Last updated: September 26, 2024
Thing to Do
Hike Ocean Path Trail with Island Explorer Bus
Ashley L. Conti/Friends of Acadia
The Ocean Path stretches 2.2 miles along Acadia’s coastline. With a sand beach, rocky inlets and granite cliffs, this scenic trail is rightfully popular for those looking to get the most out of their trip to Acadia. This trail links together many of the Parks “must see” locations in one hike and has four official bus stops: one at its start and end and two along the way for maximum trail flexibility.
Hiking the Ocean Path is a relaxing and engaging way to explore many of Acadia’s iconic locations and vistas. By combining this hike with the bus, it cuts what would otherwise be an out-and-back hike in half while removing the stress of finding parking at any of the numerous popular destinations along this stretch. The trail is mostly flat and the section from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4-foot-wide path of mixed gravel and concrete with a few shallow steps. Beyond popular destinations and countless scenic vistas, other activities include swimming at Sand Beach, collecting a passport stamp from Thunder Hole and bird watching. Hikers can start at either end of the path, Sand Beach or Otter Point, and there are an additional two bus stops along the trail as well that can also act as the beginning/end of the hike. This flexibility is great for mixed groups or hikers unsure if they can make it 2.2 miles.
Swimming: Sand Beach is where the Ocean Path begins and is the easiest place to access the ocean for swimming in the whole park. The water is cold (around 55 degrees Fahrenheit in summer) so use caution and plan for a short swim.
Bird Watching: Ocean Path can be a great location to watch for sea birds like cormorants, guillemots and gulls
Passport Stamp Collecting: The Thunder Hole passport stamp can be found at the Thunder Hole gift shop at mile 0.7
Hiking the Ocean Path is a relaxing and engaging way to explore many of Acadia’s iconic locations and vistas. By combining this hike with the bus, it cuts what would otherwise be an out-and-back hike in half while removing the stress of finding parking at any of the numerous popular destinations along this stretch. The trail is mostly flat and the section from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4-foot-wide path of mixed gravel and concrete with a few shallow steps. Beyond popular destinations and countless scenic vistas, other activities include swimming at Sand Beach, collecting a passport stamp from Thunder Hole and bird watching. Hikers can start at either end of the path, Sand Beach or Otter Point, and there are an additional two bus stops along the trail as well that can also act as the beginning/end of the hike. This flexibility is great for mixed groups or hikers unsure if they can make it 2.2 miles.
Swimming: Sand Beach is where the Ocean Path begins and is the easiest place to access the ocean for swimming in the whole park. The water is cold (around 55 degrees Fahrenheit in summer) so use caution and plan for a short swim.
Bird Watching: Ocean Path can be a great location to watch for sea birds like cormorants, guillemots and gulls
Passport Stamp Collecting: The Thunder Hole passport stamp can be found at the Thunder Hole gift shop at mile 0.7
Details
Duration
1-2 Hours
Allow for 1-2 hours to hike from Sand Beach to Otter Point along the Ocean Path.
The number 4 Loop Road bus (for transportation to and from the visitor center) comes every 20 minutes. The number 3 Sand Beach bus (for transportation to and from Bar Harbor) runs every 30 minutes. In addition to the bus stop at the beginning and end of the trail, there are an additional two bus stops along the way which can also act as a trail terminus.
The number 4 Loop Road bus (for transportation to and from the visitor center) comes every 20 minutes. The number 3 Sand Beach bus (for transportation to and from Bar Harbor) runs every 30 minutes. In addition to the bus stop at the beginning and end of the trail, there are an additional two bus stops along the way which can also act as a trail terminus.
Activity
Front-Country Hiking
The Ocean Path is a gradual trail, with a few steps and staircases. Disembark the bus at Sand Beach to begin the hike. Sand Beach has restrooms and water. A staircase can take visitors down to the beach itself to take in the views or enjoy the ocean. To begin the Ocean Path from the bus stop, hikers will follow the path back behind the restrooms and up the steps to the upper parking lot. At the south end of the narrow lot (opposite of the lots entrance) will be the start to Ocean Path.
