Exploring Acadia National Park by Car
View Maine's Stunning Coast and Forests on the Park Loop Road
© Kat Long
Aug 31, 2009
Acadia National Park, on Maine's rocky Atlantic coast, is one of the most popular natural destinations in the U.S.--and it's easy to see the towering pine forests, crashing blue surf and quiet woodlands from the comfort of your own car. The Park Loop Road, a smoothly-paved 27-mile route, brings you right up close to the highlights of the park's unforgettable scenery.
The road begins at the Hulls Cove Visitor's Center, a great starting point for anyone new to the park's natural history. Complimentary park maps indicating the various scenic highlights along the Park Loop Road are available here.
The Park Loop Road begins as you exit the visitor center's parking lot. Once on the road, you'll soon see glimpses of the deep blue waters of Frenchman Bay to your left. Stop at one of the road's many pull-outs for heart-stopping views of the bay and its pine-covered islands. You may see bright white sailboats and an occasional cruise ship in the harbor.
Park Loop Road Highlights: East Side
The first highlight of the journey is the Sieur de Monts Spring, about four miles from the visitor center. Park founder George Dorr named the spring--housed in a tile-roofed gazebo--after the Lieutenant Governor of New France, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, who sailed with his navigator Samuel Champlain to survey North America in 1603. The Wild Gardens of Acadia--a small botanic garden exhibiting the park’s native plants--and the Abbe Museum containing Native American artifacts are nearby and worth a quick visit.
Another couple miles down the road is the popular Sand Beach, the only natural beach along the Park Loop Road. Swimming is allowed, but be warned that the Atlantic’s temperature only reaches about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even on warm summer days. That doesn’t stop many visitors from taking a dip. Pause here to explore the granite boulders that encircle the cove.
South of Sand Beach, the road runs parallel to the coast, affording stupendous views of reddish-orange granite cliffs, sparkling blue ocean and foamy white waves, topped with tall dark pines. Acadia’s famous Thunder Hole--a formation of rocks that cause strong waves to suddenly burst into high plumes of water--is located along this stretch of road.
The southern curve of Park Loop Road winds by Otter Point, a high-altitude vantage point for photo-taking, and dips down almost to sea level across the Otter Cove bridge.
Park Loop Road Highlights: West Side
The western side of the Park Loop Road winds through forests of pines and deciduous trees, crests over glacier-formed mountains and skirts placid alpine lakes. The road passes Wildwood Stables, which offers horse-drawn carriage rides through Acadia’s network of carriage roads, on its way to the Jordan Pond House, the park’s only restaurant. It’s customary to stop for a nineteenth-century snack of tea and popovers on the House’s lawn, which slopes gently down to the shore of Jordan Pond.
Continuing north, the road passes the Bubbles--two rounded, medium-height mountains--and high along Eagle Lake, a calm expanse of deep blue among the pines. On the opposite side of the Park Loop Road from Eagle Lake, Cadillac Mountain rises 1,530 feet--the highest point on the eastern seaboard. Take the detour to the summit via the Cadillac Mountain Road. The hairpin turns are a bit hair-raising, but the 360 degree views of Frenchman Bay, the surrounding islands, the foothills of Acadia and the resort town of Bar Harbor are worth it. There is a short hiking path on the summit.
The loop road concludes a short distance past the Cadillac Mountain Road, and drivers can continue back toward the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to complete the journey.
When to Visit Acadia National Park
The Park Loop Road is open from April to October and closed during the winter season. Late spring, summer and early autumn are all ideal seasons in Acadia, with warm, sunny days and comfortably cool nights.
If you only have a short time to see the beauty of Acadia, driving the Park Loop Road is the best way to spend it.
 |
