Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks you’ll find in the United States.
But as one of the top-five most visited national parks annually, it’s also one of the most crowded.
Lucky for you, there are still a number of hidden gem locations in Acadia that fly under the radar and see minimal visitors even during peak season.
One of these is called Dorr Point, and if you’re looking to get away from the more crowded areas in Acadia, it makes a great option.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know before exploring Dorr Point.
Dorr Point Information
PARKING: YES – small parking area onsite.
CROWDS: LOW/MEDIUM – usually not too crowded.
DOG FRIENDLY: YES – dogs are welcome on a leash.
FEES: YES – need to pay or have a pass to enter Acadia.
About Dorr Point
Dorr Point is a small, rocky section of the coastline just south of Bar Harbor, Maine located within a protected area of Acadia National Park.
It’s about fifteen minutes north of the main section of the park where you’ll find other hidden gems like Little Hunters Beach and Seal Harbor Beach.
It overlooks Compass Harbor in Frenchman Bay and offers excellent views of the Porcupine Islands and Ironbound Island in the distance.
Bald Porcupine Island is located just offshore, and you can see fairly close-up views of it from the point.
Much like the scenic Schoodic Point that it resembles, Dorr Point consists mainly of a granite outcropping that juts into the ocean and offers plenty of space to explore the rocky coastline.
Keep in mind the jagged coastline is off-trail and you’ll need to make your way over and across some rocky sections carefully.
There are also a few different small pebble and sand beach areas you can walk down to and explore from Dorr Point and the hiking trail when the tide is lower.
When the tide is out, these areas offer a number of tidal pools to explore with plenty of unique rocks to be found by the water’s edge.
You can still access and explore some of Dorr Point at high tide, but to get the full experience you should go when it is near low.
Getting To Dorr Point
There are only two ways to reach Dorr Point in Acadia.
The most common way is to follow the Compass Harbor Hiking Trail, which is a very easy walking trail that ends at Dorr Point and the only way to reach it from the mainland.
The other way is via one of the local sea kayak tours, which routinely land on the beach area of Dorr Point for some brief exploring.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to enter Acadia National Park to access the Compass Harbor Hiking Trail and reach Dorr Point, so you’ll have to pay the daily fee or have a pass.
Compass Harbor Trail – The Walk
The trail that leads out to Dorr Point is easy and family friendly, and takes you through an old, forested farm property that is a protected section of Acadia National Park.
George Dorr was one of the founders of Acadia and once owned this property.
The trail is flat most of the way, and offers a number of views of the water as you make your way towards the point.
It’s about a .4 mile walk to the end of the trail to get to Dorr Point, and usually takes around 15 minutes.
Towards the end of the trail as you come up to Dorr Point, there are some rocky sections that can be slippery so be sure to watch your footing.
Crowds
During peak season in the summer, you’ll very likely share this trail and Dorr Point with a handful of other walkers.
The earlier you go, the less people you’ll see. Even so, there’s enough space at Dorr Point during low tide that you can spread out and explore and be mostly to yourself.
In early summer and fall, you’ll likely have it to yourself most days.
Directions & Parking
From downtown Bar Harbor, the Compass Harbor Trailhead and parking area are a straight shot down Main Street which turns into Route 3.
The trailhead is only about a mile from the downtown area, and will be located on your left when coming south, just after Route 3 intersects with Peach Street.
If traveling north on Main Street/Route 3 towards Bar Harbor from the main section of Acadia National Park, the parking area and trailhead will be on your right just after the intersection with Schooner Head Road.
The parking area is hardly marked but is easy to spot from Route 3 if you’re paying close attention.
Final Word
If you’re looking for a less crowded area of Acadia National Park that still offers plenty of the same magical scenery as some of the more familiar areas, give Dorr Point a look.
Just remember to go at low tide to experience all this location has to offer.
If you’re looking for a hidden gem of a town to call your home base while visiting Acadia, consider staying in Winter Harbor.
It’s only about a 40-minute drive north and offers its own section of Acadia National Park, a number of great restaurant options, some unique hotel/inn options, and a sea ferry that shuttles you to and from Bar Harbor.