• Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • YouTube
National Park Photographer Rectangle Logo
  • National Parks
    • National Park List and Map
    • National Park Wildlife
    • Acadia National Park
    • Arches National Park
    • Badlands National Park
    • Big Bend National Park
    • Biscayne National Park
    • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
    • Bryce Canyon National Park
    • Canyonlands National Park
    • Capitol Reef National Park
    • Carlsbad Caverns National Park
    • Channel Islands National Park
    • Congaree National Park
    • Crater Lake National Park
    • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
    • Death Valley National Park
    • Denali National Park and Preserve
    • Dry Tortugas National Park
    • Everglades National Park
    • Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
    • Gateway Arch National Park
    • Glacier National Park
    • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
    • Grand Canyon National Park
    • Grand Teton National Park
    • Great Basin National Park
    • Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
    • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    • Haleakalā National Park
    • Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
    • Hot Springs National Park
    • Indiana Dunes National Park
    • Isle Royale National Park
    • Joshua Tree National Park
    • Katmai National Park and Preserve
    • Kenai Fjords National Park
    • Kings Canyon National Park
    • Kobuk Valley National Park
    • Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
    • Lassen Volcanic National Park
    • Mammoth Cave National Park
    • Mesa Verde National Park
    • Mount Rainier National Park
    • National Park of American Samoa
    • New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    • North Cascades National Park
    • Olympic National Park
    • Petrified Forest National Park
    • Pinnacles National Park
    • Redwood National and State Parks
    • Rocky Mountain National Park
    • Saguaro National Park
    • Sequoia National Park
    • Shenandoah National Park
    • Theodore Roosevelt National Park
    • Virgin Islands National Park
    • Voyageurs National Park
    • White Sands National Park
    • Wind Cave National Park
    • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
    • Yellowstone National Park
    • Yosemite National Park
    • Zion National Park
  • Featured National Park Photographers
  • Shop

Beech Mountain Trail
Acadia National Park

Beech Mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine | Photo Credit: NPS / Will Greene
Beech Mountain Trail, Acadia National Park | Photo Credit: NPS / Will Greene
Length: 1.2 mi (1.9 km)
Elevation Gain: 360 ft (109.7 m)
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate

The Beech Mountain Loop Trail in Acadia National Park is a popular location for watching the sunset. This 1.2 mi (1.9 km) moderate loop trail begins as a nicely shaded, forested path and then quickly increases in elevation up a rocky path. One highlight of this trail is about .5 mi (.8 km) into the hike. Here you will reach a series of granite slabs that provide stunning views of Long Pond and Mansell Mountain. If you continue ascending the loop trail, you will also arrive at the Beech Mountain summit and fire tower, which “provides views of Somes Sound, Echo Lake, Acadia Mountain, and other mountains on the east side of the Mount Desert Island.” (NPS)

Accessing the Beech Mountain Loop Trail in Acadia National Park

Starting Location: Beech Mountain Trailhead, Southwest Harbor, ME
GPS (DD): 44.31531, -68.34379

The Beech Mountain Loop Trail is located on the west side of Mountain Desert Island in Acadia National Park. This part of Acadia is known as the “quieter side.” The trailhead is located at the end of Beech Hill Road and provides access to the Beech Mountain Trail, Valley Trail, and Beech Cliff Loop Trail. Please note that part of this loop trail has several steep granite slopes and is not recommended in wet weather.

You will find the Beech Mountain Loop Trail Head in the northwest section of the parking lot. It is recommended that you begin your hike by staying to the right at the first junction. This will allow you to reach the Long Pond and Mansell Mountain viewpoints first. To stay on the loop trail, turn left at the next junction. (Staying straight will put you on the Beech West Ridge Trail.)

From here, you will ascend to the summit of Beech Mountain and the fire tower. Be sure to take your time as you look out at the different beautiful vistas of Acadia National Park. From the fire tower, you can access the Beech South Ridge Trail or you can continue down the Beech Mountain Trail towards the parking lot.

ADVERTISEMENT

Find Your Favorite Location

No matter where you stop, Acadia National Park provides amazing landscape photography opportunities. Be sure to take your time and find your favorite location along the way. If you are lucky, you may even spot some wildlife! Don’t forget to add detailed macro shots, change your perspective, and most importantly have fun.

Before making your trip, consider checking the official Acadia National Park website or contacting the park’s visitor center for the most up-to-date information on trail conditions, accessibility, and any recent changes. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while exploring this beautiful area. If you are able to go, I hope you enjoy your time photographing the Beech Mountain Loop Trail!

Happy Travels!

Juventa, Co-Owner, National Park Photographer

Want to learn more about Acadia National Park? Check out these maps, guides & books:

  • Best Easy Day Hiking Guide and Trail Map Bundle: Acadia National Park
  • Carriage Roads of Acadia: A Pocket Guide
  • Moon Acadia National Park: Seaside Towns, Fall Foliage, Cycling & Paddling (Travel Guide)
  • Acadia National Park: The Complete Guide (Color Travel Guide)
  • Historic Acadia National Park: The Stories Behind One of America’s Great Treasures

Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at not cost to you. We appreciate your support.

References

  • AllTrails
  • Google Maps
  • Joe’s Guide to Acadia National Park
  • NPS

Related

Post navigation

Bass Harbor Head Light Station
Beehive Loop Trail

Related posts

Ocean PathAcadia National Park

Ocean Path
Acadia National Park

Bubble Rock (South Bubble)Acadia National Park

Bubble Rock (South Bubble)
Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain SummitAcadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain Summit
Acadia National Park

Welcome

Welcome to National Park Photographer! We are two sisters on a mission to help you plan your best US National Park photography trips ever! Bookmark this page and come back often as we are constantly adding new content. We hope you enjoy our visual directory of the top US National Park photography locations!

Categories

  • Acadia National Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Badlands National Park
  • Big Bend National Park
  • Biscayne National Park
  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park
  • Channel Islands National Park
  • Congaree National Park
  • Crater Lake National Park
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  • Death Valley National Park
  • Denali National Park and Preserve
  • Dry Tortugas National Park
  • Everglades National Park
  • Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
  • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
  • Glacier National Park
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Grand Teton National Park
  • Great Basin National Park
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
  • Haleakala National Park
  • Hot Springs National Park
  • Indiana Dunes National Park
  • Isle Royale National Park
  • Joshua Tree National Park
  • Katmai National Park and Preserve
  • Kenai Fjords National Park
  • Kings Canyon National Parks
  • Kobuk Valley National Park
  • Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • Mammoth Cave National Park
  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Mount Rainier National Park
  • New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
  • North Cascades National Park
  • Olympic National Park
  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Pinnacles National Park
  • Redwood National Park
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Saguaro National Park
  • Sequoia National Park
  • Shenandoah National Park
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park
  • Voyageurs National Park
  • White Sands National Park
  • Wind Cave National Park
  • Wrangell – St Elias National Park and Preserve
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Yosemite National Park
  • Zion National Park

Recent Posts

  • Gypsum Sinkhole
  • Glass Mountain
  • Temples of the Sun and Moon
  • Brooks Falls
  • Pīpīwai Trail
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Elara Pro by LyraThemes.com
  • ©2024 National Park Photographer, LLC