Acadia National Park: Self-Guided Scenic Coastal Drive – Mount Desert, Maine

EXPERIENCE

Don’t miss a thing as your favorite audio tour narrator guides you to the not-to-be-missed viewpoints, along with fascinating stories, tips and directions across Acadia. Follow the suggested itineraries, or divide the commentary and create your own half, full or multi day sightseeing trips.

The largest section of Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island. It’s a national park unlike most others as much of the park is designated as chunks of land around the island – from one end to the other. This makes touring Acadia National Park an even more enjoyable experience because it creates an interesting mix of natural features, great hikes, superb sightseeing and rugged coastline that you would expect from a park.

Major Highlights:

Bass Harbor Head Light Station
Cadillac Mountain
Carriage Roads
Jordan Pond House
Park Loop Road
Sand Beach
Seawall
Sieur de Monts Springs
Somes Sound
Thunder Hole

Includes:

Park Loop Road
This loop visits many of the most famous locations on the eastern side of the island. There are many sightseeing stops and both short and long hikes on the route. Key locations for pure sightseeing stops include Sieur de Monts Springs, Jordan Pond House and Stanley Bridge. Awesome natural features include Precipice, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and of course Cadillac Mountain. Just a few of the recommended hikes accessed from this route include Ocean Path, Jordan Pond and Bubble Rock.

Mount Desert Island Loop
This drive really explores everything that is not on the Park Loop Road, from end to end on Mount Desert Island. You’ll visit working villages on pretty harbors where the lobster boats set out and return with the catch – dining opportunities available! Two of the most iconic photo opportunities are taken on this drive – the gorgeous Somesville Bridge and the Bass Harbor Head Light Station – and the Asticou and Thuya Gardens are noteworthy too. The scenery is amazing as you drive all the way around Somes Sound, and you’ll see nature at her finest with just short walks at the Seawall, Ship Harbor and the Wonderland. Longer hikes are plentiful from this route too.

HIGHLIGHTS

Includes 2 driving loops, or create your own
Park Loop Road and Mount Desert Island Loop
Discover natural features, great hikes, superb sightseeing and rugged coastlines
Uncover harbor towns, historical sites, manicured gardens and great little towns

Discover Events, Hotels, Restaurants and Things to do in Mount Desert