Secret spot in Acadia Park

If you want to avoid the summer crowds in Acadia National Park, I reveal a secret spot in Acadia Park in this post.

As a road tripper, I often meander the roads less traveled, looking for those hidden gems that few others discover.  I’ll drive down dirt roads, dead-ends, you name it. What I’ve found is there are often road and other signs to deter people from exploring areas of potential interest for one reason or another. As a society of rule-abiding people, these detour and deterring signs are quite effective.  I however, find rules are meant for robots, not inquisitive people like me—as long as I’m not trespassing, I find no reason not to explore.

secret spot in Acadia Park

I spent a couple of weeks in and around the Acadia National Park one summer—which if you’re not familiar, is off the coast of the great state of Maine. During my travels down side streets and dirt roads, I discovered a private, yet public access beach that few seem to know about, or even use.

Mitchel Cove spot in Acadia Park

How I discovered this secret spot in Acadia Park was by slowly driving down a seemingly residential street (many of the homes are tucked back from the marsh), when all of a sudden I spotted a narrow road canopied by trees. As I passed by, I thought I saw a sign that could of been of interest.  I stopped my truck, put it in reversed and backed up, then turned and drove toward the sign that was set back a ways from the street.  As I got closer, the sign read, “Day Use Only.”  At that point I knew this was a public park of sorts. 

I drove to the end where it opened up to a secluded cove beach (later research revealed the name is Mitchel Cove).  Well, not quite “secluded,” because Mitchel Cove is flanked by homes, however, unless you’re a local, I don’t think you’d ever find this place.  There are absolutely no signs leading to this “park,” if in fact that’s what it technically is.

One thing I learned about driving around Acadia National Park is that parking can be hard to come by during busy periods. It seemed every time I wanted to pull off somewhere, there was no where to do it. If you are tired of the chaos of Bar Harbor, or Southwest Harbor, and are looking for a great place to have an intimate picnic, or place for the kids to play, check out this little spot I discovered, it’s called, “Lopaus Point.” As you head down Lopaus Point road you’ll turn left on to a dirt road that will lead you to Mitchel Cove. On the other side of Lopaus Point road is Bass Harbor, so if this were an island, it would be considered an isthmus. Click here for a link to Google Maps which will give you the coordinates—they are not precise, but it will get you in the area so you can find it.

If you’ve ever been to, or found this secret spot in Acadia Park (Mitchel Cove), please leave a comment below and share your experience.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.
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14 Comments

  1. Thanks I’ll be there for the first time in a few weeks. Is there anywhere else you can recommend?

  2. Is there a place to park to get to Mitchel Cove? Do you just park along the road?

    1. Hi Abby, there is a small parking lot nestled within the trees, you have to keep your eyes peeled for it. Hope you enjoy. Cheers, Mike

  3. Thanks for this tip. Always like off the beaten path locales. I will check out the next time I visit MDI.

    1. Hi Jeanette…my pleasure. Hope you get to check it out, it out, it’s a cool spot for sure. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by. Cheers, Mike

  4. Ya the whole point is it’s a local spot and it’s not Mitchell cove. Mitchell cove is on the other side of the point

  5. Mitchel cove is not this beach.

    Mitchel cove is a private cove for which residents pay an enormous tax bill to keep private. About 10k. Plus it’s full of rocks and mosquitoes!! Not a great find at all. Mosquitoes!!! Rocks and Jelly Fish..

    Your referring to the party beach that the teenagers use and that is a public beach but for teenagers. This is not a hidden gem. Perhaps, you visited it and it was unused .

    This is not a hidden Gem it is a party beach that you refer to and it’s not Mitchel Cove!! The public beach you refere to is heavy traffic! Plus Mosquitoes!!

  6. As others noted, this is not Mitchell Cove. And the beach referred to in this article is clearly marked for “Local Day Use Only”. Heavily used by teenagers to party. The property was donated by local landowners for local use and these residents pay a very hefty real estate tax to live in this area. All that being said, the mosquitos are terrible. If you enjoy feeding mosquitos, then have at it, but as you explore the island and seek out “hidden gems” please keep in mind that local, year round residents are bombarded with visitors almost 6 months out of the year these days and the few places designated for local use only should be respected.

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