Park Loop Road Reviews

Great introduction to the park and the highlights. You can get a auto tour cd for the car to learn about each stop. Takes about 4 hours with taking in all the stops.

This is the most crowded section of Acadia National Park, so be sure you also see the western side (aka “quiet side” of Mt. Desert Island, and the Schoodic Peninsula to the east of Mt. Desert Island, both less visited than the Park Loop Road.

We started at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to get a park map. Then we stopped at Schooner Head Overlook (can see Egg Rock Lighthouse in distance); Sand Beach (pretty but crowded, not worth fighting for parking unless you want to swim); Thunder Hole (pretty but crowded, not worth fighting for parking unless you arrive at the peak time for the waves); Otter Point (beautiful); Fabbri (pretty); Little Hunters Beach Overlook (pretty view from above, did not stop at the beach itself); Jordan Pond (walked a bit on the pond trail, closing time for restaurant); and the north end of Eagle Lake. The highlight for us was Otter Point. Eagle Lake and the beaver pond near it were very pretty in the late afternoon light. See my separate reviews of these stops for more details on each one.

Along the Park Loop Road, we saw a doe and two new fawns crossing the road on their unsteady legs, and a porcupine feeding beside the road (both amazing sights). So keep your eyes out for wildlife.

The views of the park and especially the ocean are perfect. Even with fog, this is a wonderful drive. You can cover a lot of ground and stop at many famous destinations, like Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole. There a several places to pull off or park the car in the right lane. It was very relaxing to take in all of the nature around us.

This is one of the more beautiful roads in the NPS as you wind through the park overlooking the ocean. There are many great places to stop and take in different parts of the park like Sand Beach and Jordan Pond. Plan your trip before you go as during the season the road is one way and leaves a long way from where you first started so just beware of where you are going.

First suggestion is to drive the loop around one time OR ride the tram so you can see the places you will want to spend your time. For sunset there are some pull-off areas before you get to the top of Cadillac mountain . I have seen the sunset on the top and the pull-offs. We preferred the pulloff areas because we were by ourselves and we could enjoy it in peace and quiet. Also, find out when the MOON RISE is and stay for that! Amazing.
Walk the shore path after Thunder Hole- take pictures and make memories! Stop at Theyua Gardens for sure. Such a contrast form the crashing rocky shore to the gentle blooms at Theyua. check tide time for best time to see/hear Thunder Hole, but it is lovely always

The drive through loop offers the best way to see a lot of the famed park from the comfort of your vehicle in the shortest possible time. We drove most of it on a sunny summer day, and enjoyed the superb views of the mountain, rocks, trees, hiking trails, blue water and beaches. Hiking is perhaps the most popular activity in the park, and spending some time at the small beaches could also be very enticing. The loop has plenty of scenic stops as well as picnic benches to spend some time along the route. Although the national park is not anywhere close to most of the states in the country, it surely ranks toward the top of bucket list. To top it off, a short drive to Bar Harbor is strongly suggested, which has its own magic.

The park loop is s great road to get and understanding of how the park is laid out. The road is one way for most of it and sign posted for stops along the way. There is an entrance fee for the park.

We did an excursion that included a bus ride through out Park Loop road. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared some great information about the park and its history. We stopped at Thunder Hold and Cadillac Mountain. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and would recommend.

The Park loop road is the easiest way to discover Arcadia Park. Make sure to stop a couple of times along the road for some short walks along the coastline. If parking lots are full, try to park a bit further on the pavement.

This is the main road through Acadia National Park. You can use it to access most of the trails and other attractions or just experience it as a scenic drive. It's really beautiful but unfortunately experiences heavy traffic. Parking can be difficult to find if you are trying to reach a trail or just stop and enjoy the views.

Love just about everything about Acadia, loop road included. Was happy to not encounter people going the wrong way (we did last year, twice!). Am very disappointed in the timed reservation system setup for the road up to the summit of Mt Cadillac. There MUST be a better way... Also - a nightmare finding parking for the Jordan Pond area trails.

Avoid the cars and jump on and off the free bus that runs frequently. Cadillac MTN. and the beaches are grand.

We are from the west coast and new to the area. The first day we were here we found driving the park loop trail was the best way to get our 'lay of the land'. We got out when we could but there was a lot of traffic and minimal parking. We hoped out when we could find a spot but made mental notes to come back to the attractions we missed (hopefully) on a less busy day during our 5 days in town.

I can't believe there is actually a review for this. Regardless, this road is well maintained, well marked and offers many great views around the park. Keep in mind that you will need a park pass to park and hike.

A word of caution, the road is one way at parts, there are lots of bicyclists, hikers and walkers, so be cautious.

Must do ! Thunder hole ! Sand beach ! Cadillac mountain , Jordan pond , and so much more ! Loaded with hiking trails for any level and some of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see ! Bring the family or a date or just a relaxing day ! It’s all here !

In the summer, this park road can be crowded as it wends along the shore and forest. There are small parking lots along the way and traffic can back up as people vie for places to park. After traveling the road in summer, we vowed not to return. The "quiet side" of the park is more accessible, has lovely villages, provides for hiking, and has few people and has equal access to the ocean. I noticed that the park now has shuttle buses that traverse the loop. I predict in the future, private cars will be prohibited during the peak season. In my opinion, that would be a very good idea.

such a lovely road! many places to stop for great views! also lots of trails all around to hike if you're interested. parking at these spots was a little difficult, as it was a busy time when we went.

Incredibly beautiful...and bumper to bumper traffic with no parking available at many of the vistas. Too beautiful to miss, but be ready to exercise is patience.

Great drive, lots to see. Take your time and enjoy the views. Be cautious that there are areas where parking/blocking the right lane is allowed and there is a lot of foot traffic in some places.

With every turn in the road, you will be delighted with a breath taking view. Go slow, enjoy the ride.

This road is easy to drive but know that it is one way and a trip around the loop takes about 45 mins. This is useful to know so that if you have dinner plans or just want to go for a ride there are not quick ways back. Traffic is not too bad and you are right on the shore line for a good portion. I highly suggest you get a map from the Ranger Station and keep it handy.

This is a great drive. Be careful of the people as there is always individuals crossing or walking the road. If you have older kids there is great hiking but with younger kids there are great stops to see the sites. It’s about an hour to just drive the loop road with out stopping. It is one way so plan your trip.

It was a great day for a drive with top down. I had heard great things about this park too. We stopped at Sandy Beach first and hiked into there. We then finished off the drive.

The scenery is great, around every bend is something new. The road is slowing going though, due to lots of traffic and pedestrians, so be prepared to spend some time here. I was surprised it was a busy as it was for a Thursday. It's a great way to see the park if you only have a day.

Beautiful and worth the trip. We were here 4 years ago around the same time the park is MUCH more crowded this year, finding a parking space is like hitting the lottery and it was a Wednesday. Eating locations vary sparse, highly recommend bringing your own food in.

Did first on a Sunday just after a day of rain ended...no one there,..AWESOME. The next day it was ridiculously packed and crazy parking. Great view, nice drive...when no one else there.

The Park Loop Road is one of the best scenic drives in the country and a fantastic way to see a good part of this beautiful park. To understand how to enjoy Acadia, you sort of need the history. Civic groups and wealthy people (Philanthropists) made the park possible by purchasing and donating the land to US Government. There is no other National Park like it. There are little pockets of the park that are easily missed if you stay on Park Loop Road. Take a good look at the map and, if you have time, get off the Loop Road and explore places like Schoodic Peninsula.

We were fortunate to spend several days driving and exploring the Park and the Park Loop Road making stops along the way. In 2016, we were lucky to see the first place the sun rises in the US from the top of Cadillac Mountain, but it currently requires a permit, so we had to forgo that on this trip. It is worth getting up so early to see. We stopped and spent some time at Jordan Pond and although we have never had the Popovers at the Jordan Pond House, I've heard they are terrific...someday. Like most National Parks, it gets very crowded in the summer so you will need to be patient. There are more than 150 miles of trails for hiking, 45 miles of carriage roads for horseback riding thanks to John D. Rockefeller, Jr, stargazing, biking and so much more. With the Park Loop Road being only 27 miles long, you could see a lot of the park in an afternoon, just enough to make you want to come back.

This was our first trip there, and I wish we had more time to spend it. But, now we know and someday we will come back there. The Park gets crowded regardless Covid-19. I can only imagine how it looked like before. You need at least 3-4 hours, just to brush off some points. It is not a bad idea to drive around first gets some impression what you like to do and then stop at certain spots and explore them more. The Sand Beach is very busy, unless you like to spend some time on a beach or swim, I would skip it. However, there is very nice – not too easy walk along coastline from the Sand Beach to Otter Pont. Watch out for bicyclist.

Thanks to the Rockerfeller’s This is a terrific road encircling the wonderful Acadia National Park. Take your time and enjoy the many wonderful views.

Great views along the road, especially when passing the ocean. However, the NPS closes the road, except for 2 small parts, from 12/1-4/15 every year. Many National Parks remain open all year and only close the roads during inclement weather. With over 4 million people visiting Acadia now, you'd think they could afford to leave this road open all year...

Took this loop to help discover areas we would like to explore closer. You can also take free bus around the loop.

With gorgeous views & foliage around every corner, we did Park Loop Road multiple times! Plan time to drive slowly, stop whenever you can find a spot at different points & lookouts. The earlier you get into the park the better your experience will be.

Tip: Buy an Annual National Parm pass ahead of time online!

Stop at the various lookouts but start early. This park gets packed and the 2 lane one way road now is really just 1 lane because the right lane is now used for parking. The views are gorgeous.

Many of the highlights may be seen and accessed from the Park Loop Road. Parking is hard to find during the peak hours of visitation. Take the Island Explorer to see the sights. Bathrooms are available. Many amazing hiking trails may be accessed here. Picnic areas are available. As motorists park their vehicles in the right lane and bicyclists use that right lane to pedal, the driving situation becomes quite dangerous. Help to minimize traffic jams and increase the traffic flow by taking public transportation.

We had a road trip to from DC to Bar Harbor, i had a nice walk through ocean trail and i enjoy the weathet and lookout.

This is an easy way to see many things, get photos, and limit the hiking required. I was worried it would be too crowded but we were able to drive through pretty easily. The parking areas get more crowded as the day goes on. So if you want to stop at a popular spot (like Thunder Hole) do so earlier in the morning.

This is the main road to take you to pull offs and points of interest inside the park. Road is in good shape. Many places to pull over to let others pass. Saw many deer and turkey along the road.

