Kid Friendly Hikes in Acadia National Park: 10 Trails Kids Will Love

One of the things that makes Acadia National Park so special for families is that you don’t have to tackle long, strenuous hikes to experience some of the park’s most spectacular scenery. Many of Acadia’s best viewpoints, coastal landscapes, and forest trails are accessible to families with young children, while older kids can find plenty of adventure on some of the park’s more challenging routes.

During our 2 day visit to Acadia, we quickly discovered that some of our favorite experiences weren’t necessarily the biggest or most Instagram worthy hikes. Exploring tide pools, walking along dramatic coastlines, and wandering around stunning lakes searching for wildlife were some of our favorite memories of the trip.

Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, elementary-aged kids, or adventurous teens, these are some of the best kid friendly hikes in Acadia National Park.

1. Jordan Pond Trail

Distance: 3.3 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy

If you’re only going to do one hike in Acadia with kids, make it Jordan Pond Trail.

This scenic loop circles the crystal-clear waters of Jordan Pond and offers incredible views of The Bubbles, two rounded mountains that rise above the shoreline. While the trail is relatively flat overall, there are a few sections of rocky shoreline that keep things interesting for kids.

One of the biggest perks of this hike is ending your adventure with a stop at Jordan Pond House for their famous popovers and blueberry lemonade.

Why kids love it: Boardwalks, shoreline scrambling, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.

2. Gorham Mountain Trail

Distance: 1.7 mile out and back
Difficulty: Moderate

Gorham Mountain offers some of the same incredible views found on Acadia’s more challenging hikes without some of the steep climbs or exposed sections, and often with far less crowds.

The summit provides panoramic views of Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, and the surrounding coastline.

This is a great option for families who want a mountain-top experience without tackling Beehive Trail.

Why kids love it: Summit views and lots of interesting rock formations.

3. Wonderland Trail

Distance: 1.3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy

Wonderland Trail was easily one of our family’s favorite hikes in Acadia.

The trail winds through a beautiful forest before opening onto a rocky coastline filled with tide pools. I highly recommend timing your visit around low tide so your kids can spend some time searching for crabs, urchins, sea stars, and other marine creatures.

Why kids love it: Tide pooling, climbing on rocks, and searching for marine life.

4. Ship Harbor Trail

Distance: 1.3 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy

Located on the quieter side of Mount Desert Island, Ship Harbor Trail is perfect to add in to your itinerary near Wonderland Trail or the Bass Harbor lighthouse.

The trail winds through the forest and emerges along Ship Harbor, which is filled with tide pools and rocky shoreline. Just like Wonderland Trail, check the tide chart before your visit if you want to explore the tide pools.

Why kids love it: Exploring tide pools and climbing along the shoreline.

5. Cadillac Summit Loop

Distance: 0.5 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy

This trail easily has some of the most stunning views of Acadia National Park, without a long or streneous hike.

After driving to the top of Cadillac Mountain, enjoy this short summit loop with incredible views in every direction. Remember that you must have a vehicle reservation to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain during peak season (May – October).

Standing atop the highest point on the East Coast is a bucket-list experience all on its own.

Why kids love it: Big rewards with very little effort.

6. Jesup Path

Distance: 1.5 miles loop (can be combined with other trails)
Difficulty: Easy

This peaceful trail follows a wooden boardwalk through birch forests and wetlands, featuring one of the most photographed boardwalk sections in Acadia. It feels completely different from the park’s coastal hikes and provides a unique look at Acadia’s inland landscapes.

Why kids love it: Long wooden boardwalks and beautiful forest scenery, plus chances for wildlife spotting.

7. Ocean Path

Distance: Up to 4.4 miles round trip (but you can easily shorten to as long as you like)
Difficulty: Easy

Ocean Path connects some of Acadia’s most famous attractions, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff.

The trail follows the coastline and offers nonstop ocean views the entire way. Because the path is relatively flat, families can choose to walk as little or as much as they’d like.

