Isle au Haut and Acadia National Park: Escape crowds on a day trip or overnight

In summer, the passenger ferry servicing Isle au Haut is packed with kids and dogs, hikers and freight. Not so in September. From Stonington at the tip of Deer Isle, this lovely island oasis is a scenic 45-minute ride aboard the Isle au Haut Boat Services mailboat, which weaves through islands and passes Robinson Light. (updated June 15, 2026)

The island is home to a remote section of Acadia National Park, so most folks come for the hiking. On most mornings, a park ranger meets the boat at the park dock in Duck Harbor, passes out trail maps, points out highlights en route, recommends trails, and answers questions. Also here are a handful of lean-to camping sites that must be reserved in advance.

Autumn is an ideal time of the year to hike. The temperatures are coolishly warm – or is that warmishly cool? – and a nice breeze keeps it that way. The trees are beginning to blush. And the trails are all but empty.

But, if you want to visit the Isle au Haut General Store, see the tiny post office, and shop at the island’s lone souvenir store, the Maine Shore Shop (you can purchase all of local celebrity swordfishing captain-turned author Linda Greenlaw’s books here), then get off at the passenger ferry’s first stop, Town Landing. From there, it’s about a 4-mile hike into the park.

Truth is, if you want a ride, it’s a safe hitch. Everyone slows down, waves, smiles, or nods. It would be easy to request a ride on down the road, even if that means hopping in a pick-up bed. Island cars aren’t fancy, but they do the job. On the other hand, walking provides other pleasures, like watching the dragonflies dance and deer nibble on fallen apples in forgotten orchards.

There’s not much on Isle au Haut, and that’s what’s so appealing about it. You can hear yourself think and, if you’re lucky and in the right frame o’ mind, achieve Zen.