Exploring the Quiet Side of Acadia 🤫🌄🌊
3 Epic Areas in Acadia National Park Away from the Crowds
A few weeks ago, we put our heads together at Maine Hikes to give you the ultimate iconic Acadia 3-day itinerary. It’s the perfect plan for someone visiting the park for the first time. But how about avoiding the national park crowds while keeping the national park views? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Here are three regions in the lesser-traveled corners of Acadia National Park: the wild western edge of Mount Desert Island, the rugged Schoodic Peninsula, and the soulful solitude of Isle au Haut. We’ve included our favorite hike in each region, some honorable (and worthwhile) mentions, AND the best campground options.
1. West Side of Mount Desert Island
Almost all of the traditional Acadia National Park icons are on the east side of Mount Desert Island (Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor, etc.). But if you’ve been to Acadia, you’ve probably already seen them! In our humble opinion, the west side of MDI is just as good, with a fraction of the people. While there are dozens of thrilling yet relaxing hikes, our favorite is the Canada Cliffs loop.
Featured Hike: Canada Cliffs and Beech Mountain Ladder Loop
Distance: ~1.6 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Ready for a hike that mixes granite cliffs, forested ridgelines, and a hint of adrenaline? The Canada Cliffs and Beech Cliff Ladder Loop is a choose-your-own-adventure-style trail that feels like two hikes in one. Starting from Echo Lake Beach, you’ll wander through shady woods toward the base of Canada Cliffs—a lesser-known gem where the trail zigzags up stone slabs and winds along a narrow ridge that offers stunning views over Echo Lake and beyond.
About halfway through the loop, a short but sweet ladder section gets your heart pumping as you ascend the Beech Cliffs. Don’t worry—it’s nothing too technical, but just spicy enough to make you feel like you’re earning your summit snack. You won’t see cruise ship crowds here—just maybe a red squirrel or two and the rustle of wind through pitch pines.
Insider Tip: For fewer hikers and maximum golden-hour vibes, start this loop in the late afternoon. The cliffs and summit light up in rich colors at sunset, and Echo Lake often reflects the sky in a postcard-worthy display. Just be sure to pack a headlamp for the descent if you’re staying out late.
Biodiversity Bonus: This hike offers an interesting mix of dry ridge vegetation (think: blueberry, huckleberry, and reindeer lichen) and moist forest habitat where you might spot wood thrushes, red-backed salamanders, or even a moose track or two if you’re lucky. It’s a microcosm of Acadia’s ecological variety packed into just a few miles.
Other Epic Hikes On West MDI:
Western Mountain Trail: A peaceful ridge walk (and some bouldering) with views of Echo Lake and the less-traveled parts of Acadia’s interior.
Great Notch Trail: This rugged connector trail leads through dense forest and past granite clefts that feel like secret passageways.
Honestly,⭐ any trail on this map.⭐
Smuggler’s Den Campground
Camping Recommendations:
Just minutes from the Canada Cliffs trailhead!
This family-run campground has been around for generations and offers a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cozy cabins. It’s got a pool, playground, and direct access to the Acadia National Park trail system via a short walk. It’s peaceful but close enough to Southwest Harbor for supplies or an ice cream run.
About 10 minutes from Beech Mountain, and even closer to the famous Bass Harbor Head Light.
Nestled among tall pines, this spot is known for its quiet atmosphere and dark skies—perfect for stargazing. They offer wooded tent sites, RV options, and even yurts. Quiet, rustic, and ideal for nature lovers who like their mornings misty and coffee-fueled.
2. Schoodic Peninsula
The Schoodic Peninsula is like MDI’s cool artsy sibling—rhythmic waves, rebellious vibes, and total tranquility. It’s tucked away from the buzz of Bar Harbor and is often completely skipped over by tourists. Ironically, it’s the only part of Acadia National Park on the “mainland”.
