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Bar Island Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.3 (50)
  1. Areas
  2. ME
  3. …Downeast Maine and Acadia
  4. …Acadia National Park
  5. Bar Harbor
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“A unique trail that leads to incredible views of Bar Harbor. ”

James Kaiser
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Map Key

1.5

Miles

2.4

KM

Out and Back

135' 41 m

High

3' 1 m

Low

132' 40 m

Up

132' 40 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Family Friendly This easy hike offers great views and unique opportunities to explore the shore.

This trail can only be accessed at times of low tide
Please exercise caution when attempting to reach this trail, as visitors do get stranded on Bar Island. Refer to a tide chart before embarking for the island.

Overview

An out-and-back hike to Bar Island with the added excitement of racing against the tides!

Description

Bar Island lies just offshore from downtown Bar Harbor. At low tide, a sandbar connects the island to the mainland. This sandbar gives the town of Bar Harbor its name. To get to the Bar Island Trail, you'll have to wait for low tide.

The sandbar is exposed from about 90 minutes before low tide to 90 minutes after low tide. You'll need to complete your journey before the sandbar is once again submerged, otherwise you'll be stranded on Bar Island.

Not surprisingly, it's better to start out for Bar Island before low tide. To get to the trailhead, head to the end of Bridge Street and cross the sandbar to Bar Island. Follow the obvious dirt road a short distance to the trailhead. The trailhead lies a short distance through the woods and then climbs a small rise.

A short distance from the top of the rise is a lookout that offers fantastic views of Bar Harbor.

Thanks to guidebook author and photographer, James Kaiser, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Acadia, check out his .

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Acadia National Park

Shared By:

James Kaiser
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 50 votes

#1

in Bar Harbor

#261

Overall
  4.3 from 50 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Bar Harbor

#8

in Maine

#261

Overall
8 Views Last Month
2,477 Since Sep 1, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
35%
27%
35%
2%
0%
0%
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Photos

Bar Island view at low tide. with permission from E Koh
Mar 30, 2016 near Bar Harbor, ME

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Oct 26, 2023
Taylor Screws
1.1mi — 0h 34m
Sep 13, 2023
David Hitchcock
Appears to be the thing to do at low tide in Bar Harbor, super busy, but nice views. Not great views from the summit, but fun to do.
Sep 6, 2023
Edna Speece
Aug 26, 2023
Ty Barr
1h 30m
Aug 14, 2023
Matthew Kiss
Bar and island paths were in excellent condition. — 2h 15m
Jun 13, 2023
Joey Atkins
Jun 7, 2023
Chip Carroll
Jun 3, 2023
J T

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