A short hike in western Acadia to a historic fire tower with views of Echo Lake, Long Pond, and the open Atlantic — one of the best family hikes in the park.
Beech Mountain sits in the quieter western half of Acadia — away from the crowds on Cadillac and the Precipice — and rewards a short climb with a decommissioned fire tower, sweeping views of Echo Lake directly below, and blue water stretching west to Long Pond and beyond. At 839 feet and roughly two miles round trip, it’s one of the most accessible summit hikes in the park and handles families well.
The Route
The most direct approach starts from the Beech Mountain trailhead off Beech Hill Road, near the southern end of Echo Lake. The trail climbs steadily through mixed birch and beech forest before breaking out onto open granite near the summit. The fire tower marks the top.
Key landmarks:
- 0.0 mi — Beech Mountain trailhead, Beech Hill Road
- 0.4 mi — Junction with South Ridge Trail (keep straight for summit)
- 0.8 mi — Junction with Valley Cove Trail
- 1.0 mi — Summit fire tower (839 ft)
The Summit
The fire tower is no longer staffed but remains intact and climbable. From the tower platform the view opens in every direction: Echo Lake fills the valley to the east, Long Pond stretches south, and on a clear day Blue Hill Bay and the open Atlantic are visible beyond the park boundary. Sunset from this tower is underrated — the western exposure means you get the full show.
Western Acadia
The Beech Mountain area gets a fraction of the visitor traffic that the eastern side of the park sees. The approach road passes the Echo Lake beach (a freshwater swimming beach with a lifeguard in season) and the surrounding forest is prime habitat for fall warblers during migration. Keep an eye on the marsh areas along the road.
Logistics
Trailhead: Beech Hill Road off Route 102 in Southwest Harbor area. Parking lot at road’s end (small lot — arrive early in summer).
Fees: Acadia National Park pass required — $35/vehicle (7-day). The America the Beautiful annual pass applies.
Season: Open year-round. Best June through October; ice can make the summit rocks treacherous in winter without microspikes.
Dogs: Allowed on leash. One of the more dog-friendly summit hikes in Acadia.
Loop option: Combine the summit route with the Valley Cove Trail or South Ridge Trail for a 3-mile loop with more variety. The South Ridge descent gives extended open ridge views south toward Seal Cove Pond.