Beehive Trail, a Must-Do Hike in Acadia National Park Especially in the Fall

Along the wild and rugged Atlantic coastline, amid granite peaks and abundant trees, you’ll find the crown jewel of the Northeast. Acadia National Park is an extraordinary outdoor playground. And one of the must-do things in the park is hiking the Beehive Trail. If you are looking for a memorable adventure, this is it. 

Acadia National Park is the crown jewel of the northeast and of Maine. DO NOT MISS THIS HIKE! The Beehive Trail is one of the most thrilling hikes in the park. You'll hang on to iron rungs while scrambling up granite stairs and rock ledges. #thingstodoin #Acadia #hikingtrails #Maine #BucketList

Everything You Need to Know about Hiking the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park

If Acadia National Park isn’t on your New England itinerary already, maybe this exceptional hike will seal the deal. 

Here are all the details you need to know to plan your hike and don’t forget to keep reading for our detailed account and pictures below. 

TIP: This hike is not recommended for small children or those with a fear of heights. BUT if you still want to take in the views, skip the Beehive Trail and hit the Bowl Trail up to the overlook as an out and back.

 

To complete the loop, take the Beehive Trail up and the Bowl Trail down.

Even though the Beehive is one of the best Acadia Trails, it can be dangerous due to the extreme drop-offs. Be careful and take your time. 

Beehive Trail Hike Distance: 1.6-mile loop round trip.

Beehive Trail Acadia Elevation Gain:  450 feet.

Beehive Trail Acadia Difficulty: Strenuous because of the climbing and steep drop-offs that are involved. 

How long does Beehive Trail Take? 1 – 3 hours. More if you take a lot of pictures like us or there are a lot of people hiking that day.

Best Time of Year: Spring through the Fall. We highly recommend hiking when the fall season arrives.

Acadia Weather: The park is open all year long with the coldest months being January, February, November, and December. The average total snowfall is 12 to 24 inches. June is the wettest month with January being the driest. Summers are hot and dry with occasional hailstorms and tornadoes. July and August are the warmest months with temperature highs between 83 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sun Exposure: All sun, barely any shade.

Pets: No pets allowed.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Parking: Sand Beach Parking Lot

RELATED: BEEHIVE TRAIL ACADIA DEATHS

Beehive Trail Map via the Bowl Trail Acadia National Park
Beehive Trail Acadia Trail Map

If you are road tripping, check out our New England Itinerary here. 

HIKING TIPS:

  • It is a popular hike, begin early if you want to avoid the crowds. 
  • Is Beehive Trail open? Go to the NPS Current Conditions page to check before your visit. 
  • Beware of loose rocks and uneven footings.  
  • Do not hike when it is raining or just rained. The granite steps are smoothed out and can be slippery. 
  • Remember all fossils, plants, rocks, and artifacts should remain in the park and unharmed. 

WHAT TO PACK AND WHAT TO WEAR: You’ll want to bring as little as possible since you’ll be scrambling up a ladder. Wear sturdy shoes (no flip-flops), carry a lightweight daypack (click to see a recommended bag) so you’ll have nothing in your hands for the climb, and put on sunscreen before you head out. For the hike, you’ll want to pack the following:

  • Water (the NPS recommends two quarts per person for a two-hour hike)
  • Snacks 
  • Hat and/or Sunglasses
  • Camera

READ NEXT: ANOTHER MUST-DO THRILLING NATIONAL PARK HIKE

What It’s Like to Hike Acadia Beehive Trail 

Let’s get on it, it’s time to hike Beehive Trail – Acadia National Park! The trailhead is across the road from the Sand Beach parking area. You’ll see a crosswalk at the entrance of the lot. And don’t forget to look up, the dome of Beehive Mountain is hard to miss. 

TIP: Use the restroom here because you won’t find any privacy on the trail!

Beehive Trail Acadia Dangerous Warning Sign
Yes, there have been Beehive Trail Acadia deaths but as long as you take your time and watch your footing and you’re not scared of heights, you should be fine.

Begin with a short rocky trek along a creek bed on the Bowl Trail, roughly .2 miles, before you’ll see a split on the path. Follow the arrow right toward the Beehive Trail. 

