Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
One of the classic hikes in Maine, the Beehive Hike Acadia National Park is short, sweet, and fairly epic. This trail is not for the faint of heart as it passes up and over a series of small ledges with rungs with a lot of exposure. It is also one of the most popular hikes in Acadia National Park and can get VERY crowded during the summer months.
We hiked the beehive most recently in the summer of 2022 at 7 AM on a beautiful Sunday morning and basically had the place to ourselves. By the time we left the hike just after 8, there were people lined up on the trail – Go Early!
Do this hike if you want amazing views out toward the ocean with a little bit of fun on the way up!
Looking for more to do in Acadia? Check out 15 Absolute Top Things to do in Acadia National Park for an Amazing Visit
Quick Look at the Beehive Hike Acadia
Distance: 1.5 mile Elevation: 500 feet Difficulty: Challenging
The Trail starts at the same parking lot as Sand Beach. Parking can get crowded, so get here early. From the parking lot, cross back over the Park Road and you will see the entrance to the Beehive Trail Loop.
The trail starts with a wooden walk and quickly starts to gain elevation once it becomes a loop. Hike the trail counterclockwise so you will go up the challenging section and can walk down the easier trail. Very quickly the trail ascends steeply up a rocky section with a series of ledges, bridges, and rungs in the rocks. This is the fun section, and also the area to use extreme caution as it can be slippery.
The hike only ascends about 500 feet to a small rocky summit with views out across the ocean. From here follow the trail downhill on the Bowl Trail. The Bowl trail is mostly through a wooded section with easy walking. If you aren’t up for hiking up the traditional Acadia National Park Beehive trail up, you can also come up the backside of the loop for the views and simply go back down the way you came.
Things to Know About Hiking the Beehive Trail Acadia
One of the classic ladder hikes in Acadia, learn more about the Beehive Hike below.
Where to Park for the Beehive Loop Trail Acadia
Enter Acadia National Park on the Park Loop Road and Park at the Sand Beach Parking Lot. This lot can get crowded in the summer and on weekends.
Are Dogs Allowed on the Beehive Hike?
Dogs are not allowed on the beehive hike, so leave your furry friends behind for this short hike!
Is the Beehive Hike Good For Children?
It depends on the age of your children. This can be a great hike for older, confident kids, but not a great choice for younger kids. This would be a dangerous hike to bring a kid who needs to be carried. My oldest daughter hiked this trail when she was 8 with no issue and we recently did the trail with two 14-year-olds and a 10-year-olds and they loved it.
If you do get spooked, you can turn around but should do it very low down. By the time you get up to the steepest sections, it is much easier and safer to go up instead of back down. If you are nervous try to go early or late to avoid the pressure of the crowds.
Is the Beehive Hike Scary?
Again – this depends on you. If you have a fear of heights or are unsure of your footing on most trails, this trail will be scary for you. If you are a confident hiker or aren’t to fussed with heights you will love it. There are several areas where a fall will result in serious injury or death, but these areas all have extra support.
Is there are Fee to Hike the Beehive Hike?
There is a fee to get into Acadia National Park. You can see information about current rates and opening details on the National Parks Site.
Beehive Trail Map
Complete Details of the Beehive Acadia National Park
We climbed the Beehive Trail Acadia on a Sunday morning in August on a perfectly clear and sunny day. By 7 am the parking lot at Sand Beach was about half full, and we just a few other people on the trail. By the time we finished the hike about an hour later, there were a line of people going up the hike. We also talked to come people who hiked the trail late in the day and they said it was much less crowded just before dusk.
From the parking lot, cross the main road and backtrack slightly to the Beehive Trailhead. The trail begins mostly flat on a wide path with some rocks. After just a few minutes walking, you will get to a trail split – turn right to go uphill on the trail. This will take you in a counterclockwise direction and is a much better way to do the hike.
Once you head up this part of the loop, the trail quickly becomes steep and you begin the first more technical sections. You will cross a small bridge and walk out on the first set of ledges. From here the trail climbs between ledges with the help of many iron rungs in the rock. Use caution as some of the rock is slippery from wear, especially if it is wet. Most of this section of the hike is exposed with drop offs. Always maintain 3 points of contact.
There are several spots to stop to take in the view on the way up, but the general view doesn’t change, so if you don’t want to take out your phone or camera on the way up, you can still get the same view at the top. As you near the top, the rock begins to become less steep and you can mostly walk up the very final section.
The summit is lovely, but not huge, so you should plan to spend a few minutes and then continue down, especially if you are hiking when the trail is busy. The trail to go down descends right over the top of the summit. After a short walk downhill, you can either take the shortcut to the left, or continue down the Bowl Trail to Bowl Pond. The trail throughout this section is easy andwell marked with not much of a view.
The trail will loop back down and meet back up with the trail you started on. Continue down the trail to the Park Rd and the Sand Beach Parking Lot.
Other Amazing Short Hikes in Acadia National Park
Many of our favorite hikes in Acadia are short with a high reward. In general the top hikes in Acadia either go to the rocky coast, up short rocky mountains for amazing views, or around a lake or a pond. A few of our favorites include:
- Great Head Trail
- Wonderland
- South Bubble
Common Questions for Hiking the Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park
When is the best time of year for hiking the Beehive Hike Acadia?
The summer and fall months from May-October are the best months to hike the Beehive Trail in Acadia. Ice, snow, rain and wind all make this hike dangerous.
Looking for more information on visiting the US National Park? Visit our National Parks Page or check out The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary For 1-4 Amazing Days
