Acadia National Park Entrances

Acadia National Park Entrances: Your Complete Guide to Getting In

Acadia National Park may not be as large as some western national parks, but it is one of the most unique in the country because of the way its landscape is arranged across Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and several outlying islands. Rather than having one massive, centralized entrance, Acadia is accessed through several different gateways, each offering its own atmosphere, scenery, and approach to the park. Whether you want quick access to Cadillac Mountain, a quiet escape into the Schoodic Peninsula, or an easy route to the Park Loop Road, understanding these entrances helps you plan a smoother and more enjoyable visit.

Quick Reference: Acadia National Park Entrances

Entrance Name	Location	What It Offers	Best For
Hulls Cove Entrance	Northern Mount Desert Island (near Bar Harbor)	Main entrance with direct access to Park Loop Road and Hulls Cove Visitor Center	First-time visitors, major attractions, easy park access
Cadillac Mountain Entrance	Southwest of Bar Harbor	Exclusive road to Cadillac Mountain summit; timed reservations required	Sunrise views, summit drive, panoramic overlooks
Southwest Harbor Entrance	Western Mount Desert Island	Access to Quiet Side trails, Echo Lake, Acadia Mountain, Beech Mountain	Avoiding crowds, peaceful hikes, relaxed exploration
Jordan Pond Entrance	Southern Mount Desert Island	Scenic access to Jordan Pond, The Bubbles, Jordan Pond House, surrounding trails	Scenic hikes, photography, lake views
Schoodic Peninsula Entrance	Mainland, near Winter Harbor	Remote coastal views, Schoodic Loop Road, dramatic rocky shoreline	Solitude, off-the-beaten-path exploring, quieter experience
Isle au Haut Entrance	Isle au Haut (accessible only by boat/ferry)	Remote island trails, rugged shoreline, limited facilities	Adventurous travelers, wilderness lovers
Sand Beach Entrance	Along Park Loop Road	Access to Sand Beach, Great Head Trail, Beehive Trail, dramatic coastal scenery	Ocean views, hiking, popular scenic spots
Seawall Entrance	Western “Quiet Side” of Mount Desert Island	Access to Seawall Campground, coastal walks, Wonderland & Ship Harbor Trails	Quiet camping, mild coastal hikes, less-crowded shoreline

1. Hulls Cove Entrance: The Main Gateway to Acadia

The primary entrance used by most visitors is the Hulls Cove Entrance, located just outside Bar Harbor on the northern side of Mount Desert Island. This entrance takes you directly to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, where you can purchase park passes, gather maps, and speak with rangers before starting your adventure. Because it feeds directly into the Park Loop Road, this gateway is ideal for those who want immediate access to Acadia’s most iconic destinations, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and the Ocean Path. During summer and fall, the Hulls Cove Entrance can become busy, but it remains the easiest and most efficient way for first-time visitors to begin exploring the park.

2. Cadillac Mountain Entrance: The Route to the Summit Road

The entrance to Cadillac Mountain is separate from the main Hulls Cove gate and serves as the exclusive access point to the summit road. This entrance is located slightly southwest of Bar Harbor and is used by visitors who have secured a reservation for the popular Cadillac Mountain sunrise or daytime drive. Because the summit road operates on a timed reservation system during the busy months, the entrance often feels more controlled and organized than others in the park. Once inside, travelers follow a winding mountain road, gradually passing through spruce forests before emerging atop the granite summit, where panoramic views of Frenchman Bay stretch into the horizon.

3. Southwest Harbor Entrance: The Quiet Side of Acadia

While most of Acadia’s activity centers around Bar Harbor, the Southwest Harbor Entrance brings visitors into what locals call the “Quiet Side” of Mount Desert Island. This entrance is ideal for travelers who want fewer crowds, calmer parking areas, and access to quieter trails. From Southwest Harbor, visitors can easily reach Acadia Mountain, Echo Lake, Beech Mountain, and the western portions of the park that offer a more secluded wilderness experience. The absence of heavy traffic makes this entrance especially appealing during the summer months when the busier sides of the park can feel congested.

4. Jordan Pond Entrance: The Scenic Entry to the Park Interior

Another important access point sits near the southern portion of Mount Desert Island and leads directly toward Jordan Pond, one of the most beloved locations inside Acadia. This entrance is favored by visitors whose priorities include the Jordan Pond House, the Bubbles, and the many trails that loop around the pond and surrounding mountains. While this entrance does not contain a major visitor center, it offers a peaceful transition into the heart of the park. The road approaching this entrance is lined with forest and gentle hills, creating a sense of calm before you reach the iconic blue water and mountain views that define the Jordan Pond area.

5. Schoodic Peninsula Entrance

The Schoodic Peninsula is the only section of Acadia National Park located on the mainland, offering a quieter, more secluded experience compared to the busier areas on Mount Desert Island. The entrance to this part of the park is off Route 186 near Winter Harbor. While it’s farther away from the main attractions, Schoodic Peninsula boasts dramatic coastal views, crashing surf, and fewer crowds.

The Schoodic Loop Road provides a scenic drive through the area, with several pull-offs for picnicking and taking in the views of the rocky coastline and offshore islands. The Schoodic Head Trail offers a moderate hike to the summit of Schoodic Head, providing excellent views of Mount Desert Island from afar. This entrance is perfect for those seeking solitude and a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

6. Isle au Haut Entrance: A Remote and Special Experience

Acadia’s most remote entrance is the Isle au Haut access point, reached only by boat or ferry. This entrance welcomes visitors into a far quieter, more rugged version of Acadia, where trails wind through deep forests and rocky shorelines with little interruption. Because Isle au Haut is only partially managed by the National Park Service and has limited facilities, this entrance is best suited for adventurous travelers who want to explore a lightly developed, wilderness-focused area. The experience here is intimate and serene, offering a glimpse of the coastal Maine landscape as it existed long before the creation of the park.

7. Sand Beach Entrance

Located along the Park Loop Road, the Sand Beach entrance offers direct access to one of Acadia’s most popular and picturesque areas. Sand Beach is a sandy oceanfront surrounded by towering cliffs, providing visitors with opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and exploring tide pools. The Great Head Trail, which starts near Sand Beach, offers a moderate hike with panoramic views of the coast and beyond.

This entrance also provides access to the nearby Beehive Trail, a challenging hike with iron rungs and steep climbs that reward hikers with stunning views of Sand Beach and the surrounding areas. Visitors entering through this point will find themselves amidst some of the park’s most scenic and dramatic coastal landscapes.

8. Seawall Entrance

The Seawall entrance is located on the western side of Mount Desert Island, in the less-visited "Quietside" of Acadia. This entrance provides access to the Seawall Campground, a more peaceful alternative to the larger Blackwoods Campground. Visitors entering through Seawall can explore several easy trails along the ocean, including the Wonderland Trail and Ship Harbor Trail, both of which offer beautiful views of the coastline and opportunities for spotting wildlife.

This entrance is perfect for those looking for a quieter, more laid-back visit, away from the crowds that frequent the eastern sections of the park. The Seawall Picnic Area is also a great spot to relax and enjoy the ocean views.