We took our motorcycles to make a roundtrip. Nice views pleasant road not as crowded in September compared to other reviews. Parking still very limited and sometimes complex for motorcycle (gravel)

Fantastic, easy to navigate, great walks, the coastal one from Sandy Beach to Thunderhole is lovely. Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, vistas everywhere, what is there not too like, but, please get out of the car and appreciate the splendour. So many cars went by us as we were enjoying it all, they stop for a couple of minutes, take a picture and drive on, WHY!! It is too beautiful not to immerse yourselves.

We had handicap parking so parking was not an issue but for others - it was probably a nightmare. Views and sites are great. It would be stupid to go to Acadia and not do the look road. We tried downloading the tour app = was a waste of money - did not work because of such bad WIFI.

Great drive many many stops along the way! You need a park pass ($30 can buy online) but it is good for a week! We drove around the park loop starting at cadalliac mt. The road is one way for part of it so be sure to stop where you see something interesting because going back is another whole trip around (27 miles).

Many parking lots leading to trail head, also pull offs to just check out the views!

Be sure to pick up a map that shows the road and the various trailhead parking areas. The Park Loop Road itself was a joy to travel. Speed limits vary and you must watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.

I can't say I understand the fuss about the park road. We had purchased a book on the road in advance, so we knew the history and some stops to make in advance. The couple of overlooks we went to were "fine", but the views are 10x better from the hikes we did. Mostly it just felt like driving through a forest, but where you had to be alert for all the people walking on the side of the road or being parked where they weren't supposed to be.

You can drive right up to Cadillac Mountain or take the Park Loop. There are many great photo areas and interesting trails.

Easy drive passing most of the scenic spots in Acadia. Many overlooks. App available for audio tour. Visitor's center has 15 min orientation film on Acadia.

the "Loop" was a thrill. In late October, the tree leaf autumnal color was still at its height, no crowds, and incredible views. It was possible to easily pull over for a walk to a cove or overlook, and go to the top go Cadillac Mountain.Shops and Jordan Pond House were closed, but rest rooms remained open at the top. It is a good idea to bring food and beverages on this journey. We are so fortunate that this incredible natural resource has been preserved for the enjoyment "by the people". This was on my "bucket list" for my partner from the Netherlands to experience. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Must drive the loop when at Acadia. We saw countless beautiful views of sea and harbors. Also beaver dams and ponds with good places to walk and see the beavers efforts. Thunder hole is on this drive as well You can see several of the bridges that Rockefeller had built for the carriage roads.

We walked for part of the loop. The coastal views were beautiful. Lots of photo opportunities. The drive is scenic.

The loop offers a nice drive around the park and allows you plenty of places to stop and hike and/or view nature from your car.

Definitely make time to do this drive in the park--we did it in our own car in mid-July with no problem. Parking does get more crowded (like at Sand Beach) during mid-day, so start out early and you'll have no problem. Stop and see various attractions along the way, and plan to hike.

We went there and sat for around 2-3 hours at this place. It was quiet and soul searching. The sound of water and the mountains near by gave us a moment which we will savor for life.

We took a bus tour of part of the trail and drove ourselves also. There are many stopping points along the way. Do stop as often as you want. One way for most of it.

We took a couple of hours but you could make it a bit faster (fewer stops) or a whole lot longer. We were traveling with a big dog, so we passed on some stops, but the Visitor Center, Sands Beach, and Thunder Hole are must stops. You can buy a little $4 booklet at the VC that gives mileage markers and info and history about each stop.

My husband and I have toured Acadia NP for the last 3 days! We can't seem to get enough of it's beauty. 27 miles of absolutely breathtaking vistas. You can see most of it from your car, but you will want to get out for pictures and to just let the beauty sink in. Thunder Hole is interesting, but crowded. We showed up 2 hours before high tide as directed in order to see the water spray. We waited around about 30 minutes but it never sprayed up. I think the wind has to be stronger. It was beautiful anyways. We enjoyed all that the loop had to offer, especially Cadillac Mountain with views of Bar Harbor and open ocean. There is usually a cruise ship in port. There are lots of pull outside and things to do. Sand Beach, Pebble Cove, Jordan Pond House, carriage roads, bike trails, foot trails etc. We loved it! So glad we made the effort to visit.

An easy drive to see some of the best attractions and views in the park. Most of the Loop is one way except around the turn off for Cadillac Mountain. After that it can be confusing trying to find the beginning of the one way part of the Loop. Follow the signs for Sand Beach.

This is a great way to see Acadia National Park! It is a 27-mile loop road that takes you around the best sights in the park such as Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and more. Make sure to spend the most time in the park while seeing these famous spots!

This is a great way to get an initial tour of Acadia. You can visit things along the way. Many great stops, hikes, views, walks, etc. await as you drive this loop. This is a great ride.

Highly recommend tourists to take the trip on the Loop Road. The views are spectacular for even the Maine people. Very nice trip!

We loved seeing so many views from the car. It was really nice, when we could find a parking spot, to get out and have a seat on the rocks to soak it all in. Once we were beyond the ocean-side driving, it was pretty forests. The road to the top of Cadillac Mountain was open, so we went. There was no parking available. My husband dropped me off and circled around so I could take a few pictures. Wasn't worth it.
I'm glad we saw this park, but don't need to go there again.

This is a great road to follow around Acadia and takes you past all the beautiful sites you may want to stop and see.

The loop road was a good way to get an overview of the park, but we missed a turn off and had to back track because it is one way. There is a lot of traffic during summer and it’s well worth the time.

So many stops along the Park Loop Road, including beaches, hiking trailheads, and scenic pull offs. We were in Acadia for five days in July, and the crowds were never bad. However, it was also foggy most every day, all day long. I bet the fog was what kept the crowds away. It was a little disappointing not to have the great views everyone talk about, but we were able to get some views.

Park Loop Road is pretty much the gateway to Acadia on that side of the island. You cannot go many places without starting at the Park Loop Road.

Make sure to get a park pass at the visitor's center. Or better yet, do you have a 4th grader? They can get your whole car in free which my daughter thought was pretty cool!

So many things to do on the Park Loop Road. Driving around, stopping at various outlook areas, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, Otter Point, Carriage Roads, bridges. Can take a few days to cover everything.

This is a nice drive, but be sure to make stops to see all of the beauty around you. You won’t be able to see everything from your car. Pay attention as the right lane is designated for parking in some portions of the loop.

Take your time and enjoy the Loop Road, and get out frequently for short walks to overlooks, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, and more. Our favorite area was the cliff walks past thunder hole and before Otter point.

Great views, etc. Very worthwhile. However, I cannot imagine how it could handle summer traffic. Would be a test of patience! We did it on a Friday afternoon in October. Weekend in the summer??

Got One Day for the Park: Do the Park Loop Road

TIPS for a Senior 55+ : no moderate/strenuous hiking needed; leisurely walking will do
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Plan for five to seven hours, including stops, for the entire 27-mile road
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Highlights not to miss: Plenty of Superb Photo Spots

Hulls Cove Visitor Center: Starting Point
(Did you know that you need to walk up 55 steps to the center!)

The first overlook amazing view of Frenchman Bay.

The next overlook, Cadillac Mountain Dorr and Champlain Mountains

Schooner Head Overlook

Sand Beach

Ocean Path - walk the distance you like

Thunder Hole

Otter Point

Little Hunters Beach

Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond House - food, snacks, ice cream, chill out

Cadillac Mountain Summit – Need an online reservation Ticket to enter

Take your time! Stop at the turnouts and enjoy the spectacular views. Park at the top and hike around this granite high point. This is a "not to be missed" place in Acadia.

Park Loop road is just that, a loop around Mount Desert Island, it is so beautiful, so relaxing, with occasional places to stop and hike or just enjoy the scenery, some of the road is one way, so look at a park map so you can plan your route, or you may end up doubling back (not a big deal).

Wonderful way to see the highlights of Acadia National Park. We drove the loop but there is also bus & trolleys tours. This 20 mile road winds around with beautiful views of trees, granite rock, coves, lakes, deep blue sea waters, mountains & occasional deer. There a many small pullouts, parking areas & one way road in some areas with parking on the right side of the street. The hiking trailheads are accessed from this road & have limited parking. Getting there pretty early is recommended for a spot or you can take the free Island Exployer bus from the Village Green to the trailheads. Most of the highlights on the road can be enjoyed with a short walk. Sand beach had its own parking lot & restrooms. Short walk down to enjoy the only beach in the park. Wonderful soft sand with incredible views. Cadillac Mountain also had a small parking area, restrooms & gift shop. Short stroll for incredible views of the sea & surrounding areas from the highest mountain in Acadia. Thunder Hole had a small parking lot & parking on the right side of the street. With a short walk down stairs to the views. Best time to see the eruption of sea water is 3 hours before high tide. We purchased our $30 pass for seven days before entering the park at the Welcome Center.

We drove the Park Loop road, but you can also take the free park shuttle (Summer through early Fall). There are scenic pullouts and stops along the way at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and the road to Cadillac Mountain. Lots of trails to explore and beautiful view everywhere along the road.

Definitely go around the park loop road if you get to this area! We did hike several of the areas and it was absolutely gorgeous. The first day we went was a little cloudy and not crowded. The next day was beautiful and there were a LOT of people there. Loved Thunder Hole!

Always fun though can get a bit crowded during the summer time. Otter Cliff portion is always a wonderful place to park and get out and go for a walk.

They say this is 11/2-2 hour trip. Anything under 3 hours is a waste

Have your camera ready, and be prepared to stop often for great scenery and pics.

Amazing 27 mile park loop road. Many scenic stops along the way. Be sure to make your reservation early for lunch or dinner at Jordan Pond and don’t miss the popovers. Registration for your car is needed beyond the loop road.

I have been to Acadia many times yet I always make it a point to drive the entire loop road. It takes you past many of the attractions but it is just relaxing to follow the shore into the woods and back out again. Well worth the time.

We took the Island Explorer Park Loop Shuttle (#4) and we were able to get on and off at the different sites with no worries for finding parking. This is the only way to do this in the summer. So glad this is available!

This loop takes you through only a portion of Acadia NP. There are more things to see like the lighthouse and other hikes not on the loop. The loop takes you through forests, seeing mountains as well as the seacoast (both rocky and sandy - yes they have a rare sandy beach). We visited just as they were opening the state up after CV19, so it wasn't crowded - although I could see it being crazy crowded with traffic and challenges parking in a "normal" season. Stop along the way and see the various sights that are easy walks and consider getting adventurous and hiking some of the trails. Beehive was my wife's favorite trail of all the trails we've hiked around the country.

Do the entire loop and enjoy the scenery at different places along the way. Download an OFFLINE google map with places plotted before going. There is barely any cell service. It’s a beautiful place to visit. Thunder hole is an absolute must see.

