Acadia Without the Crowds
Most visitors to Acadia National Park never leave Mount Desert Island. They pack the parking lots at Cadillac Mountain, elbow for space on the Beehive, and crawl bumper-to-bumper on Park Loop Road. Meanwhile, across Frenchman Bay on the Schoodic Peninsula, the same national park continues with a fraction of the traffic.
Schoodic Head is the highest point on the peninsula at 440 feet. That number sounds modest — and it is — but the summit delivers views that rival anything on Mount Desert Island. From the open granite ledges on top, you look west across all of Frenchman Bay to Cadillac Mountain, the Porcupine Islands, and the full spine of Mount Desert Island rising from the sea. To the south and east, the Atlantic stretches to the horizon. On clear days, the panorama is nearly 360 degrees.
The hike itself is short but steep: 0.7 miles from Blueberry Hill Road to the summit via the Schoodic Head Trail, gaining 380 feet through dense spruce-fir forest before breaking onto exposed granite near the top. You can be standing on the summit 30 to 40 minutes after leaving your car, which makes this an excellent choice for families, anyone with limited time, or hikers looking for a warm-up before longer outings.
Trail Sections
Blueberry Hill Road to Forest Climb
The trail begins at a small pulloff on Blueberry Hill Road, marked with a wooden NPS trail sign. The path enters spruce and fir forest immediately, climbing on packed earth and exposed roots. The footing is straightforward and the canopy provides welcome shade on hot days. You will hear the ocean below but the trees block the view for now.
Forest Switchbacks
The trail steepens noticeably and begins switchbacking up the shoulder of Schoodic Head. Rock steps and short scrambles over granite slabs appear. The forest thins as you gain elevation, with blueberry bushes filling the gaps between stunted spruces. In late July and August, the lowbush blueberries here are often loaded with fruit.
Granite Slabs to Summit
The trees drop away and you emerge onto open granite ledges. The trail is marked with cairns and blue blazes painted on the rock. The final push to the summit follows smooth granite slabs that offer increasingly dramatic views with every step. The summit itself is a broad, flat granite dome with a USGS benchmark and a bronze summit marker. Bring a windbreaker — the summit is exposed and can be breezy even on calm days below.
The View
The summit of Schoodic Head is one of the finest viewpoints on the Maine coast, and it is one you might have entirely to yourself.
Looking west, Frenchman Bay fills the foreground with its scattering of islands. Egg Rock Lighthouse sits on its tiny island in the middle of the bay, a white speck against blue water. Behind it, the entire profile of Mount Desert Island rises in a long ridge, with Cadillac Mountain’s rounded summit unmistakable on the skyline. On clear mornings, you can trace every peak from Champlain to Sargent to the Western Mountains.
To the south, the open Atlantic meets the rocky coastline of Schoodic Point. You can see the spray from the wave-carved rocks below Schoodic Point on rough days. East, the Downeast coastline stretches toward Petit Manan and the blueberry barrens beyond. North, the mainland hills roll inland toward Tunk Mountain and the Donnell Pond wilderness.
Bring binoculars. The birdwatching from Schoodic Head is excellent — peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and seabirds are all regular sightings, and during fall migration the hawks stream past the peninsula.
Loop Options
The direct out-and-back via the Schoodic Head Trail is 1.4 miles round trip. For a longer outing, combine trails into a loop:
Anvil Trail Loop (2.6 miles): From the summit, descend west on the Schoodic Head Trail to its junction with the Anvil Trail. Turn south on the Anvil Trail, which follows the ridge over a series of granite knobs (the “anvil” formations) with ocean views throughout. The trail descends through forest to meet the East Trail, which brings you back to the Schoodic Loop Road near Blueberry Hill. A short road walk returns you to your car. This loop adds about an hour and is the best way to experience the full range of Schoodic’s terrain.
Alder Trail Extension: For a quieter alternative, the Alder Trail connects from the north side of Schoodic Head down through alder thickets and wetlands to the Schoodic Woods area. This route is less traveled and can be muddy in spring, but it offers a different perspective on the peninsula’s interior forest.
After your hike, drive the one-way Schoodic Loop Road down to Schoodic Point. The massive granite ledges at the tip of the peninsula are dramatic in any weather, but especially during incoming storms when waves crash against the rock with tremendous force. It is one of the best spots in Acadia to feel the raw power of the Atlantic. The loop drive takes about 20 minutes without stops.
