When you think of Acadia National Park, you might imagine difficult treks and hard-to-reach summits. While that might be true for some people’s days in Acadia, it doesn’t have to be that way for everyone. One of the things we love best about this park is that it’s accessible to people of all skill levels. And, even more, we love that spots like this lake exist! This summer, check out The Bowl, a hidden lake that’s more accessible than you think!

dave-a-roni / Flickr
The Bowl is a beautiful high-altitude lake that's perfect for swimming on a hot Maine day.
dave-a-roni / Flickr
While it's near the summit of The Beehive, the lake is reached far more easily than The Beehive.
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In fact, the trail to reach The Bowl lake is well-marked and only about 1.5 miles roundtrip.
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To access this hike, start by heading to the trail head located off the Park Loop Road by parking in the lot across from Sand Beach.
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Once you start the hike, you'll spend only about a quarter of a mile before you reach a junction with The Beehive Trail.
sfgamchick / Flickr

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If you want to access The Bowl via this more strenuous and steep trail go for it!
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Otherwise, continue to the left and enjoy you hike through the woods.
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Don't forget to say hi to all the new friends you'll make along the way!
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While the trail isn't difficult, it does go slightly uphill.
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Upon arriving you'll be met with some of the clearest water in the area, along with the opportunity for a relaxing swim.
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The views here are pretty incredible and the journey isn't difficult, which makes this a perfect summer day in Maine!
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Once you've had your fill of The Bowl, you can head to the Gorham Mountain Trail which will take you to the summit of Gorham Mountain. The trail is less than a mile to reach this other wonderful view. If you combine everything - The Beehive, The Bowl and The Gorham Mountain Trail - you're looking at a hike of about 2.5 miles roundtrip from Sand Beach. But, if you're looking for a simple summer's day hike, we recommend sticking to The Bowl. You'll love it!

For more fun summer activities, check out Only in Maine daily! Did you see this article on our favorite natural lazy river in Maine? If not, click here to check it out!

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