The shoreline section of the 27 mile long park loop between Bar Harbor and Jordan Pond is a one way road. Along this part of the route visitors can see views of offshore islands, distant forested mountain ranges, a bit of sand on the curved Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the rocky shoreline at Otter Cliffs. There is an opportunity to park the car at Thunder Hole in order to walk down to the massive bare rock forms where water has gouged a narrow opening between the granite rocks. There is a protected walkway on the edge of this opening for a closer look at the water rushing into this passageway. Best time to hear the roar and see the spray is 2 hours before high tide - the information board informs visitors. Parking is limited at this spot and will be barricaded when full.

At Otter Cliffs, the road to Jordan Pond turns inland and travels through evergreen forests and a valley. The pond is more like a lake and flat as a mirror. It boasts such clear water that the restaurant and nearby communities use it for their water supply. Thus a sign reminds visitors about not swimming, wading, or boating in the water. There is a 3 mile path/trail around the lake with the forests coming right down to the lake. We preferred to walk just a short section of it around the Jordon Pond House Restaurant. There are many parking spaces at this stop and visitors don't have to be concerned about how long they park. Rockefellar built Jordan Pond House around 1913 so there is a wide area around the house that has been cleared and landscaped.

Between Jordan Pond and Bar Harbor the road is open for 2 way traffic. This drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain was the longest with no stops until we reached its summit. Shortly after leaving Jordon Pond, our guide pointed to Bubble Rock precariously balanced on a mountain top, but it never rolls down the hill, even though people have tried to move it. It is a remainder of the glacier which once covered this area. After Bubble Rock came views of Eagle Lake which were similar to those of Jordan Pond - calm waters surrounded by forest.

As we drove up Cadillac Mountain, the views changed. We could see Bar Harbor off in the distance, French Bay, and the many small treed islands that dot French Bay. The two white cruise ships anchored in the Bay were easy to spot. The summit has a sufficient parking to accommodate buses and cars without any trouble. Presently, there are no services at the top of the mountain. The top of the mountain is a rocky outcrop so trees are not hindering the marvellous view of the offshore islands, the coastline, and the blue waters of the ocean. There was a narrow trail to walk to several viewing points. Visitors were scattered all over the rocky outcrop. The ride back into town was on a 2 way road - 1 lane each way.

We were glad we weren't driving so we could take in these views and not have to watch the road. The road conditions on this 27 mile circular route were excellent - all paved - and kept in good repair. However, there were no protective fences along the edge of the road, only 1 layer high granite blocks. Buses, trollies, and cars didn't have any trouble with the varying grades, especially the road which led to the top of Cadillac Mountain. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive this circular route with short stops along the way. Although the route is well signed, visitors should stop in at the Visitor's Center to get a map of the island and its 27 mile driving loop. We couldn't see any evidence of the fire that had once destroyed many of the summer homes built by wealthy families.

Bus passengers might want to sit on the left hand side of the bus when leaving Bar Harbor in order to get the best views from bus windows of the waterfront scenery between Bar Harbor and Otter Cliffs.

This loop takes you around the entire park. You can stop in different overlooks and areas where there are things to see or places to go hiking. With stops it took us around 3 hrs.

My wife and I recently took a day trip to Acadia National Park and drove the park loop to see the sights. This area is so beautiful. We love it. But it is so overrun with people it makes it extremely hard to enjoy. All the parking areas to most of the attractions were completely full. We were determined to see the top of Cadillac Mountain and the spectacular view so we ended up parking about a mile from the top and walking up. Granted this is mid-August but we were there on a Wednesday. I’d hate to see what it looks like on an August weekend. The western side of the park seemed to be less crowded, but that is relative to the huge crowds on the east side. If you are going to do Acadia this time of year you may want to consider hiking one of the less popular trails or riding a bike on the carriage trails. They are beautiful and well maintained. I’m guessing they were crowded too but it sure beats being stuck in a traffic jam.

We drove this loop easily and got out in numerous spots to look out. Don't miss this easy and beautiful drive!

It take about an hour and a half to do the loop, and once you're on it, you're committed as much of it is one-way. There are many spots to stop to take in the view or to hike. It's a must-do activity while visiting the park.

The Park Loop Road is a great way to see many of the classic features of Acadia. If you are driving, be advised that parking can be a real challenge, especially as you reach midmorning Stops such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond tend to be the most crowded. If you don’t like early starts, consider the shuttle which avoids the parking issue. Another option is to consider a bus tour. This option will give you a good orientation to the park and avoid the parking issue. Since we like to avoid the crowds and hike and make stops early, we avoid the crowds and the parking problems.

We haven’t been to Acadia for a few years, decided to revisit, but we’re not aware that in order to go Sand Beach or Cadillac Mountain you need to make a reservation for your vehicle. Of course this requirement is in effect till 10/18/2020. If you have an internet connection I would assume it would be an easy task, but you need an account needless to say, we did not get a reservation, so we took the Loop Road and enjoyed our trip thru the park. The cars that were lined up to travel up to Cadillac Mountain were backed up on the roads were the Park Rangers were checking the tickets. Hope everyone got up there before dark. Maybe next year things will go more smoothly. Also just for some information if you are disabled there is no way for you to go to the Ranger Station at Hull Cove to get a pass or help. The stairs are a killer.

Acadia National Park stands out as one the most beautiful parks in America. We visited the park September 24th from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Adventure of the Seas. The bus tour along the Park Loop Road allowed us to view the essence of the park in about three hours. The rugged coastline and wooded mountain sides were awesome with spectacular views in all directions. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining as he told us how the park came into existence and made sure we were able to see the most significant features of the park. The foliage was only beginning to turn so i would recommend waiting until the first week of October if you want to see the full effects of fall. Acadia National Park is unique in several ways and I highly recommend it if you are a nature lover like me.

THe loop is perfect if you want to get an idea of the big picture, there are plenty of places to stop and see the views and even some to go for walks. The park is amazing.

Luckily we had a perfect Maine July day-breezy, perfect temperature and not a cloud in the sky!
We stopped along the drive to enjoy 2 hours of climbing around and over the rocks-watching the surf & swells & lobstermen hauling in the traps. Wonderful clear and clean air. Perfect!!!

You have access to most of the main sites in Acadia from the Park Loop Road. All major attractions have signs as well so it’s almost impossible to get lost.

With current road construction you get to see more than I think most would see, thunder hole, (water needs to be rough) jordan pond, the visitors center. It is easy to feel like your lost but keep going it is worth the ride around and about

I have been to many national parks. This ocean drive around the park is the most unique I have ever seen. So many places to pull over and explore or just take in the beauty. The rocky cliffs are spectacular and so inviting for the adventurous to climb.

Beautiful road through the national park. The rockafeller road system is cool to see with the bridges and such. Highly recommend.

We purchased Carriage of Acadia horse drawn carriage ride and veiwed he scenery as the carriage driver told us fasinating details of when Rockerfellow had the road built and the men who worked for him.

Get out of your car and hike some of the 125 miles of trails or the 45 miles of carriage roads. The Park Loop is a great way to get around the park, but you are missing the essence of Acadia if you don’t hike the park

Just a beautiful drive or place to walk. The colors of the trees contrast with the clear blue water and pristine white caps of the breaking waves. With a mainly clear blue sky or a sky dotted with just a few clouds, you could easily sit back, relax, and watch nature.

Would be a great location for a picnic on a warm day. Just remember to take out your trash so you don't spoil the view for others who follow.

You can access numerous trails from Park Loop road. I spent a whole morning just driving around the loop and stopping at various trails. Some trails had parking lots with restrooms and others just had wide shoulders you could pull over and parking.

The Loop is a nice drive with an 80+ Inlaw that has mobility difficulties ..... but you gotta get out and walk the walk

This road takes you around the park and there are some great places to pull over and admire the view and take pics.

We arrived at Acadia after lunch and were eager to find a picnic table; the first one on the map was Bear Brook. Tables next to the parking... could not stop at Sand Beach as the parking was full. Circled Otter Point twice as we were not attentive after leaving toilet area. Saw a few spots we want to see again when there is less of a crowd such as Jordan Pond.

We did the complete loop to help orient us to the park and help us decide what we wanted to go back and see up close.

The Park Loop Road is the main road that goes through the part of Acadia National Park containing Cadillac Mountain. Taking a ride on this road is the best way to see most of what the park has to offer. To get the most out of your drive make sure to take the Sand Beach turnoff. That portion of the road is fairly level and will take you through glades of trees and lead you to Sand Beach, a lovely white sand beach, lots of rocks to walk along with views of the ocean, and views of fresh water ponds. This year we went in September and it was the first year that we were able to park at some of the sights including Sand Beach. In the summer it has always been much too crowded and parking was unavailable. There are also picnic areas where we have eaten during past trips to the park. The Sand Beach portion of the Park Loop trail is one way, and at the end you will come out near some of the carriage roads and the parking for the Jordan Pond house. Even in the fall the Jordan Pond house parking was jammed, so if you plan to visit that restaurant and walking area make sure you go early in the day. Continuing on the road you will get to the turn off for Cadillace Mountain. Taking that road will lead you to the top of Cadillac Mountain and provide you with lots of great views. You should be warned that parts of the road are narrow and there are often bicyclists so you must be very alert as you go around corners. The parking at the top of the mountain is also limited so it wise to go early in the day to be sure of getting a spot. Taking the Park Loop Road is a great way to see much of what Acadia National Park has to offer.

The Park Loop Road drive is a must! There are beautiful vistas at every turn! The rugged coast, the ocean and the forests are amazing! There is something for everyone to enjoy. There are numerous pull offs for easy stops to just relax and look or hike if you like. Tables are available at many sites for picnics or just sitting to relax.

Because the roads are so busy during the day, we began our trek on the Loop about 7:00 p.m. Even though our objective was not to do any hiking, we were able to complete the loop in about two hours with parking available at all the major stops. Went to Cadillac Mountain at sunset...wow!

I would recommend this be the first thing a visitor does when entering Acadia. Take the loop, see the beautiful sights, stop when you feel like it. You can go around in less than an hour with minor stops. You get to see both the mountains/lakes, as well as the ocean.

To avoid crowds we enjoyed a very peaceful and scenic drive on the Loop during an overcast and drizzling morning. We essentially had the Loop drive to ourselves. It was most enjoyable.

Of all the things we did in Bar Harbor the loop road was my favorite. It is positively stunning. The forest in Maine is very different than the Adirondacks, which I live near.

How can one possibly not be impressed by Acadia and Mt. Desert island? So gorgeous, serene, breathtaking, and good for the soul.

