Hiking the Compass Harbor Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Compass Harbor Trail in Acadia National Park is a hidden gem compared to nearby day hikes in the park, as this area of Acadia is surrounded entirely by private property and somewhat removed, as a result, from other popular adventures, like Cadillac Mountain or the Beehive Trail.
This is because the Compass Harbor area of Acadia National Park was once the estate of George B. Dorr, a private citizen who became the park’s first superintendent and played a key role in creating the park that we know and love!
Today, visitors can enjoy Compass Harbor on this relatively easy, flat, kid-friendly trail that leads to a beautiful stretch of quiet coastline, just outside of all the busyness that is Bar Harbor!
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!
Compass Harbor Trailhead Parking
The Compass Harbor Trailhead is located in a small parking lot directly off Main Street, about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) south of downtown Bar Harbor.
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: Compass Harbor 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 the Compass Harbor Trail
The Compass Harbor Trail begins adjacent to the parking area, following a flat, easy-to-navigate 0.4-mile (0.6 km) path out to the water.
For this reason, the Compass Harbor Trail can make a great trail running option, especially when paired with the Schooner Head Path, which splits away from the Compass Harbor Trail, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) into the hike.
This sign, immediately following the trailhead, is where you can learn all about the history of George B. Dorr and the estate that once existed before the land became a part of Acadia National Park.
Compass Harbor-Schooner Head Junction
The one and only time the Compass Harbor Trail splits is at the beginning of the Schooner Head Path, which starts here and extends south to the Schooner Head Overlook and Anemone Cave Trail, running about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) each way.
That being said, go left to continue toward Compass Harbor, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away.
Just before Dorr Point, the very end of the Compass Harbor Trail drops off abruptly, but there are paths on either side: one leading down to Compass Harbor on the left, and the other leading to Old Farm and the Dorr estate residence remains on the right.
Compass Harbor (Dorr Point)
Dorr Point is the end of the Compass Harbor Trail, and it’s a great place to simply walk around and enjoy this secluded stretch of public coastline.
That being said, this statement is significant because, unlike other states where all shorelines are open to the public, such as the Oregon Coast, property owners in Maine typically own the shoreline down to the low water mark. This means that only a very small percentage of Maine’s 3,500-mile (5,633 km) coastline is open to the public.
Therefore, I highly recommend walking around to explore the hidden gem that is Compass Harbor because, outside of this small parcel within Acadia National Park, much of the surrounding area is not open to the public.
On a different note, the Compass Harbor Trail can make for one of the best and easiest sunrise hikes in Acadia National Park, which is one of many areas where a quality headlamp can be useful.
Some of my other favorites for sunrise include Beehive, Precipice, and Beech Mountain, while some of my favorite trails for sunset include The Triad, Day Mountain, and Acadia Mountain, to name a few.
This is all to say that there are more than a few adventures where you’ll want to pack a good headlamp for a trip to Acadia!
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!
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