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Shared itinerary · Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia in 3 days

Three days in Acadia: the Park Loop Road greatest hits ending on Cadillac Mountain, the Beehive’s rung ladders and the tide-out walk to Bar Island, then the quiet side of the island from Echo Lake to Bass Harbor Head Light. 14 stops with times and notes. The Cadillac summit drive needs a timed vehicle reservation from late May through late October.

From the guide Acadia National Park: Cadillac Mountain, carriage roads and lobster

Updated

Distance

98.6 km

Hulls Cove Visitor Center → Eagle Lake Carriage Road

Days

3

Stops

14

Each day of Acadia in 3 days: route, stops and distance
DayRouteStopsDistance
Day 1Hulls Cove Visitor Center to Cadillac Mountain628.2 km
Day 2The Beehive to Bar Island414.9 km
Day 3Echo Lake Beach to Eagle Lake Carriage Road455.5 km

Day 1: Hulls Cove Visitor Center to Cadillac Mountain

28.2 km

The Park Loop Road greatest hits, ending on Cadillac. The summit drive needs a timed vehicle reservation from late May through late October.

  1. 08:30

    Hulls Cove Visitor Center

    Sight

    Grab the carriage road map and confirm your Cadillac Summit Road reservation time.

    13.3 km · 15m drive to next

  2. 09:30

    Sand Beach

    Park & nature

    A pocket of real sand between granite headlands. The water rarely passes 15 degrees, swimming is a dare.

    1.4 km · 5m drive to next

  3. 11:30

    Thunder Hole

    Park & nature

    Time it for two hours before high tide on a swell and the inlet booms like its name.

    1.4 km · 5m drive to next

  4. 12:15

    Otter Cliff

    Sight

    110 feet of pink granite dropping straight into the Atlantic.

    6.6 km · 12m drive to next

  5. 13:30

    Jordan Pond House

    Food & drink

    Popovers and tea on the lawn, facing the Bubbles across the pond. A tradition since the 1890s.

    5.5 km · 25m drive to next

  6. 17:45

    Cadillac Mountain

    Sight

    The highest point on the US Atlantic coast. From early October to early March this is the first sunrise in the country, but sunset needs no alarm clock.

Day 2: The Beehive to Bar Island

14.9 km

A rung ladder trail, then Bar Harbor and the tide-out walk to Bar Island.

  1. 08:00

    The Beehive

    Activity

    Iron rungs bolted into the cliff face, 450 feet up. Short, exposed and unforgettable. Not for a rainy day, and never descend it, loop down the back.

    4.8 km · 10m drive to next

  2. 11:00

    Sieur de Monts

    Park & nature

    The Wild Gardens of Acadia sort the island’s plants into a dozen little habitats. The original heart of the park.

    4.2 km · 10m drive to next

  3. 12:30

    Bar Harbor Shore Path

    Sight

    Lunch in town, then the harbor-front path past the old summer cottages.

    1.0 km · 10m walk to next

  4. 14:30

    Bar Island

    Activity

    For 90 minutes either side of low tide a gravel bar opens a walking route to the island. Check the tide table, the sea takes the path back on schedule.

Day 3: Echo Lake Beach to Eagle Lake Carriage Road

55.5 km

The quiet side of the island.

  1. 09:00

    Echo Lake Beach

    Park & nature

    The warm swim on the island, freshwater under Beech Cliff.

    12.3 km · 12m drive to next

  2. 10:30

    Ship Harbor Trail

    Park & nature

    A 1.3 mile figure eight through spruce forest to tidepools on pink granite ledges.

    1.8 km · 5m drive to next

  3. 12:00

    Bass Harbor Head Light

    Sight

    The 1858 lighthouse on its cliff. The classic photo is from the rocks on the east side path.

    24.3 km · 30m drive to next

  4. 14:00

    Eagle Lake Carriage Road

    Activity

    Rent a bike or walk a stretch of the 45 miles of Rockefeller’s motor-free carriage roads and their stone bridges.