West Side of Mount Desert Island

Person standing next to trees on shoreline — Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia

The Quiet Side

The west side of Acadia is a quieter, more secluded area of Mount Desert Island — great for visitors looking to explore the park's beauty and natural resources while avoiding larger crowds. Families and skilled adventurers alike can engage in hiking, boating, swimming, camping, wildlife-watching, ranger programs, and more on these mountains, coastlines, lakes, ponds, and trails.

This area stretches from Pretty Marsh Picnic Area in the northeast corner to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on the southern-most tip of the island — totaling roughly 10,000 acres. It is bordered by Seal Cove Pond, Hodgdon Pond, Echo Lake, Long Pond, Somes Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and local communities of Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor.

Getting Around

Areas on the west side are within a 20-45 minute drive from Hulls Cove Visitor Center, depending on traffic and time of year. Be aware of speed limit changes and check alerts for road and trail closures, especially during winter. Cell service is unreliable, so plan accordingly if using GPS or other navigation.

By car: From Hulls Cove Visitor Center, start at the four-way intersection. Go straight and enter the Park Loop Road. Continue south 3 miles until signs for ME Route 233 and exit left. Turn right onto ME Route 233. Continue for 4.7 miles, then turn right at the stop sign onto ME Route 198. Continue until the stop light and turn left onto ME Route 102 south. Continue on ME Route 102, following signs for Southwest Harbor.
By bus: The fare-free Island Explorer operates seasonally (late June to mid-October) stops at Acadia Mountain, Echo Lake Beach, and Seawall Campground. Check bus schedule for routes and timetable.