The "Off-the-Beaten-Path" Guide to Acadia 🔓 Discover Hidden Gems

This trip, Google Maps led us down the wrong road—and that’s how we accidentally unlocked a scenic spot barely mentioned in most travel guides: the Beech Cliff Trail and its neighboring Canadian Cliffs. The area has a network of hiking trails branching off through the woods. After parking, a short walk gets you right to the viewpoints—no strenuous effort needed! From the heights, you can overlook rolling mountains and Echo Lake. The best part? It’s super uncrowded—when we went, there was no one else around, just the quiet of nature. At Canadian Cliffs, we even found lots of hidden paths tucked away in the grass, which made exploring feel like an adventure. One path was especially thrilling: it was almost vertically downhill along the cliff edge. We spotted stone steps leading down to a nearly vertical ladder, with steel cables nearby for support. Unfortunately, I’m afraid of heights, so I didn’t dare get closer to take a better photo. 😅 🌌 There’s also an off-the-beaten-path option for stargazing! On our first night, we went to Sand Beach— a spot recommended by many—but the experience was just so-so. It was packed with people, and others kept wandering through with flashlights. On the second night, we switched to Otter Point instead. There are plenty of flat boulders there, so you can lie right down, listen to the sound of waves, and gaze up at the stars. The view of the starry sky was just as amazing! ✨ This spot is also totally worth a visit during the day. If you love swimming in lakes, head to Echo Lake—it’s lively and perfect for a dip. Among the more popular spots, my top recommendations are Jordan Pond and watching the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain. Important tip: Reserve your sunrise ticket two days in advance at 10 AM sharp! After the sunrise, stick around and explore the mountaintop—it’s absolutely breathtaking. #AcadiaHiking #AcadiaGuide #EasyHikingTrails