Park Loop Road

 

Photo by Ashley L. Conti, Friends of Acadia, NPS

The Scenic Route

This 27-mile (43 km) road is the go-to scenic drive around the east side of Mount Desert Island, connecting Acadia's lakes, mountains, and shoreline. Constructed between 1921 and 1958, it provides access separate from local roads and non-motorized carriage roads to popular areas such as Sieur de Monts, Sand Beach, Otter Point, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain.

For the full "tour" experience, start at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. The road heads south along Paradise Hill Road before beginning the "loop" section. Follow signs for the one-way section to Sand Beach.

During peak visitor season, most of Acadia National Park’s parking lots are full by 9 am. The Acadia Gateway Center off of Route 3 in Trenton offers a place for visitors to leave their vehicles and use the Island Explorer to experience Park Loop Road. By choosing a car-free experience, visitors can spend more time exploring and less time looking for a place to park.

During spring, summer, and fall months:

• The Park Loop Road can be very crowded. Have a back up plan if the area you wish to visit is full, or come back at a later time.

• Ride the fare-free Island Explorer if possible (typically mid-June to mid-Oct).

During winter months:

• Check alerts for road closures during the winter months. Only one section (from the Entrance Station to Otter Cliff Road) usually remains open to vehicles.

• Other portions are open to pedestrians, winter sports, and bicycles. Do not block gates when parking to access the road for recreational activities.

 

Park Loop Road Safety

It is best to use a map and understand the traffic flow before starting.

• While there are many parking lots, parking also occurs in the right-hand lane of the Park Loop Road unless posted otherwise. Please be alert to parked cars, as well as cyclists maneuvering around them. This area is extremely congested in July and August.
• Follow posted speed limits ranging from 25 mph to 35 mph.
• Watch for visitors crossing the road and walking alongside the road.
• Be aware of wildlife along the road's edge, especially at dawn and dusk.

 

 

 

Carriage Roads

Bike, walk, or take your own horse along the 45 miles of carriage roads in Acadia.

Hiking in Acadia

Many choices and challenges await you on hiking trails across Acadia.

For Kids

Learn about all the ways that young people and their families can experience Acadia in their unique and special way.

 

 

See also:

• Visitor Centers

• East Side

• West Side

• Schoodic Peninsula

• Isle au Haut

• Outer Islands