We were in the area and decided to take the Park Loop Road. It costs $30 to enter the National Park. We arrived early in the day and already the parking lot was full with people buying the pass. Once on the road however, it was not busy and we were able to enjoy the Park Loop Road without much traffic. We did not get out and hike, just did the loop and got out twice for photos. We enjoyed it as National Parks are always so breathtaking.

Drove the loop road, lots of different views of the rocky coast and ocean. Stopped at the high tourist spots.

We drove through Acadia National Park to see the colors. Stopped at several places to take pictures. It was all beautiful. I can’t imagine how crowded it would be during the summer as it was quite busy. Glad we came here.

The loop road is a great way to get around and see everything. We had my mother with us who wasn't able to do the biking and hiking that we were doing. To take her on the drive to many of the scenic overlooks was great. You can drive to many places and stop and get out to enjoy the views or take a short walk. Also many restrooms along the way. The view from Cadillac mountain is exceptional.

Not sure how many times we drove the loop but each time it felt like we saw something new (or found an off shoot road/trail to take). The colors were amazing - best time of year to go is about early-mid October (watch the MaineFoilage.com). Not crowded, plenty of parking - wonderful!

Take the time to take this loop around the park to take in great views of Jordan's Pond and Sand Beach and other sites.

This paved road allows you to drive through out the park and is the easy way to get from one part of the park to the other. Along the way, make sure to stop everywhere and enjoy the beyond beautiful photo ops that are available to you in every direction

The Loop Road gives a great overview of what Acadia NP has to offer to visitors. Lots of turn-outs along the route so be sure to pull off and take in the views. This is a great drive.

Whether you have a limited amount of time or an extended amount of time you must do the Park Loop Road. It's a 19 mile loop. Be sure to hit all the scenic turn offs along the way especially including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter cliff, Otter Point, Little Hunters Beach,Jordan pond, and Cadillac Mountain. Morning and late-afternoon early-evening drives are probably the best.

The Park Loop Road is one of the nicest drives I had in the U.S. The diversity is just amazing. One minute you might think you're in the hills of Tennessee, the next, on Hwy 1 in California. Being from the east coast, it was fun for us to see mountains and shoreline in the same setting, not that far from the flat shorelines we are used to. Cadillac Mountain, Bubble Pond, Jordan Pond House, and a little farther away, small town fisheries and cheap (comparably) lobster. This is a top 10 automobile or motorcycle adventure.

This is a must do when you are visiting Acadia National Park. It takes at least 2 hours and much more depending on how much you stop.

A well maintained road in Acadia National Park with many scenic views and places to stop for a view or hike. This is the road to take to drive up Cadillac Mountain as well as to get to Sand Beach, Otter Point and Jordan Pond.

We knew in advance we were only going to spend a day in Acadia so the audio rental was a great way to learn of the cultural/natural history of the park. It was nice to go at our own pace and stop at trail heads to incorporate hikes of our choosing.

Incredibly scenic drive through one of America's national treasures. Although Acadia doesn't match some of the spectacular Western parks (Yellowstone, Zion, Arches..) it is no less grand in its beauty. The loop road has some spectacular seascapes with cliffs, crashing surf, ocean vistas and towering forests. The loop has plenty of pull off locations with parking providing ample opportunity for terrific photo opportunities. Strongly suggest going in the off season as this road can be a log jam in the summers and early Fall with the colorful foliage.

We got on the Park Loop Road by accident. It was fine, we were not in a rush, but you are "stuck on it" since it's a one-way road. I should have planned better, but again, it wasn't a problem for us.

The Loop Road is an okay drive, but nothing really spectacular (like driving through the Black Hills near Mt. Rushmore). Obviously it's a great way to see much of the park, & of course you can access the road up to Cadillac Mountain...so yeah, give it a go! 😎

The Loop Road indeed has gorgeous scenery along several stretches, but I found the most beautiful part to be between Bar Harbor and Otter Cliffs. The rest of the road is nice, but the areas where it closely follows the coast are best.

I suggest driving the Loop Road completely on your first day in the park. This way get a chance to orient yourself and see where all the major points of interest are. It also allows you stop and see the vistas at your own leisure.

After your initial drive, you can take the free shuttle that goes around the park to do more sightseeing or to access the different hikes, carriage roads, beach, etc. This is important because the Loop Road and all of the parking areas in the most popular places are very congested and things can move slowly. It also requires the driver to be extra vigilant and therefore not as free to enjoy the scenery.

I also suggest incorporating Cadillac Mountain on your initial Loop Road drive. The shuttle doesn't go up there and you can see the views straight away and then move on to other things.

The Park Loop is great for those that want to see most of the park, had many places to pull over for great views and photos, hits many popular places in the park.

I was here in October as the leaves were changing. The ride isn’t long but there are a lot of places to get out and walk. It’s an awesome place for pictures. In October parking wasn’t a problem. I really enjoyed the ocean views. And all the fall color. Really great.

Beautiful drive. Many places to stop and observe, walk and hike. The fall is a special time to there.

It's a must in Acadia Park. In fact it allows with a limited time to see the various contexts that the park can offer. We tackled the route in the afternoon after 3pm according to the directions on the park site; it was a great choice with moderate traffic that allowed us to enjoy the visit. Remember to book Mount Cadillac.

We enjoyed the driving trip on this road. Every turn was unique and there were many opportunities to pull over, sit on a rock and appreciate the sites. Thank you, Mr. Rockefeller!

Park Loop Road is a 27-mile loop through Mount Desert Island. If you’re short on time (like us), you can still enjoy the scenery of Acadia National Park from the comfort of your car. Acadia’s Park Loop Road follows 27 miles on a paved highway passing some of the best attractions in the park.

Along the way, you’ll see lakes, mountains, rocky coasts, and forests. Some of the notable stops are:
Sand Beach
Thunder Hole
Otter Cliff
Jordan Pond
Cadillac Mountain

All vehicles must display a park entrance pass so it is clearly visible through the front windshield.

IMP: Starting in Bar Harbor, drive the Park Loop Road clockwise. as you drive along the shore, you will pass the trailheads for the Precipice Trail and the Beehive Trail, and then come to Sand Beach, Ocean Path, and Thunder Hole. Park Loop Road continues around Otter Point and then heads inland towards Jordan Pond. As you head north, you will pass the turn off to Cadillac Mountain and then arrive back at Bar Harbor.

The Loop Road is a 27 mile trek that takes you to most of the highlights of Acadia National Park. Much of the road is one way with lots of pullouts to allow viewing.

This road is a must do when visiting the one way loop is a wonderfull way to see the best of maine scenery.This is what you invisioned main to look like and there is breathtaking scenery around every turn.
there are several turn outs that allow access to several views of the sea and the Rocky shoreline.

Loved the loop as you have the option of stopping at as many places as you'd like. We stopped at a few observation areas as well as Cadillac Mountain, Jordan's Pond House, and Thunder Hole. Don't forget that if you have a 4th grader, you can get free entry to the National Parks (go online and print out your form before heading to the park.)

I agree with those who say it can get crowded during summers, with some slow going, nice as the views and spots can be!

Parking—particularly on weekends in the summer—on Cadillac Mountain can also be a problem. The Schoodic Peninsula is beautiful and much less crowded.

we were there on a day with scattered thunder storms so even at 10AM there were almost no cars on the road with us. Several nice pull offs. Lots of coast line views. not as breathtaking as some other national park scenic drives but with no cars it was very relaxing

You basically have to take the Park Loop to get to most of the more interesting areas of the park. Also most of the parks roads are one way so they can accommodate more parking so you have to do the loop. Great views, maintained road, nice way to orient to the park.

This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in! Was so happy we made this stop breath taking views! I would definitely recommend coming here if your in the area it's a must!!

Well-maintained road throughout the entire park. It will vary between being one way and two ways. We were able to drive the entire loop and get out at all the major points of interests in one day

Absolutely fell for Acadia NP. The autumn colours and the wondrous locations along this 20-mile stretch are just sublime. With the sunshine, it is just spectacular. In greyness and mist, it is atmospheric and impressive. We had 3 days here and that was just enough to do it justice. More time could easily be filled. Loved it.

As much as you may not want to be at the mercy of their buses, trust me, with as much of a pain as parking can be, it’s worth it to use the Island Explorer (unless you can do the loop before 8:00AM or after 6:00PM I’m told). The Park Loop (#4) bus is the one you’ll want. It stops everywhere (the online map only shows a few stops—ignore this) and supposedly will pick you up anywhere if you flag it down. You may have to wait 15-30 mins at any given stop for the next bus, but at least you have a beautiful park to wait in. Also beats trying to find parking that may or may not exist at a given spot.

This is a beautiful drive. Hop into the car and be prepared for beautiful vistas. Have your camera at the ready and take advantage of the pull-outs to really absorb the view.

Definitely take a drive on this road to see all of the park. You are able to stop and pull off at various points of interest. Be careful because some areas are one way.

I recommend doing this this drive early in the morning before the traffic gets heavy and the cruise ship people hit the park. It is a beautiful drive and you can see where you might want to go back to later.

We were a bit concerned that the road would be packed - we were warned it was sometimes bumper to bumper. But we drove it just before sunset and it was pretty much empty. And we were lucky enough to come upon a momma deer nursing her baby off the side of the road! Spectacular.

The Loop in general made getting to the various stops in the park easy. The sights were all absolutely gorgeous and fantastic. The main problem is how crazy the traffic can be! At times we were stopped dead in places at key points, like Thunder Hole while the long string of cars pulled over, parked and got out to walk, etc. It was pretty frustrating at times. Some of the sights on the official main 12-Stop tour were also poorly or not even marked, making it a guessing game whether you were in the right place or not. We had also read how it was easy to accidentally drive off the loop and exit the park and sure enough we did it at least once! The best advice is to be patient and take it easy. If you miss something, go on past and plan at the next stop whether it makes sense to go ahead and skip something or attempt to work your way around to try again? Besides the frustration, we all agreed that the beauty of the park outweighed the headaches of traffic.

Do the loop. Make the drive. Beautiful views and pull over areas to park/get out and explore.

Late Nov- the park was empty. Felt like the only people left on the planet. Seriously no words to describe. Just huge desolate beautiful scenery and just our car on the loop.

If you are a cyclist, you owe it to yourself to ride the Acadia National Park Loop Road. It seems like the last few times I have visited Acadia the Precipice Trail is closed due to peregrine falcon breeding season so that is where i start. I go early and by early, I mean 6 am to 6:30 AM. There's a little leeway to start later but I would not be on the road once the daily traffic increases. At the time I have gone, there is virtually no auto traffic and you might run into a few other cyclists. If you do the complete loop from the Precipice parking lot, it is 18.5 miles. The views are spectacular. The route has some uphill sections that make you work a bit but the downhills....;.oh the downhills are FAST. Wear sunglasses as if it is a sunny day, some of the particularly fast areas often have sunlight into shade at fast corners and it can be tough to see. On the oneway sections of the loop, cars can park in the right lane so you DO want to see when you are in the 35*40 mph range. IMO, a must do for cyclists.

