Hike to The Bowl in Acadia NP

The Bowl is a small pond nestled in the mountains of Acadia National Park.  Although it is a great way to relax after completing the challenging Beehive Trail, it can also be reached via a less strenuous out-and-back hike that is just under 1.5 miles.

The trailhead is located on Park Loop Road, just across from the Sand Beach parking lot.  After 0.2 miles on the Bowl Trail, you will reach a junction with the Beehive Trail.  If you wish to tackle the steep, iron-rung Beehive Summit first, you can veer right and pick up The Bowl Trail on your descent.  Or, if you’d prefer to avoid the exposed drop-offs and head directly to The Bowl, veer left.  The direct route is mostly uphill and is a little rocky, but overall it is a manageable hike.  The route is well-marked with blue-blazes and trail postings throughout.

Once you arrive at The Bowl, enjoy the scenic views.  Many hikers like to take a swim in the pond, but just beware that you may be sharing the water with leeches as well!

From the Bowl, you may wish to continue on to Gorham Mountain Trail, another popular, moderate hike.  The summit is 0.8 miles from The Bowl and provides excellent views.  A complete loop of The Beehive, The Bowl, and Gorham Mountain back down to Sand Beach is 2.5 miles.  For an even longer adventure, you can combine these hikes with the Ocean Path Trail for a total of 6 miles.