Maine: Camping, Acadia & the Coast

We explored Acadia National Park and Deer Isle, Maine, through quiet campgrounds, tidepooling adventures, island hikes, and a chance meeting with a lobsterman. From splashing on rocky beaches to savoring blueberry pie by the fire, our visit blended outdoor exploration, local culture, and unforgettable family moments.

JOURNEY DESTINATIONS

9/21/20253 min read

Acadia National Park

Where We Stayed
For our first few nights, we based ourselves on the Schoodic Peninsula at Schoodic Woods Campground. The facilities were spotless and the setting peaceful. With so much to explore, though, we spent little time at our site.

What We Did
We devoted our first full day to the Schoodic Peninsula and our second to Mount Desert Island. Visiting in the shoulder season was a gift—often the kids had rocky beaches and icy waters nearly to themselves while most adults admired the view from shore.

Day 1 Itinerary: Schoodic Peninsula
With ranger guidance, we mapped out a day that began at Frazier Point, where the girls hunted for periwinkle snails, Jonah crab shells, and colorful rocks. Lunch on shoreline boulders came with a watchful seagull nearby.

We then hiked the Sundew Trail at Schoodic Point—homeland of the Wabanaki people. The mile-long path offered multiple coastal turnouts and led us to the Schoodic Institute Rockefeller Welcome Center. There, the girls chatted with rangers, learned Morse Code, and checked off Acadia Junior Ranger activities.

The highlight, though, was reaching Little Moose Isle at low tide. With no one else in sight, the island felt like our own. Our five-year-old captured the moment perfectly, shouting, “I feel so free!” as she splashed into the shallows with her sisters.

Kids' Paradise

Cold water? No problem.

Little Moose Isle: Low Tide

Most of the low tide path was filled with stepping stones, but the girls found areas to splash along the way.

We drove by Little Moose Isle on Day 2 to see the island from afar during high tide.

Little Moose Isle: High Tide

Day 2 Itinerary: Mount Desert Island

We drove the Park Loop Road, stopping often for sweeping views that make Acadia the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. At Little Hunter's Beach, the kids perched on cobblestones and rocks, braving splashes from the icy tide like mermaids at play.

Later, we capped the day with a drive up Cadillac Mountain, the tallest point on the eastern seaboard. Reservations were easy to secure in September, though I’d heard sunrise slots book fast in summer. By the time we reached the summit, the kids were exhausted, but the panoramic views were worth every ounce of effort.

Four Acre Wood & Conary Cove

After camping, we were ready for showers, laundry, and a bed. Our yurt at Four Acre Woods Campground delivered, with cozy privacy and a community cabin stocked with coffee, cocoa, games, and books.

A tip from our hosts led us to nearby Conary Cove, where once again the girls had a beach all to themselves, pausing only to watch the occasional sailboat pass by.

Our most memorable moment came at Stonington Wharf, where we met Ryan, a fifth-generation lobsterman. He generously shared his catch, his knowledge of Maine lobsters, and his family’s deep history with the sea. Though we couldn’t accept the lobsters he offered (campfire cooking has its limits), the experience left us with newfound respect for this way of life.

To end our visit, we hunted down Maine’s official dessert—blueberry pie. A friendly local pointed us to There's a Treat, where we secured one to warm over the fire back at camp. The perfect, sweet ending to our Maine adventure.