Went to Acadia park on a Monday in October. $30 entrance fee but Less crowded for sure. The loop has lots of nice view points! Definitely stop at Jordans Pond and Sandy beach!

This was a quiet way to experience some of the views Acadia has to offer. There are places to pull off and take pictures. And some of the forest is just gorgeous.

Acadia is so beautiful. We did the loop probably 3 times in 2 days and still missed stuff. We went the weekend before Labor Day and it was pretty crowded - Monday was way worse than Sunday surprisingly. We saved Sandy Beach for Monday but it was packed and parking way down the street, so we passed. Anyway, I would definitely recommend doing the loop. Keep your eyes open so as not to miss stuff and give yourself plenty of time. I got some beautiful pictures to remember our trip!!

Remember that this is a one-way road for half of the loop around the park, you can't turn around and drive back. There are many places to stop and park to get out and explore. Many drivers parked on the right side of the road without regard to the signs prohibiting it.

The drive around Acadia National Park is just so stunning and fun. We loved every minute of our trip there - really feeling close with nature. There are restrooms along the way. I recommend going early to avoid crowds.

This is a wonderful introduction to Acadia National Park and all there is to see. It is important to go early because stops often get filled quickly and early. Be sure to stop as you come to a place because this is a 27 mile one way road. The colors were lovely along the road. It is nice there are two lanes on the one way road....you can often park in the right lane at stops...watch the signs.

The way to see Acadia National Park is to take the Park Road Loop. Follow that road to see Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, and other scenic vistas.

A wonderful way to get an overview of Acadia and a "feel for the park". We did this on our first day to orient ourselves to Acadia and would recommend this as the introduction. Be sure to go the Visitor Center for suggestions as to hikes and the carriage roads for walking and biking.

The official park loop road takes you to all the key attractions and trail heads in Acadia Nat'l Park on Mt. Desert Island. But don't expect to see the park by just driving through. You will need to park and walk to see most of the interesting sites. Part of the road is one-way clockwise. If you pass something, you can't go back. Is the busy season, they allow parking in the right lane in the one-way area, because demand far exceeds supply of parking. Go early in the day. You will need multiple days to truly take in all the Loop Road sights and hikes

If you come to visit the Acadia national park, it may be worthwhile to spend the first 40 minutes driving this whole loop. You will get sense of the whole park, interesting spots, where you may want to stop and also the entire layout. Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Bee Hive, Sand Beach are all spots on the loop road. Most part of loop road is one way, so no turning back possible there.

This is the road you are going to need to take in order to get around the park. There is a stretch of the road where it is only one way by some of the better known stops like thundering hole. This is is very congested stretch and parking is difficult, at least during this time of year. It will take a while to ride through this section of road so plan for it, but worth your time…

Weekly park pass was worth it. We stayed nearby and visited several times. Just beautiful. Highly recommend.

We're so glad we took the time to drive drive and experience this loop road. Word to the wise, try and get on the loop from the beginning since it's one way most of the time. Take the time to do the stops along the way and experience the park and the attractions, and of course, the views.

This is a must when visiting Acadia NP. The loop circles the park and provides amazing views of the ocean and cliffs. There are a number of places to stop and enjoy the incredible views. We went earlier in the morning (8 - 9 am) in late June and had no trouble with traffic.

Nice drive. A few spots to get out to look around and some trail access. Be prepared for crowded roads and slow moving vehicles. Not in the wilderness but very pretty drive nonetheless and plenty of chances to get out, walk around, enjoy the views, etc.

Great lookout spots along the way, our favorite was Thunder Hole! The sea was really rough, very big waves and the show was spectacular!

If you are in Acadia, then this loop takes you around most of the interesting sights and trail heads. It is one-way in some parts, so be sure to check the map before you go. There are plenty of pull-outs to take photos of great views.

What a stunning must do drive! Make sure you go on a good weather day and preferably not at the weekend when it is pretty busy. The east side of the loop is a one way road with two lanes enabling you to go at a pace that suits you, without having to worry about oncoming traffic. There are plenty pull outs along the way for photo opportunities as well as parking for the major sights such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. The views over the Atlantic Ocean in this stretch are just spectacular. On the west side the loop becomes a two way road and on busy days, it can be difficult to get parked at the major sights such as Jordan Pond and even Cadillac Mountain. We were lucky to get parked at the Summit and it was well worth the effort. The views are superb and there is a short paved loop path taking you round the vista point.
There are many opportunities to leave the loop road if you want to see places such as Seal Harbour and Bar Harbour. Just make sure you give yourself a good few hours to drive the scenic loop as there are so many stunning spots to see both on the loop and outside it.

We started driving early morning the Park Loop Road. Lots of pull off observation spots but they all have limited vehicle space. Stop off observation spots were all worth stopping at for a few minutes to take pictures. Various points of interest (noted on the Park map) were well worth stopping to view the surrounding mountains, lakes, water, and of course Bar Harbor could be seen. Enjoyable driving the Loop which covered all of the basic attractions you would like to see.

A really enjoyable drive to take, this was our 5th visit in the last 6 years. Beautiful views, amazing scenery, many places to stop and enjoy the surroundings. Highly recommend this jewel- what an incredible piece of the coast that is available for all to enjoy.

When in Bar Harbor you can really see a lot from your car. We Took the Park Loop and were treated too wonderful views of the surrounding areas.

We had downloaded an app that narrated the Park Loop as we drove the 27 miles. We did enjoy the narration however do not try and drive the Park Loop at 10 am. It turns into parking loop and Cara and people are everywhere. If you like crowds you’ll love it. However, thunder hole, Jordan’ s Pond house, sand beach, and all the other places you wish to see you are the mercy of being blessed with open parking. Way to crowded for our our taste. Went back around 4:30 and got right into Jordan’s Pond House with tons of parking available. Want to enjoy the park wait until the afternoon when crowds then out.

Acadia is a great park - and close to home !!

I have been to many of the National Parks out west - mostly in my younger days - but it took until I was in my early 60's to come here .... and I am not sure what took me so long.

Wife and I came here during the end of September 2020 after COVID was in full swing - and this park was VERY safe. The views and hikes all the way are just incredible.

The entire Bar Harbor and MDI area is great to visit and tour around - and if you are anywhere within driving distance - this a a MUST !!

The Park Loop Road is a beautiful 20-mile drive. Part of the drive is one-way, but it has 2 lanes. Near the popular spots (Sand Beach, Thunder Hole) the 2nd driving lane becomes a parking lane. These parking lanes can sneek up on you if it is a busy day.
Driving the Park Loop Road requires a pass that can be purchased at the visitor center. Or you can use your National Park Pass.
There are many overlooks and parking areas. During busy times, all of these can get filled with cars. During our visit in the early afternoon, we couldn't find a parking spot until we reached Otter Point (end of the Ocean Path Trail).

Park loop road is a one way drive covering all the scenic points of Acadia National Park . View of Atlantic Ocean one side looks so marvelous that u hv to stop your car and njoy the beauty of nature. On the way it covers Sand beach, otter Cliff, thunder hole,Jordan pond,wild wood stables, bubble rock and many more. U cn go up the Cadillac mountain also from the loop. Nice loop drive.

My family and I enjoyed our after dinner Park Loop Road ride. I believe this is a must do when visiting Acadia National Park.

I wish I had done more research before my trip! If I had, I would have known these things: 1. You need to purchase a park pass for $30 in order to access all of the sites. There are places within the park where you can buy a pass, but it’s not like going through a toll booth where you can’t enter the park without a pass. We made it all the way to boulder beach before realizing we needed a pass and had to go all the way back. Get your pass right away. 2. The entire park is on a loop (Park Loop Road) that is a one way street. That means if you want to access a site you just passed, you need to either walk to the site or drive 30 minutes back around the loop in order to access it.

The Loop is great if you understand how to use it. I recommend starting at the Sand Beach entrance (closest entrance to Bar Harbour) so you can purchase your pass there and then hitting the stops one by one: sand beach, thunder hole, otter cliff, boulder beach, etc. Go super early as it was packed and difficult to find parking. All of the lots anywhere near Jordan Pond were full by 11am on a Friday morning. Literally everything along the road is gorgeous so don’t worry to much about missing out. You won’t be disappointed. There’s so much to see.

If you go to Arcadia or bar harbor and do nothing else this is a must. It is the most scenic road I have ever taken.

What would an island be without a loop road? You must take it to see the island and then you can go back to places you may wish to see more of.

Drive it and drive it again while exploring all the beautiful spots within this National Park. It is a special place to see and you will never be disappointed with where you adventure off the loop. At the very least just driving it is fulfilling.

You will need to get a pass at the Visitor's Center. The Loop is a must for those who like scenic drives. We experienced the loop with a convoy of 7 other couples in BMW Z3s and Z4s. It was a total blast, a drive that should be on everyone's bucket list. There were lots of places to stop and the speeds were such that it was safe for drivers, bikers and walkers alike. Make sure you stop at Thunder Hole.

You can't miss this road if you are in Acadia National Park as it is the main road to some of the top scenic sites. A very lovely drive with many areas to pull off and take pictures.

Beautiful one way road along the coast with opportunity to stop in many places for hiking, going to the beach or just viewing the area.

The two lane (one way) section of the loop drive often has cars parked in the right lane. In some areas it is allowed, and in other areas signage states it's not allowed. Not everyone follows the rules. Lots of confusion. Bottom line: parking in the road, along with crowds, makes for a hectic and chaotic driving experience along the ocean side of the loop.

Question is can you get a parking spot? This is true for most of Acadia. You can waste a lot of time looking for parking. Check out the FREE shuttle system. To our surprise, 10 routes and lots of buses that cover a lot more of the area than expected. See website exploreacadia

I'd recommend at least using the shuttle for Ocean Path, Thunder Hole and hikes such as Beehive -- unless you are going before 9 am. The ocean area, on the loop drive, was still super hectic at 6 pm and a madhouse throughout the day.

It's beautiful! Enjoy!

When we came to Acadia we drove in the beautiful round. Our first stop was Cadillac mountain, but we got there in the middle of a cloud and saw nothing. We saved the day by driving leisurely on the road, stopping at the various attractions and enjoying the stunning natural beauty at the sites. As we completed the loop the weather had cleared and we were able to get the full view from Cadillac.

