Made up of more than 47,000 acres, Acadia National Park here in Maine is nothing short of an adventure — and an extraordinary one, at that. Inside of our famous national park, you’ll find all sorts of popular mountains and forests flush with opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration. If you’re looking for a less crowded hike that still offers sweeping views of this breathtaking slice of the Pine Tree State, then you’re going to want to add this observation tower hike onto your list of things to do the next time you visit this national park in Maine.
Bringing you out by Maine’s beautiful coasts, Beech Mountain is one of our favorite hikes to take on when we visit Acadia National Park in Maine.
Cody Wellons/Flickr
While this particular hike is one that’s generally labeled as moderate, you’ll find everyone from young Maine residents to older adults hiking along this 1.2-mile-long trail up Beech Mountain.
J Gadde/Google
After you begin hiking along the Beech Mountain Loop Trail, you’ll be met with the option to either take a shorter yet more steep way up the mountain or a longer, less steep route.
daveynin/Flickr
While we love enjoying a nice steep challenge, we’d encourage our readers to take the longer route due to the fact that you’ll be greeted by amazing views of the lakes and islands along this way!
J Gadde/Google
Taking most people anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half to reach the summit, waiting for you at the top of Beech Mountain is a little slice of history.
Tina S/TripAdvisor
The historic Beech Mountain Fire Tower was originally a wooden tower that was built by a man who lived at the Civilian Conservation Corps camps on Mount Desert Island.
ccindyk48/TripAdvisor
For safety reasons, the wooden tower was replaced with a steel tower back in 1962 and is even now part of the National Registry of Historic Fire Towers.
Elle C Hall/Google
As if the summit of Beech Mountain wasn’t already beautiful enough, when the cabin of the historic tower is open, you’ll be able to reach even more elevated views of Maine from here.
daveynin/Flickr
Leading you through serene forests and up exciting rock scrambles, the Beech Mountain Loop Trail is one that you’ll wish you had discovered sooner.
Jeremy L/TripAdvisor
To find out more about hiking through Acadia National Park, be sure to check out the National Parks Service website.
wucie/TripAdvisor
What’s your favorite hike at Acadia National Park? Share it with us in the comments below!
Cody Wellons/Flickr
J Gadde/Google
daveynin/Flickr
Tina S/TripAdvisor
ccindyk48/TripAdvisor
Elle C Hall/Google
Jeremy L/TripAdvisor
wucie/TripAdvisor
The Pine Tree State’s one and only national park is a real beauty. Here are just some of the reasons why you should plan to visit this national park in Maine!
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Address: Beech Mountain, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National park to visit in Maine February 19, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other beautiful overlooks in Maine? Maine is full of places that will surprise you. Our mountains, for starters, often surprise folks who think of the Pine Tree State as a place of coastal towns and pine-lined forests. For an outdoor adventure you won’t forget, head to Baxter State Park to hike some of the tallest mountains in Maine. With some peaks hitting well over 4,000 feet, this stunning state park shows a thrilling side of Maine you may not have experienced before. Grab your gear and start exploring this beautiful spot and all its amazing overlooks! What’s the tallest peak in Maine? Maine has 14 mountains that rise over 4,000 feet tall. Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine, standing at a commanding 5,269 feet tall. Katahdin actually means “The Greatest Mountain,” named by the native Penobscot people, and indeed, this mountain truly is spectacular. You’ll find it in Baxter State Park, which is home to several majestic Maine mountains, in fact, including Baxter Peak, Mount Katahdin, Hamlin Peak, and North Brother. A view of any of these majestic mountains is worth the trip! What are some other scenic places in Maine? While Acadia is Maine’s crown jewel, it’s by no means the only superlative scenic spot in the Pine Tree State. From beautiful views over the Atlantic to panoramas that stretch clear to Canada, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the scenery. Here’s a short list of some of our favorite scenic places in the Great Outdoors of Maine. Located throughout the state, these are places you can stop what you’re doing and simply appreciate the land; places like Mt. Battie in Camden, the Beehive Trail in Acadia, Salmon Stream Lake, and the Height of Land near Rangeley.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National park to visit in Maine
February 19, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other beautiful overlooks in Maine? Maine is full of places that will surprise you. Our mountains, for starters, often surprise folks who think of the Pine Tree State as a place of coastal towns and pine-lined forests. For an outdoor adventure you won’t forget, head to Baxter State Park to hike some of the tallest mountains in Maine. With some peaks hitting well over 4,000 feet, this stunning state park shows a thrilling side of Maine you may not have experienced before. Grab your gear and start exploring this beautiful spot and all its amazing overlooks! What’s the tallest peak in Maine? Maine has 14 mountains that rise over 4,000 feet tall. Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine, standing at a commanding 5,269 feet tall. Katahdin actually means “The Greatest Mountain,” named by the native Penobscot people, and indeed, this mountain truly is spectacular. You’ll find it in Baxter State Park, which is home to several majestic Maine mountains, in fact, including Baxter Peak, Mount Katahdin, Hamlin Peak, and North Brother. A view of any of these majestic mountains is worth the trip! What are some other scenic places in Maine? While Acadia is Maine’s crown jewel, it’s by no means the only superlative scenic spot in the Pine Tree State. From beautiful views over the Atlantic to panoramas that stretch clear to Canada, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the scenery. Here’s a short list of some of our favorite scenic places in the Great Outdoors of Maine. Located throughout the state, these are places you can stop what you’re doing and simply appreciate the land; places like Mt. Battie in Camden, the Beehive Trail in Acadia, Salmon Stream Lake, and the Height of Land near Rangeley.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine is full of places that will surprise you. Our mountains, for starters, often surprise folks who think of the Pine Tree State as a place of coastal towns and pine-lined forests. For an outdoor adventure you won’t forget, head to Baxter State Park to hike some of the tallest mountains in Maine. With some peaks hitting well over 4,000 feet, this stunning state park shows a thrilling side of Maine you may not have experienced before. Grab your gear and start exploring this beautiful spot and all its amazing overlooks!
What’s the tallest peak in Maine?
Maine has 14 mountains that rise over 4,000 feet tall. Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine, standing at a commanding 5,269 feet tall. Katahdin actually means “The Greatest Mountain,” named by the native Penobscot people, and indeed, this mountain truly is spectacular. You’ll find it in Baxter State Park, which is home to several majestic Maine mountains, in fact, including Baxter Peak, Mount Katahdin, Hamlin Peak, and North Brother. A view of any of these majestic mountains is worth the trip!
What are some other scenic places in Maine?
While Acadia is Maine’s crown jewel, it’s by no means the only superlative scenic spot in the Pine Tree State. From beautiful views over the Atlantic to panoramas that stretch clear to Canada, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the scenery. Here’s a short list of some of our favorite scenic places in the Great Outdoors of Maine. Located throughout the state, these are places you can stop what you’re doing and simply appreciate the land; places like Mt. Battie in Camden, the Beehive Trail in Acadia, Salmon Stream Lake, and the Height of Land near Rangeley.