Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!!

Hard Aground is an ocean-view home uniquely positioned right outside Southwest Harbor. Enjoy picturesque views of the Windward Way and Cranberry Island from the wood deck, dining, living, primary bedroom, and upstairs bedrooms. Guests will also enjoy the abundant wildlife of this quiet location. Deer and different types of birds often come to graze in the open fields each morning and evening. The home has a galley kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, dishwasher, Keurig and drip coffee maker, toaster, full pots and pans for cooking and hopefully anything else a family might need; there is dining/breakfast room with windows on each side for stunning views plus outdoor seating for dining. The family room has views out over the deck to the water, door to the deck, and smart tv for nightly movies. On the main level, you will find a room with king bed overlooking the lawn with water views and smart tv, another bedroom with queen-size bed, and a shared updated bathroom with walk-in shower, and laundry. The upstairs is cozy, with two bedrooms with water views, queen-sized beds, one with crib, smart tv’s, and an updated bathroom with a bathtub. The property comes with two dedicated parking places.

Many people choose to stay in Southwest Harbor during their visit to Acadia National Park for its convenient location and more relaxed pace. Southwest Harbor is situated just west of the southern entrance to Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island. It is the largest municipality on the island's southwestern "quiet side." The town is a hub of activity, with various great restaurants, shops, galleries, and eateries worth exploring. Some of these include the charming Little Notch Bakery, the renowned Red Sky, the local favorite Peter Trouts, The Cygnet Gallery, Cornerstone Gallery, Beals Lobster, Sawyers, Cafe Dry Dock, Tom Cat Tide, The Store, Southwest Cycle, and many more! Many come to Mount Desert Island to visit Acadia National Park and enjoy its beauty. You can get a yearly pass to the park or pay as you go. Our suggestion is to get the yearly that you can visit other national parks. Some of our favorite trails, which are mostly easy and dog friendly, are Asticou and Jordan Pond Path, Little Harbor Brook Trail, Carriage Trail Loop, Wonderland, Ship Harbor Trail, Echo Lake Trail, and many more. Our suggestion is to download the All Trails App and search for your skill level. Other exciting things to do is to go on a whale watching tour, ride the ferries to neighboring islands like Cranberry or Little Cranberry and explore those. Visit the bustling town of Bar Harbor and the smaller villages around the island. You can do all this by car or use the Island Explorer buss.

We are 2.8 miles to what is considered Southwest Harbor’s downtown and 4 miles into Bass Harbor. Peter Trout’s and the docks are 1.6 miles from us. We are on the Southwest Harbor side of the Seawall. Shore access is at 2-98 Cable Crossing RD because the shore line at the house is a drop off and can be dangerous but you can still enjoy picturesque views at the house. We walk to all of these locations all the time!

More Helpful Info:

There is a Kuerig and drip coffee maker plus full kitchen set up for your needs including pots, pans, toaster, all different types of glasses, etc.

There are window units for the AC, window units are only in place June 1- Mid October for the 2025 season to minimize heating loss. If you are booking after mid October 2025 in Oct or Nov please reach out if you have questions. For 2026 they will be back in place June 1 2026.

There are directions to the fire pit on the side of the pit and in the house book. If having issues please reach out and we can send you a video on how to work it.

The yard is NOT fenced if your dog is a chaser you will want to keep them on leash. There are a lot of deer and wildlife please respect them. This is a quiet neighborhood with many full time residents please do not walk through their yards.

We have a crib in one of the upstairs bedrooms, we have extra linens for the crib but if you prefer something specific please bring. Please note that this home was built in 1950 the stairs are skinny and a bit steep. We have one baby gate best to be used at a bedroom doorway and baby safety latches for your use under the kitchen sink if needed. There is a high chair in an upstairs closet if we have notice we can have it pulled downstairs.

The laundry is in one of the closets in the queen-sized downstairs bedroom, but there is an additional closet for clothes.

This home is on septic, and nothing besides toilet paper can be flushed. This includes anything advertised as flushable, "flushable wipes," and food waste down the disposal. There is no access to the basement.

There is absolutely no access to the basement. It is not finished and the stairs are steep please do not try to unlock and explore this area it is off limits to guest.

The dedicated parking spaces are directly in front of the garage spaces, but there is no access to the garage, if you are bringing bikes please let me know the owner will allow bikes to be parked in the garage for storage & safety. There is an easement driveway to the main home directly behind this home please do not block the driveway with cars or go through their gates.

Please Note: Hard Aground is a private guest house situated on a larger estate. The main residence is located approximately one acre away across an apple orchard and is accessed by a shared driveway easement beyond the guest house. While Hard Aground enjoys its own private outdoor space and is not directly overlooked by the main residence, you may occasionally notice vehicles using the easement or limited activity associated with the estate.