Acadia National Park · Maine

Ship Harbor Trail

1.3 mi of trail, end to end · about 60 ft of climbing · 9 ft–45 ft · earth surface

19 ft 15 ft · 0.6 mi high 45 ft

Hike Ship Harbor Trail the Park Service's write-up

30-60 Minutes · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall

Start Ship Harbor Trailhead

Small harbor with rugged cliffs around edge
Ship Harbor

Located off Maine 102A down the road from Seawall Campground and Wonderland Trail, Ship Harbor Trail is a figure-8 trail covering 1.3 miles. It is a great trail for families and birders. Common loons, common eiders, great blue herons, black guillemots, ospreys and eagles have been seen here. A variety of habitats can be viewed along the shore, and there is access to a quiet cove and mudflats at low tide. Interpretive signs provide additional resource information.

Start by bearing right at the first junction. The trail will lead along the shore of a narrow cove. After passing the rocky headland, follow blue blazes on the rocks and turn right again. The trail continues through a spruce woods before opening up again and leading back to the parking lot.

Accessibility The first loop is ADA compliant. Second loop is mostly flat with occasional log framed steps and plank trail. Restrooms (vault toilets) at trailhead are not accessible. In front of the restroom, one accessible parking space is indicated by a sign and blue paint on the ground. Another space next to the trail entrance is indicated by blue striped paint on the ground. At the entrance of the trail there is a two-inch drop from the parking lot pavement. Wheelchair users may need assistance.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 219 trails in Acadia National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.