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Acadia Park Loop Road, United States
The Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park circles 27 miles around the eastern half of Mount Desert Island, Maine, connecting the park's major highlights in a single drive. The road is mostly one-way (clockwise), with the two-way section running between the Visitor Center and Jordan Pond. The ocean section along Ocean Drive passes Thunder Hole (a sea cave that booms at half-tide), Otter Cliff (a 110-foot granite wall dropping into the Atlantic, one of the highest headlands on the Eastern Seaboard), and Sand Beach (a rare pocket beach of crushed shell and quartz). The inland section passes Jordan Pond House (famous for popovers and tea since 1893) with views of the Bubbles — two symmetrical rounded mountains rising above the pond. A spur road climbs to the summit of Cadillac Mountain (1,530 feet), the highest point on the US Atlantic coast north of Rio de Janeiro.
explore by interest
Drive clockwise — the one-way ocean section forces this direction anyway. The full loop takes about 1.5 hours without stops; plan 3-4 hours with stops. Cadillac Mountain summit requires a vehicle reservation from late May through late October. Arrive at Thunder Hole 1-2 hours before high tide for the best effect. Park at Jordan Pond House early — the lot fills by 11 AM in summer.
Late September through mid-October for fall foliage reflected in Jordan Pond. June through August for warm weather but heavy crowds. May and late October are shoulder months with fewer visitors. The road is open from mid-April through November; some sections stay open later depending on snow.