Maine Family Multisport
Bike, Walk & Kayak Penobscot Bay & Acadia National Park
"Why go West," asked legendary writer Henry David Thoreau, "when Maine has everything?" The Pine Tree State is indeed blessed with an abundance of natural splendors, creating the perfect landscape for families to explore. Discover the region’s history, along with its rocky coastline, granite cliffs and pristine beaches. Breathe crisp, clean air and delight in weathered fishing villages, where life still rings with old New England charm. Bike to hidden coves and along quiet country lanes. Kayak on an idyllic lake surrounded by verdant forests and lined with stretches of sand. Savor fresh lobster caught by local fishermen, followed with homemade blueberry pie. The magic of camping in this scenic wilderness, punctuated by the occasional call of the loon, will stay with you for years to come.
Trip Planning Links
- Discover the understated beauty of Maine's coastline
- Pedal under towering firs serenaded by the crashing surf at Acadia National Park
- Savor the taste of fresh Maine lobster
- Kayak on pristine Megunticook Lake
- Star-filled nights spent swapping stories around the campfire
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-3 Southwest Harbor
Meet in Portland 
Travel to Southwest Harbor for a walk along picturesque Long Pond Explore Acadia National Park by bike, discovering meadows, mountains, forests and beaches Enjoy fun and games near our campsite, including swimming, soccer and a visit to a hands-on oceanarium and tide pools On foot, wind through birch and evergreen forests to the summit of Gorham Mountain for panoramic vistas of sea and shore Pay an afternoon visit to Bar Harbor Kids go rock climbing in Acadia with expert guides.
Days 4-6 Camden Hills State Park
Pedal through quaint villages After shuttling to remote Fort Point, we explore a lighthouse and enjoy a picnic lunch Head to the harbor town of Belfast by private boat Explore the unique galleries and shops on Camden’s Main Street Pedal to picturesque Rockport, enjoying more postcard-perfect views of quintessential New England life Kayak through the waters of Lake Megunticook, watching for ospreys and diving loons While kids join the leaders for chowder in town, adults are treated to a wine-pairing dinner at a local winery Visit the impressive Farnsworth Museum in Rockland Get ready for a classic Maine culinary experience: fresh lobster! Hike to Mount Battie and Mount Megunticook and take in the same stunning view of Camden Harbor that inspired poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Redwood National Park Multisport San Juan Islands Multisport Alaska MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This was a great trip and wonderful experience for us all. We had a great time and did more hiking and biking than we thought we could. I was impressed with how well the activities were balanced throughout the week for both kids and adults. The leaders were wonderful! So sweet, personable and professional--also a hard balance to strike, but each of them did a superb job.- Pennington, NJ More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Maine Family Multisport
MARITIME RETREATS: Deluxe Camping
Smuggler's Den Campground
Southwest Harbor (3 nights) Located in the heart of Acadia National Park, it's the perfect place for a refreshing swim or a game of soccer during your free time.
Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills (2 nights) Situated near Mount Battie, just minutes from Camden, this park offers commanding views of Penobscot Bay and its many islands.
Maine Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 4, 5 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 15, 19, 33 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Walking 3.4 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 3.5 miles (adults)
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Rock Climbing (kids) 3 hours
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 6, 14 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 15, 27 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Sea Kayaking 2.5 hours
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 3 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.