The Beehive Trail starts out with a rocky climb.
Which way do I go? I recommend taking the Beehive up and the Bowl Trail Acadia down. 

Continue to the climbing section of the Beehive Trail. You’ll use iron handles (rungs), embedded into the stone, to scramble up and around granite staircases and cliff ledges as you clamber to the peak.

There are all kinds of fun obstacles. Halfway up, a set of iron bars connects an open space between two boulders.  

Because of the scrambling (and picture-worthy views), the .6-miles takes longer than you’d think, but it is so worth it. 

Iron rungs on the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park.
Iron rungs while climbing the Beehive Trail in Maine.
Iron rungs on the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park.
Don’t let go! Taking a breather to capture the moment.
Iron rungs on the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park.
What a fun (and challenging) hike! The Beehive is one of the best Acadia trails.
If you are looking for a good hike in Maine in the fall, check out the Beehive Trail Acadia National Park.
Is this an obstacle course?

I’ll write it again because it is important – I do not recommend the Beehive Trail Acadia for anyone with a fear of heights, kids under the age of five, or an overzealous child that will not be cautious.

One of the most thrilling hikes in the United States, the Beehive Trail offers adventure from start to finish.
Just taking a breather overlooking Maine’s outdoor playground.

As you climb out of the treeline, the view of the Maine shoreline and southeast corner of Mount Desert Island becomes clearer. The Beehive Lagoon, Sand Beach, and Newport Cove look snuggled against the dense forest. 

One of the best hiking trails in Maine during fall foliage season, the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park.
The view of Newport Cove from the Beehive Trail.
What a beautiful time of year!
Cliff edge on the Beehive Hiking Trail.
The cliff edge on the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park.
Definitely need to pay attention on this hike!
One of the best Acadia trails in the fall is the Beehive Trail.
As you climb higher, the lake comes into full view.
One of the best hiking trails in Acadia National Park, the Beehive Trail.
I didn’t fall yet!

At last, you reach the 520-foot Beehive summit and will be rewarded with outstanding panoramic views. 

Beehive Summit – 520 feet
Take the Beehive Trail to the Bowl Trail Acadia and you will not be disappointed. It is one of the best fall Acadia trails to hike.
View from the Summit of the Beehive Trail
The Beehive Trail Acadia difficulty is strenuous because of the climbing but the rewards at the top are worth it. It is one of the best Acadia trails to hike.
The Beehive Summit in Acadia National Park

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Take as much time as you need to soak up the views and give those shaky legs a break. It’s a good time for a snack.

The descent towards the Bowl Trail Acadia is much easier than the climb, but there’s no rush to get going. You already did the hard part, right?

When it is time, you’ll make your way down the trail and the Bowl (lake) will come into view. Once you reach it, make sure to take the spur trail to walk along the water’s edge. 

And that completes the loop! Albeit a short hike, it’s a thrilling one with fantastic views, especially in the fall. If you are visiting Acadia National Park any time soon and aren’t scared to hang over steep rock ledges, we highly recommend it.

Beehive Trail Acadia Directions

How do I get to the Beehive Trail Acadia? The Beehive Trailhead is located on the east side of Mount Desert across from the Beehive Lagoon. The trailhead is about 17 minutes from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center.  From there, take Paradise Hill Road through Bar Harbor to Eden Street to Schooner Head Road to the one-way Park Loop Road. Turn off Park Loop at the Sand Beach Parking area, you will find the trailhead roughly 100 feet north of the entrance to the parking lot. 

Have you been to Acadia National Park? Have any other hiking spots or other favorite things to do inside the park?

Pin for Future Travels!

Add the awesome Beehive Trail to your Acadia National Park itinerary because it is one of the best hikes in the park and one of the best things to do in October for fall color. #besthikes #acadia #nationalpark #trails

The Beehive is one of the best fall hikes in Acadia National Park. See stunning views of the surrounding area on the 520-foot summit. #beehive #acadia #fall #hiking

The Beehive Trail is one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park. Climb up ladders and granite staircases via the 1.6-mile loop to be rewarded with panoramic views of Maine's coast. #hiking #acadianationalpark #thingstodoin

 

 

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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

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