Wonderland Trail

Wonderland Trail is a 1.4-mile out-and-back from the Route 102A parking area to the rocky shore and back along an old gravel fire road. Most of it is nearly level, so it is an easy way to get to Acadia’s coast without taking on a mountain hike. Plan 30 to 60 minutes, plus time if you want to look around the tide pools.

The road passes through spruce forest, then opens among jack pine. Around halfway, a short rocky rise and descent breaks up the gentle grade. The tread is uneven in places and gets rougher near the shore. The standard walk returns along the same fire road.

The trail reaches broad, broken granite beside the ocean. From the shore, look southeast toward the Duck Islands and northeast toward Great Cranberry Island. Tide pools are best as the tide goes out, and the area is also popular for birding. Wet rocks can be slippery, so keep to stable footing and never turn your back on the water. For a photo, put the granite or an exposed pool in the foreground with the islands beyond. Wandering along the rocks adds time and walking beyond the listed out-and-back.

Use the small Wonderland lot on ME 102A (Seawall Road); roadside parking is also available. There is no toilet at the trailhead. The nearest accessible toilet is at Ship Harbor Trailhead, a short drive south. Visitors 16 and older need an Acadia entrance pass. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. The trail is not accessible because footing is uneven in places.