Hiking Wonderland Trail Acadia National Park

Take A Stroll Along Wonderland Trail in Acadia National Park

Known for tide pools at low tide, minimal roots on the trail and family-friendly excursions, Wonderland Trail Acadia is a 1.3-mile, relatively flat path. It’s walkable and accessible, making it perfect for a group of any type. Whether you’re traveling with little kids, or have mobility issues, or simply want a beautiful place to explore without much effort, Wonderland Trail is for you. 

I love a good, hard, sweaty hike, but being able to sneak off into nature for an hour or two without having a full-day schedule is amazing. I’m a sucker for beautiful trails in Acadia National Park, and the rocky shoreline here keeps me coming back.

Parking Situation

Even though Wonderland Trail is located on what is known as the quiet side of Acadia National Park it is a popular trail and parking fills up fast. The trailhead parking lot, though small, is clearly marked, making it easy for hikers to find. Because the wonderland parking lot fills up fast you should try and get there early or expect to wait around and see if you can snag a spot from someone who is leaving. There are some extra roadside spots available, but not many. If you are up for a little extra hiking you can try to park at the parking lot for Ship Harbor Trail which is the next parking area you would come to. 

To get here you will drive south through the town of Southwest Harbor the take a left onto Seawall Road. You will see signs for Seawall Campground that you can follow. The Wonderland Trailhead is located past the Seawall Campground on the left side of the road. Again, you will see signs for it. Even though you will not go through a gatehouse to enter the park on this side of the island you will still need your park entrance pass. You will always see Park Rangers checking the cars in and around these areas of the park for your entrance pass. 

The Trail at a Glance

Location: Acadia National Park
Length: 1.3 Miles
Height: 59 Feet
Elevation Gain: 78 Feet
Type: Out & Back 
My Rating: Easy 
Dog Friendly: Yes – but must be on a leash!
Would we do it again: Yes

Trail Description

Close to the town of Bass Harbor  and Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island, the Wonderland Trail  Acadia offers a pleasant stroll with breathtaking scenery and nature to explore. Part of the trail snakes around, right next to the ocean, giving hikers a chance to look in various tide pools, enjoy the view, and even stick their feet in the water on extra hot days. Make sure to check the tide chart or with a Park Ranger about when low and high tide will be while you visit. 

Though Acadia National Park is notorious for being hilly, this trail will give tired hikers and relaxed visitors a bit of respite. The entire thing is fairly flat and easy to walk through, so you can focus on taking in the beautiful surroundings. Part of your hike will take you through the serene wilderness as you make your way to the ocean. 

The trail itself is mostly a gravel road, so there won’t be many surprise tree stumps waiting to jump out at you. This well-groomed gravel trail is wheelchair accessible for the most part, making it one of the most friendly-to-all trails in Acadia. There are still a few spots to step down but I have seen wheelchairs and baby strollers alike navigate them. 

Safety Reminders For Wonderland Trail Acadia

There’s an interesting phenomenon that seems to happen in the hiking community. On some of the most strenuous, difficult trails, people seem to prepare the best and have fewer accidents. While on the easy, “don’t have to think about it” trails, something always goes wrong. I’m not sure if you see the same trend, but hiking safety is just as important on the quick, flat walking paths as it is on longer, more technical climbs. You’re still in nature, still doing something that could lead to injury, and still a ways away from accessible help. Before heading out on Wonderland Trail, remember the following.

Rocks Get Slippery When Wet

Yes, most of this trail is gravel and easy to walk along, but as you’re exploring tide pools and carefully meandering through larger rocks near the ocean, be sure to watch your step. As the tide goes in and out, rocks will be submerged in water for parts of the day, getting slippery. Even if they are out of the water during your visit, they’ll still be slick and there’s nothing fun about slipping on a rock, landing on your tailbone, and limping back out to your car.

Dehydration Can Happen Anywhere

No, this isn’t a 12-mile hike to the middle of nowhere, but that doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen. On a hot day and even on a not-hot day dehydration can happen quickly outside. Having fun in the sun, getting a bit sweaty, and exploring longer than anticipated can leave your body depleted. I’m a huge proponent of always traveling with more water than I think I’ll need.

Proper Sun Protection is a Must

The sun is everywhere. Even when it’s a cooler day temperature-wise, you can still get burnt and worn out from the sun. Be sure to wear proper layers, plenty of sunscreen, and a hat. This is especially important for little kids with more sensitive skin. Nothing will ruin a fun day exploring faster than some blistery sunburns.

Check for Ticks After Hiking Wonderland Trail Acadia

Summer is tick season in Maine, and they even live along the coast. Ticks can carry nasty diseases like Lyme Disease, so be sure to check for ticks after every hike. Look at your legs, ankles, and in all other flaps and folds. If you do find a tick, you’ll want to remove the tick, save it, and send it to a lab to be tested for diseases.

A Great Beginner Trail

The Wonderland Trail Acadia is just one of the amazing offerings that can be found within the park. It’s the perfect escape to nature without having to do too much work to enjoy it. Beautiful and accessible, Wonderland Trail Acadia will have you coming back for more.