Access: Compass Harbor Parking Lot

Compass Harbor Trailhead

Quick Facts

Amenities

1 listed

Parking - Auto

The Compass Harbor parking lot is located between Nannau Wood Road and Old Farm Road, both of which are private roads. The lot is gravel-packed with a somewhat uneven surface that includes larger stones, and it can accommodate about 7 to 8 vehicles, with most parking available along the east side under the shade of surrounding trees. From the lot, a paved sidewalk runs parallel to Route 3, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel north toward downtown Bar Harbor or south toward Jackson Laboratory. However, the main access point to this sidewalk includes a 1 to 1.5-inch curb, which may pose challenges for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. An alternative gravel footpath located toward the eastern end of the parking lot provides sidewalk access without a curb, though the path is narrow. 

Moving east from the lot’s entrance, visitors will encounter a sign that reads “Entering Acadia National Park,” followed by a barricade labeled “Fire Road – Do Not Block.” This barricade has passageways on either side for pedestrians, cyclists, and dog walkers to access the Compass Harbor Trail. Just beyond the barricade is a wayside exhibit titled “Compass Harbor Trail,” which explains the history of the trail and George B. Dorr’s former estate—known as "Old Farm." Next to it is a sign advertising the Old Farm video tour, accessible through the NPS website or mobile app, offering visitors an interactive experience while exploring the trail. The trail itself is wide and gravel-packed, making it suitable for walkers, dogs, and cyclists. It winds its way through the forest toward the ruins of the historic Old Farm estate, an important site in the early history of Acadia National Park. 

The video shows an unlined gravel parking lot off Maine State Route 3, about a mile south of downtown Bar Harbor. It is surrounded by trees and a compact gravel trail begins in the back right corner. A brown metal gate with a sign that reads “Fire Road Do Not Block” marks the start of the trail. 

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Transcript

The video shows an unlined gravel parking lot off Maine State Route 3, about a mile south of downtown Bar Harbor. It is surrounded by trees and a compact gravel trail begins in the back right corner. A brown metal gate with a sign that reads “Fire Road Do Not Block” marks the start of the trail. 

Descriptive Transcript

The video shows an unlined gravel parking lot off Maine State Route 3, about a mile south of downtown Bar Harbor. It is surrounded by trees and a compact gravel trail begins in the back right corner. A brown metal gate with a sign that reads “Fire Road Do Not Block” marks the start of the trail. 

Duration:

19.87 seconds

An accessible description and transcript of the Compass Harbor parking area in Acadia National Park. (July 2025)