7 Beautiful Beaches in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England and offers a little bit of everything, including ocean views, cliffs, beaches, and mountains. It is one of the most unique areas in Maine, which is why it is one of the most visited national parks in the United States!

Although you can enjoy ocean views from anywhere in the park, I recommend visiting the beaches in Acadia National Park. Each beach is unique and offers beautiful views of the water. Only a few beaches are good for relaxing, but every single one will take your breath away with its beauty. This guide has everything you need to know about the best beaches in Acadia National Park!

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Tips for Visiting the Beaches in Acadia National Park

Swimming is only allowed on certain beaches in Acadia National Park. I recommend visiting the NPS website to read more about where you can swim in Acadia National Park.
Buy your pack pass ahead of time. Although you can buy your park pass at the entrance station, I recommend buying it in advance because it will save you time at the entrance station. The park pass for Acadia National Park is good for seven consecutive days, which is perfect if you visit for more than one day. You could also buy the America the Beautiful Pass if you visit other national parks within the year. This pass gets you into any national park in the United States for a year.
Start your days early. Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, with over 2.5 million visitors per year, and has high crowds, especially during the peak season. Starting your day early in the morning allows you to enter the park without waiting in line and see some must-see beaches before most people arrive. You will also avoid the long wait times at the entrance stations.
Consider riding the shuttle. If Acadia National Park is busy, you can ride the free Island Explorer shuttle to most of the must-see attractions. Many parking lots in Acadia National Park are small, so riding the shuttle brings you where you need to be without worrying about parking.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Where to Stay in Acadia National Park

It is always good to be in an area where restaurants, grocery stores, ice cream shops (who does not love a good ice cream cone), and everything else you need is nearby. Bar Harbor is the perfect place to find a place to stay when you visit Acadia National Park because it has everything conveniently located nearby, including the entrance to Acadia National Park. There are also many nearby towns offer cheaper accommodations.

Note: Many accommodations in Bar Harbor book up as far as a year in advance. Once you create your Acadia National Park itinerary, I highly recommend booking the Acadia National Park hotels as soon as possible.

Bar Harbor Hotels and Campgrounds:

The Best Beaches in Acadia National Park

Sand Beach

Sand Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Acadia National Park for good reasons! The scenic beach surrounded by cliffs is the perfect place to picnic, swim, or relax. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the park and will quickly take your breath away once you see it.

It is a quick walk from the parking lot down to Sand Beach where you can enjoy the views. If you want to hike, the Great Head Trail is perfect. The 1.6-mile trail begins on the east side of Sand Beach and loops around the peninsula, providing beautiful views.

Because Sand Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Acadia National Park, the parking lot fills up quickly. I recommend making Sand Beach one of the first stops on your road trip through the park so you can enjoy the beach without the crowds.

Boulder Beach

Boulder Beach is often overlooked because it is hidden between other must-see attractions, including Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. Many people do not even know Boulder Beach exists! If you want to visit, I recommend parking at the parking lot right before it or near Otter Cliff and walking the short distance to it on Ocean Path. Ocean Path is a stunning hike providing beautiful ocean views.

Although Boulder Beach is not a large beach, it does not lack beauty! As its name states, it is a beach full of boulders. Some of the best views are from the nearby cliffs overlooking the ocean and beach. It is also a beautiful spot for sunrise if you want to avoid crowds in other popular areas.

Echo Lake Beach

Echo Lake Beach is a small sandy beach along the shores of Echo Lake near Southwest Harbor in Acadia National Park. Because Echo Lake Beach is on the other side of Desert Island, many people overlook it. And although it does not provide ocean views, the views of Echo Lake and the surrounding mountains are beautiful!

The beach is small, but it offers a great place to swim or enjoy a picnic. You can also hike the 1.8-mile loop to the cliffs on the nearby mountain. The hike is not for the faint of heart because it has many steel ladders along the trail, but the views overlooking the surrounding area are stunning!

Little Hunters Beach

Little Hunters Beach is another small beach in Acadia National Park near Seal Harbor. It is a bit different from the others mentioned above because it does not have sand. Instead, it only has cobblestones created from glacial activity.

Although swimming is discouraged at Little Hunters Beach, it is still a beautiful beach to visit! The beach is in a stunning cove with the cobblestones, and it is an easy walk from Park Loop Road. Only a few parking spots are available along the road since it does not have a designated parking lot. Once you visit Little Hunters Beach, you will quickly realize why it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Acadia National Park!

Hunters Beach

Hunters Beach is just past Little Hunters Beach and is very similar, with beautiful cliffs and a cobblestone beach area. From the parking area, it is a quick 0.6-mile round trip hike to Hunters Beach, where you can enjoy the beautiful ocean views. It is the perfect beach in Acadia National Park to avoid crowds since many overlook it.

Seal Harbor Beach

Although Seal Harbor Beach is not as scenic as others in Acadia National Park, it is a great place to swim in the summer heat! Located in the small town of Seal Harbor, this beach does not get nearly as many visitors as others in the park. Seal Harbor Beach has a thin sandy beach where you can relax, picnic, or swim.

After you visit Seal Harbor Beach, you can enjoy some lesser-known trails. One of my favorites in the area is Day Mountain. The 1.7-mile round-trip trail gradually climbs while providing stunning views of the surrounding area. It is a great hike to escape the crowds!

Seawall Beach

On the other side of Acadia National Park, near Southwest Harbor, is a small but beautiful beach. Seawall Beach is in the Seawall Picnic Area and offers a great place to enjoy ocean views. It is also near a popular campground, making it the perfect place to visit after you set up camp.

This area in Acadia National Park is underrated and offers many things to do. After exploring Seawall Beach, you can visit Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, hike the Ship Harbor Trail, or explore nearby tidepools.

If you want to visit beaches when you visit Acadia National Park, you are in the right place. This guide has everything you need to know about the most beautiful beaches in Acadia National Park!