Living close to ANP is a blessing! Spent Sunday walking a few miles on the Loop Road. In the winter half of the road is plowed from the entrance station to the Otter Cliff Road. When there is snow on the ground this option is great for getting a walk in. The fresh air, the ocean waves, and the people you meet make for a great day! When there is limited snow walking on the pavement away from cars is another great option but when the snow is piled up a walk along the ocean is just what one needs to have a great day!

You get a great sense of the topography of Acadia National Park by doing the loop road. We hit it in late spring--flowering trees and variations of green were spectacular. Our cousins from AZ were so mesmerized. In one long section, the road is one-way so you can park on the road whenever you want.

This loop takes you around to some amazing views and interesting points along the park. You can see so much of it especially if you buy the self guided driving tour..

Drive if you must, bike if you can. We used e bikes for the whole loop, as well as up to Cadillac Mountain, and it was AWESOME!

**NPS Passport Fans** Multiple stamps available on the loop, including Thunder Hole, Jordan’s Pond, and Cadillac Mountain.

We drove this loop on our first day at the Park. It was very easy to navigate, had lots of great stops, and a quick way to see everything we wanted to without a lot of walking (I'm currently 7 months pregnant). We enjoyed Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and the stretch of Ocean Path that we walked to see the Otter Cliffs.
We started the drive around 9:00am on a Friday, but it was still extremely crowded and busy at almost every stop. Great quick way to see all the major things, but some of the beauty is lost in the large crowds of people. Would definitely recommend a mid-week and very early start.

The park loop concept is great, allowing you maneuver around the park at you own pace. Each area is well marked. Lots of handicapped parking.

We've driven around the loop or parts of it four days now. There is a lot of great coastal scenery, especially along the southeast side - Otter Cliffs, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole. We loved Cadillac Mtn's views! It's helpful to have one way traffic since you can stop and park in the right lane anywhere. Where we were frustrated was at the south end near Blackwoods CG where you can't get off the loop road and onto Rt 3 where they intersect on the map, so you have to go down to Seal Harbor and back up. Parts of the road on the west side by Jordan's Pond and Cadillac Mtn are two way fortunately. It's a bikers and hikers Paradise!

This is a fantastic way to see the park! We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the time in the park!! Everything was so clear and easy to find!

The view of the Atlantic Ocean is beautiful! Take is slow and easy ride just for the enjoyment of the rocks and make sure you see thunder hole the best time is about 10am for that.
I am enclosing pictures

Great views of the ocean from several points along the road. Worth it because of the fact that you can get up pretty high on Cadillac Mountain for being so close to the sea. That's pretty rare in my travels. It was very crowded, but I expected it considering it was a gorgeous day, and on a Saturday only 3 days after Independence Day. We didn't do any hiking, but the drive itself was great. Stop near Sand Beach and at the top of Cadillac Mountain for the best views.

So many sites on this 27 mile journey. So many places to stop for photo ops. We went last weekend with our 15 year old daughter as a quick vacation before the start of school. After taking in the beautiful sites, I realised one day is not enough. There is hiking, boating, and swimming and places for picnics along the drive. You get a magnificent view from every window of your car. If it's this glorious in the summer, I can only imagine it's beauty when the leaves change.

Acadia National Park Park Loop Road is a great drive with many places to stop and sightsee with your family or friends. Everywhere you look is something beautiful. Bridges, waterfalls, rocks and beaches.

This (clockwise only) loop tour covering much of Acadia National Park is perfect for those visitors who want to hike, bike, kayak in the forests and blue waters. For those older first timers, like us (77) there isn’t much because in high season, the parking is so limited that you must walk the Loop Rd for up to a quarter mile just to access the the dozen or so public access points.

I went after the sunrise, and it was great, as no one was on this road. It felt like I had the park to myself. The road is one way, and the road is paved well. The road takes you right along the water, and has several points to jump off and take a photo of the famous Acadia rocky coast. Put on some great music, and cruise right through! It is spectacular!

This drive compares well with Virginia's Skyline Drive, with the added featue of great ocean views. Another feature i really liked that much of the drive is along a two-lane, one-way route. This gives you the option of staying right and driving slowly, or even stopping, to enjoy a view, without blocking traffic, or worrying about on-coming traffic. Seniors should already have a National Parks Senior Pass, which gets free entry into the park for a passenger car and the passengers. Go early or late to enjoy the best sun angles, and maybe make it easier to find a parking space at the ponds or lake. Parking is also a concern at the top of Cadillac, especially at sunset. Swimming at Sand Beach, if you are brave, and lucky enough to get a parking spot nearby. If the Sand Beach parking lots are full, drive a bit farther to a parking lot by Thunder Hole, which is about a mile and a half from the beach, with a cliffside walking path back to the beach; the walk could be the highlight of your trip.

Sure way to get to some incredible places! Although gets crowded by the late morning, still enough areas to park and explore as you please. You must study the park map to know where you want to be and head out to your preferred places very early in the morning.

This is a MUST DO if you are anywhere near this area. Acadia National Park does come with a $30 entrance fee but you will soon forget about that because the views are worth every last cent. There are plenty of places to stop and pull over and view and you will also want to wear some sturdy shoes so you can get out and do some walking on the trails. At the top of Cadillac Mountain the views are spectacular. We could even see the Land Bridge to Bar Island.

Acadia park is an amazing place. Sea coast views from Cadillac Mountain, amazing sites from Jordan's Lake are all part of the experience.

When can spend days in this park and do all the hikes and trails but it has to offer. We just spend two days and found everything amazing. The park staff does an amazing job keeping everything clean, everyone safe and informed.

The Loop Road is a must for any visitor to Acadia National Park. After visiting the Visitors Center and getting a car permit you can ride the Loop and visit all the places of interest in Acadia National Park.

We came here for 4 days with our kids and did lots of hiking and exploring. It started with driving the park loop to see where we wanted to spend time focusing.
The area near Thunder Hole and Sand beach is particularly pretty. The road itself offers good views but its best to park and get out for a short or long hike to really enjoy the park.

After checking in at the main Visitor Center, we took our rental car around Park Loop Road with a purchased GPS smart phone app on Acadia National Park for a bit of a guided tour with some historical tidbits added to provide further context. We did this on a weekday afternoon and quickly observed how packed the limited parking lots in the park get, so we committed ourselves to getting in the park early each morning to avoid the tourist crowds.

Arcadia national park is a jewel. This road presents a great overview and we returned the next. Day for several hikes.

Acadia National Park has a great bus system. The loop road is one of the routes. Visitors get a view of many of the key sites and then choose where to spend more time. Loved the hop on hop off management of the busses. Flag down a bus wherever you see one.

There is many different ways to see spots around the park but going on this road will lead you right to every spot in Acadia. Perfect Cadillac mt. , Champlain Mountain, Thunder Hole, Otter creek , sand beach, Sieur de Monts Spring & and more.

Through out the loop there are many places that you can pull-off on the right and park or take advantage of the parking lots throughout the loop.

We were here October 16th. We didn't get to see quite as much as originally planned because we kept 'overstaying' our time at each scenic spot!!!

First stop: Cadillac Mountain. The view out over the bay and across to colorful forests was stunning. Our four little grandkids (ages 2 to 6) loved climbing all over the low, flat, lichen-covered rocks. We had trouble convincing them there was more to see....

After a 'time out' to enjoy the picnic lunch we'd packed (at the Bear Brook picnic tables) we continued on. The next attraction we found irresistible was Sand Beach, a unique 'pocket beach'. This spot was also quite scenic, but mostly loved for the splashings and diggings. What's a little cold water to a kid? We spent about an hour here, but again had to cut the fun short because I didn't want to miss....Otter Cliffs. Oooh, la, la! My heart was in my throat -- because of the beauty and because I have a little bit of scaredy cat in me when it comes to heights and cliffs and small grandkids daringly testing their balance. Nevertheless, the pink granite, the soaring cliffs, the islands in the ocean -- it was a view and a feeling never to be forgotten. Basically, although I had hoped to see more, these sights took us over 5 hours to experience, and we ran out of energy and daylight. Because of the time of year, it wasn't too crowded. Cadillac Mountain's parking lot was almost full, but we did find a spot. Many things are best when lingered over, and the sights along Park Loop Road are best explored and delighted over slowly.

Tour buses travel this route for good reason: it is the prettiest and quickest way to get from the heart of town up to the peaks of the mountains. The views along the way included forested areas, lake views, mountain vistas, and just so much beautiful territory than mere eyeballs could absorb. Quite nice, enthusiastically recommend!

The loop road and Cadillacc Mountain are not to be missed if you go to Bar Harbor. Parking at the trailheads get very busy so take the trolley or park shuttle and hop on and off according to the time. Pullouts for dramatic ocean waves hitting the rocks, fall colors, inland lakes, carriage roads turned into trails, horseback riding, lodge eating, and so much more to see along the loop.

We had a thrilling time driving Park Loop Road! My husband, our three year old, and two pups had a great time exploring the park and pulling over whenever a vista seemed photo worthy (hint: they all are!). I really loved that you can just park in the right hand lane if you see something that interests you but don’t see a parking lot. We went on a slightly rainy Saturday in August did not encounter the crowds I’d imagine a sunny day would have. We enjoyed OtterCliff and Boulder Beach the most!

GO EARLY! Get your pass and drive on! Find a parking place and go hiking...and then catch the bus later, but not too late in the day especially on weekends! Wonderful drive for sure!

We picked up the free island bus at the Ranger Station parked at the Village Green. It takes you around the entire park loop road, stopping at every loop highlight and finally to the Visitor Center. We rode the entire loop to get our bearings and enjoy all the views before deciding where to hop off and walk the trails. It took a couple of hours to walk from Sandy Beach to Thunder Hole to Otter Bay where we hopped back onto another bus and rode back to the Village Green in town. A very well spent afternoon costing nothing but a park pass which can be used for a year in any national park.

Must do when visiting Acadia. Stop at each pull-off to snap a photo and relax. Not too crowded on the day we visited. Had perfect weather and no bugs. Also saw lots of wildlife on the interior roads.

After 33+ years of traveling to Acadia my wife and I have build wonderful scenic memories on the loop road. The section near Otter cliffs is what we call "our rocks". However, we invite everyone to take this sight in.

We planned a trip to see acadia national park via the park loop road. We started the trip at Hulls cove visitor center. If you plan to do the entire loop pay special attention that you need to take left towards sandy beach else you would end up at dead end towards Jordan pond.

We liked the sandy beach and loved Cadillac mountain view. Jordan pond was okay and thunder bolt didn't exactly sound like thunder :)

This is a great drive through Acadia National park. My husband and I were there September 12, 2018. We arrived at about 9:00 a.m. and stayed until about 1:00 p.m. It was a nice day. It wasn't crowded, so we were able to enjoy all the beautiful scenery and overlooks. Make sure you go to the top of Cadillac Mountain.

