The Ship Harbor Trail is a very easy, kid-friendly and dog-friendly coastal trail on Acadia’s quiet side (Southwest Harbor).
The figure-8 shaped loop is 1.3 miles round trip and can be a bit longer depending on how far you explore on the large boulders on the coast where there are lots of tide pools at low tide.
[sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/Acadia Ship Harbor.gpx”]Trail Description
Shortly after you begin on the trail, you’ll come across a Y-shaped trail junction. You can take either trail to the coast, and if you do the full figure-8 loop, you’ll come back on the other trail.
The trail to the left is the flattest and smoothest and is in fact ADA-accessible. The trail to the right isn’t difficult, but it is more rocky.
We took the trail on the left to the coast, which consisted of packed gravel and a few bridges over boggy areas. I was really impressed with the excellent condition of this trail.
At just over a half mile, you’ll arrive at the coast, which is classic Acadia, with large granite boulders and crashing waves.
What makes this area unique is all of the tide pools at low tide. We had a picnic lunch here with our friends and their dog. It was really relaxing, and luckily the sun came out just as we got the the coast.
You could return the way you came, or take the trail along the coast which will re-connect at the Y-shaped trail junction near the trail head. We took this trail back. It is a bit rockier with more exposed roots, but still very easy, and you’ll have nice views of the harbor and the option to stop at a rocky beach.
Finding The Trail Head
Driving Directions
From Trenton, stay straight to Southwest Harbor (a right would take you to Bar Harbor). Stay on 102 the whole way to the trail head. You’ll pass Somesville, Echo Lake, the trail head for Acadia Mountain and downtown Southwest Harbor on your way.
The small parking lot for Ship Harbor Trail will be on your right shortly after passing the road for the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. There is a porta potty at the trail head parking. Also nearby is another easy, coastal trail, the Wonderland Trail.
Island Explorer Shuttle
If you’re not driving and using the free Island Explorer shuttle system (park pass required), take the #7 Southwest Harbor Shuttle and ask the driver to stop at the Ship Harbor trail head.
This shuttle begins at the Bar Harbor Village Green, then stops at MDI High School (good place to park), then stops at Mt. Desert Campground, Somesville, Echo Lake, Southwest Harbor, Seawall Campground, Bass Harbor (Ship Harbor is before the Bass Harbor stop), and ends at Bernard before going back to Bar Harbor the way it came.