The first .7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4 ft wide, mixed gravel and concrete path with a gradual slope and some small steps as it hugs the coastline. While the trail does run adjacent to the road, it has numerous overlooks only accessible to the hiker. Upon reaching Thunder Hole, hikers can walk a staircase down the cliff side to take a closer look at the narrow inlet. Thunder Hole gets its name from the loud boom in can make as the waves crash against the cliffs. Come 1-2 hours before high tide for the best chance at hearing Thunder Hole roar or around low tide for a close look at the narrow inlet carved out by the crashing waves. Thunder Hole is also a bus stop and can be the terminus for anyone looking for a shorter walk or to exit the trail before it becomes more uneven. In the Thunder Hole parking area, there is a small gift shop with a passport stamp and bathrooms.
Continuing past Thunder Hole, traffic will begin to thin as hikers explore a spruce/fir forest. At mile 1.0 hikers will get to the Gorham Mountain Trailhead (accessed in parking lot). Hikers can take this trail to summit Gorham and loop back to Sand Beach for a more moderate hike. For details, look under Hike Gorham Mountain Loop. Past the Gorham Mountain intersection, the trail becomes narrower and more uneven as it pulls away from the road.
At mile 1.4 hikers stand atop Otter Cliffs, the highest point along Ocean Path. These 110-foot, pink granite cliffs are some of the tallest headlands on the Atlantic Coast of North America. Use caution while exploring so as not to get too close the edge. The rock can be especially slippery when wet. Hikers will ascend a granite staircase to a walkway along the road before descending a staircase on the other side. Keep following the trail along the coastline. At mile 2.0 hikers will reach Otter Point where granite slabs are surrounded by ocean on either side. At this point hikers can cross the road to the bus stop or continue down the trail another 0.2 miles to complete the Ocean Path with views over Otter Cove and Cadillac and Door Mountain in the background. There is a small staircase back up to the road and parking lot. Hikers can cross the parking lot back to the bus stop along the road just in front of the Otter Point parking entrance.
The first .7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4 ft wide, mixed gravel and concrete path with a gradual slope and some small steps as it hugs the coastline. While the trail does run adjacent to the road, it has numerous overlooks only accessible to the hiker. Upon reaching Thunder Hole, hikers can walk a staircase down the cliff side to take a closer look at the narrow inlet. Thunder Hole gets its name from the loud boom in can make as the waves crash against the cliffs. Come 1-2 hours before high tide for the best chance at hearing Thunder Hole roar or around low tide for a close look at the narrow inlet carved out by the crashing waves. Thunder Hole is also a bus stop and can be the terminus for anyone looking for a shorter walk or to exit the trail before it becomes more uneven. In the Thunder Hole parking area, there is a small gift shop with a passport stamp and bathrooms.
Continuing past Thunder Hole, traffic will begin to thin as hikers explore a spruce/fir forest. At mile 1.0 hikers will get to the Gorham Mountain Trailhead (accessed in parking lot). Hikers can take this trail to summit Gorham and loop back to Sand Beach for a more moderate hike. For details, look under Hike Gorham Mountain Loop. Past the Gorham Mountain intersection, the trail becomes narrower and more uneven as it pulls away from the road.
