7 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Acadia National Park

A couple of weekends ago, I finally crossed something off my bucket list. I finally took a trip up to Acadia National Park. Growing up, I actually had no interest in ever visiting Acadia, but now as an adult, it’s been high on my bucket list. I’ve been desperately wanting to get out and explore Maine (and New England, in general) a bit more so I was really excited when my sister and her fiance invited me on a fun, last-minute day trip up to Bar Harbor.

We didn’t do any hiking this trip. Instead, we decided to take the gorgeous scenic drive on Park Loop Rd. This is the main road that goes through Acadia. We wanted to make it a super easy and laid back day trip so we really just focused on exploring and taking pictures. Thankfully Park Loop Rd. hits a lot of the most touristy stops so even without hiking, you get to see a little of everything!

After doing a little research, I went to Acadia with a list of places I wanted to see and photograph and they were all well worth it! So today I’m sharing 7 Instagram-worthy spots to visit on your next visit to Acadia National Park.

1. Otter Cliffs

Otter Cliffs were at the top of my to-see list when we visited Acadia. Whenever I look up Acadia on Google or Instagram, a vast majority of the photos I see have been taken at Otter Cliffs. So this was the top spot I wanted to see when we visited. The water was so blue here and the trails to get to them went right along the water so the whole walk was stunning. It was a very easy walk, but a bit longer than some of the others have listed on here (a good couple of miles or so) so be aware of that if visiting with little ones. A good carrier would be helpful for babies and toddlers!

2. Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is already on our itinerary for the next time we visit Acadia. We were going to drive to the top while we were there, but we opted to drive into Bar Harbor for dinner instead. So we’ll be adding this hike to the next trip. It’s a shorter hike (a couple of hours each way) so it’s perfect for families and the views look amazing! I’m really excited about this one.

3. Thunder Hole

At first, I had little to no interest in seeing Thunder Hole, but it was actually pretty cool! The waves come crashing right up through the rocks so it’s likely you’ll get wet if you’re standing too close. Some of the walkways were even closed off due to the path being slippery from the water. But there are a lot of fun rocks to climb up onto in order to get a great photo of the crashing waves and the surrounding cliffs.

Pro Tip: Thunder Hole also has a super cute little shop right across the street in the parking lot if you’re looking for a cold drink and/or a souvenir! 

4. Jordan Pond

I’m sad that we didn’t see Jordan Pond on our most recent visit, but it’s on my list for the next time. Jordan Pond is a gorgeous pond surrounded by mountains and it’s another really popular spot for touristy photos. Unlike the rest of the locations on this list, Jordan Pond gives you more of a mountain/lake life vibe as opposed to a coastal/ocean vibe so it’s a must-see if you love mountains.

5. Schooner Head Overlook

Without a map, we never would have known Schooner Head existed. It’s a gorgeous overlook off Park Loop Rd (the main road that takes you through Acadia) and it’s a must-see if you’re visiting Acadia National Park. After parking your car in the parking lot, you can hike down a short trail to the cliffs and get a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a super easy walk for those with young children and pets as well so feel free to bring the whole family!

6. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

We didn’t visit Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse in our most recent visit, but I definitely plan to see it the next time we’re in Bar Harbor. It’s on my 30 before 30 bucket list to visit all the lighthouses in Maine over the next three years so I’m really excited to cross this one off my list.

7. Sand Beach

Sand Beach is this cute little beach that’s tucked away behind trees and surrounded by mountains. This is another spot that can be super easy to miss if you’re not already looking for it so be sure to add this to your itinerary (this is also a great place for a bathroom break if you have little ones!). We visited in the springtime so it wasn’t quite warm enough to do any swimming, but I imagine this is a great spot for families in the summer months. And the views are incredible!

What are your favorite spots for photo ops in Acadia National Park?