Schoodic Peninsula

Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by

Schoodic peninsula is the redheaded stepchild of Acadia National Park. Less than forty minutes by car and even less by boat, it receives less than ten percent of all Acadia tourism. It’s really a shame because the peninsula has some exceptionally accessible shoreline, great hikes, and the Schoodic Institute that houses a really interesting museum that used to be a US Navy spy post.

It is well worth a day trip just to get a lobster roll for less than 40 bucks. If you drive out and just take the six mile auto route, you can spend less than an hour here. If you take advantage of the scenery, some history, and a little hiking, the peninsula is easily a full day trip. Given the 40 minute drive each way, we chose the latter and were greatly rewarded, particularly because this side of the park is nearly uninhabited.

Start your trip

Begin your day at the visitors center followed by a stop at Frazer Point Picnic Area. Frazier Point is a great place to sit along the coast with nice views of islands, beaches, and lobster boats cruising along the cove. There are picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and drinking water, so pull up a seat, and have a little snack or spend the whole day. Personally, this little peninsula has perfect grass for napping. I can’t recommend strongly enough the value of an afternoon nap out on the grass on a perfect fall day. Just don’t forget sunscreen.
Once you leave Frazer Point, you will begin the six mile one-way loop. Plan to stop at several or all of the turnouts to enjoy views of lighthouses, seabirds, and forested islands.

Schoodic Institute

About halfway along the Schoodic Loop Road is a turn onto Arey Cove Road that will take you to the Schoodic Institute. From their website:

We are Acadia National Park’s primary partner in science and education. Together, we manage the largest of 18 National Park Service Research Learning Centers in the United States.
We support scientific research of importance to the Park, provide professional development for teachers, and train a new generation of stewards who will help conserve our natural and cultural heritage. Education and communication are integrated with our research programs through citizen science, public programs and events, and information sharing.
Our nonprofit structure allows us the flexibility to support Acadia National Park in creating innovative partnerships such as Second Century Stewardship and the Citizen Science Association.

Museum

The Institute has a great welcome center with an incredibly helpful staff who can guide you to the best way to enjoy the peninsula regardless of your interests – birdwatching, hiking, botany, history, you name it, the staff there can help you. It also houses a really interesting museum with remnants of the Navy base that used to operate here. The Radio Station was originally located on Otter Cliffs but had fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, John D. Rockefeller, after developing Acadia’s Carriage Roads for his own personal playground, discovered the radio station was in the direct path of his proposed route for the main loop road, completely ruining the aesthetic. Thus, a deal was struck between Rockefeller, the Navy, and the Interior Department to relocate the Radio Station to Schoodic peninsula. Those are the facts, snark is purely my own. On 28 February 1935, the U.S. Navy Radio and Direction Finding Station Winter Harbor was officially commissioned with a complement of an 11 personnel crew. It underwent several name changes during that time, but remained operational until 2001, when it was finally decommissioned and transferred to the National Park Service. One thing we can all thank Rockefeller for is his commitment to uniformity of all park structures, leaving us with this absolutely beautiful building to explore.

Sundew Trail

Once you’ve had your fill of the museum, take some time to enjoy the rest of the campus and then head down to Sundew Trail. It is a little over a mile and a half loop that will take you down to the rocky shoreline and a great location to watch the tide crashing in.

Maine Sculpture Trail

Finally, before departing, swing down to the south parking lot and snap a photo of one of the pieces along the Maine Sculpture Trail. The trail was created by the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium consisting of 34-pieces of outdoor art spanning over 200 miles along the coastal region of Downeast Maine. The piece at the Schoodic peninsula is titled Tribute to Life by Ian Newbery of Sweden.

Schoodic Point

Before heading back to the Schoodic Loop Road, treat yourself to Schoodic point. Enjoy one of the best places in the entire park for sunsets, attested to by the numerous artists setting up easels just prior to sunset daily. Clearly, they were in stealth mode for this photo.

Hiking

If you still have time and energy, continue back onto the Loop Road and stop at any one of the five parking areas and hike to the Anvil, Buck Cove Mountain, or both.

Departure

By now, your day should be winding down giving you the perfect opportunity to snag some golden hour photos of Frenchman’s Bay.

What better way to top off this fantastic day trip than a stop at a local eatery? For our money, it doesn’t get any more local than the Pickled Wrinkle. The name is derived from what the Mainers colloquially call carnivorous sea snails, the meaner older brother of the periwinkle.
The Bavarian pretzel is particularly good and any one of their pies (pizza) is an absolute must. We also had the brussels sprouts and the seaweed. Don’t ask, Angela was in an uber vegan kind of mood, but the seaweed may have pushed her firmly back to meat. Looking at the menu the other day, I no longer see seaweed on the menu, so perhaps other guests concurred with our assessment.
It also doesn’t hurt to peruse their assortment of merch. Nothing says you were fully engaged in the full Acadia experience like some sweet swag from somewhere other than Bar Harbor (not that there isn’t also great swag to be had there).

Always Remember the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Plan Ahead and Prepare, Stay on Designated Trails, Dispose of Waste Properly, Don’t Take Anything You Didn’t Bring with You, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Courtesy: Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics