<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1hyEwi_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1hyEwi_0vjgmNBK00" width="1280" height="720" ></figure><p>Bar Island is an extremely popular hike in Bar Harbor, Maine, near Acadia National Park. This hike is crowded because it is only available at low tide when you are able to approach the island on foot. But beware! If you dawdle too long, you’ll be stuck on the island for 9 hours, or need an expensive water taxi to pick you up. Bar Island Trail was one of our favorite hikes because there were lots of fun things to see, and it was an adventure hiking out to the island.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1PQEVH_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1PQEVH_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>We really like the Bar Island Trail in Bar Harbor</figcaption></figure><p>Bar Island is part of Acadia National Park even though it isn’t connected to any of the other main areas. The trail walks through the bottom of the sea floor when the tide is low. Then you arrive at the island. Once on the island, the hike walks to a high point where you can overlook Bar Harbor. The total distance is 1.9 miles roundtrip and this includes walking on the gravel bar and then the trail on the island.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2yJtBR_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2yJtBR_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>Once you get to the island, you enter Acadia National park.</figcaption></figure><h2>Tide Chart</h2><p>Make sure to check the tide chart before you start the trek to Bar Island. The best time to begin the hike is about 1.5 hours before the tide is all the way out. The hike starts a little west of downtown Bar Harbor on a major city street, Bridge Street. Parking can be difficult, so give yourself plenty of time to find, and pay for, a spot in town. More details on tides and where to start on the National Park site.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3KCQ18_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3KCQ18_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>Follow Bridge Street down to the water.</figcaption></figure><h2>Bar Island Trail</h2><p>From there, follow the crowd down the hill to the north. This street is called Bridge Street because it takes you across the land bridge that appears at low tide.</p><p>The best part of the hike is being on the land bridge. We spotted crabs, urchins, mudskippers, and lots of other low tide animals. Flip a few rocks over and see what you can find. But make sure to leave time to hike the trail. We actually went quickly through the land bridge area and hiked the trail. Then we explored the water area in more depth on the way back to the car.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4YAkZm_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4YAkZm_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>There are plenty of people walking this trail at low tide.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3U0k5d_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3U0k5d_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>We did stop to skip a few rocks.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4ez9ZA_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4ez9ZA_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>As you walk, you will find all sorts of fun things.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1vQ1up_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1vQ1up_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>This urchin was awesome.</figcaption></figure><p>The trail to the summit of Bar Island is not very steep or very far, but most people do it so they can look back over Bar Harbor. There is some climbing up to the top of the island, so be prepared for a little incline. We still rate this hike as easy.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1DLjUH_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1DLjUH_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>The trail on the island walks through the trees most of the way.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1vYNxG_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1vYNxG_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>It is mostly easy.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Yb3cV_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Yb3cV_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>There is a climb at the end, but the overall distance is so short that you barely notice.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4LNNqA_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4LNNqA_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>Then you can look back at Bar Harbor, Maine.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Dz8Wb_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Dz8Wb_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>Our boys had to climb on this big pile of rocks near the top!</figcaption></figure><p>After you summit, come back down and check out the tide. You can search through the muddy shallows and see what new treasures you can spot. Just make sure to be careful of the wildlife. Also, make sure that you get back to Bar Harbor before the tide comes all the way back in! Bar Island in Acadia is a fabulous kid-friendly trail. Check out our list of the best family hikes in Acadia National Park here.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=13SHL8_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=13SHL8_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>We found an old crab shell.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3kCWMi_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3kCWMi_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>There were lots and lots of crabs all over the open area.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4OGqLL_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4OGqLL_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>We found a tiny starfish.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2lqV3a_0vjgmNBK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2lqV3a_0vjgmNBK00" width="2048" height="1536" ><figcaption>Exploring the tide pools was the highlight of the hike.</figcaption></figure></div></body>

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Bar Island Trail | Acadia | Bar Harbor

Bar Island is an extremely popular hike in Bar Harbor, Maine, near Acadia National Park. This hike is crowded because it is only available at low tide when you are able to approach the island on foot. But beware! If you dawdle too long, you’ll be stuck on the island for 9 hours, or need an expensive water taxi to pick you up. Bar Island Trail was one of our favorite hikes because there were lots of fun things to see, and it was an adventure hiking out to the island.