Acadia National Park Schoodic
Acadia National Park - Schoodic
The Schoodic section of Acadia National Park is one of the most peaceful parks I have ever visited.
Roughly an hour’s drive north of Bar Harbor, Maine, where the main portion of Acadia National Park is found, is the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park. A ferry ride from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor will also take you to Schoodic in approximately 45 minutes. Many visitors to Acadia skip the trip to Schoodic, which is unfortunate because it’s beauty is spectacular.
What makes Schoodic so special beside it’s beautiful scenery is it’s lack of popularity. If you have ever tried to go to a major national park during peak season, you know there are masses of people. Schoodic, though, is smaller than the main section of Acadia but just as beautiful, and much less crowded, so it can be enjoyed more peacefully.
The Visitor Center needs to be your first stop for passes, unless you have an Acadia pass, and restroom stops. The rangers at Schoodic are always so happy to have visitors, and the Visitor Center has a wealth of information including trail maps, safety alerts, and more. Behind the Visitor Center is the campground, which I have not visited as of yet. I am hoping to rectify that very soon with The Mighty Zen Den.
Many of the roads in Acadia are one way - Schoodic is no exception. As you drive through the seven mile park road, go slowly; beauty is on each side whether it be ocean and rock formations or ponds and streams. If you are stopping for trails or photos, make sure you pull over onto a parking area.
Frazier Point is one of the first stops along the way and makes a perfect picnic spot with pleasant views. There is a grassy area, a rocky beach area, and a short pier.
Schoodic Point is the majesty of this section of the park as far as I am concerned. My family seems to agree. Massive rock formations line the coast here, and you can walk on the rocks seemingly forever while the Atlantic pounds the basalt and pink granite bedrock. Beware of getting too close to the water; the waves come in fast, and the rocks get slippery as you get closer.
Follow the pathway to a small, rocky beach while visiting Blueberry Hill.
Blueberry Hill is another beautiful spot to stop and wander. Two trailheads grace this area. There is less space to wander without going on trails, but it is beautiful nonetheless.
I always couple my visits to the Schoodic area of Acadia National with a drive around the peninsula, lunch (lobster) at Corea Wharf and a visit to one of my favorite painters.
Ratings:
Photo Ops: 10/10
Forest Bathing: 10/10 due to number of people
Day Trip: 10/10
Picnic Spot: 10/10
Links to more information
National Park Service - Acadia
Visiting the Schoodic Peninsula
Acadia National Park at Schoodic (I am a huge fan, since I used the Acadian Magic site to plan my first few visits to the area.)