Overview
The roadless half of Acadia, reached only by the Stonington mail boat — about half the island is parkland, laced with cliff-edge and shoreline trails and one tiny campground at Duck Harbor. Day-trip it on the ferry or reserve a Duck Harbor lean-to months ahead; either way it's the most remote, least-crowded corner of the park.
Headline Hikes
4.4 mi 564 ft gain
Isle au Haut's signature day — a 4.4-mile loop along the Western Head and Cliff trails with the Goat Trail's shoreline ledges and a climb over Duck Harbor Mountain. Surf, spruce, and almost no one else; time it to the mail-boat schedule.
1.4 mi 68 ft gain 28 min
A short headland walk near Duck Harbor — 1.4 miles out to a rocky point with cove and open-water views, easy enough to fit around the ferry. The low-commitment Isle au Haut option.
Trail descriptions are field-tested summaries; verify current conditions and closures with NPS before hiking.
Camping
In-park · Frontcountry
The most remote choice: five lean-tos on Isle au Haut reached only by mailboat, no water — for prepared campers, and the whole season releases at once on April 1.
Data Source: Recreation.gov
You'll be redirected to Recreation.gov
Campground listings sourced from the Recreation Information Database (RIDB). Recreation.gov is the only authorized booking site — confirm fees, dates, and site counts there before reserving.
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