Beehive Trail - Bar Harbor, ME
Beehive Trail — A Thrilling Adventure Near Bar Harbor, ME
Beehive Trail is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Acadia National Park, offering breathtaking mountain views and an exhilarating challenge for outdoor enthusiasts. While this is not a conventional dog park in Bar Harbor, Maine, it’s important to know that the trail is not pet-friendly. Due to steep climbs, sheer drop-offs, and vertical ladders, dogs are not allowed on the Beehive Trail itself. This location is best suited for visitors looking for adrenaline-pumping hikes and scenic lookouts rather than a place for off-leash dog play.
Parking fills up fast—especially after 9 AM, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. The trail is not wheelchair accessible and does not offer fenced areas, water stations, or typical dog park amenities. Instead, Beehive Trail stands out for its heart-racing scrambles, panoramic views, and proximity to other scenic trails in Acadia National Park. For those searching for dog-friendly hiking near Bar Harbor, Maine, consider alternative trails within the park where pets are permitted on a leash.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park?
No, dogs are not permitted on the Beehive Trail due to safety concerns. - Is there a fenced area for dogs?
No, there is no fenced area for dogs at this location. - Is the park wheelchair accessible?
No, the trail is not wheelchair accessible. - Where is the best place to park?
Arrive early to secure parking at the designated trailhead lots, as spaces fill up quickly after 9 AM. - How busy does the park get on weekends?
The trail is very popular and gets crowded after 9 AM, especially on weekends and during peak season. - Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park?
Yes, Beehive Trail connects to the Bowl Trail and is part of the larger Acadia National Park network of hiking trails.
Reviews
Make sure you come early, I mean early to find parking before you attempt the trail. The park gets jam-packed after about 9 am. A short hike but very thrilling. It is a must-do trail in Arcadia. The view is breathtaking and beautiful.
This trail is FUN. It’s almost all scrambling and rock climbing. It’s not as difficult or strenuous as some of the trail guides claim, but you should still be in shape and able to pull yourself up. Wear proper shoes with great gripping. Strongly advise against younger children and absolutely no pets; there are narrow, steep and sheer dropoffs and vertical climbs. We finished in less than 30 minutes, so then we leisurely finished the Bowl trail. The views throughout are amazing.
This is such an amazing experience. I’m not even scared of heights, but this had me pretty nervous. But don’t let it scare you away reading all the reviews. It is steep, and you’re climbing up a cliff face, but if you take your time you’ll be fine. It’s just as much mental as it is physical, sometimes your mind can try to freak you out when it’s not that bad. Definitely have good shoes when you go, and I wouldn’t recommend doing it when it’s wet. There were portions that, even with it dry, was still kind of slick. I’d also say it’s better to do it with somebody, I went alone, but ended up going up with a nice couple that stuck with me and helped me through some of the trickier climbs. It’s not a very long hike up, but there’s parts that’s fairly difficult, but the sights at the top make it so worth it. And give a great sense of accomplishment! I went around 10 am on a Thursday in mid April and there were people going up, but it wasn’t super busy, so you didn’t have a line behind you feeling like you’re being rushed. If you’re not good under pressure, I’d definitely say go earlier to avoid crowds. A must do while in Acadia if you like an adrenaline rush!
This trail is a blast—mostly scrambling and rock climbing. While it’s not as tough as some guides suggest, you’ll still need to be fit and able to pull yourself up in places. Wear sturdy shoes with excellent grip. Not suitable for young kids or pets due to steep drops and vertical sections. We finished in under 30 minutes. The views the entire way are incredible.
Great challenging trail with amazing views! The only real challenging part are the ladders on the latter part of the trail, which take you straight up the rock face. It isn’t as hard as it looks, but it can still be dangerous, so just be careful. There may also be a line to complete the hike later in the day, so I recommend going earlier.