At mile 1.4 hikers stand atop Otter Cliffs, the highest point along Ocean Path. These 110-foot, pink granite cliffs are some of the tallest headlands on the Atlantic Coast of North America. Use caution while exploring so as not to get too close the edge. The rock can be especially slippery when wet. Hikers will ascend a granite staircase to a walkway along the road before descending a staircase on the other side. Keep following the trail along the coastline. At mile 2.0 hikers will reach Otter Point where granite slabs are surrounded by ocean on either side. At this point hikers can cross the road to the bus stop or continue down the trail another 0.2 miles to complete the Ocean Path with views over Otter Cove and Cadillac and Door Mountain in the background. There is a small staircase back up to the road and parking lot. Hikers can cross the parking lot back to the bus stop along the road just in front of the Otter Point parking entrance.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pets are allowed on a leash. (6-feet or shorter)
Activity Fee
No
A park pass is required for any activity in the park. The pass should be left displayed in personal vehicles. Visitors are not required to carry it with them and will not be asked to show it while on the trail or riding the bus.
Location
The Ocean Path Trail
Hiking: Ocean Path is located on the Ocean Drive Corridor section of the Park Loop Road at Acadia National Park. The Ocean Path is a gradual trail, with a few steps and staircases. Disembark the bus at Sand Beach to begin the hike. Sand Beach has restrooms and water. A staircase can take visitors down to the beach itself to take in the views or enjoy the ocean. To begin the Ocean Path from the bus stop, hikers will follow the path back behind the restrooms and up the steps to the upper parking lot. At the south end of the narrow lot (opposite of the lots entrance) will be the start to Ocean Path. This is the trailhead.
The first .7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4 ft wide, mixed gravel and concrete path with a gradual slope and some small steps as it hugs the coastline. While the trail does run adjacent to the road, it has numerous overlooks only accessible to the hiker. Upon reaching Thunder Hole, hikers can walk a staircase down the cliff side to take a closer look at the narrow inlet. Thunder Hole gets its name from the loud boom in can make as the waves crash against the cliffs. Come 1-2 hours before high tide for the best chance at hearing Thunder Hole roar or around low tide for a close look at the narrow inlet carved out by the crashing waves. Thunder Hole is also a bus stop and can be the terminus for anyone looking for a shorter walk or to exit the trail before it becomes more uneven. In the Thunder Hole parking area, there is a small gift shop with a passport stamp and bathrooms.
Continuing past Thunder Hole, traffic will begin to thin as hikers explore a spruce/fir forest. At mile 1.0 hikers will get to the Gorham Mountain Trailhead (accessed in parking lot). Hikers can take this trail to summit Gorham and loop back to Sand Beach for a more moderate hike. For details, look under Hike Gorham Mountain Loop. Past the Gorham Mountain intersection, the trail becomes narrower and more uneven as it pulls away from the road.
At mile 1.4 hikers stand atop Otter Cliffs, the highest point along Ocean Path. These 110-foot, pink granite cliffs are some of the tallest headlands on the Atlantic Coast of North America. Use caution while exploring so as not to get too close the edge. The rock can be especially slippery when wet. Hikers will ascend a granite staircase to a walkway along the road before descending a staircase on the other side.
Keep following the trail along the coastline. At mile 2.0 hikers will reach Otter Point where granite slabs are surrounded by ocean on either side. At this point hikers can cross the road to the bus stop or continue down the trail another 0.2 miles to complete the Ocean Path with views over Otter Cove and Cadillac and Door Mountain in the background. There is a small staircase back up to the road and parking lot. Hikers can cross the parking lot back to the bus stop along the road just in front of the Otter Point parking entrance.
BUS INFORMATION: The Hull’s Cove Visitor Center and Village Green in Bar Harbor are the primary bus hubs on the island. Both have buses that will take you to Sand Beach.
Departure from Hull’s Cove Visitor Center: Take the #4 Loop Road Bus and exit the bus at the Sand Beach. The trip takes approx. 25 minutes.
Departure from Village Green: Take the #3 Sand Beach bus to Sand Beach. The trip takes approx. 25 minutes.
Upon disembarking, the changing rooms will be directly ahead. The steps down to the beach are to the left and the restrooms and water to the right. Take the trail behind the restrooms to the upper parking lot where the trail begins.
