We took a couple of hours but you could make it a bit faster (fewer stops) or a whole lot longer. We were traveling with a big dog, so we passed on some stops, but the Visitor Center, Sands Beach, and Thunder Hole are must stops. You can buy a little $4 booklet at the VC that gives mileage markers and info and history about each stop.

We haven’t been to Acadia for a few years, decided to revisit, but we’re not aware that in order to go Sand Beach or Cadillac Mountain you need to make a reservation for your vehicle. Of course this requirement is in effect till 10/18/2020. If you have an internet connection I would assume it would be an easy task, but you need an account needless to say, we did not get a reservation, so we took the Loop Road and enjoyed our trip thru the park. The cars that were lined up to travel up to Cadillac Mountain were backed up on the roads were the Park Rangers were checking the tickets. Hope everyone got up there before dark. Maybe next year things will go more smoothly. Also just for some information if you are disabled there is no way for you to go to the Ranger Station at Hull Cove to get a pass or help. The stairs are a killer.

My wife and I visited Acadia for the first time in years and were pleased to see the park is still in great shape. It was a kind of a reflection of these times as the road was filled with bikers as well as filled parking areas and multiple hikers. I imagine this appreciation of the outdoors is being repeated all over the country.

Beautiful and worth the trip. We were here 4 years ago around the same time the park is MUCH more crowded this year, finding a parking space is like hitting the lottery and it was a Wednesday. Eating locations vary sparse, highly recommend bringing your own food in.

We happened to drive the park loop road on a foul-weather day with frequent heavy rains, and it was still worthwhile, especially for the views of spontaneous waterfalls cascading down the steep rock faces typical of the Mount Desert Island terrain. The road affords many convenient turnouts with helpful, and colorful, interpretive signs. The ever-changing scenery can be spellbinding in any season. An early start is recommended, as traffic builds over the course of the day, regardless of the weather. Moreover, remember that bad driving is as common in a national park as anywhere else. When in doubt, slow down, or even use pullouts to let tailgaters pass. You are here for the unhurried serenity, not to indulge the manic, thoughtless, or careless.

The Park Loop Road is one of the best scenic drives in the country and a fantastic way to see a good part of this beautiful park. To understand how to enjoy Acadia, you sort of need the history. Civic groups and wealthy people (Philanthropists) made the park possible by purchasing and donating the land to US Government. There is no other National Park like it. There are little pockets of the park that are easily missed if you stay on Park Loop Road. Take a good look at the map and, if you have time, get off the Loop Road and explore places like Schoodic Peninsula. We were fortunate to spend several days driving and exploring the Park and the Park Loop Road making stops along the way. In 2016, we were lucky to see the first place the sun rises in the US from the top of Cadillac Mountain, but it currently requires a permit, so we had to forgo that on this trip. It is worth getting up so early to see. We stopped and spent some time at Jordan Pond and although we have never had the Popovers at the Jordan Pond House, I've heard they are terrific...someday. Like most National Parks, it gets very crowded in the summer so you will need to be patient. There are more than 150 miles of trails for hiking, 45 miles of carriage roads for horseback riding thanks to John D. Rockefeller, Jr, stargazing, biking and so much more. With the Park Loop Road being only 27 miles long, you could see a lot of the park in an afternoon, just enough to make you want to come back.

This is the most crowded section of Acadia National Park, so be sure you also see the western side (aka “quiet side” of Mt. Desert Island, and the Schoodic Peninsula to the east of Mt. Desert Island, both less visited than the Park Loop Road. We started at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to get a park map. Then we stopped at Schooner Head Overlook (can see Egg Rock Lighthouse in distance); Sand Beach (pretty but crowded, not worth fighting for parking unless you want to swim); Thunder Hole (pretty but crowded, not worth fighting for parking unless you arrive at the peak time for the waves); Otter Point (beautiful); Fabbri (pretty); Little Hunters Beach Overlook (pretty view from above, did not stop at the beach itself); Jordan Pond (walked a bit on the pond trail, closing time for restaurant); and the north end of Eagle Lake. The highlight for us was Otter Point. Eagle Lake and the beaver pond near it were very pretty in the late afternoon light. See my separate reviews of these stops for more details on each one. Along the Park Loop Road, we saw a doe and two new fawns crossing the road on their unsteady legs, and a porcupine feeding beside the road (both amazing sights). So keep your eyes out for wildlife.

Driving Park Loop Raod is the best way to get acquainted with Acadia. The best time to drive the more than 20 mile loop is just after sunrise when the park is not crowded. Then one may stop just about anywhere along the way to see the sites, take in the gorgeous views, and find a parking spot.

This loop takes you through only a portion of Acadia NP. There are more things to see like the lighthouse and other hikes not on the loop. The loop takes you through forests, seeing mountains as well as the seacoast (both rocky and sandy - yes they have a rare sandy beach). We visited just as they were opening the state up after CV19, so it wasn't crowded - although I could see it being crazy crowded with traffic and challenges parking in a "normal" season. Stop along the way and see the various sights that are easy walks and consider getting adventurous and hiking some of the trails. Beehive was my wife's favorite trail of all the trails we've hiked around the country.

This was our first trip there, and I wish we had more time to spend it. But, now we know and someday we will come back there. The Park gets crowded regardless Covid-19. I can only imagine how it looked like before. You need at least 3-4 hours, just to brush off some points. It is not a bad idea to drive around first gets some impression what you like to do and then stop at certain spots and explore them more. The Sand Beach is very busy, unless you like to spend some time on a beach or swim, I would skip it. However, there is very nice – not too easy walk along coastline from the Sand Beach to Otter Pont. Watch out for bicyclist.