2 Best Sights in Isle Au Haut, Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

Acadia National Park’s most primitive (and therefore secluded) campground is here, as is a dock for the passenger-only ferry that serves Isle au Haut from Stonington. Duck Harbor (there's a composting toilet) is the best jumping off point for the 18 miles of trails in the park, which lead through woods and to rocky shoreline, marshes, bogs, and a freshwater lake. Note that the ferry only stops at Duck Harbor from early June through early October. Off-season or if you miss the boat, you'll be hoofing it about 4 miles to the Isle au Haut Town Landing. Bring your bike or kayak for an extra fee or rent a bike from the ferry service. Note: Kayaks and bikes are dropped off and picked up at the Town Landing only, not at Duck Harbor.

Located at the southern tip of remote Isle au Haut, Western Head is accessible by foot or bicycle from the Town Landing. There are no amenities, so be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks. Western Head Trail is most often hiked as a loop that includes Western Head Road and Cliff Trail (bicycles are not allowed on trails). Starting from Duck Harbor (the ferry doesn’t drop bikes off here, only at the Town Landing) on the unpaved road, it's approximately 4 miles round-trip. Once off the wooded road, the trail alternates between forest and volcanic rock clifftop, with opportunities to go off-course and explore the rocky shoreline. Dramatic coastal cliff views are your reward for visiting perhaps the most remote corner of Acadia National Park.