An Acadia Weekend, From the Beehive to the Stars

Acadia gave me the kind of weekend I love: rocky trails, water in every direction, and a place to come back to when the day was done. We stayed in a Stargazer tent at Under Canvas Acadia, then spent our days finding our way around the park.

The best part was how different each outing felt. One minute, I was thinking about my footing on the Beehive. Later, I was slowing down beside Jordan Pond. And in Bar Harbor, the tide gave us a path across the water that would not be there for long.

Up the Beehive

The Beehive is short, but it is not a casual walk. The climb has exposed ledges and iron rungs. You need your hands, your attention, and a dry day. If heights are not your thing, there are plenty of beautiful ways to spend your time in Acadia without forcing this one.

I love how a climb like that asks you to stay right where you are. One move, one foothold, one look up at a time. The park’s Beehive guide is worth reading before you decide if the route fits your comfort level. Dogs cannot go on the rung section, so plan a different trail if your pup is joining you.

Take your time at Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond was our change of pace. We spent time by the water, stepping across the rocks and looking out at the hills. It felt good to have room in the day to just stop and look around.

If you go, give yourself a little extra time here. There is no prize for rushing past a view you came all this way to see. Check the park’s Jordan Pond information for current access and trail details, and keep out of the water. It is a drinking water source.

The land bridge has a clock

At low tide, a gravel path appears between Bar Harbor and Bar Island. Walking across it feels wonderfully strange. The water has stepped aside, but only for a while.

This is one stop to plan before you leave your tent. The National Park Service says the land bridge is exposed for about 1.5 hours before and 1.5 hours after low tide. Check the local tide chart, allow plenty of time to walk over and back, and turn around early. Do not wait for high tide to remind you: if you miss the crossing, it can be around nine hours before you can walk back safely.

The dog can come along on the Bar Island trail on a leash, which makes it an easy one to put on a shared outing list. The Beehive is a separate, people-only plan.

Back to the Stargazer tent

Under Canvas hosted our stay in its Stargazer tent. The little sky-viewing window above the bed gave the night its own reason to pause. I liked coming back to a wood-burning stove and a private deck after being out all day. My dog seemed especially happy to settle in, too.

The tent made a good ending to each day without asking us to stop paying attention to the outdoors. We could spend the daylight exploring Acadia, then come back, get warm, and look up.

If I had one suggestion for a weekend like this, it would be to leave space between the big plans. Give the Beehive your full attention. Stay a little longer by Jordan Pond. And check that tide twice before heading toward Bar Island.