Hiking The Beehive In Acadia National Park

Beehive Loop Trail

The Beehive in Acadia National Park is one of the most well known and most popular hikes. The visitors who are able to stomach open heights, narrow ledges and the thrill of climbing up ladders comprised of iron rungs on the side of a mountain are the ones who are brave enough to take on the Beehive Acadia. The view from the top overlooks the park loop road, part of ocean path trail toward thunder hole, sand beach and the sand beach parking lot as well as amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Beehive hike isn’t for the faint of heart. If you have a fear of heights this is not the hike for you. It is fairly slow-moving due to the scrambling and climbing up the iron rung ladders. There are lots of spots to stop and take pictures. Because of its’ popularity the amount of people hiking to the beehive summit can slow you down. Because the trail is not very wide you should not try to pass people. If you can keep your head clear and stay focused, you should be fine as long as you have moderate fitness abilities. 

The Trail at a Glance:

Location: Acadia National Park
Length: 1.4 miles
Height: 521 feet tall
Elevation Gain: 489 feet
Type: Loop & Connector
My Rating: Advanced
Dog Friendly: NO!!!!!
Would we do it again: Absolutely

Parking For The Beehive Acadia

You will find a few options for parking. The actual parking lot for the Beehive in Acadia also happens to be the Sand Beach Parking area. It is located along the Park Loop Road. If you wish to park at the Sand Beach Lot the best time to get a parking spot is early in the morning. This part of Acadia National Park is located on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island. It is just outside of downtown Bar Harbor which is part of why it is so popular. If the parking lot is full you can continue on Park Loop Road about 0.3 miles to find another small parking lot on your right. If that is also full you can try to park and the next area which is Thunder Hole. From each of these parking areas you can walk back to the Beehive Trailhead along Ocean Path. 

If you still haven’t been able to find a spot to park you can park at Gorham Mountain Trail Parking Area. From here you can either walk back to the trailhead along Ocean Path or hike Gorham Mountain. Head over to the Bowl Trail and connect to The Beehive and loop back to Gorham Mountain. 

If all that seems like too much you can always take the Island Explorer bus. 

Trail Description

The first part of the hike will seem pretty easy in comparison to the trail after the turn. From the Beehive Acadia trailhead to the turn the trail has a gradual incline. After 1/10th of a mile you will find yourself in a small clearing where you can either go clockwise or counterclockwise on the trail. It’s recommended to go counterclockwise so you’re climbing up the ladders and iron rungs instead of going the other way and dealing with them coming down. There’s often a ranger from the National Park Service standing in this area. The Ranger is there to ensure everyone goes counterclockwise to avoid traffic jams and lessen the chances of someone falling. Trust me, it’s way easier to go counterclockwise and climb up than try and come down some of these obstacles.

Once you head counterclockwise, you’re almost immediately hit with insane views of the ocean, lush greenery, and surrounding mountains. It was shocking just how quickly this hike started rewarding those who were brave enough to give it a try. After a little while (and a ton of pictures!), you’ll start to come across iron rungs and bars to hold onto in areas where the footing may not be super easy. The first few can be a little unsettling as you get started. Once you get the hang of these metal lifelines and decide to trust them because you have no other option, it becomes a very fun challenge.

One thing that was refreshing about this hike was that it was slow-moving. Everyone else is just as nervous as you are, so there’s no shame in being cautious and taking it slow. People cheer strangers on and encouraging those dealing with fears and anxiety on the way up. There can be a massive sense of camaraderie throughout the whole hike. I was nervous that people behind me would be impatient. Or I would feel that “I’m a superior athlete and you’re cramping my style” vibe that some people can put off, but it’s not like that at all!

After some steep climbs up the iron bars in the cliff faces you will reach the top of The Beehive. Because The Beehive in Acadia is one of the short hikes in the park make sure you take a moment or two to take in the panoramic views on the way. Although if you find you are doing this hike on a Saturday in peak season, you might not have any choice but to slow down and enjoy the view. 

Once you reach the top where there’s a large area to sit, enjoy the view, have a snack, and rest before you head back down the other side. The backside of the hike is much easier. There are no rungs or ladders, it’s just a leisurely downhill hike. Getting to the top is the hard part, but it’s the best part. These views will make you never want to leave, or, they’ll make you want to do it all over again!

If you want to add a little extra to your hike you can hang a right at the Bowl Trailhead and hike over the small pond. If you wish to walk part way around the pond also called The Bowl you can pick up the Champlain South Ridge Trail and do an out and back along The Bowl. Of course, if you are ambitious, you could also hike over the Champlain Mountain! 

How to Prepare for This Hike

You’ll need a moderate level of physical fitness in order to best enjoy this hike. You need to remind yourself to stay focused and calm. Don’t forget to have fun and enjoying the views on the way up the open cliffs. If you want to test your ability to work through open heights and rock scrambles, find a hike near you that’s a bit more moderate and features some of these aspects without being too difficult. That way, you can get an idea of how you’re going to handle your trip up The Beehive Trail in Acadia.

You should also make sure you have proper footwear for this hike. You will want a shoes that fits good and good tread. The iron rungs can get slippery, especially first thing in the morning. The dew in the early morning makes them slippery so make sure you check your grip. 

The Beehive Acadia is a quick hike from a mileage perspective, so you don’t need too much gear. I recommend bringing plenty of water. It gets hot and is exposed to the sun pretty much the whole way up. A snack to refuel at the top while enjoying the view. 

I do not recommend this hike for small children. I also do not recommend this hike during the winter months. 

Final Thoughts On The Beehive Acadia

If this is your first time visiting Acadia National park and you are not afraid of heights then this is one of the best hikes you can do. After all, it is one of the most popular trails for a reason. If you did this loop hike and loved it and are looking for a more adventurous hike that is also more challenging then you might want to check out Precipice Trail.