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Acadia National Park

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Wednesday, June 17, 2026 -- $1900 ★


Join us for a week of hiking and coastal exploration in one of America’s most beloved national parks— Acadia National Park the first national park established on the Eastern Seaboard. Acadia is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest coastal peak on the Atlantic Ocean from the U.S. all the way down to Rio de Janeiro. The park covers most of Mount Desert Island—though there are no actual lions on the island—sharing space with the charming and iconic seaside town of Bar Harbor.


Each day, we’ll set out on scenic day hikes to explore Acadia’s diverse ecosystems and landscapes. From rugged granite peaks with sweeping ocean views, to serene wooded trails, historic carriage roads, freshwater lakes, and the rocky Atlantic shoreline, this trip offers a little of everything. Bird enthusiasts will be happy to know that the park is home to over 330 species of birds—though we can’t promise we’ll spot them all!


At night, we’ll return to our comfortable group campsite at Blackwood’s Campground, located within the park and just a short drive from trailheads and Bar Harbor. Evenings offer time to relax around camp, cook meals together, and enjoy the long, light-filled evenings of Maine in early summer.


Why Travel in June? This trip takes place just as Acadia’s summer high season begins, when temperatures are pleasant, crowds are manageable, and the days are long. Sunrise is before 5:00 AM, and sunsets linger late into the evening—ideal for full days of adventure with time to unwind at camp.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the low to mid-70s and nighttime temperatures in the low 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with a reasonable chance of rainfall and possibly lots of mosquitoes and black flies, hopefully mitigated by salty ocean breezes. Here is the average June weather for nearby Bar Harbor, ME.



Probable Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Dan Shafto
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Cost

$1900 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Bangor, ME (BGR) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 5 nights in a front country campground, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important Notes about this trip


The trails in Acadia National Park are generally well-marked and well-maintained, making them accessible to most hikers with a moderate fitness level. That said, many of the routes can be rocky or steep in sections. In some areas, you’ll be hiking across massive granite slabs or ascending rock staircases, with trails marked by cairns shaped like the letter ‘A’ (yes, really).


Despite the occasional steepness, footing is usually stable—thanks to the granite surface and, in some places, iron rungs or built-in staircases. Since we’ll be hiking with only daypacks, the terrain will be much more manageable, but you should still be prepared for frequent climbs and descents throughout the week. Some trails involve sustained elevation gain and exposed sections, so a good sense of balance and a reasonable level of fitness will go a long way in helping you enjoy the journey.


Although daily mileages appear to be moderate and we are day hiking only, do not underestimate this trip. Many of the hikes traverse vertical rock scrambles with steep precipices and ladders. Furthermore, some trails may be full of rocks, roots, mud or all of these things. We find that terrain is the most difficult impediment most participants face. And then it might rain.


Fortunately we will only be carrying around 10 pounds on our backs, plus we expect almost 17 hours of daylight, plenty of time to complete our daily mileage or even do optional extra hiking.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Drive or fly into Bangor Airport (BGR). The best time to arrive is between around 9AM-Noon. However, if you have completed your online shakedown and will arrive fairly ready to go, you can fly in a little later.

Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel: TBD

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Equipment shakedown. We go through your packs to make sure you're prepared for the trip equipment-wise.

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

Go out to welcome dinner at local restaurant. Cost of dinner not included in trip cost.

Stay in local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined


Thursday, June 11, 2026

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage

Free hotel Breakfast

Shuttle to Blackwood’s Campground

We won't be able to set-up camp for the week this early in the day, so we will hike first and set up camp when we return from the day's mileage

Begin hiking Northbound on the Quarry Trail

Hike 0.5 miles on the Quarry Trail to the Otter Cove Trail

Hike 0.6 miles on the Otter Cove Trail to the Ocean Path

Hike 0.5 miles to Thunder Hole, a rocky inlet whose wave action can send sea spray 40 feet high when the tide is right.

Hike 0.9 miles to Sand Beach. Wading and swimming is available here (if you dare)

Hike 1.3 miles around Great Head on the Great Head Trail

Hike 0.4 miles on the Satterlee Trail to the Park Road

Hike 0.2 miles to the Beehive Trail

Hike 0.6 miles on the Beehive Trail to the summit of the Beehive at 505' for sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, you will be climbing on iron rungs hammered into the rock face.

Hike 0.6 miles on the Gorham Mountain Trail to Gorham Mountain, elevation 525'

Hike 2.0 miles back to the vehicle

Return to Blackwoods Campground sites TBD

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 7.6

Possible bailout: Park Loop Road


Friday, June 12, 2026

Shuttle to the Brown Mountain Gatehouse

Hike 1.0 clockwise miles around Hadlock Pond

Hike 0.3 miles on the Hadlock Ponds Trail to the Park Road

Hike 0.7 miles on the Hadlock Ponds Trail past Hadlock Brook Bridge to the Maple Spring Trail

Hike 0.9 miles on the Maple Spring Trail to the Grandgent Trail

Hike 0.5 uphill miles on the Grandgent Trail to the summit of Sargent Mountain, elvation 1373'

Hike 0.5 miles along Sargent South Ridge to the Hadlock Brook Trail.

