Hurry To Wonderland Trail & Explore Your Inner Child

Take A Stroll Along Wonderland Trail In Acadia National Park

Known for tide pools at low tide, minimal roots on the trail and family-friendly excursions, Wonderland Trail Acadia is a 1.3-mile, relatively flat path. It’s walkable and accessible, making it perfect for a group of any type. Whether you’re traveling with little kids, or have mobility issues, or simply want a beautiful place to explore without much effort, Wonderland Trail is for you. 

I love a good, hard, sweaty hike, but being able to sneak off into nature for an hour or two without having a full-day schedule is amazing. I’m a sucker for beautiful trails in Acadia National Park, and the rocky shoreline here keeps me coming back.

Wonderland Trail at a Glance

Length: 1.5 Miles
Height: 59 Feet
Elevation Gain: 78 Feet
Type: Out & Back 
My Rating: Easy 
Dog Friendly: Yes – but must be on a leash!
Would we do it again: Yes

Wonderland Trail Description

Close to the town of Bass Harbor  and Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island, the Wonderland Trail  Acadia offers a pleasant stroll with breathtaking scenery and nature to explore. Part of the trail snakes around, right next to the ocean, giving hikers a chance to look in various tide pools, enjoy the view, and even stick their feet in the water on extra hot days. Make sure to check the tide chart or with a Park Ranger about when low and high tide will be while you visit. 

Though Acadia National Park is notorious for being hilly, this trail will give tired hikers and relaxed visitors a bit of respite. The entire thing is fairly flat and easy to walk through, so you can focus on taking in the beautiful surroundings. Part of your hike will take you through the serene wilderness as you make your way to the ocean. 

The trail itself is mostly a gravel road, so there won’t be many surprise tree stumps waiting to jump out at you. This well-groomed gravel trail is wheelchair accessible for the most part, making it one of the most friendly-to-all trails in Acadia. There are still a few spots to step down but I have seen wheelchairs and baby strollers alike navigate them. 

Safety Reminders For Wonderland Trail Acadia

There’s an interesting phenomenon that seems to happen in the hiking community. On some of the most strenuous, difficult trails, people seem to prepare the best and have fewer accidents. While on the easy, “don’t have to think about it” trails, something always goes wrong. I’m not sure if you see the same trend, but hiking safety is just as important on the quick, flat walking paths as it is on longer, more technical climbs. You’re still in nature, still doing something that could lead to injury, and still a ways away from accessible help. Before heading out on Wonderland Trail, remember the following.

Rocks Get Slippery When Wet

Yes, most of this trail is gravel and easy to walk along, but as you’re exploring tide pools and carefully meandering through larger rocks near the ocean, be sure to watch your step. As the tide goes in and out, rocks will be submerged in water for parts of the day, getting slippery. Even if they are out of the water during your visit, they’ll still be slick and there’s nothing fun about slipping on a rock, landing on your tailbone, and limping back out to your car.

Dehydration Can Happen Anywhere

No, this isn’t a 12-mile hike to the middle of nowhere, but that doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen. On a hot day and even on a not-hot day dehydration can happen quickly outside. Having fun in the sun, getting a bit sweaty, and exploring longer than anticipated can leave your body depleted. I’m a huge proponent of always traveling with more water than I think I’ll need.

Proper Sun Protection Is A Must

The sun is everywhere. Even when it’s a cooler day temperature-wise, you can still get burnt and worn out from the sun. Be sure to wear proper layers, plenty of sunscreen, and a hat. This is especially important for little kids with more sensitive skin. Nothing will ruin a fun day exploring faster than some blistery sunburns.

Check For Ticks After Hiking Wonderland Trail Acadia

Summer is tick season in Maine, and they even live along the coast. Ticks can carry nasty diseases like Lyme Disease, so be sure to check for ticks after every hike. Look at your legs, ankles, and in all other flaps and folds. If you do find a tick, you’ll want to remove the tick, save it, and send it to a lab to be tested for diseases.

More Than Just a Hike

There’s nothing wrong with a good hike for hike’s sake, but I’ll shout it from the rooftops when there are extra activities to enjoy during a hike! Not only do additional activities mean that there will be something for everyone, but they make it so you can turn a short stroll into a longer adventure if you’re up for it. Some of the popular activities on this trail are as follows.

Birdwatching on Wonderland Trail

Acadia National Park in general is a great spot to observe many different types of birds. With this trail, the ocean laps up against a rocky, tree-filled coastline, making it the perfect place to watch large birds dive-bomb their prey or retreat to nests in the tall trees. With over 300 species of birds in the park, you’re sure to see a few different ones hiking Wonderland Trail.

Tide Pools

Probably the best part about this trail – okay, DEFINITELY the best part about this trail – is the tide pools! You’ll have to time your excursion just right. If you hit the trail when the tide is low, you can walk out and see all sorts of creatures in tide pools. Crabs, fish, and other animals call these pools home, so please be gentle and kind to them. Remember, just because you *can* touch an animal in the wild, it doesn’t mean you should. To best preserve this experience for future travelers, I recommend watching only.

Playing in the Water

If you find yourself in Acadia National Park on a hot day, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to cool off. Wonderland Trail Acadia is a great spot to dip your toes in! Just be careful and remember that the ocean is powerful. Never turn your back on the water, keep a close eye on little ones, and don’t disturb natural habitats just so you can dip your toes in.

Picnicking on Wonderland Trail

You know I love any excuse to eat in a beautiful setting, and Wonderland Trail is the perfect excuse! Don’t forget to check out this great picnic backpack!Once the trail opens to the ocean, there are many spots to sit and enjoy the view for a while. Since it’s not a long trail and the path is not treacherous, carrying out a picnic lunch is a MUST. Get me a turkey sandwich, some honey BBQ chips, and a cold water, and WOW, I’m a happy camper. You don’t have to have the exact same thing as me, but it’s pretty dang good if you’re out of picnic inspiration ideas.

I’m always looking for an adventure within an adventure! If there is a way that I can do a couple of fun activities while on a hike, I’m taking full advantage of the opportunity. And, if you need permission to be a kid and have fun, here it is, I’m giving it to you. You’re welcome!

Wonderland Trail Parking Situation

Even though Wonderland Trail is located on what is known as the quiet side of Acadia National Park it is a popular trail and parking fills up fast. The trailhead parking lot, though small, is clearly marked, making it easy for hikers to find. Because the wonderland parking lot fills up fast you should try and get there early or expect to wait around and see if you can snag a spot from someone who is leaving. There are some extra roadside spots available, but not many. If you are up for a little extra hiking you can try to park at the parking lot for Ship Harbor Trail which is the next parking area you would come to. 

To get here you will drive south through the town of Southwest Harbor the take a left onto Seawall Road. You will see signs for Seawall Campground that you can follow. The Wonderland Trailhead is located past the Seawall Campground on the left side of the road. Again, you will see signs for it. Even though you will not go through a gatehouse to enter the park on this side of the island you will still need your park entrance pass. You will always see Park Rangers checking the cars in and around these areas of the park for your entrance pass. 

Know When to Stop

There’s never any shame in turning back early, even on trails that are considered to be short and leisurely. Listen to your body’s cues, be easy on yourself, and know when it’s time to call it quits. Heading back before you get tired is the key, or you’ll be exhausted on the entire return trip. This can leave a sour taste in your mouth about the experience as a whole. 

A Great Beginner Trail

The Wonderland Trail Acadia is just one of the amazing offerings that can be found within the park. It’s the perfect escape to nature without having to do too much work to enjoy it. Beautiful and accessible, Wonderland Trail Acadia will have you coming back for more.