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Ship Harbor Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate
 4.3 (36)
  1. Areas
  2. ME
  3. …Downeast Maine and Acadia
  4. Acadia National Park
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“The Ship Harbor Trail is an easy hike through the woods to a quiet stretch of rocky shoreline. ”

James Kaiser
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Map Key

1.4

Miles

2.3

KM

Loop

44' 13 m

High

11' 3 m

Low

64' 19 m

Up

63' 19 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Family Friendly The trail is easy and well-maintained.

Overview

Located near the southern tip of Mount Desert Island, just east of Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Ship Harbor is an easy hike past a quiet, undeveloped harbor. The well-groomed trail is easy to follow as it passes through the forest. (Be sure to bring bug spray.)

Description

Access this hike from the Ship Harbor Trailhead Parking Area. The route makes a figure eight shape along the eastern shores of Ship Harbor. At its coastline terminus, the trail skirts a rocky shore where you can look for tide pools at low tide. Sometimes you can see lobster boats pulling up their catch offshore. If visiting in late summer, keep your eyes out for blueberries along the trail!

After reaching its southernmost point, the trail loops back through the forest to the parking area.

Thanks to guidebook author and photographer, James Kaiser, for sharing this trail description. If youre interested in learning more details about great day hikes, weather, camping / lodging, and geology, check out his book: .

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Acadia National Park

Shared By:

James Kaiser
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 36 votes

#10

in Acadia National Park

#369

Overall
  4.3 from 36 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#10

in Acadia National Park

#11

in Maine

#369

Overall
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1,508 Since Sep 1, 2015
Easy/Intermediate
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Photos

Quiet, undeveloped Ship Harbor.
Mar 15, 2016 near Tremont, ME
Tide flowing low on Ship Harbor.
Mar 15, 2016 near Tremont, ME

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 28, 2023
Moayad Mar
Jan 20, 2023
Lara Verbecken
Oct 14, 2022
Jessica Genuario
1.4mi — 1h 00m
Sep 16, 2022
Audrie Trostle
Aug 31, 2022
Prince Iriele
1.4mi — 1h 20m
Aug 23, 2022
Cory Foster
1.6mi — 0h 39m
Aug 9, 2022
Jodi Schaefer
Easy trail with offshoots to the shoreline…sand/rocky depending. Tide pools at low tide. Loved sitting on the rocks with water view
Jul 18, 2022
Garu Haru

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