Bar Island Trail Guide
The Bar Island trail is unusual, in that it only appears at certain times of day; hidden by the ocean during high tides, the trail to this small island next to the town of Bar Harbor, is only walkable around low tide--people have gotten stuck on Bar Island before by not paying attention to the tide times. The island itself is pretty much completely wooded , and provides a great view of Bar Harbor. The tide pools around the island though, is what draws most people to this timed hiking experience.
When to Visit
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During low tide for starters, specifically one-and-a-half hours either before or after the tide has gone out. If you're visiting in the summer, do be aware that the trail up until you reach the island is completely exposed--and also likely extremely smelly due to any fish and other sea-life that didn't make it back into the ocean in time. You'll also likely end up parking in Bar Harbor, which has quite a bit of paid street parking, but can get very busy in the summer months.
How to Get There
While still a part of Acadia, Bar Island is actually accessed from downtown Bar Harbor. Follow west street, with the ocean on your right, until you come to Bridge Street. Turn right, and this will lead you straight to the trail and Bar Island--be sure to check the tide times before you go though!
The Bar Island Trail
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Time: 1 - 1.5 hours.
Distance: 1.9 miles.
For starters, if you haven't taken the time to explore Bar Harbor, you're going to want to do it--maybe after you've finished hiking to Bar Island. This quintessential New England tourist town is found on the east side of Mount Desert Island, besides plenty of novelty shops, cafes, and restaurants, you can also book whale and puffin watching tours in the summer here.
Summertime in Bar Harbor.
Enough on Bar Harbor though, make your way down Bridge Street until you're it turns into the sandy trail to Bar Island. The very beginning is likely to be the most crowded: many people come to see the tide pools left behind here, and there's quite a few located right at the trail's beginning. If you're looking to ditch some of the crowds and actually see the island's interior, keep heading forward.
Looking towards Bar Island from one of the tide pools.
If you do feel like exploring the tide pools, you can pick any found along the trail leading up to the island. Just remember to step with care--there's a lot of living things in them, and keep your eyes peeled for snails, hermit crabs, and maybe even sea stars.
About Me
Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
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Local tide pool resident.
Once you're done tide pooling, feel free to head towards the island--if you have enough time; again, make sure you have enough time to hike back before the tide comes in! While small, the trail on the island will lead you to its highest point, looking out across the bay at downtown Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor as seen from Bar Island. Credit: Brian W. Schaller.
While not a long or strenuous hike, Bar Island isn't a bad way to spend an afternoon in Acadia before heading back into Bar Harbor. For more information on things to do in the park, click here; though the biased beer lover in me would recommend (and shamelessly plug) stopping at local brewpub Atlantic Brewing Company; their blueberry ale is the perfect way to cap off a hike.
Inside Bar Harbor's Atlantic Brewing Company.