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PARKS
Family Activities in Acadia
Family Guide to our National Parks
Many of you have written and asked our experts how and where to introduce your families to our national parks. This month, we're answering the call. In a new series, GORP tackles our nation's most popular parks and serves up the best picks for active families.
Acadia is one of the best national parks for families, whether your kids are infants or teenagers. While hugely popular, the park isn't as crowded—and therefore not as frantic—as, say, the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. Take Maine's rugged seaside scenery—full of rocks, mountains, and plenty of surf—and combine it with northern New England's lovely summer climate and mile after mile of carriage roads, and you've got Maine's dramatic national park, where the mountains reach the sea.
Hiking
Acadia has plenty of great family hiking—the mountains aren't too tall, the weather is rarely too hot, the views are superb, and there's plenty of tide-pool exploring:
Cadillac Mountain. Many wouldn't consider an Acadia visit complete without a hike up the park's tallest peak, which reaches 1530 feet. The best family trail is the 2.2-mile North Ridge Trail.
Pemetic Mountain Trail. This is a smaller (1248 feet), less crowded hike with some of the best views of Mount Desert Island and the Atlantic Ocean—2 miles round-trip, of moderate difficulty, with a bit of scrambling and rocky terrain.
Ship Harbor Nature Trail. An easy 1.5-mile loop with markers provides a self-guided nature tour along rocky bluffs, perfect for families.
Schoodic Head Trail. You have to drive a distance to get to this more isolated section of the park, but there are fewer crowds plus a short-but-steep hike up to a summit that offers one of the best views of Acadia.
Isle au Haut. Another isolated part of the park worth the extra effort to get there, the isle is only accessible by boat (there's a ferry). Enjoy solitary exploring and camping (reservations required).
Biking
If you're a biking family, Acadia is definitely the place for you. Miles and miles of car-free carriage roads—57 to be exact—make this an idea cycling destination for kids. Several bike rental shops are available in Bar Harbor. Here are a few important tips:
 If you need to rent bikes, be sure to make reservations ahead of time if you're visiting in the height of summer, just to be safe.
While carriage roads are car-free, they're usually busy with other bikers, walkers, and equestrians. If you're unsure of your child's stamina or navigating skills, get a trailer bike for your child.
Get out early. Beat the crowds and also the heat by biking as early as possible (best before 8:30 a.m.).
Check out Audrey Minutolo's Biking on Mount Desert Island for specific trail details.
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