Acadia National Park is one of those places that just feels magical with rugged cliffs, ocean views, pine forests and scenic trails that make you want to explore all day. Here are some of the best Acadia National Park hikes with kids that your whole family will love!
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My family fell in love with this park and I really think yours will too! These easy and scenic trails are perfect for families who love nature, ocean views, and adventure.
Acadia National Park is super spread out with lots to see and do. While we were there for a whole week, I’d love to go back and explore more of the park. Until then, we’ll remember these hiking trails as our favorites!
Here’s my kids’ favorite hiking backpackAcadia National Park with kids – best hikes
Make sure to include a few of these trails on your Acadia itinerary!
1. Ship Harbor Trail
Hiking distance: 1.3 miles (figure 8 loop)
Difficulty rating: easy
My family really liked this trail! Located in a less busy area of the park, this hike takes you through forested sections before opening up to dramatic ocean views! It’s one of those places that will just take your breath away.
I’ll be honest, at first the inlet wasn’t that impressive, but as we continued to hike we loved the coastline. The hiking trail weaves through the trees and was truly so fun to explore!
My kids have hiked some pretty epic national parks, like these easy hikes in Glacier, Zion NP with kids, Badlands National Park and so many more, so they loved this figure 8 configuration since it’s so rare!
Easy but not entirely flat as there are lots of tree roots and different types of terrain including rocks, wooden planks, etc.
This Acadia National Park hiking trail is super dog friendly too! On a hot summer day, there are great places to get into the water too.
👉Pro tip: pack water shoes so the kids can easily slip them on to enjoy the water. We usually use carabiner clips and hook them on our kids’ hiking backpacks for less mess and easy carrying!
2. Lower Harbor Trail
Hiking distance: 1.4 miles round trip
Difficulty rating: easy
Lower Harbor Trail is one of those trails that’s short, sweet, and full of charm. The path winds through a quiet forest and offers occasional glimpses of the harbor. It’s mostly flat, making it perfect for younger kids and families.
You’ll pass moss-covered trees, small bridges, and some great spots to stop for snacks or photos. This is one of the Acadia hikes with kids that really lets you slow down and take in the beauty of the park without breaking a sweat.
My son especially loved this trail – it was his favorite in the park! The highlight for him? Mushrooms everywhere! He even renamed it ‘the mushroom trail’ since we saw so many.
Located in the Shoodic District, I loved how peaceful this trail felt since it’s less crowded in this peninsula.
The downside to this trail is that you’ll need to park by the Shoodic District Visitor Center and walk the first bit on the road until you get to the trailhead. From there, you can do out-and back or walk back on the road to create a loop. (I recommend the out-and-back.)
👉Pro tip: bring bug spray during summer months (I love this all natural bug spray that worked great for us)!
3. Ocean Path
Hiking distance: 4.5 miles out-and-back (can be shortened)
Difficulty rating: easy (a few areas are moderate)
If you want an iconic Acadia experience that’s also kid-friendly, Ocean Path is what you’re looking for! The trail follows the coastline from Sand Beach to Otter Point, giving you almost continuous views of the ocean, cliffs, and famous landmarks like Thunder Hole.
What’s great about Ocean Path is that you can make it as long or short as you want! If you have really young kids, you can tackle smaller sections at a time. The path is mostly flat and follows a road so it’s easy to hop on and off when you want to.
I love how this hike offers so many different views! Turquoise water at Sand Beach, gentle lapping along the rocks and the crashing waves at Otter Cliffs. If your kids like watching the power of the ocean, they’ll be fascinated at Thunder Hole.
👉Pro tip: Parking is a disaster in the summer and it’s almost all parallel along the road. It’s a one-way loop road so find a spot early (as close to Sand Beach as you can), otherwise you’ll have to complete the full 20+ minute drive to loop back to the beginning.
