Park Loop Road circles the eastern half of Mount Desert Island, connecting Acadia's beaches, cliffs, lakes, and Cadillac Mountain. John D. Rockefeller Jr. funded the road's construction in the 1920s, insisting it blend with the landscape. The route is mostly one-way, forcing a deliberate pace past Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and the granite headlands of Otter Cliff. Cadillac Mountain's summit road branches off near the top, reaching 1,530 feet where, from October through early March, the sun rises before anywhere else in the United States. The loop is Acadia's essential drive, but most visitors stop constantly. The driving is almost incidental.
Parks Along the Way
Acadia National Park
Drive Park Loop Road, hike Cadillac Mountain or the Beehive, and eat popovers at Jordan Pond House.
Notable Stops
Hulls Cove Visitor Center
The park's main visitor center and the logical starting point. Exhibits, ranger programs, and the place to purchase passes. The Island Explorer bus system, free and funded by L.L.Bean, connects here to towns and trailheads across the island.
30 minutes
Sieur de Monts
A nature center, botanical garden, and trailheads clustered around a memorial spring. The Wild Gardens of Acadia showcase native plants labeled by habitat. The Abbe Museum covers Wabanaki culture. Several trails begin here, including routes to the Beehive and Dorr Mountain.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Sand Beach
A 290-yard pocket beach made of sand and crushed shells, rare on this granite coastline. The water rarely exceeds 55 degrees, even in August. Swimming is possible for the determined. GreatHead trail begins at the eastern end. Parking fills early in summer.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Thunder Hole
A natural inlet where waves compress air in a cavern, producing a booming sound and spray that can reach 40 feet. Best at mid-tide with incoming swells. At low tide or calm seas, nothing happens. Check tide charts before visiting. One of the most popular stops on the loop.
15-30 minutes
Otter Cliff
Granite cliffs dropping 110 feet to the ocean, among the highest headlands on the Atlantic coast north of Brazil. Rock climbers scale the pink granite faces. For everyone else, the overlook provides views south along the coast. Best light in the afternoon.
15-30 minutes
Jordan Pond House
Popovers with strawberry jam and tea, served on this spot since 1893. The current building replaced one that burned in 1979. The lawn overlooks Jordan Pond with the Bubbles rising behind. Reservations strongly recommended in summer. A mandatory Acadia experience.
1-1.5 hours
Bubble Rock
A glacial erratic perched on the edge of South Bubble Mountain, looking like it might roll off at any moment. The boulder was carried by ice from mountains to the north and deposited when the glacier melted. The Bubbles Trail from Jordan Pond reaches it in about a mile.
1.5-2 hours for hike
Cadillac Mountain Summit
At 1,530 feet, the highest point on the Atlantic coast of the United States. From October through early March, the sun rises here before anywhere else in the country. The 3.5-mile summit road requires reservations in peak season. Panoramic views of islands, bays, and the mainland. Worth the early alarm for sunrise.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Bar Island
At low tide, a gravel bar emerges connecting Bar Harbor to Bar Island. You can walk across the ocean floor. The bar is exposed for roughly 3 hours around low tide. Check tide tables carefully; people get stranded every year. The view back to town from the island is excellent.
1-2 hours
Thurston's Lobster Pound
A working lobster wharf in Bernard, on the quiet side of the island. Steamed lobster, fried clams, and picnic tables on the dock. Less tourist traffic than Bar Harbor, more authentic atmosphere. Worth the drive across the island.
1-1.5 hours
2 Cats
A quirky breakfast spot in downtown Bar Harbor. Colorful decor, creative egg dishes, homemade baked goods. The kind of place locals recommend. Lines form on summer weekends but move quickly.
1 hour
Atlantic Brewing Company
The island's only brewery. Tours of the production facility, tastings in the beer garden. The blueberry ale uses Maine wild blueberries. Real Pizza serves wood-fired pies on site. A good afternoon stop after hiking.
1-2 hours
Pro Tips
- Most of Park Loop Road is one-way. Drive counterclockwise. The two-way section runs from Jordan Pond to Seal Harbor.
- Cadillac Summit Road requires vehicle reservations from late May through mid-October. Book at recreation.gov.
- Parking at popular stops like Sand Beach and Thunder Hole fills by 10am in summer. Start early or use the free Island Explorer bus.
- Fog is common, especially in summer. It can roll in quickly and reduce visibility to near zero.
- Thunder Hole is impressive at mid-tide with incoming swells, disappointing at low tide. Check tide charts.
- The Island Explorer bus is free and connects all major destinations. Consider leaving your car at a lot and using the bus.