Hike 1.4 miles along the Hadlock Brook Trail to the Maple Spring Trail.

Hike 0.9 miles on the Maple Spring Trail to the Park Road

Hike 0.9 miles back to the Park Road at the Brown Mountain Gatehouse

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground sites TBD

Miles today: 7.1. Total miles: 14.7


Saturday, June 13, 2026

Shuttle to the Acadia Mountain Parking Lot on Route 102 on the West Side of the park

Hike 0.1 miles to the St. Sauveur Trail, elevation 250'

Hike 1.0 miles to the summit of St. Sauveur Mountain, elevation 679'

Hike 0.4 miles on the St. Sauveur Trail to Valley Peak, elevation 500'

Hike 1.1 miles on the Valley Peak Trail to Man O' War Brook Fire Rd, elevation 320'

Hike 1.0 uphill miles on the Acadia Mountain Trail to the summit of Acadia Mountain, elvation 681'

Hike 1.0 miles on the Acadia Mountain Trail back to the parking lot.

Shuttle to Bass Harbor.

Shuttle to the Ship Harbor Nature Trail

Hike 1.5 round trip miles on the Ship Harbor Nature Trail.

Shuttle to the Wonderland Trail

Hike 1.5 round trip miles on the Wonderland Trail.

Tonight we will be dining at an authentic Maine Lobster Pound

Shuttle to Thruston's Lobster Pound or Charlotte's Legendary Lobster Pound for an authentic Maine Lobster Dinner (note: Cost of dinner not included in trip cost. Also, there is no obligation to order lobster as there are other options available.)

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground sites TBD

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 22.3

Possible bailout: ME Route 102


Sunday, June 14, 2026

Today we will be hiking along the famous Acadia carriage roads with moderate elevation changes.

Shuttle to the Brown Mountain Gatehouse

Hike 2.8 miles on Aunt Betty Pond Carriage Road

Turn left and hike 1.2 miles past Seven Bridges to the Around Mountain Carriage Road

Turn left and hike 0.2 miles to the Eagle Lake Carriage Road

Turn right and hike 3.8 miles on the Eagle Lake Carriage Road, hugging the shore, back to the parking area.

Shuttle back to Blackwoods Campground sites TBD

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 30.3


Monday, June 15, 2026

Today we will hike Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the Eastern Seabord and the classic Acadia hike

Begin hiking at the Blackwoods Campground, possibly long before sunrise if the group would like to start several hours before dawn to catch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Hike 0.7 miles to Otter Creek Road, Route 3, elevation 180'

Hike 1.0 miles on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail to the Eagle's Crag Loop Trail, elevation 600'

Hike 0.2 miles on the Eagle's Crag Loop Trail to the summit of Eagle's Crag, elevation 700'

Hike 1.1 miles on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail to the Cannon Brook Trail, elevation 1000'

Hike 1.2 miles on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, elevation 1530'

Hike 2.2 miles on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail to the Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead Parking Area, elevation 420'

Take the free park shuttle to the Wild Gardens of Acadia

Spend between 15-30 minutes on a self-guided tour of the Wild Gardens of Acadia

Hike 0.8 miles on the Kane Path to the Ladder Trail

Hike 0.4 steep uphill miles on the Ladder Trail to the Schiff Path, elevation 800'. Note: As you might suspect, there are a few actual metal ladders attached to rocks that you will be climbing.

Hike 0.8 miles on the Schiff Path to the Emery Path

Hike 0.5 downhill miles on the Emery Path back to the Nature Center

Take the free park shuttle back to the Blackwoods Campground sites TBD

Miles today: 8.9. Total miles: Hiking 39.2

Possible bailout: Cadillac Mountain Summit


Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Break camp and shuttle to the Parking Area along Park Loop Road near Jordan Pond, North Bubble and South Bubble.

Hike 0.4 miles to Jordan Pond on the Jordan Pond Carry Trail

Hike 0.6 miles over South Bubble (elevation 768') on Bubble Trail to the Bubbles Divide Trail

Hike 0.1 miles on the Bubbles Divide Trail to the Bubbles Trail

Hike 0.3 miles on the Bubbles Trail to the summit of North Bubble, elevation 872'

Hike 0.9 miles on the Bubbles Trail to Conners Nubble

Turn back around and hike about 1.0 miles on a carriage path to the Jordan Pond Carry Trail

Hike 0.5 miles on the Jordan Pond Carry Trail back to the vehicle

End of hiking portion of trip

Miles today: 2.8. Total miles: 42.0

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Free Breakfast (if hotel offered)

Take free airport shuttle or we will pay for a shared cab/Uber


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