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!
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.
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 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 Triad Peak, 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!
