Southwest Harbor

Across the water from Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor sits on the south side of the entrance to Somes Sound, which cuts up the center of the island. The town makes for a mellower Acadia base camp than Bar Harbor, with handsome yachts and towering sailboats lining the waterfront throughout the summer. Just north of town, trailheads at Echo Lake Beach and Fernald Point access some of the park’s less explored territory.