Acadia National Park – A Park Loop Road Itinerary

At 50,000 acres in size, Acadia National Park is an absolute gem on the coast of Maine with an almost overwhelming amount of scenery and unforgettable experiences awaiting its visitors. Fortunately, the 27-mile Park Loop Road that encircles a great portion of the park was created between 1921 and 1958, making it convenient, accessible, and exciting way to see Acadia and many of its highlights. We’re going to take a written tour of Mount Desert Island’s Park Loop Road and list the sights you can’t miss out on as well as plenty of other tips and tricks that will make your trip to Acadia as memorable as can be!

Where to Start

Acadia National Park has just about everything you could ever want in a natural setting. It’s actually the only national park east of the Mississippi River that boasts both mountains and coastal landscapes! The road is open from mid-April until November and closed during the winter months. Late spring and summer are busy times to explore the road, but the verdant foliage, sunny days, and warmer weather make it well worth it. The fall season is arguably the best time to take the trip though, as this is when the trees burst into a spectrum of warm hues, which looks extra magical combined with the vast ocean scenery. It’s important to note that if you’re planning to visit Cadillac Mountain (which we highly suggest you do), a reservation must be made online two days in advance.

Begin your Park Loop Road journey at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, which will allow you to buy your park pass, ask the rangers any questions you might have, shop around for souvenirs, and get the necessary information regarding the Island Explorer. The Island Explorer is a fare-free bus system that travels around the park in regular intervals throughout the day, including the Park Loop Road (Route 4). This might be a great option for those that have a larger group they want to do the trip with, that want a more economical option, or that want to ensure all the can’t-miss spots are hit. Otherwise, we recommend doing the trip with your own vehicle (if you have one) so that you can do the drive at your own pace. The drive can be completed in just a few hours or could easily take all day if you want to stretch it out!

Highlights Along the Park Loop Road

If you want to make the absolute most out of your journey around the Park Loop Road, there are some spots you simply cannot miss out on. Head south on the road from the visitor center and make your first stop at Sieur de Monts, which provides access to a number of trails, a charming nature center, and the Abbe Museum. Continue on to Sand Beach, where you can start your day with a picnic next to the crashing waves, snap some photos, go for a swim if it’s a hot summer day, or set out on one of the hiking trails close by such as Ocean Path or Gorham Mountain Loop.

After you’ve explored here for a bit, make your way to Thunder Hole, which is an incredible natural rock formation on the island’s eastern shore. If you can line up your visit here to be about 1 to 2 hours before high tide, you’ll have the best chance of experiencing the thunderous roar that occurs when the waves hit the sea cave – there’s nothing else like it! As you keep driving, you’ll come across Otter Cliff. Otter Cliff stands at a staggering 110 feet, making it one of the highest Atlantic coastal headlands and one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the park.

Travel over to the ever-iconic Jordan Pond and the Jordan Pond House and take a moment of sheer tranquility. The Jordan Pond House has had a tradition of serving visitors tea and popovers on its spacious lawn overlooking the dazzling pond since the 1890s. Reservations are needed if you want to have tea and a snack on the lawn, but there’s also a grab-and-go food option here as well as gift shop if you want to pop in grab some souvenirs.

Lastly, it’s time to summit the infamous Cadillac Mountain. Now, this part of the journey can be done at the beginning of your drive, but the symbolism of finishing such an amazing tour of the island does make this the perfect last stop on the Park Loop Road. Cadillac Mountain is the tallest point on the eastern seaboard at 1530 feet tall and sees the first light of sun in the continental US during the winter. The jaw-dropping views visitors are met with at the top of this mountain are something that have to be seen to be believed. At Cadillac’s peak, the majority of Acadia can be seen; this is a fantastic place to snap some photos of the surroundings and with your loved ones to commemorate such a special day.

Discover Peaks, Forests, and Coastal Scenery on the Park Loop Road

Between the Atlantic Ocean, the dense expanses of forest, towering mountains, and dramatic cliffsides, Acadia National Park has no shortage of magnificent sights. The Park Loop Road is such a great way to explore with friends and family and see so many of the park’s highlights. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife species that call the park home, including but not limited to white-tailed deer, beavers, groundhogs, seals, seabirds, falcons, and small marine species in the various tide pools. Whenever you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in Acadia, pack up some snacks, plenty of water, solid footwear, and your camera before embarking on the utterly remarkable 27-mile journey of the Park Loop Road.