When to Go
Spring
Trails can be muddy through May. Wildflowers in the forest. Very few visitors. Schoodic Loop Road reopens (check NPS for exact date).
Summer
Warm granite, blueberries in August, clear views. Still far less crowded than Mount Desert Island. Morning hikes avoid afternoon haze.
Fall
Spectacular foliage contrast against ocean blue. Hawk migration. Crisp air, long views. September through mid-October is peak.
Winter
Schoodic Loop Road may close to vehicles. Trail is hikeable with microspikes. Short days but dramatic winter light on the ocean.
The Schoodic Peninsula is quieter than Mount Desert Island year-round, but the difference is most dramatic in summer. On a July Saturday when the Park Loop Road on MDI is gridlocked, you might share the Schoodic Head summit with two or three other parties.
What to Bring
What to Bring
- Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes
- 1-2 liters of water
- Windbreaker or light layer for the summit
- Binoculars for birdwatching and island spotting
- Snack for the summit
- Camera (the views demand it)
- Park pass ($35/vehicle or America the Beautiful)
- Dog leash (dogs welcome but must be leashed)
Trekking poles are optional. The trail is short enough that most hikers do fine without them, but they help on the steeper granite sections, especially on the descent.
Why Schoodic Over Mount Desert Island
The honest answer: come to Schoodic when you want the Acadia experience without the Acadia crowds. The views from Schoodic Head are genuinely comparable to many of the celebrated viewpoints on Mount Desert Island, and the trails are well maintained and well marked. What you will not find here are the iron-rung scrambles, the carriage roads, or the full range of services available in Bar Harbor.
What you will find is quiet forest, open granite, ocean views, and the feeling of having discovered something that most tourists drive right past. The Schoodic Woods Campground is one of the newest facilities in the national park system and one of the best designed, with bike paths connecting to the trail network and ranger programs throughout the season.
For hikers who want more elevation after Schoodic Head, the Donnell Pond Public Lands are 30 minutes north and offer full-day outings on Schoodic Mountain (not to be confused with Schoodic Head) and Black Mountain with views over pristine lake country.
Getting There
The trailhead is on Blueberry Hill Road, a short spur off the one-way Schoodic Loop Road on the Schoodic Peninsula.
From Winter Harbor: Follow Route 186 south to the Schoodic Peninsula entrance of Acadia National Park. Continue on the Schoodic Loop Road approximately 4 miles to the Blueberry Hill Road turnoff on the left. The trailhead parking area is 0.2 miles up Blueberry Hill Road.
From Bar Harbor: Take Route 3 north to Route 1, then Route 186 south through Gouldsboro to Winter Harbor. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, the Bar Harbor-Winter Harbor Ferry runs seasonally and cuts the drive entirely — you can bike from the ferry terminal to the trailhead.
From Bangor: approximately 75 minutes (65 miles) via Route 1A south and Route 186.
From Portland: approximately 4 hours (240 miles) via I-95 and Route 1.
Parking: Free at the Blueberry Hill Road pulloff. The lot is small (roughly 10-12 cars) but rarely fills. Additional parking is available at the Schoodic Woods Campground with trail connections.
Cell service: Spotty. You may get a signal on the summit but do not count on it in the forest.
FAQ
How long does the Schoodic Head Trail take?
The direct out-and-back takes 45 minutes to an hour for most hikers. The Anvil Trail loop takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Add time for lingering on the summit, which you will want to do.
Is Schoodic Head worth the drive from Bar Harbor?
Yes, especially if you want to escape the crowds on Mount Desert Island. The drive takes about 45 minutes, or you can take the seasonal ferry. The views from the summit are excellent and you will likely have far more solitude than anywhere on MDI.
Can kids hike Schoodic Head?
Absolutely. The trail is short and while it is steep in places, there are no exposed cliffs or scrambling sections that require hands. Children who can handle a 30 to 40 minute uphill walk will do fine. The summit is broad and flat, so there is room to explore safely.
Are dogs allowed on the Schoodic Head Trail?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on leash (6 feet or less) on all Schoodic Peninsula trails. The terrain is manageable for most dogs, though the granite slabs near the summit can be slippery when wet.
Is the Schoodic Peninsula part of Acadia National Park?
Yes. The Schoodic Peninsula is the only section of Acadia National Park on the mainland. It requires the same $35 vehicle pass as the Mount Desert Island section. Your pass is valid at both locations.
