Maine's Bold Coast

East of Acadia, the Maine coast gets wilder and quieter. This route covers Ellsworth, the Schoodic peninsula, Machias, Roque Bluffs and Cutler, then ends in Lubec with West Quoddy Head Light, the easternmost point in the contiguous US. Campobello Island, Canada, is across a bridge (bring a passport). It suits anyone who wants less crowded coast than Bar Harbor.

The stops

1. Start

   Ellsworth, ME

2. Town

   Ellsworth

   Last big supermarket and fuel stop.

3. Park

   Schoodic Peninsula

   Quiet part of Acadia with a loop road and granite shore.

4. Town

   Gouldsboro

   Fishing town near Schoodic.

5. Town · Overnight

   Machias

   Historic town with the first naval battle of the Revolution.

6. Beach

   Roque Bluffs State Park

   Sandy beach and saltwater swim.

7. Town

   Cutler

   Harbour village near clifftop trails.

8. Lighthouse

   Quoddy Head State Park

   West Quoddy Head Light, red-and-white stripes, easternmost US point.

9. Town

   Lubec

   End of the road; bridge to Campobello Island.

10. Finish

    Lubec, ME

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Machias

  Machias inns · Cobscook Bay State Park (near Lubec)

• Night 2

  Lubec

  Lubec inns · Cobscook Bay State Park campground

When to go

Jun–Sep; fog is common in July

On the road

Few services; fuel up in Ellsworth or Machias. Campobello requires a passport for the border crossing.