Park Loop Road - Acadia National Park

After our nearly 24 hour flight delay, we finally made it to Acadia National Park in mid-October, 2013.  While we arrived a bit past the peak of the fall foliage colors, we had a wonderful time exploring the park.  Our first stop was the Hull Cove Visitor Center parking lot.  Instead of a visitor center adjacent to the parking lot, we found a trail with 52 stairs leading up to the visitor center.

At the visitor center, we watched an edited version of "Acadia Always" narrated by Jack Perkins.  This film provides a brief history of the park and stunning images of the natural beauty of the park.  The visitor center also houses exhibits, an information desk, bookstore and restrooms.

This pavilion marks the beginning of the path that leads to the visitor center

Hulls Cove Visitor Center

Fall foliage at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center

After leaving the visitor center, we drove around Park Loop Road.  We stopped at several locations along the way, including Frenchman Bay, Duck Brook viaduct, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole.

Cruise ship in Frenchman Bay

Frenchman Bay

Duck Brook valley

Duck Brook

Meadow and mountain

Walking along the Park Loop Road

Great Meadow and Dorr Mountain

A pond on Bear Brook

The Beehive from the Sand Beach parking area

Barbara takes a picture

Sand Beach

Beach and rocks

The west end of Sand Beach

Stairs to the parking area

Stairs down to Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole

Waves crashing on the rocks leave pools of life

A subdued Thunder Hole

Waves battle the shoreline

A wave crashes into the rocks

An entrance fee of $20 per vehicle is collected at Acadia National Park.  The vehicle pass is valid for seven consecutive days.  Another option is to purchase the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass valid for one year for $80.  A lifetime Senior Pass is available for $10 for those 62 years of age or older.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm.