Length: .03 mi (.05 km)
Elevation Gain: 30 ft (9 m)
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy
Located on the Schoodic Peninsula in the far less visited East Acadia National Park, known as “The Quiet Side of Acadia,” Raven’s Nest is one of the park’s best-kept secrets. This off-the-radar location might be the most gorgeous in all of Maine. Park rangers will not reveal the exact location, apparently in an attempt to keep traffic down in the area. There are only about 4 parking places at the pull-off for the location. While the entirety of the Schoodic Peninsula is gorgeous, we loved this harder-to-find place located near Schoodic Point.
Accessing Raven’s Nest in Acadia National Park
Starting Location: Small, 4-stall parking lot, Schoodic Loop Road, Winter Harbor, ME
GPS (DD): 44.35218, -68.07407
The Schoodic Loop Road is a 6 mi (10 km) one-way road that loops around the Schoodic Peninsula. The entry point is about ¼ mile east of Winter Harbor Maine. Winter Harbor is about an hours drive from Bar Harbor via Route 1. The Raven’s Nest parking lot is about 3-1/4 miles south of the turnoff from Rt. 186. The parking lot is easy to miss because it is small, accommodating only 4 cars. It is on the left side (east) of the road.
There is also The Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor Ferry that goes from Bar Harbor, ME to Winter Harbor, across the Schoodic Bay, for a Schoodic Peninsula day trip over one of the prettiest harbors in Maine. The free National Park Island Explorer bus picks up right at the ferry terminal in Winter Harbor and takes you throughout the peninsula with stops along the Schoodic Peninsula Loop Road.
Let the bus driver know you want to get off at the Raven’s Nest trailhead. After you are done hiking, you can flag down a bus when it passes by. Please check the bus schedule and ferry schedule for return times. You will not be able to take a sunset photograph using this method.
Hiking Tips at Raven’s Nest
This location would be good for almost any season of the year. Because it is on the southwest coast of the Schoodic Peninsula it is best photographed in the late afternoon Golden Hour timeframe. The hiking trail was a bit muddy when we went. Depending on the season it could be a bit slick. The first 20-30 yards from the road is a little steep. A good walking stick would be advised. In the ideal photo locations, you are at the edge of high cliffs so caution is advised. As this location is virtually at sea level, weather conditions are likely to vary significantly from season to season.
Photography Tips at Raven’s Nest
Apart from being an absolutely amazing location for late afternoon sunset with its red rock cliffs that almost glow in the Golden Hour Light, it is also a great location for Blue Hour and night photography. By chance the day we visited here it was the Dark of the Moon. We stayed until well after sunset and captured one of my favorite Milky Way shots. Milky Way shots during the May, June and July months would require being here well after midnight. Shots done in the latter months of the Milky Way season (Aug. thru Oct.), like my Blue Hour shot, can be done after sunset.
Most photographers will want to have their wider angle 14-24mm lens for this location. For my above Golden Hour shot, I used a Canon R5 camera at f/11, 1/160th sec. and ISO 200. My photo featured on this page was shot at 200mm. The original image consists of 760 individual focus bracketed images. These were processed down to 96 focus stacked images and then stitched into the 2.29 Gigapixel, 119″ x 213″ 300 dpi final image.
Find Your Favorite Location
The entire 6-mile (10 km) Schoodic Loop Road is a beautiful drive offering views of lighthouses, seabirds, and forested islands. Around the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula on the southeastern side are numerous bays and inlets. Fishing boats line the docks and numerous food outlets offer delicious seafood.
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. Enjoy your time exploring the natural wonders of the Schoodic Peninsula!
Happy Travels!
John Freeman, Featured 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
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