This is one of the best hikes in the park for combining multiple must-see spots into a single trail.

Why kids love it: Dramatic coastal scenery, wildlife spotting, and tons of rocky spots to climb and play.

8. Great Head Trail

Distance: 1.8 miles loop
Difficulty: Moderate

For families looking for a little more adventure, Great Head Trail offers some of the most stunning views in Acadia.

Starting near Sand Beach, the trail climbs through the forest before emerging onto dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The hike isn’t overly long, but there are a couple rocky sections that require some careful footing.

Why kids love it: Big views, rocky scrambling, and feeling like they’re on top of the world.

9. Beach Cliff Trail

Distance: 2.0 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate

Located on the western side of Mount Desert Island, Beach Cliff Trail offers a quieter alternative to some of Acadia’s more popular hikes, but still packs a punch. This trail features fun ladders, stunning views and far less crowds.

It climbs steadily through the forest before reaching beautiful views overlooking Echo Lake. Families with adventurous kids will love this challenge.

Why kids love it: Cliffside views + ladders to climb.

10. Beehive Trail

Distance: 1.5 miles loop
Difficulty: Strenuous

Beehive Trail is one of Acadia’s most famous hikes—and one of its most challenging (and crowded).

Featuring steep climbs, iron rungs, and exposed cliff edges, this trail is only appropriate for experienced hikers and older children who are comfortable with heights.

I did a lot of research on this trail before our visit, and got lots of mixed reviews on whether or not it was appropriate for elementary aged kids. I decided my kids were strong hikers, and figured we would at least give it a try. We gave it a good attempt, but turned around about halfway up after deciding it was too much for them, and feeling unsafe due to the exposed edges.

If you have bigger kids who aren’t afraid of heights, give it a shot. But this is definitely not a trail for everyone. If you’re traveling with younger children, consider Gorham Mountain or Great Head instead.

Why kids love it: It’s an adventure they’ll talk about for years.

Best Kid Friendly Hikes in Acadia by Age

Best Hikes for Toddlers

• Jordan Pond Trail (partial hike)
• Wonderland Trail
• Ship Harbor Trail
• Jesup Path
• Cadillac Summit Loop

Best Hikes for Elementary-Aged Kids

• Jordan Pond Trail
• Ocean Path
• Great Head Trail
• Gorham Mountain
• Wonderland Trail

Best Hikes for Tweens & Teens

• Beehive Trail
• Beach Cliff Trail
• Gorham Mountain
• Great Head Trail
• Jordan Pond Trail

Hiking Tips for Families Visiting Acadia

Start Early

Many of Acadia’s most popular trails fill up quickly, especially during summer and fall.

Check the Tide Schedule

If you’re planning to visit Wonderland Trail, Ship Harbor Trail, or Thunder Hole, timing your visit around low tide can make a huge difference.

Bring Layers

Weather changes quickly along the coast, even in the middle of summer.

Come Prepared

Many of Acadia’s trails don’t have services nearby, so it’s always a good idea to come prepared with water, snacks, and a downloaded trail map.

See our hiking essentials here

Let Kids Explore

Some of the best parts of hiking in Acadia happen when kids go at their own pace; make sure to allow time for them to investigate tide pools, climb on rocks, or search for wildlife.

Final Thoughts

Acadia National Park is one of the best national parks in America for family hiking. With everything from easy coastal walks and tide-pooling adventures to challenging summit hikes, there’s truly something for every age and ability level.

If you’re only visiting for a few days, I’d prioritize Jordan Pond Trail, Wonderland Trail, Ocean Path, and either Beehive or Great Head depending on your children’s ages and hiking experience.

Continue Planning Your Acadia Adventure

• Acadia National Park with Kids: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
• The Perfect 2-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary for Families
• Where to Stay Near Acadia National Park with Kids
• 10-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary
• 24 Hours in Portland, Maine