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.
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.
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
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14 Comments
Thanks for this! Always looking for the secret less traveled spot, too! This sounds perfect!
My pleasure Jess. Hope you get a chance to check it out.
Thanks I’ll be there for the first time in a few weeks. Is there anywhere else you can recommend?
Sweet, I hope you enjoy. There is a fantastic B&B nearby called Ann’s Point Inn: https://mikesroadtrip.com/anns-point-inn If you go kayaking, be sure to be aware of the changing tides, it’s no joke, they will take you out to sea even if you are a strong paddler.
Is there a place to park to get to Mitchel Cove? Do you just park along the road?
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
Yup. it’s kind of a secret, still.
You went recently?
Thanks for this tip. Always like off the beaten path locales. I will check out the next time I visit MDI.
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
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
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!!
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.
Hi Laura, Thanks for the correction and adding this info. I think I’ll delete this post as it is very old anyhow. Cheers, Mike