Hiking the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park (Full Guide!)
Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Kelly
The Beehive Loop trail is one of the most popular hikes in Acadia National Park. The trail is famous for its steep ascent (requiring iron rung ladders), narrow cliffs, and spectacular views. We love hiking in national parks, and the Beehive Trail remains one of our favorite hikes of all time. The iron rungs and the views of the Atlantic Coast were highlights for us. In this post, we’ll share our guide to hiking the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park.
If you only have one day to spend at the park, we recommend that you complete this hike! I thought the view from the summit was incredible because I could see Sand Beach below. I also thought climbing the iron rungs was a unique experience. Finally, I was surprised to find a quiet pond (“The Bowl”) at the top. Everyone talks about the views, but no one talks about the pond. I was the only one there and it was such a peaceful spot to have a snack.
Another thing that I liked about the Beehive Trail was its proximity to Sand Beach and the Ocean Path. We were able to park our car in one spot and easily access all three points of interest within the same day.
One downside to this hike was the fact that it was very crowded. There were people around us every step of the way. It kind of felt like a train of people. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that so many people were enjoying the outdoors. I just think it’s important to set expectations that this will likely not be a quiet hike. It’s popular for a reason, though!
About the Beehive Loop Trail
The Beehive Loop Trail is 1.4 miles round trip. The hike took us up a rounded granite peak that resembled the appearance of a beehive. The trail had a steep ascent of 450 feet that required the use of iron rungs and hand bars.
At the top of the Beehive Trail, we were be able to see Sand Beach below as well as coastal views of the Gulf of Maine.
Many people ask about safety regarding the Beehive Trail. It’s always a good idea to check out the park’s website for current conditions and to speak with a park ranger for specific recommendations.
We observed that the hike has portions of narrow trail with steep drop-offs. The hike also required scrambling up the cliff face with the aid of iron rungs. The hike is generally not recommended for people with a fear of heights, small children, and during inclement weather. I wouldn’t feel comfortable hiking it in the rain.
Once we started hiking the trail, we found that it was a steep ascent to the top. Several portions of the trail were quite narrow.
| Check out our full guide of things to do in Acadia National Park! |
Some portions of the Beehive Trail have narrow bridges as well.
There are also portions of the trail where we had to climb up smaller rocks without the use of iron rungs.
As we neared the top, there was more granite to climb.
The summit of the Beehive Loop Trail is at 520 feet above sea level. We enjoyed the views of coastal Maine on a bright, sunny day!
Once we were at the top of the Beehive, we enjoyed a bit of a rest. There were plenty of rocks to sit on at the top.
We then continued on the trail to see The Bowl. (Please note that you don’t go down the same way you came for safety reasons. Instead, the trail follows a loop.)
The Bowl is the name of the pond that sits between the Beehive and Champlain Mountain. It was a quiet and peaceful spot, and we thought it was an underrated part of the hike!
After we saw The Bowl, we continued following the Bowl Trail back down to the parking lot. The rest of the hike wasn’t too eventful. It was mostly a trail through forest back to the base of the Beehive.
It took us approximately two hours to hike this trail. That included time to take photos at the top and to sit down for a snack.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Directions
Once you enter Acadia National Park, head to the Sand Beach parking lot. There are restrooms located at this parking lot. The parking lot is very large and can fill up quick, but there also tends to be a lot of people leaving at any given time. We recommend arriving early to grab a parking spot, but you can always wait for a spot if it’s a crowded day. Another option is to take the Island Explorer free shuttle.
To access the Beehive Trail, park at the Sand Beach parking lot. Cross the street via the crosswalk and then access the Bowl Trail. After a short walk along the Bowl Trail (.2 miles), you’ll see the trailhead for the Beehive Trail.
Hiking Tips
- First and foremost, follow Leave No Trace principles when you visit Acadia National Park. It’s important to leave the trail as you found it. Don’t litter, be sure to stay on marked trails only, and don’t feed the wildlife.
- Be sure to check out the Acadia National Park website for important updates, alerts, and trail conditions for the Beehive Trail.
- The park is well-visited. To avoid crowds, try to plan your trip for mid-week or off-peak season. It’s not a bad idea to get to the trailhead early to avoid crowds.
- Break in your hiking boots. If you have a new pair of hiking boots, be sure to wear them a bit before you head to the park. New boots can give you blisters, so you’ll want to make sure you have a comfortable pair for the Beehive Trail.
- Pack a first aid kit. If you do get a blister, you’ll want to make sure you have a bandage.
- Pack the 10 Essentials when you’re out hiking. We wrote a full article about the 10 Essentials if you’d like to learn more.
- Be sure to pack adequate hydration, food, and sun protection. Much of the hike is not well-shaded, so there is direct sun exposure.
- If you have a fear of heights, consider the Beehive Trail carefully. You’ll need to climb up the rock face using iron rungs and there are several portions of the trail that have steep drop-offs.
- Pack a power bank so you can re-charge your phone on the go. That way, you’ll be able to take plenty of pictures without having to worry.
- Download maps in advance on your phone so you can access them without cell service.
- Be flexible. Many of the parking lots fill up quickly on a busy day. Have a Plan B ready-to-go. There’s plenty to see in the park, so give yourself lots of options!
- Purchase and download the Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour. You’ll get to learn all about the park as you drive around at your own pace.
Important Information
The Beehive Trail generally takes between 1 to 3 hours to complete. It’s a short 1.4 mile loop with a steep ascent to the summit. It took us approximately 2 hours to hike the Beehive Trail, and that included time for photos and rest.
There have been fatalities on the Beehive Trail. The hike has portions of narrow trail with steep drop-offs. It’s important to have secure footing and exercise caution along the trail. The hike also has a steep ascent that requires some scrambling to the summit. There are iron rungs and hand bars to help hikers ascend the steepest parts of the trail. The trail can be dangerous during inclement weather when the granite rocks are slippery. It’s always a good idea to check current trail conditions and/or speak with a park ranger prior to departing on the hike.
Parents should exercise caution when considering the Beehive Trail with young children. We cannot provide parenting or safety advice, but we do recommend that you ask a park ranger for their opinion. We personally wouldn’t bring our young children on this hike.
Pets are not allowed on the trail.
Summary
When we visited Acadia, we were looking for a short hike that packed a lot of punch. The Beehive Trail was exactly what we were looking for! The hike had a lot of unique factors: iron rungs, views of Sand Beach, views of the coast, and The Bowl pond. Even though it was a short hike, there was plenty to see every step of the way!
The Beehive Trail was one of the highlights of our trip to Acadia National Park. We enjoyed the challenge of climbing up the summit, and the views from the top were spectacular! We recommend visiting Sand Beach to relax after you hike the Beehive Trail.
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
