Acadia Park Loop Road

The Park Loop Road is the park's main scenic drive. It links Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff and Jordan Pond, with a spur to the top of Cadillac Mountain (a vehicle reservation is needed in the busy season). Doing it slowly with walks fills a day. It suits anyone visiting Acadia for a day or two.

The stops

1. Start

   Hulls Cove Visitor Center, ME

2. Info

   Hulls Cove Visitor Center

   Start with a map and the day's tips.

3. Beach

   Sand Beach

   Small sand beach between granite headlands; the water stays cold.

4. Viewpoint

   Thunder Hole

   Inlet that booms in heavy surf; best around mid-tide.

5. Viewpoint

   Otter Cliff

   Cliff overlook with a pretty coastal path.

6. Food

   Jordan Pond

   Walk the lake path and have popovers at the Jordan Pond House.

7. Viewpoint

   Cadillac Mountain

   Highest point on the US Atlantic seaboard; reserve the drive up.

8. Town · Overnight

   Bar Harbor

   Town for dinner before you head home.

9. Back to the start

   Hulls Cove Visitor Center, ME

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Bar Harbor

  Blackwoods Campground · Seawall Campground · Bar Harbor inns

When to go

Late May–Oct; sunrise on Cadillac in early autumn

On the road

Parts of the loop are one-way. Cadillac Summit Road needs a timed vehicle reservation in the busy season, and a park entry pass is required. Parking at Jordan Pond and Sand Beach fills by mid-morning; consider the free Island Explorer bus.