Ship Harbor Trail – Acadia National Park, Maine

Ship Harbor Trail – Acadia National Park – Southwest Harbor, Maine
Distance: 1.3 miles total
Type: Figure 8
Difficulty: 3 of 10.

Terrain – rocky seacost, small harbor, and forest.

Map –

Trailheads –   44° 13.905’N,  68° 19.525’W

Directions – drive to Maine, trail is on Rt 102 A just South of Seawall Campground.

Parking – a few spots at the trailhead.  Generally filled at the high point of the day, at least in August when we were there.

Markings – Rare to nonexistent, just follow the trail and signs.

Description – The Pres didn’t sleep well while we were camping in Maine in the summer of ’13.  The Wife was staying up late with him, so I would get up early and take him hiking so she could sleep peacefully for a few hours.

We took this hike after hiking Flying Mountain to give The Wife some extra sleep time.  It’s really, really close to the Wonderland Trail, so has similar views.  However, it’s superior in that 1) move elevation up and down 2) more rocky coast (or maybe the tide what just different and I’m thick) and 3) a nice little harbor that you can hike next to, or climb out next to and build rock sculptures.

Again, there isn’t really a lot to explain about this hike, just follow along the trail and keep your eyes open.

Shaded, especially at 7:30 am.

Alreadt more elevation gain than the Wonderland Trail.

Nice Maine scrub.

But this is why you camp at Acadia.

And this (edge of the harbor).

The other part of the trail takes you along the harbor itself.

Enclosed.

I told you that this trail was good.

The further back you go, the more protected the water is.

Man improving on nature.

I love morning hikes.

While The Pres is more about the book “One Morning in Maine.”

Great hike.

Nearby: Wonderland Trail and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse