Acadia National Park Entrances
Acadia National Park is one of the most scenic and visited national parks in the United States. With its rugged coastline, dense forests, and stunning granite peaks, the park offers a wide range of natural beauty. When planning a visit to Acadia, understanding the various park entrances is essential for maximizing your experience. The park has multiple entry points, each offering access to different regions of the park, so it’s helpful to know which entrance best suits your itinerary.
1. Hulls Cove Visitor Center Entrance
The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is the primary entrance to Acadia National Park and serves as a major hub for visitors. Located on the northern side of Mount Desert Island, just off Route 3, it is the busiest and most convenient access point for those coming from Bar Harbor or Ellsworth. The visitor center provides an excellent starting point, offering information, maps, park passes, and restrooms. Visitors can also watch an informative film about the park and speak with rangers for advice on hiking trails, scenic drives, and other activities.
From Hulls Cove, you can easily access the park’s famous 27-mile Park Loop Road, which winds through much of Acadia’s most iconic landscapes, including Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, and Sand Beach. The Hulls Cove entrance is ideal for those wanting a broad overview of the park's major highlights. Parking can be limited during peak season, so arriving early is recommended.
2. Sand Beach Entrance (Park Loop Road)
Located along the Park Loop Road, the Sand Beach entrance offers direct access to one of Acadia’s most popular and picturesque areas. Sand Beach is a sandy oceanfront surrounded by towering cliffs, providing visitors with opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and exploring tide pools. The Great Head Trail, which starts near Sand Beach, offers a moderate hike with panoramic views of the coast and beyond.
This entrance also provides access to the nearby Beehive Trail, a challenging hike with iron rungs and steep climbs that reward hikers with stunning views of Sand Beach and the surrounding areas. Visitors entering through this point will find themselves amidst some of the park’s most scenic and dramatic coastal landscapes.
3. Cadillac Mountain Entrance
Cadillac Mountain is one of Acadia’s most famous landmarks, renowned for being the highest peak along the North Atlantic seaboard. Its summit is particularly popular for sunrise viewings, as it is the first place in the United States to witness the sun’s rise during certain parts of the year. Visitors can drive up to the summit via the Cadillac Summit Road, which has its own dedicated entrance along the Park Loop Road.
This entrance is perfect for those looking to enjoy a relatively easy drive to spectacular vistas without extensive hiking. At the top, there are several trails for exploring, as well as an observation area for taking in the views of Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, and the many islands dotting the coastline.
4. Jordan Pond Entrance
Jordan Pond is one of the most serene and beautiful spots in Acadia National Park. The Jordan Pond entrance can be accessed via the Park Loop Road, and it leads visitors to the iconic Jordan Pond House, known for its famous popovers and tea. From here, you can take a leisurely walk around the Jordan Pond Path, a relatively flat trail that offers breathtaking views of the pond and the surrounding mountains, including the Bubbles.
This entrance is ideal for those looking to enjoy a peaceful setting with easier walking trails. It’s also a great starting point for hikers looking to explore nearby trails that lead to the North and South Bubble peaks or the more challenging Pemetic Mountain.
5. Schoodic Peninsula Entrance
The Schoodic Peninsula is the only section of Acadia National Park located on the mainland, offering a quieter, more secluded experience compared to the busier areas on Mount Desert Island. The entrance to this part of the park is off Route 186 near Winter Harbor. While it’s farther away from the main attractions, Schoodic Peninsula boasts dramatic coastal views, crashing surf, and fewer crowds.
The Schoodic Loop Road provides a scenic drive through the area, with several pull-offs for picnicking and taking in the views of the rocky coastline and offshore islands. The Schoodic Head Trail offers a moderate hike to the summit of Schoodic Head, providing excellent views of Mount Desert Island from afar. This entrance is perfect for those seeking solitude and a more off-the-beaten-path experience.
6. Isle au Haut Entrance
Isle au Haut is a remote and less-visited part of Acadia National Park, offering visitors a truly unique wilderness experience. The entrance to Isle au Haut is accessible only by boat, typically from Stonington, Maine. Visitors can take a ferry to this rugged, pristine island, where hiking trails wind through dense forests, along rocky shorelines, and up to scenic overlooks.
With its limited access and remote location, Isle au Haut offers a more intimate experience of Acadia’s natural beauty. The island features several hiking trails, including the Duck Harbor Mountain Trail, which provides stunning views of Penobscot Bay. Isle au Haut is ideal for experienced hikers and those seeking a quieter, more secluded park experience.
7. Seawall Entrance
The Seawall entrance is located on the western side of Mount Desert Island, in the less-visited "Quietside" of Acadia. This entrance provides access to the Seawall Campground, a more peaceful alternative to the larger Blackwoods Campground. Visitors entering through Seawall can explore several easy trails along the ocean, including the Wonderland Trail and Ship Harbor Trail, both of which offer beautiful views of the coastline and opportunities for spotting wildlife.
This entrance is perfect for those looking for a quieter, more laid-back visit, away from the crowds that frequent the eastern sections of the park. The Seawall Picnic Area is also a great spot to relax and enjoy the ocean views.
