Acadia Hiking Hints & Safety Information

Carry water, food, a flashlight, trail map, and a windbreaker with you.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots that have lug soles and ankle support for most hiking trails. Sneakers or walking shoes should only be used on carriage roads or the more easy shore trails.
Know the difficulty level of the hiking trail and your physical abilities/limitations.
Follow blue trail blazes and use a map. Do not modify cairns or build new ones. Changes to trail markers may endanger other hikers.
Always dress for variable weather and let someone know where you will be hiking.
Stay on the hiking trail. Stepping off the trails can trample fragile plant life and cause erosion.
Step carefully on summits. Rare subalpine plant species grow on many mountain tops. Step on rocks when possible.
Do not start fires on the hiking trails and do not hike at night.
Biking is not allowed on any of the hiking trails in Acadia National Park.
Bury human waste in areas without toilets.
Carry out all trash, including toilet paper and cigarette butts.
Pets must be restrained on a leash.
Swimming, wading, and pets are prohibited in public water supplies. Please respect posted regulations at lakes and ponds.
Do not feed or disturb wildlife.
Check for ticks after hiking.

For books with more information on hiking in
Acadia National Park click Acadia Hiking Trails.