Hiking Cedar Swamp Mountain via Sargent South Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance: 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
Cedar Swamp Mountain, in Acadia National Park, is one of four smaller summits that sit beneath Penobscot and Sargent Mountain, two of the most popular day hikes that surround Jordan Pond.
However, of these four, Cedar Swamp Mountain is one of the least visited, as the Sargent South Ridge Trail to get there is not a convenient or straightforward route for either Penobscot or Sargent Mountain.
For this reason, Cedar Swamp Mountain can be one of the best day hikes to escape some of the busier areas in Acadia National Park—especially those that begin at the Jordan Pond Trailhead!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Cedar Swamp Mountain Trailhead Parking
Parking for Cedar Swamp Mountain via the Sargent South Ridge Trail is located at the Brown Mountain Trailhead, just off the Hadlock Ponds Loop.
That said, know that while Cedar Swamp Mountain is renowned for being a quiet Acadia day hike, the Brown Mountain Trailhead can be quite busy, with bikers parking for the Carriage Roads at the base of the mountain.
Remember to purchase your National Park pass in advance and display your pass or entrance receipt here and at every trailhead in Acadia National Park, whether you went through an official entrance station or not. Yes, law enforcement officers check parked cars throughout Acadia, and I have seen tickets handed out to vehicles not following the rules of a U.S. fee area.
On a different note, be aware that Acadia National Park is one of the busiest parks in the country, and finding a place to park, even at less-known trailheads, can be incredibly challenging during the busiest times of the year.
Google Maps Directions: Cedar Swamp Mountain Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Acadia
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Acadia National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking Cedar Swamp Mountain via Sargent South Ridge Trail
The hike up Cedar Swamp Mountain from the Brown Mountain Trailhead begins on a series of Carriage Roads for the first 0.75 miles (1.2 km), before the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail crosses the road.
At this first split, go right to continue to the upper Carriage Road, which leads to the Sargent South Ridge Trail.
About 0.2 miles (0.3 km) past the first junction, the Carriage Road splits once again.
Here, go right to continue to the Sargent South Ridge Trail, which branches off toward Cedar Swamp Mountain on the left-hand side.
Sargent Mountain South Ridge-Carriage Road Junction
This is where the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail crosses the Carriage Road.
That being said, go left to begin the Sargent South Ridge Trail to Cedar Swamp Mountain.
Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail
From the Carriage Road, the Sargent South Ridge Trail climbs roughly 610 ft. (186 m) over 1.3 miles (2.1 km) until the trail to Cedar Swamp Mountain splits away.
Since the hike up Cedar Swamp Mountain is so constant, some hikers may prefer to carry trekking poles for the uneven granite terrain, which can be especially useful on the hike back down.
Other than everything mentioned above, there’s not much to know about the Sargent Mountain South Ridge to Cedar Swamp Mountain—except that there is the option to make the hike a one-way loop with the east side of the Hadlock Ponds Loop, to the Brown Mountain Trailhead.
This is a route that I have hiked before, which can either be hiked along the ponds or the lower Carriage Road for the fastest route back to the beginning.
This viewpoint of Penobscot Mountain is one of the only vantage points before reaching the summit of Cedar Swamp Mountain.
Cedar Swamp Mountain-Sargent Mountain South Ridge Junction
About 0.3 miles (0.5 km) past the viewpoint, the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail splits, with the short trail that leads over to Cedar Swamp Mountain.
Here, go left, and the end of the hike will be found shortly ahead.
Cedar Swamp Mountain Trail
After leaving the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail, there’s only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) on the Cedar Swamp Mountain Trail to reach the summit.
Cedar Swamp Mountain
According to the National Park Service, Cedar Swamp Mountain stands at 935 ft. (285 m), making it the exact same height as Parkman Mountain just to the north.
On a different note, the relatively moderate hike to the top and expansive west-facing views make Cedar Swamp Mountain one of the best sunset hikes in Acadia National Park, so long as you’re comfortable with the 2.2-mile (3.5 km) hike back down in the dark.
This is why I highly recommend traveling to Acadia with a quality headlamp, as there are more than a few amazing day hikes that can also be great sunrise and sunset adventures!
More Acadia Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Acadia National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
The biggest risks that the National Park Service highlights in Acadia National Park are largely associated with falls, whether on slippery, wet granite or down one of the countless dramatic cliffs found throughout the park.
This is true both in coastal areas and on unsuspecting upper-elevation trails—not just on well-known challenging hikes, like the Precipice and Beehive Trail.
That being said, prepare for all types of conditions, as New Englanders will tell you that layers are your best friend in Maine—especially on the Atlantic Coast!
Apart from this, be aware that there are Black Bears in Acadia National Park, though the National Park Service reports that encounters are very unlikely. Even so, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea, regardless that Black Bears usually present less of a risk compared to Grizzlies. However, it’s truly up to your own discretion and comfort level.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Acadia National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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