Isle au Haut: Ferry, Fishing Village, Lean-tos

It is the most remote part of Acadia National Park, and no road or car ferry reaches it. Parkland covers much of the island's center and its southwestern tip, while the rest holds a small, quiet fishing village. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed in this section of the park.

Getting there means boarding the passenger-only mailboat out of Stonington, which docks at the Isle au Haut Town Landing. Seats are first-come, first-served, so arrive at the dock at least half an hour before departure. On some trips the boat also calls at the Duck Harbor Boat Landing beside the campground. When it does not, campers walk more than four miles from the Town Landing to reach their site.

Duck Harbor Campground offers five lean-to sites, and camping is allowed only in these designated spots with a reservation. Staying overnight puts you right at the best starting point for exploring the island's trail network.

Along eighteen miles of trails, hikers cross marsh and bog, climb through forested high ground, follow stretches of rocky coast, and reach a freshwater lake roughly a mile in length. The Duck Harbor Mountain Trail is the toughest, a 1.2-mile climb rated difficult that takes about an hour and a half. The Western Head Trail covers 1.3 miles of moderate ground, and Eastern Head is another highlight on the park's side of the island. Expect rough footing, wear sturdy shoes, and pack warm layers and rain gear, since the island averages about ten degrees cooler than the mainland.

The island's roads include five paved miles plus seven unpaved miles that get rough, so a mountain bike handles them best. Bikes ride the ferry only to the Town Landing, and they are not permitted on hiking trails.