Table and grill along the shore at the Seawall Picnic Area in Acadia National Park
The Seawall Picnic Area is located across the street from the Seawall Campground on the west side of Acadia National Park’s Mount Desert Island. A road leads down to the picnic area, dead ending into a T-intersection. A parking lot that holds two dozen vehicles is located to the left, and if you turn to the right you can park along the road. There are tables on either side, but the main section is to the left.
Seawall Picnic Area (click to enlarge)
The left-side picnic area has tables along both sides of the road leading up to the parking lot at the end. All have views of the water, but of course those on the shore-side of the road have unobstructed views and are thus prime real estate. In all, there are four tables and four grills on the wooded side of the road, and three tables and no grills along the shore. Tables can be moved around, so the arrangement may change, but the grills will still be in the same spots. There is also a restroom on this side of the Seawall Picnic Area.
Picnic tables and grills at the Seawall Picnic Area on the wooded side of the road, Acadia National Park
Picnic table along the water at the Seawall Picnic Area in Acadia National Park
On the far end of the parking lot are five more tables and three grills along the shore, and two tables and two grills in the woods that do not have views of the water.
Picnic tables along the water at the far end of the left-side parking lot at the Seawall Picnic Area in Acadia National Park
The right-side picnic area only has two tables. There are no grills.
Table on the right side of the Seawall Picnic Area in Acadia National Park
The Seawall Picnic Area is also a draw for those who just want to visit the shore, and from what I hear, this is a great place to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, when I visited the area was fogged in, so I couldn’t see much beyond the cobblestone beach.
Cobblestone beach at Acadia National Park’s Seawall Picnic Area
While I don’t consider the picnic areas at Acadia National Park to be good places to hold a family reunion or other event, it is possible to do so. However, all picnic areas in the park are open to visitors on a first come, first served basis. Groups of 30 or more need a permit (fee involved), but this is to authorize a large gathering only, not to reserve tables. You must still show up early and hope to get enough tables for your event. For more information and a permit form, visit the National Park Service’s Special Use Permits web page for Acadia National Park.
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Last updated on September 1, 2023
