trail and start exploring.

First, keep in mind that the Ship Harbor Trail is mostly a dirt trail and can become muddy during or after rainfall. I wore my hiking shoes on this trail, but there were a few places where I had to carefully watch my step. If I was not paying attention, I might have stepped in a big mud puddle. Another option is to wear rain boots. Due to the fact the trail is fairly easy, you can get away with wearing rain boots instead of hiking shoes.

Second, keep in mind that rocks are slippery when wet if you decide to explore the rocky coastline along the trail. Recent rainfall or even high tide can cause the rocks to be slightly (or very) wet when you visit.

Third, stay on the marked trail in order to decrease your chances of a tick bite. Ticks love to dwell in high grass as well as wooded areas. Moreover, take precautions, such as spraying bug spray, wearing long pants, etc., to further decrease your chances. Lastly, be sure to check yourself and/or have someone else check you for ticks at the end of the day to be safe.

Walking on the planks along the Ship Harbor Trail

5) Things to See Along the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

When you first start the trail, you wander through a forest before reaching the first crossroad (aka the beginning of the figure eight). The trail then continues along the coast. Shortly after passing by the second crossroad (aka the middle of the figure eight), there is a small beach area waiting for your exploration. Walk around the beach and maybe skip a couple of rocks into the water. If you are like me, you might only get it to skip once or twice before it disappears below the surface.

A bit further down the trail is a rocky shoreline, also waiting there for you to explore. If you visit at low tide, you might discover a few tide pools in the area. Please remain respectful of the area and any living creatures in the tide pools. Feel free to look at them in awe, but do not disrupt their home. Additionally, you can watch the waves crash against the rocks in this area – just do not get too close to the edge for safety purposes.

After you turn away from the coast, the trail then winds through the forest. One of my favorite parts of the trail was a section of planks through the forest. I am not quite sure why, but I love walking along the planks even more than walking along a normal trail. Maybe they add a sense of adventure.

Bird Watching

Pack your binoculars! There are plenty of opportunities along the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia to spot birds. Look into the sky along the coastline or into the trees in the forest. Some commonly spotted birds in the area include great blue herons, common loons, eagles, ospreys, and more.

Background of the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

Legend has it that Ship Harbor (and thus also the Ship Harbor Trail) received its name from a British ship that wrecked in the harbor hundreds of years ago.

Moreover, former president Barack Obama and his family hiked along this trail one summer when visiting Acadia National Park.

Rocky beach area along the Ship Harbor Trail

6) Recommended Items to Bring

1. Water bottle: I always recommend you bring water with you, no matter if you are only hiking a short, easy trail. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin. Some portions of this trail are in the shade while others are in the sun. Moreover, the rocky beach and coastline areas that you can explore along the trail are generally in full sun. 

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet. The Ship Harbor Trail winds partially through a forest, so bugs are likely to be flying around. 

Hiking Apparel for the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia

4. Rain boots or hiking shoes: I did not own a pair of hiking shoes for a long time. However, I finally splurged and bought myself a pair before my Iceland road trip. Hiking shoes are generally not cheap, though I will say they are well worth the investment. They provide grip and traction to help you out while hiking as well as to keep you safe. On the other hand, the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia can become a bit muddy at times, especially on a rainy day. Due to the fact the trail is relatively flat, you can also opt for rain boots if you do not want your hiking shoes to get dirty. 

5. Waterproof jacket: It rained, rained, and rained some more when we visited Acadia National Park for a weekend in June. Therefore, I recommend you come prepared with a rain jacket. You can then still engage in a few activities (as long as it is not raining too hard) as you protect yourself from the weather.   

6. Optional – hiking poles: Hiking poles are not a necessity for this trail due to its easy rating. However, you can bring them along if you need or want extra support. 

7. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice along the hiking trails. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

7) Nearby Attractions

Since Ship Harbor Trail is located within Acadia National Park, there are a number of nearby attractions. Check at least one or both of the following off your list.

First, Wonderland Trail is located just one minute down the road. It is a 1.3 mile (~2.1 kilometer) out and back trail. Additionally, it has approximately 80 feet (~24 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in 30 minutes, and it is considered to be an easy trail. The Wonderland Trail leads to the coast along Bennet Cove.

Second, Bass Harbor Head Light Station is located just three minutes down the road. The lighthouse is hailed as one of (if not THE) best places to watch the sunset in the park. Nevertheless, take some time before sunset to explore around the lighthouse. You can walk down a path + stone steps leading to the west side of the lighthouse. On the other hand, you can walk down a trail + rocks to the east side. Both sides offer incredible views, but you will be closer to the water on the east side as you can scramble out along the rocks.

View of Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse from the rocky coastline

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