Hike Ocean Path Trail

Explore vast slabs of pink granite, picturesque cliffs, and breathtaking oceans views as the Ocean Path takes you along the bold coast of Maine. The Ocean Path is a great way to access Thunder Hole and Otter Point from Sand Beach on a gradual hike. Find a plaque dedicated to John D. Rockefeller for all of the work he did in providing the experience that people continue to have today in Acadia National Park.

• Distance: 2.2 mile traill one way, 4.4 miles round trip. The trail is 0.7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole.

• Terrain/Safety: From Sand Beach to Thunder Hole the trail is a mix of concrete and packed gravel surfaces. The rest of the trail is gravelly and rocky with uneven surfaces. There are two staircases present 1.4 miles into the trail as the path climbs around a rocky cliff section. Steep drops into the ocean. Keep children away from the edge. Good footwear is recommended.

Visitors can ride the fare-free Island Explorer to visit Ocean Path. The bus drops off and picks up at regular intervals throughout the day at the Island Explorer sign located in the right lane of Park Loop Road at Thunder Hole, and on the right side of Sand Beach lower parking lot.

Hike Description

• The trail begins from the upper parking lot of Sand Beach. It can also be accessed from the Thunder Hole and Otter Point parking areas.
• Leaving from Sand Beach the trail consists of concrete and packed gravel sections that gradually rise over a hill providing a overarching view across the entire ocean path coastline.
• Gradually descend on accessible trail to Thunder Hole, an underwater sea cave that with the right conditions (2 hours before high-tide and high winds) can produce thundering crashes heard up and down the trail.
• Continuing past Thunder Hole the trail becomes uneven but remains gradual as it begins climbing up through a spruce/fir forest.
• Arrive at Otter Cliffs, 110-ft cliffs that mark the highest point along the Ocean Path. Climb up a granite staircase to a walkway that parallels the road to cross over the cliffs and descend down another staircase on the other side.
• The trail continues down to Otter Point where granite slabs are surrounded by ocean on both sides. Many people return to Sand Beach from here but a couple hundred more feet the trail ends at Otter Cove with a small staircase and a stunning view across the Otter Cove causeway with Cadillac and Dorr Mountain in the background.

Details

Duration

2-4 Hours

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Pets are welcome in Acadia, but rules apply. Federal law requires that all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times. Collect and dispose of animal waste in trash containers. Find information about service animals, the Bark Ranger program, and a list of locations where pets are restricted from entry at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPets

Activity Fee

No

All visitors aged 16 and above must have a park entrance pass. All vehicles must display a pass clearly visible through the windshield. Pass purchase options are described fully online at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPass.

Location

Ocean Path Trail

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

Excellent location to watch sunrise and escape the crowds on Cadillac Mountain.

Accessibility Information

Ocean Path is accessible from the upper parking lot of Sand Beach to Thunder Hole. From Thunder Hole to Otter Point the trail becomes uneven and granite staircases bring the trail past Otter Cliffs.

There are accessible restrooms at the Sand Beach parking area.

Sand Beach has five accessible parking spaces in the lower parking lot. A rugged staircase, or steep walk on the road, can be taken to the upper car park where Ocean Path starts.

Thunder Hole parking area is the most physically accessible entrance to Ocean Path. There are three accessible parking spots which lead to a ramp, a crosswalk, and the short section of Ocean Path that is paved.

Otter Point parking area has one accessible parking spot, but the trail in this section is more hazardous with roots and larger rocks.

Tags: acadia national park, reservations required, sand beach, sunrise, coastal, hiking, park loop road, mount desert island, out and back, island explorer

Open Transcript  Open Descriptive Transcript

Transcript

This video shows a lined parking lot along the Park Loop Road. It is surrounded by trees, and to the side of the lot are several waysides, restrooms, a trash receptacle, changing areas, a water bottle filling station, and a bus stop. The video cuts to the area following the path that goes through the visitor amenities. The path forks in several directions. On the left, it continues along several hiking trails, while the right path leads to some stairs that go down to the beach.

Descriptive Transcript

This video shows a lined parking lot along the Park Loop Road. It is surrounded by trees, and to the side of the lot are several waysides, restrooms, a trash receptacle, changing areas, a water bottle filling station, and a bus stop. The video cuts to the area following the path that goes through the visitor amenities. The path forks in several directions. On the left, it continues along several hiking trails, while the right path leads to some stairs that go down to the beach.

Duration:

44.177 seconds

A video, accessible description and transcript of the Sand Beach parking lots in Acadia National Park. (February 2025)

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Two designated accessible parking spaces are located outside a gift shop at one end of the Thunder Hole parking lot. Two more spaces are located at the opposite end of the lot near restrooms which do not appear to be wheelchair accessible. The remainder of the video follows switchbacks to a road crossing and passage along the Park Loop Road to a ramp that leads to a granite platform with views of Thunder Hole and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Duration:

1 minute, 19 seconds

A description and transcript of the Thunder Hole parking area and access routes in Acadia National Park. (February 2025)

Tags: acadia national park, reservations required, sand beach, sunrise, coastal, hiking, park loop road, mount desert island, out and back, island explorer