As the name implies, the Park Loop Road takes you around the park, where you can stop at many of the highlights. In several places the road is one way and you can park to the side of the right most lane. We visited over Labor Day weekend and the park was quite crowded with cars parked bumper to bumper along the main stretch of the loop. Be sure, when you park, that you park entirely on the road and not off to the far right, on the grass. We parked to the far right, with our tires on the grass when we first arrived, and came back to find a parking warning on our car. I walked up and down the road a bit and found that every car that had the warning, had tires on the grass, whereas the cars that didn’t, were fully on the road. Also, if you are visiting when it is crowded, if you see a spot on the road more/less close to what you want to see, then take it. When we were there, every parking area was full, and if you pass up spots on the side of the road and find no parking elsewhere, you can’t just turn around and look again – you need to drive all the way around the loop again. The loop may not seem long, but it is, if the park is crowded, and you need to wait in a long line of cars entering the park at one point in the loop.

Being early May, we didn't need reservations to travel this amazing road, nor was the loop especially crowded; meaning one could travel slowly and/or pullover easily without impeding others.
This is a one-way journey with numerous opportunities to enjoy magnificent views and/or access trails, paths and overlooks.
This loop provides a wonderful orientation to/sampling of the natural splendor and beauty of Acadia.

We drove the loop road upon entering Acadia National Park for the first time. It’s a good way to get the lay of the land. We made no stops and it took maybe an hour and fifteen minutes to complete the circle with many great views of the coastline along the way. At times, there is one way traffic only and parking allowed in one of the lanes so beware. We made the loop in this time at about 3 in the afternoon- not sure how congested it is at other times.

The Park Loop was just such a relaxing and beautiful drive! Make sure to make time for walking around and dunking you feet in the water, at Sand Beach! If you get there at low tide, you can even explore the tidepools.

You need to drive or walk the loop! So many stops to admire the view. Also highly recommend packing a picnic basket and have a snack on the beautiful rocks overlooking the ocean.

Great drive through the park with several stops for photos and hiking trails. As with everything in the park, the earlier you can start the better. The popular sites will fill quickly and you will compete with tour buses.

Park Loop Road winds itself through Acadia National Park. Beautiful views of all of the major points throughout the park.

Do be aware that a section of the Park Loop Road is one-way. Plan accordingly when trying to get to certain sites and destinations.

We did this drive twice there are so many places to stop and take the park in. We had picnic at one stop and had to go back again.

The Park Loop Road around Acadia is breathtaking! The trees, especially the blue spruce Christmas trees, are a show unto themselves. And the places where you stop to take pictures on the bay/ocean, are wonderful.

If you only have a half day to see Acadia, do the Park Loop Road. You can get the flavor of how beautiful Acadia is just from that!

Took the free busses...avoided traffic and allowed us all to enjoy the scenery and get a feel for the park.

We drove the Park Loop Road on a Wednesday morning in late July. Glad we started early because we seemed to just miss the crowds at each spot (parking always more crowded as we left a spot than when we got there). We did the loop and Cadillac Mountain in 2 hours, stopping at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point and a few other vistas along the loop and the drive up the mountain. Stunning views. Thunder Hole was a bit of a disappointment...the explosive pics you often see, the one shop guy told us maybe that happens a few times a year. We got more of a hiccup than thunder. But still neat! Couldn't stop at Jordan Pond House bc there was no parking available (we were supposed to have dinner there the night before but they had a kitchen "mishap" and had to close for the night). Amazing views throughout...I recommend going early!

Very beautiful park, we were in the car on a gloomy day but it was still a nice experience, in the park there are picnic areas with barbecues so if you happen to find it you can equip yourself by bringing what you need for a barbecue. There are bathrooms, souvenir shops and a restaurant, perhaps on a sunny day there might be a problem with parking the car, especially near the most popular areas.

Most of Acadia NP's attractions are accessible from this loop road. Just over half of the road is one-way. There a a number of trailheads that are accessible from the loop road, ranging from strenuous to easy. There are also a number of scenic pull-outs and overlooks. Most of the one-way section is along the coastline.

When we went (October) traffic was not too bad on this loop. We hiked the Ocean Trail on the one-way section and stopped at Jordan Pond on the 2-way section. Both were very worthwhile and easy hikes. Parking was challenging (afternoon) at Jordan Pond.

This loop should definitely be central to your Acadia NP itinerary.

drive through this road seems to be the most popular task in the Acadia NP, you have several points to stop, including some overlooks, and some attractions such as Thunder Hole, the time we went there is not too crowed (late morning to afternoon), we can find parking space except at the Sand beach, but you can park along the road, then walk for a while to the sand beach.

The Park Loop road is unbelievably scenic! It is definitely worth driving as there is a little of everything to see - Mountains, ponds, beaver dams, Sand Beach, ocean vistas, Lighthouses, Thunder hole, Otter cliffs and forests! It is a one way road so plan accordingly and you will need a pass park.

Checked out Cadillac mountain first thing in the morning definitely a thing to do. Followed by cruising the park loop rd. Plenty of eye candy lots of pedestrian traffic so be ware and share. Parking is a premium but most people are courteous got plenty of pictures. Lots of opportunities to see some beautiful spots. Next time I think I’ll try the bus I’ve heard a lot of great things and you don’t have to sweat the parking

So many loop roads in parks are narrow, one way but not this one. It has so many views, so many turn offs and pull offs. Very easy parking areas near sites. Able to exit and get to Bar Harbor in a number of instances. Great directional signs.

We tried to fit this into our trip before having to head out and start our long drive back to southern Massachusetts. We turned around twice after realizing we went off the "Park Loop Road" and then just gave up. Its not marked well so its pretty easy to go off the loop and out of the park if your not really paying close attention

If you are easily distracted while driving , be careful. The views are spectacular, with road leading to a full days worth of activity and fun.

The Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park is stunning. Before the PLR is open to motor vehicles [generally 15 April] it is a magical place for bicyclists. Pick a sunny day in late March or early April and have this quiet gem to yourself. The road to the summit to Cadillac Mt., jammed with cars in the summer, is deserted. It is not an easy ride up, and you will freeze your ass on the way down, but the silence and view from the top is incomparable.

This place seems really smart to me. You can just park in the right lane whenever you want to see something. The workers here must be amazing. Planning is incredible. So many wonderful things to see along the way.

One thing about this road – it’s in pristine condition compared to the rest of the roads on the island. If you are a cyclist, it’s a great ride to take early in the morning when you have the road pretty much completely to yourself. It’s also a nice drive to take at a leisurely pace to see all the beauty this park has to offer. Good signage too.

To save time and money, after buying your $30 daily/weekly pass from the Hull Visitor Center, buy the $13 CD from the gift shop if you plan to drive on your own. The CD acts as your tour guide, providing history and details on what you are seeing at each overlook. You can stop and start the CD on your own timing. We also learned a lot from the Park Ranger at the 1st overlook, rather than asking at the Information Desk at the Visitor Center which had a huge line of tourists. Make sure you bring your own food & water - there are limited options once on the trail. Cadillac Mountain was worth the drive up.

My Mom and I enjoyed driving around and stopping frequently on the park loop road. There were plenty of great views and short trails she could access even though she has COPD and limited physical capacity. Parking was not a problem with her handicapped pass. We went early and made a whole day of it. Lunch at Jordan Pond is very busy but beautiful if you are willing to wait. Otherwise bring a picnic for the rooftop there.

There is so much to see and do along this road. Don’t skip it. It’s a one way road, so be sure to stop anytime you see anything interesting, otherwise you’ll have to make the loop again.

Park loop road gave us beautiful roadside views of Acadia. In addition, it was a great way to get around the park quickly. The road also makes a lot of the attractions very handicapped accessible, which I really enjoyed seeing.

What a sense of vision the designers of this park had when they created the Park Loop Road. The route covers a large portion of the park and loops around Cadillac Mountain, passing lakes, ponds, mountains, woodlands, tide pools, and beaches. From the road, you can see a lot including Thunder Hole, Echo Lake, Sand Beach, the Precipice, Beaver Pond, Jordan Pond, and much more. I loved my drive through this part of the park.

Totally picturesque; Enjoy!

Park Loop road offers amazing views of the park. We stopped frequently to get out and let the kids stretch and play. There was plenty of opportunity for that. It boggles my mind that while standing on the beach, there were pine trees right there. Unlike anything this Florida girl has ever seen!

Easy to get an overview of the park without having to hike at all. Along the coast is particularly interesting.

Though I understand traffic is quite heavy during the summer high season, in late May we had the place nearly to ourselves. The one-way loop allows parking in one of the two lanes, so if you find yourself wanting to take a closer look, you can do so fairly easily. Great drive with lots of opportunities to stop for a view point, short hike or even a bite to eat.

Don't know how you could visit Acadia Natl Park without driving on this road. Lots of things to see, well-marked. Will intersect with hiking trails and the famous "carriage" roads. The haert of the National Park.

Took the drive on one of the free shuttles from the Visitor Center to get the "Lay of the land" before we decided which trails to walk/hike. Shuttle driver was friendly. Road is well taken care of, but, if you are walking or biking, some drivers drive fast and better off to walk/hike or bike on one of the Carriage Trails.

Our bus tour followed the park loop road. It takes you to all the great sights. Be advised that a good share of it is one way.

I believe the loop is 26 miles, great places to stop and see the cliffs and ocean. Sandy Beach and Thunderrock are a must.

The park loop road is a great way to meander through the park and see the highlights. Stop often. Explore.

This is a great road to take! Beautiful scenery with stops like cadilllac mt, thunder hole, sand beach, Jordan pond and much more. What’s great is that you can stop as much or as little as you’d like! Some stops are extremely crowded during peak times but there are other areas that quiet and worth visiting. Playing it by ear is a great way to experience this area.

This is a lovely drive. Many times you can park On the right lane. Lots of pull offs to enjoy the views. Not sure the speed limit maybe 4o but never say a cop. It’s almost like you have to drive on it if you plan on going into the Acadia park..

The Park Loop Road is gorgeous, and connects all the major sites within Acadia National Park. We drove the road several times during our visit. As we were traveling with a baby, this was the perfect way for our family to explore the Park. As first time visitors too, it helped orient us to all the sites.

We visited the Park in the off-season during mid-week of early May and didn't find the road or sites crowded at aall. Not sure if the road would be more crowded in the height of summer.

My wife and I got on the road by 7:00 AM to beat the crowds and pedaled from Hulls Cove Visitor Center to the carriage trails by Jordan House to travel back to our car without competing with cars.

