Great Head Trail Acadia National Park
A moderate 1.8-mile loop in Acadia National Park, offering stunning coastal views and fun rock scrambles.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better light
Great Head Trail Acadia National Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better light
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A moderate 1.8-mile loop in Acadia National Park, offering stunning coastal views and fun rock scrambles.
"This is the best hike I've ever done. It had everything: a sandy beach, rocky shores, forests, beautiful ocean views, and lots of scrambling!"
🚗 Parking Strategy
Sand Beach parking is limited. Explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to escape crowds. :car:
🥾 Footwear is Key
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the rocky and technical terrain. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Coastal Vistas
Along the trail
Experience breathtaking ocean views and dramatic cliffside scenery that will leave you in awe.
Rocky Shoreline Scrambles
Trail sections
Enjoy the fun challenge of navigating rocky paths and scrambling over boulders.
Sand Beach Access
Trailhead/End
Start or end your hike with access to the beautiful, albeit chilly, Sand Beach.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds at Sand Beach
Trail Difficulty & Mobility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Strategy
Sand Beach parking is limited. Explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to escape crowds.
:car:🥾 Footwear is Key
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the rocky and technical terrain.
:athletic_shoe:🐶 Dog-Friendly Trail
Leashed dogs are welcome on the Great Head Trail, making it a great option for pet owners.
:dog:➡️ Hike Clockwise
For a potentially more enjoyable experience, consider hiking the loop clockwise.
:arrow_forward:Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Strategy
Sand Beach parking is limited. Explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to escape crowds.
:car:🥾 Footwear is Key
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the rocky and technical terrain.
:athletic_shoe:🐶 Dog-Friendly Trail
Leashed dogs are welcome on the Great Head Trail, making it a great option for pet owners.
:dog:➡️ Hike Clockwise
For a potentially more enjoyable experience, consider hiking the loop clockwise.
:arrow_forward:What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Great Head Trail's stunning coastal views and fun, rocky terrain, calling it one of the best hikes. While generally moderate, some find the technical sections challenging, especially for younger children. Parking at Sand Beach can be a significant hurdle.
"A very beautiful trail with some really amazing views. The trail via sandy beach is a short one but it has some inclines and rocky patches which makes it moderately difficult. The views from the top are worth every difficulty. Parking is small but the right side of the road is permitted parking. The Sandy beach is also nice, however water is cold most of the months except summer. Must visit point in Acadia."
Pratik Bhatt
"Great trail! Definitely lots of steep rocks, cliff views and climbing spots, I wouldn’t recommend it for kids under 6. But overall beautiful views and very scenic"
H Lynn
"Great trail loop with a small parking, some parts of the trail are quite technical and will require full ankle, knee and hip mobility but the declivity is minimal and is great for all ages and hiker category.
On sunny days the view of the coastline is great and offers glimpses of the sand beach nearby. I recommend this trail"
Mr Blue
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Great Head Trail is accessible from Sand Beach within Acadia National Park. Parking at Sand Beach can be challenging, especially during peak season. Some visitors recommend parking further away and walking, or accessing the trail directly from the beach.
Yes, there is a small parking area near Sand Beach that serves as a trailhead for the Great Head Trail. However, it fills up quickly. Street parking is also permitted on the right side of the road.
While you can bike to Acadia National Park via the carriage roads, the Great Head Trail itself is a hiking trail and not suitable for biking.
To avoid the crowds at Sand Beach, consider hiking the Great Head Trail, which offers fewer people and beautiful ocean views. You can still access the beach from the trail.
Acadia National Park offers a seasonal Island Explorer shuttle service that stops at various points, including Sand Beach, which is near the Great Head Trail. Check their schedule for operating dates and routes.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, a valid Acadia National Park entrance pass is required for all visitors. You can purchase passes online or at park entrance stations.
Acadia National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, facilities and services may have seasonal hours. The Great Head Trail is accessible whenever the park is open.
There is no separate fee for the Great Head Trail itself. The fee is for entry into Acadia National Park, which covers all trails and areas within the park.
Yes, it is highly recommended to purchase your Acadia National Park pass in advance online to save time and ensure entry, especially during busy periods.
Acadia National Park offers various pass options, including annual passes and lifetime passes for seniors and military personnel. Check the official NPS website for current pricing and eligibility.
🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience
The Great Head Trail is generally considered moderate, with some steep inclines and rocky sections that require good mobility and balance. It's not recommended for very young children or those with limited mobility.
The Great Head Trail is approximately a 1.8 to 1.9-mile loop, making it a relatively short but rewarding hike.
You can expect stunning panoramic views of the coastline, the Atlantic Ocean, and glimpses of Sand Beach. The trail also features rocky shores and forested areas.
Due to the steep rocks and technical sections, the Great Head Trail is not recommended for children under 6 years old. Parents should exercise caution with younger children.
Yes, you can access Sand Beach from the Great Head Trail. However, the water is quite cold for most of the year, except during the summer months.
📸 📸 Photography
The rocky outcrops along the coastline offer the most dramatic photo opportunities with the ocean as a backdrop. The views from higher points on the trail are also spectacular.
The trail offers beautiful light for photography during both sunrise and sunset. The coastal views are particularly stunning during the golden hours.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive coastal scenery. Consider a polarizing filter to enhance the ocean colors and reduce glare.
The entire trail offers scenic viewpoints, but the rocky sections overlooking the ocean are particularly noteworthy. There isn't one single designated viewpoint, but rather continuous beauty.
Drone usage is restricted in Acadia National Park to protect wildlife and visitor experience. Always check the latest NPS regulations before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🐶 Dog Owners
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Great Head Trail
One of the key advantages of the Great Head Trail is its proximity to Sand Beach. While Sand Beach itself can get very crowded, the Great Head Trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience the coastline with fewer people. Many visitors find that hiking the loop clockwise offers a more enjoyable experience.
This trail is a great option for those looking for moderate hikes that still provide significant scenic rewards. The ocean views are consistently breathtaking, and the chance to explore rocky shores adds to the adventure. It's a well-rounded hike that showcases the diverse beauty of Acadia National Park.
Experiencing Acadia's Coastline
The trail's varied terrain, including rocky shores and forest paths, adds to the immersive coastal experience. You might even find spots to sit on the rocks and simply admire the vastness of the ocean. The chilly Atlantic waters are also accessible from Sand Beach, offering a refreshing dip for the brave during warmer months.
For photographers, the Great Head Trail presents numerous opportunities to capture the essence of Maine's coast. The interplay of light on the water, the rugged rock formations, and the expansive ocean vistas make it a visually rewarding hike.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit