Hiking the Wonderland Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km
Located along the rugged south shores of Mount Desert Island, the Wonderland Trail in Acadia National Park is one of the park’s easiest, kid-friendly day hikes!
However, it is because the Wonderland Trail is so easy, with nearly no elevation change, that this short coastal hike is one of Acadia National Park’s most popular adventures.
For this reason, I highly recommend hiking the Wonderland Trail either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds, which can make for a great sunrise adventure at the far end of the trail for those who are willing to wake up for it!
Wonderland Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Wonderland Trail is located directly off Highway 102A, on the right-hand side when coming from Tremont.
That said, the parking area is quite small given the trail’s popularity, which is why I recommend hiking the Wonderland Trail either early or late in the day to avoid having to park farther away.
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: Wonderland 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 Wonderland Trail
The Wonderland Trail is one of the easiest and most straightforward out-and-back hikes in Acadia National Park, as it has no true splits in the trail until the very end, near the Wonderland Loop.
Since the Wonderland Trail is such a flat hike, the fairly wide path can make for a great place to trail run—especially when paired with the Ship Harbor Trail just up the road.
If you are looking for a good, universal hiking and trail running shoe, consider my personal favorites linked below, which can be a great choice for trails across Acadia National Park.
When forest on the Wonderland Trail begins to open up, the loop at the end is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away.
Wonderland-Ship Harbor Junction
This first split, toward the end of the Wonderland Trail, leads to the Ship Harbor Trail, about 0.6 miles (1.0 km) away along the coast.
That being said, go left to continue on the Wonderland Trail toward the loop shortly ahead.
Read My Separate Post: Ship Harbor Trail
Wonderland Loop Trail
At the very end of the Wonderland Trail, the trail splits into a 0.2-mile (0.3 km) loop around the southernmost peninsula on the hike.
Personally, I chose to go right, but I truly don’t think it makes a difference which direction you decide to go.
This is the view looking back toward the coastal hike to Ship Harbor.
Bennet Cove
This final viewpoint looks out toward Bennet Cove to the northeast.
Wonderland Loop Junction
Overall, the Wonderland Trail is, without a doubt, one of the easiest day hikes in Acadia National Park, made only more difficult for those who decide to connect the Wonderland and Ship Harbor Trails into one.
In any case, the southernmost peninsula on the Wonderland Trail is one of the best, uncrowded places to catch the sunrise in Acadia, which, not to mention, is also one of the easier day hikes in the park where this is possible!
Remember to travel to Acadia with a good headlamp for such an adventure.
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