The park loop is very busy in July. The two-lane, one-way road uses much of the right lane for parking especially at the popular attractions.

Get to Thunder Hole two hours before hide tide for the best action.

Nice loop of the highlights of the park. A lot of fun on motorcycles. Good stops and parking along the way.

We did multiple trips around the Park loop at Acadia National Park today. The multiple sites such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole,Otter Cliffs, Bubble Rock and Jordan’s pond were great and all changed slightly as the fog lifted!
It is an amazing ride and never the same twice! Our first ride through and wild turkeys on the side of the road. The second had a deer grazing on the side of the road!
I highly recommend you visit when in the area

Relaxing drive with pretty nice elevation landscapes. Kids were bored but the adults enjoyed. A couple of beautiful park offs made it nice.

We visited the park in 1991 as unmarried couple, came back 27 years later, married..with children.
Still a wonderful park but couldn’t help noticing that the park is killing itself with the huge amounts of cars that “populate” the park. The park is simply too small to handle this.
My advice is to ban cars during summer (high season) and use a better shuttle system. Another option is to see how you could limit the amount of cars in the park by handing out limited admission tickets for cars during high season. The overflow could take a shuttle.
This park should remain as a National Park, not a Car Park which it has now become during summer.

Love this place so much!! Been coming here for 40 years and will continue to come here!! The price is pretty high but definitely beautiful and can spend as much time as you would like!

This was a great scenic drive of about 25 mikles where we bagan at Hulls Cove that looped around to MT desert ( yes Desert) Island and finally reaching the summit at Cadillac mountain
Well worth the drive especially on a sunny warm day

My wife and I visited Acadia for the first time in years and were pleased to see the park is still in great shape. It was a kind of a reflection of these times as the road was filled with bikers as well as filled parking areas and multiple hikers. I imagine this appreciation of the outdoors is being repeated all over the country.

The section from Sand Beach to Otter Cliff was very convenient with many Parking stops for viewing, however being a one-way road we felt like we were always going round and round the entire island. Got very lost when trying to use other roads to cut across (very twisty with no shoulders). Our map wasn't very helpful with that detail either.

Gorgeous park! Sooooo picturesque. The bus cuts right through the woods. The roads in the park were very tight so it felt like you were right in the middle of a forest. If I did this tour again I'd make sure I sat up front so I had the best view. Board the bus early so you get a good seat!

Mostly a one way road that will take one through the woodlands, lake areas, to Cadillac mountain, and the rocky shoreline. Only way to experence the sights by car or bike. It leads to the major hiking trails too.

The loop road was built between 1925 and 1941 by the park service with financial and technical help from John D Rockefeller Jr. It was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Jr to showcase the beauty of the park. It is 27 miles long and shows you the forests, ocean, mountains, and lakes. In my opinion it includes the must-sees: Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond and the Bubbles, Jordan Pond House, and Cadillac Mountain. There are many other vistas and things to see. Just the main ones can take you a day, a week, or your lifetime. My husband and I have visited Acadia over twenty times and enjoy each visit. The thing is, every time you visit and each time you enjoy a view it is different because it is nature and it changes. Enjoy!

We took our time and pulled out everywhere. Took lots of pictures. Did some hiking. And felt we only saw 70%. Guess you should drive it twice. It was free by using our senior park passes. Highly recommend it if visiting Maine. Three cruise ships parked in the bay

Drove the Park Loop first week of October, trees starting to change colors on top of incredible views everywhere you look. Make sure your phone/camera is charged.

If you are fortunate to visit Maine, then you must treat yourself to the Park Loop Road. It is a beautiful ride around Acadia National Park. You can stop at the overlooks and some of the highlight points along the way. Thunder Hole is awesome at high tide/as the tide is coming in and also for viewing the Milkway. Otter Cliffs is also nice for doing the same. There are numerous stops and Jordan Pond has a nice visitors center. Allow time to visit the stops and explore (a few hours). The ride around is only about an hour, if that. Just one of the many things you need to do while you visit Maine!

Go early if you don’t want to have issues with parking. You can always find parking but you might have a long walk to get to any of the attractions like Thunder Hole or Sand Beach.

We drove the Park look road and pulled over several times to take pictures. The fall colors were great, the ocean views captivating. Although we did not have time to do much hiking, this park seems great for the hiking adventurers or just those who want to drive the park loop road and enjoy the scenery. October is a great time to visit.

Well worth the trip! Beautiful scenery and well maintained roads made for a peaceful family drive. We would return

Superb road with lots of stops all very beautiful. Superb to make 7n road trip!
Don't forget to book to go to the top Cadillac it's worth it

You'll be here all day - every pull-off has a different view. As we drive along, I have my nose plastered to the window (or hanging out the window!) and every-other breath I'm saying "Ooohhhh...stop here!!"

The Park Loop, as the name suggests, wraps around and through Acadia. We did the ride on a not so busy day and the views, forest and ocean were marvelous. Many hikers and bikers were also seen enjoying the majesty of Acadia. The entirety of the area paints a true picture of New England,

This was an easy road to drive. Many areas to pull over and get out for either a camera shot, or a trailhead to stretch the legs a bit. The fall colors were great in many areas even if a bit past peak.

Too many excellent places to mention them all so I will just say don't miss any. I think we only missed one. We took some short hikes along the coast, stopped at the pullouts, and parked where they had places to park. It was all georgeous. We got started about 7am, we got to the pond around 10am and there were no parking places with many cars circling trying to get one. That is the one place we did not get to see. You are not aware of it until you get on the loop, but there are many places you can get off and go back to Bar Harbor as well as get on the loop. A definate wonderful way to spend a day.

In the one way section you can park in the right lane which makes taking pictures of the fall colors easy and enjoyable.

A very interesting loop around Acadia Park. You see the rough Maiexcne coast line of the Atlantic Ocean. Gorgeous scenery and views. Highly recommend. Rating... excellent.

A great way to see aracdia national park. Many pull overs to get out and look at the beautiful scenery.

We only had one day in the park, so when we needed a recommendation for getting the most out of our time, our host recommended driving the park loop and stopping on the roadside pull outs and doing some smaller hikes. It was a great decision. Lots of opportunities to pull over and see the views. It can get a little busy, but it was the best we could do on our limited time.

This gorgeous road loops around Acadia National Park and is worth the visit by itself - you can enjoy the scenery and get a sense of how incredibly large the park is. There are plenty of spots where you can pull over to admire a specific part of the park from an overlook. This road is one-way and goes for over 25 miles, so if you're in a rush, please plan accordingly.

The loop was a pleasure to drive and we were able to stop and see the lovely vistas. The park is pet friendly and we had a lovely time site seeing, hiking, and visiting the wonderful gift shops and Jordan pond restaurant along the loop. Cadillac Mountain was extra special too. We were there for 4 days… we will definitely come back to visit. National Park Staff were professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous. An added bonus to our trip!!!

Allows an opportunity to stop and do what you're interested in, and is a great way to see the park. If you can do it in a convertible, all the better. There wasn't nearly as much traffic as expected, which I suppose is a result of the free shuttle.

It a neat way to see the park. Gotta admit that it was confusing with some of the loop one-way and some of the loop 2-way traffic and then on the 1-way with 2 lanes you can park in the right lane any time you wanna stop. Whew...it take trail and error to figute this out. BUT the road is awesome!!! It does go thru the park and its awesome to do!

This is simply put, the nicest drive in America. This beats Malibu, CA, it beats Route 66, it's unparalleled. The beauty, attraction, quality of the road (something worth mentioning, the Park Service does a great job!) and the scenic options you have are worth the admission fee in itself.

Driving Park Loop Raod is the best way to get acquainted with Acadia. The best time to drive the more than 20 mile loop is just after sunrise when the park is not crowded. Then one may stop just about anywhere along the way to see the sites, take in the gorgeous views, and find a parking spot.

A great way to get a feel for Acadia in an hour or less. Many cut outs to stop and take photos and scenic points. I highly recommend this.

This is not a strenuous trail, but plenty of people make it dangerous by going out onto the rocks. This is a worthwhile family hike with bathroom stops and plenty of sights along the way.

If you are time limited, you can still take this very scenic drive and see almost everything plus take great pictures thanks to their one way loop, with parking allowed in the second lane. This worked out great to pull over and view, then move on to the next stop. Great plan.

It was a lovely drive, perfect warm sunny day and traffic wasn't painful but it didn't have much wow factor for us. We see ocean drives, bush and mountains (not just hills) on a regular basis so maybe we are harder to please. If you live inland or are stuck in a city most of the time ignore this review. The view on top of Cadillac was good in most directions, was packed with people. We don't do nature walks so if you do probably great
I wouldn't drive too far out of my to view this and wouldn't bother doing it again but you may find it exiting.

Best viewed if you take the free shuttle, or, you’re NOT the driver!

Definitely park at the scenic overlooks to enjoy nature, then park at the top of Cadillac Mountain.

We drove Park Loop Road our first morning at Acadia. In July, it is busy and traffic moves slow. Most of the parking spots along the way are usually filled. But, just park down the road and walk a ways or sit tight in your car and “stalk” until someone leaves. This loop is a good way to get an idea of where everything is in the park.

This is a great way to get an overall impression of Acadia National Park. There are many designated places to park and gawk at the very scenic views.

Great drive to do when arriving to the park or on a half day in the area. Plenty of places to stop for scenic photos!

The loop road gives you access to many walking trails, lookouts and special spots (such as the ‘bubble ‘) in the National Park. Buy a park pass so that you can stop and park in the parking bays provided. Amazing views and pretty special scenery.

This is a gorgeous drive during the fall, as I would imagine it is any time of the year. Study the map BEFORE you begin, or better yet, ask a local to show you the map, so you can anticipate the one way grid lock sections. We ended up missing a section of the loop because we didn't plan for this.

We happened to drive the park loop road on a foul-weather day with frequent heavy rains, and it was still worthwhile, especially for the views of spontaneous waterfalls cascading down the steep rock faces typical of the Mount Desert Island terrain. The road affords many convenient turnouts with helpful, and colorful, interpretive signs. The ever-changing scenery can be spellbinding in any season. An early start is recommended, as traffic builds over the course of the day, regardless of the weather. Moreover, remember that bad driving is as common in a national park as anywhere else. When in doubt, slow down, or even use pullouts to let tailgaters pass. You are here for the unhurried serenity, not to indulge the manic, thoughtless, or careless.

Yesterday my wife and I took the Park Loop road and it is a nice 90 minute tour of Cadilac Mountain. Make sure you travel the 1500 feet to the top because the view of Bar Harbor is magical.