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Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park – U.S. National Park Service offers different landscapes through woodlands, rocky beaches, pristine lakes, and granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain. Driving through the scenic 27 mile Park Loop Road is like a stop and go for spectacular views.

These photos are from our two day visit to Acadia National Park in mid September 2012.

Quick Facts and Tips

• Overlooks on the Park Loop Road
  • Cadillac Mountain, Wild Gardens of Acadia, Beaver Dam Pond, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff Overlook, Hunters Beach Overlook, Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, Southwest Harbor 
• Popular and easy hikes along the Park Loop Road
  • Cadillac Summit Loop Trail:  This 0.3 mile short walk from the parking lot offers gorgeous views of a glaciated coastal and island landscape. Seeing the sunrise at the summit itself is the magical experience. It gets cold in the morning and evening, dress accordingly. No matter what time of the year you go, you will definitely hit the crowd
  • Ocean Path: This is a flat 2.2 mile trail from Sand Beach to Otter Point (or visa versa). This path along the ocean is the best option for viewing sunrises and awesome cliffs and ocean views
  • Thunder Hole: Visit Thunder Hole to experience huge splashes with thunderous booming sounds against the natural rocks on the shore. Try to visit during high tides for optimal thunder splashes as the big waves crash to the hole
  • Jordan Pond Path: 3.3 loop trail, starts at Jordan Pond parking lot, presents spectacular view of the Bubble Mountains and the clear Jordan lake and is good for all skill levels
• Other Attractions
  • Seal Harbor Beach: Visit Seal Harbor Beach and have fun playing in the water and sand. It is a great place to relax and is located on Champlain Road (Route ME E) approximately 6 miles from the Park Loop Road. Public bathrooms are across the street and parking is limited
  • Bass Harbor Light House: See the iconic Bass Harbor Light House at the southwest portion of Mount Desert Island. Take a short walk to see the stunning 32 feet tall lighthouse, standing high above the ocean on a rocky cliff. Take a nice trail into the woods and climb the stairs down to the beach, sit on the rocks, watch the sail boats in the distance, gaze out at the nearby islands, and enjoy the sunset. It is a perfect place to relax and relish
  • Ship Harbor Trail: 1.3 mile loop trail near Southwest Harbor offers beautiful wild flowers, colored rocky shorelines, open blue bay, and is good for all skill levels

Also check

Acadia National Park, Maine

Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia National Park, Maine

Best Trails in Acadia National Park, Maine