Return: The #4 bus stops at all bus stops along the trail and will take hikers back to the visitor center. The #3 bus stops at Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs but is not regularly scheduled to stop at Otter Point. Hikers who wish to return to Village Green should not plan on catching the #3 at Otter Point. Once at the visitor center, the #1 bus can take passengers to the Village Green as well.
Note: Island Explorer bus operations start mid-June and continue till mid-October. Schedules are subject to change. Refer to the website for latest information. www.exploreacadia.com
The first .7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4 ft wide, mixed gravel and concrete path with a gradual slope and some small steps as it hugs the coastline. While the trail does run adjacent to the road, it has numerous overlooks only accessible to the hiker. Upon reaching Thunder Hole, hikers can walk a staircase down the cliff side to take a closer look at the narrow inlet. Thunder Hole gets its name from the loud boom in can make as the waves crash against the cliffs. Come 1-2 hours before high tide for the best chance at hearing Thunder Hole roar or around low tide for a close look at the narrow inlet carved out by the crashing waves. Thunder Hole is also a bus stop and can be the terminus for anyone looking for a shorter walk or to exit the trail before it becomes more uneven. In the Thunder Hole parking area, there is a small gift shop with a passport stamp and bathrooms.
Continuing past Thunder Hole, traffic will begin to thin as hikers explore a spruce/fir forest. At mile 1.0 hikers will get to the Gorham Mountain Trailhead (accessed in parking lot). Hikers can take this trail to summit Gorham and loop back to Sand Beach for a more moderate hike. For details, look under Hike Gorham Mountain Loop. Past the Gorham Mountain intersection, the trail becomes narrower and more uneven as it pulls away from the road.
At mile 1.4 hikers stand atop Otter Cliffs, the highest point along Ocean Path. These 110-foot, pink granite cliffs are some of the tallest headlands on the Atlantic Coast of North America. Use caution while exploring so as not to get too close the edge. The rock can be especially slippery when wet. Hikers will ascend a granite staircase to a walkway along the road before descending a staircase on the other side.
Keep following the trail along the coastline. At mile 2.0 hikers will reach Otter Point where granite slabs are surrounded by ocean on either side. At this point hikers can cross the road to the bus stop or continue down the trail another 0.2 miles to complete the Ocean Path with views over Otter Cove and Cadillac and Door Mountain in the background. There is a small staircase back up to the road and parking lot. Hikers can cross the parking lot back to the bus stop along the road just in front of the Otter Point parking entrance.
BUS INFORMATION: The Hull’s Cove Visitor Center and Village Green in Bar Harbor are the primary bus hubs on the island. Both have buses that will take you to Sand Beach.
Departure from Hull’s Cove Visitor Center: Take the #4 Loop Road Bus and exit the bus at the Sand Beach. The trip takes approx. 25 minutes.
Departure from Village Green: Take the #3 Sand Beach bus to Sand Beach. The trip takes approx. 25 minutes.
Upon disembarking, the changing rooms will be directly ahead. The steps down to the beach are to the left and the restrooms and water to the right. Take the trail behind the restrooms to the upper parking lot where the trail begins.
Return: The #4 bus stops at all bus stops along the trail and will take hikers back to the visitor center. The #3 bus stops at Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs but is not regularly scheduled to stop at Otter Point. Hikers who wish to return to Village Green should not plan on catching the #3 at Otter Point. Once at the visitor center, the #1 bus can take passengers to the Village Green as well.
Note: Island Explorer bus operations start mid-June and continue till mid-October. Schedules are subject to change. Refer to the website for latest information. www.exploreacadia.com
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
The Park and trails are open 24 hours a day, but the Island Explorer shuttle begins service to Sand beach at 9 am and ends service between 5:20 and 5:40 pm.
Accessibility Information
Ocean Path is an unpaved trail. The first .7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is 3-4 feet wide, mixed gravel and concrete with a minimal grade and some small steps. Past Thunder Hole, the trail becomes uneven and narrows.