4. Cadillac Summit Loop Trail
Hiking distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty rating: easy
If you’ve talked to anyone who’s visited Acadia, they’re probably going to mention Cadillac Summit. It’s one of the most unforgettable spots in Acadia National Park, and perfect for kids of all ages. At the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, this hike gives you 360-degree views of the park and the surrounding islands.
Cadillac Summit Loop Trail is technically only 0.3 miles, but you can easily add more time by exploring the rocky area. I’d easily say this is one of the easiest and best hikes in Acadia National Park with kids!
May through October, you’ll need vehicle reservations. With limited parking at the top, the NPS limits the number of vehicles allowed during the day (including sunrise and sunset!) My family booked it in July 2 days in advance with plenty of availability!
If your family can handle an early morning, consider catching the sunrise here. It’s one of the first places in the United States to see the sun rise, and the experience feels magical. Even if you come later in the day, the views are absolutely breathtaking.
Hike the loop, and explore the rocky area at the summit, too.
👉Pro tip: bring a picnic! My family enjoyed one on the rocks. Just make sure to bring blankets or chairs to sit on since it’s all hard surface area.
5. Beech Mountain Trail
Hiking distance: 1.2 miles (loop)
Difficulty rating: moderate (360 feet elevation gain)
Beech Mountain Trail packs a lot of reward into a short distance. It’s the most strenuous on this list of the best Acadia National Park hikes with kids.
The trail climbs gently through the forest before opening up to amazing panoramic views of Echo Lake and the surrounding mountains. There’s even a historic fire tower at the summit, which older kids will think is super cool.
It’s a great hike if your family likes a little bit of adventure without too much effort. The incline can be a bit steep in spots, but the trail is well-marked and manageable. Once you reach the top, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world!
I loved this hike for families, because unlike some other national park hikes, there’s not a lot of crazy drop-offs, even for a mountain hike.
👉Pro tip: do the loop clockwise so you get the steeper part out of the way, then can gradually head back downhill.
Acadia with kids – which hike to avoid
I hate to shame any trail because there’s definitely pros and cons to each. But honestly, for my family, the Wonderland Trail just wasn’t worth it. It’s close to the Ship Harbor Trial, so it was convenient.
It’s just 1.4 mile out-and-back, and super flat so it’s easy.
But the trail is an out-and-back, and the hike cuts straight through the woods while you hike to the end point. Unlike the Lower Harbor Trail, which was woodsy but so interesting with peeks of ocean along the way, there’s literally no views along the Wonderland Trail until you get to the viewpoint.
The viewpoint is really pretty, but with so many options in Acadia, I wouldn’t spend time on this one when so many hikes are superior to this one.
Tips for hiking Acadia with kids
Before wrapping this up, here are a few suggestions if you haven’t hiked a lot with kids…
- Start early! Morning hikes mean cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and better parking.
- Bring layers. Weather in Acadia can change quickly… it might be foggy one moment and sunny the next.
- Pack snacks and water. Snacks are the key to keeping kids happy in general, and hiking trails are no different!
- Hiking poles motivate kids! I don’t know what it is, but ever since my kids were about 3 we bought them hiking poles and having that tool while hiking keeps them going and adds an element of fun.
- Good shoes and socks are super helpful. Ever since we started buying our kids grippy hiking shoes, we’ve seen their confidence soar! It really helps with rocky environments, which is definitely the case in Acadia.
Best hikes for kids in Acadia National Park – that’s a wrap!
While visiting Acadia National Park with kids, the good news is that Acadia has plenty of hikes that are both fun and family-friendly.
Acadia National Park is a paradise for families who love exploring the outdoors. With its mix of coastal trails, forest paths, and mountain views, there’s something for every age group. Each of these hikes offers a different side of the park, whether it’s the calm beauty of Ship Harbor or the sweeping summit of Cadillac Mountain.
Our family fell in love with this park and I hope yours does too!
Related:
Packing for a Day Hike: 20+ Things Not to Forget
Perfect 3 Day Acadia National Park Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
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