Featured Hike: Schoodic Head Via Anvil Trail and Alder Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting near the summit of the highest point on the peninsula, expect sweeping views of Mount Desert Island in the distance, framed by spruce trees and seabirds gliding by like they own the place. Because they do. The Alder Trail winds through mossy woodlands and past granite boulder dropped by ancient giants (also known as glaciers). You’ll descend toward the ocean, and the trail will eventually open up into sweeping ocean vistas at Blueberry Hill. Eat a snack, soak in the views, and head back to Schoodic Head via the more rugged Anvil Trail.
Biodiversity Bonus: This area is a goldmine for birders—watch for warblers, kinglets, and bald eagles. On the ground, lichen communities carpet the granite like nature’s abstract art gallery.
Other Peaceful Adventures on Schoodic:
Lower Harbor Trail: A mellow coastal path where spruce trees lean over crashing waves and tide pools glisten with critters.
Sundew Trail: A short walk around the southernmost point of the Schoodic Peninsula, which terminates just a short distance from Schoodic Point (which you should also check out)
Camping Recommendations:
The crown jewel of Schoodic camping—within the park and just minutes from Schoodic Head.
Operated by the National Park Service, this campground is clean, quiet, and beautifully maintained, with wooded sites and great separation between campers. There are biking and hiking trails right from the campground, plus easy access to the one-way scenic park loop road.
Not your typical campground—but the oceanfront RV sites are beloved by those in the know.
MainStay offers RV spots with dreamy views of Frenchman Bay, plus charming coastal cottages. It’s not a tent spot, but if you have an RV or want to mix things up, the location and views can’t be beat. It’s quiet, coastal, and a little fancy without being fussy.
Credit: National Park Service
Check out the Maine Hikes shop to start your trail collection!
3. Isle au Haut
Want to really get away from it all? This one’s for the hardcore explorers. Accessible only by ferry, Isle au Haut (pronounced eye-la-HO) is a remote slice of Acadia where time slows, civilization disappears, and the hiking is transcendent.
Credit: AJ Bouffard (@aj_bouffard on Instagram)
Featured Hike: Duck Harbor to Western Head Loop
Distance: ~4.4 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Take the 45-minute ferry from Stonington to Duck Harbor. It’s first-come, first-serve and literally a mailboat…doesn’t get more Maine than that! Start from the Duck Harbor landing and head south up and over Duck Mountain (pause…soak in view) onward to Western Head—a dramatic headland where waves slam granite and the breeze might literally knock your beanie off. The trail takes you through dense spruce woods, over rocky outcrops, and past quiet coves where the only sound is the susurrus of sea and wind. Spend some time at Squeaker Cove if you can - it’s quintessential Maine coastal solitude.
Biodiversity Bonus: Watch for foxes, snowshoe hares, and dozens of bird species. And don’t miss the moss—there are dozens of species here, turning every rock and tree trunk into its own living art piece.
Credit, in order of appearance: (1) Joe Cooper (@athingcalledjoe); (2) April (@breezyrose12); (3-8) Maddie Hommey (@thehungryhommey)
Other Must-Do Hikes on Isle Au Haut
Duck Harbor to Town Landing (or vice versa): Take the linked route plus the short 0.1 mile off-shoot to a secluded rocky beach—Deep Cove.
Eben’s Head: Short, sweet, and easy coastal loop from near the Duck Harbor campground
Camping Recommendation:
Duck Harbor Campground (operated by the National Park Service)
THE go-to camping experience on Isle au Haut
With only five primitive sites, this remote, reservation-only campground offers total immersion in nature. Pit toilets, no potable water (be prepared to treat water), and all the stars you can handle. Close to the Duck Harbor Trail and a perfect launchpad for a full day of hiking. It’s wild, remote, and unforgettable. Note: These spots are snatched up fast, so you may need to plan a year in advance and set a reminder to book right when reservations open in April. Trust us, it’s worth the planning.
Credit: MacKenna Homa (@mackenna.homa)
Credit: National Park Service
We hope you enjoy these three under-explored and just-as-good corners of Acadia National Park - and please click “Sign Up” below and leave us a comment if this content was helpful! 😁
