Sand Beach

At a glance

• Location: Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island
• Type: Swimming area
• Setting: Soft, pink sand between granite cliffs
• Facilities: Parking, shuttle stop, restrooms, changing rooms and showers
• Other amenities: Seating, drinking water, recycling, trash cans and a trailhead
• Best for: Swimming, relaxing, stargazing and starting nearby hikes
• Good to know: Ocean temperatures usually range from 50–60°F, or 10–15°C
• Access: The beach requires descending a cliffside staircase

Why visit

Sand Beach is Acadia’s largest sandy beach and one of its most popular destinations. Its soft, pink sand forms a small coastal strip bordered by granite cliffs.

Visitors come to relax beside the waves, swim and reach several nearby trails. Ocean Path, Beehive Loop and Gorham Mountain Loop are accessible from this area. The beach is kid-friendly and dog-friendly.

Sand Beach is also a notable stargazing location. During summer, the park calendar may list ranger-led night-sky programs.

Getting there

The Sand Beach entrance is on the left side of Park Loop Road. It appears shortly after the Entrance Station and Schooner Head Road intersection.

The main parking lot is about 0.1 miles away. It has auto parking and accessible spaces. Drivers will find 5 angled accessible spaces and 2 access lanes in the first aisle on the right. These spaces are nearest the sidewalk and Island Explorer stop.

Another lot sits above the main lot. It has no accessible spaces, and visitors reach it by stairs. When both lots fill, drivers park along Park Loop Road and walk to the beach.

The free Island Explorer serves Sand Beach throughout the day at regular intervals. Its sign stands along the parking lot’s edge. An electronic display provides scheduled arrival times. A shaded pavilion with seating is behind the stop.

Hulls Cove Visitor Center is about 6 miles away. Bar Harbor, Maine, is about 4 miles away. Southwest Harbor is about 8 miles away, and Ellsworth is about 19 miles away. These are straight-line distances.

The listed airports are Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) and Bangor International Airport (BGR).

What to see and do

The beach offers swimming and space for relaxing near the waves. Its pink sand and cliff-lined setting differ from the surrounding rugged coast.

Swimming requires caution. Ocean water can feel extremely cold, including during summer. Its usual temperature range is 50–60°F, or 10–15°C. Strong tides and unexpected rogue waves can catch experienced swimmers off guard.

Stargazing is another popular activity. Check the summer park calendar for night-sky ranger program schedules.

Hikers can begin several routes around Sand Beach. Ocean Path, Beehive Loop and Gorham Mountain Loop are available from this location.

A longer NPS activity connects Sieur de Monts with Sand Beach. The trek uses 4 trails and reaches the summit of Champlain Mountain. It provides views of lakes, mountains and the ocean. The typical time is 160 minutes, or 2.7 hours.

History and nature

Glacial activity helped shape Sand Beach. Shell fragments accumulated over millennia, contributing to its soft, pink sand.

Granite cliffs surround the beach. The sandy shore creates a contrast with the rugged cliffs and coastline. Although relatively short, it remains Acadia’s largest sandy beach.

Its calm waters and coastal setting draw swimmers and sunbathers during warmer months. The beach remains a popular destination throughout the year.

When to go

Acadia National Park and Sand Beach are year-round destinations. Summer attracts swimmers and sunbathers, while summer evenings may include ranger-led night-sky programs.

Parking is commonly full by 10 a.m. and may remain full until around 3–4 p.m. Arriving early or late can improve parking options.

Summer temperatures range widely. Fall temperatures also vary from below freezing to mild conditions. The first frost typically occurs in mid-October.

Snowfall usually begins in November and may continue through April. Average accumulation is 73 inches, or 185 centimeters. Winter temperatures range from 14–35°F, or -10–2°C.

Spring temperatures range from below freezing to mild conditions. Conditions can vary widely in every season, so pack layers and check current forecasts.

Accessibility

Sand Beach itself is not wheelchair-accessible. Reaching the sand requires taking a staircase down the cliffside.

The main lot has 5 angled accessible spaces and 2 access lanes. They occupy the first aisle on the right, close to the sidewalk and shuttle stop. The upper lot lacks accessible spaces and requires stair access.

Restrooms and changing rooms have wheelchair-accessible stalls. The bathroom facility is reachable by a concrete ramp to the changing station’s right. Two separate stairways, each with 5 steps, also reach the facility.

Low faucets at both ends of the changing rooms allow visitors to rinse their feet. A drinking fountain faces the main parking lot on the building’s left side. It has several spouts and a ground-level bowl for dogs and service animals.

Accessible restroom facilities, family restrooms and flush toilets are available. Benches and other seating include a shaded pavilion behind the shuttle stop.

Fees and rules

Acadia National Park is open year-round. Individual facilities, including Hulls Cove Visitor Center, may have separate operating schedules.

Listed park fees are:

• Private vehicle entrance: $35
• Motorcycle entrance: $30
• Per-person entrance: $20
• Timed entry reservation for a location: $6

Dogs are welcome at Sand Beach. Follow posted rules, manage waste properly and use the available trash and recycling receptacles.

Remain alert in the water. Cold temperatures, strong tides and rogue waves create hazards, even for experienced swimmers.

Nearby trails and places

Great Head Trail begins about 0.2 miles away and is about 1.7 miles as mapped. Ocean Path is about 0.3 miles away and about 2.2 miles as mapped.

Beehive Trail is about 0.4 miles away and about 0.7 miles as mapped. Bowl Trail is about 0.5 miles away and about 0.7 miles as mapped.

Gorham Mountain Trail is about 0.5 miles away and about 1.6 miles as mapped. Champlain South Ridge Trail is about 0.7 miles away and about 1.5 miles as mapped.

The Beehive summit is about 0.4 miles away, while Gorham Mountain summit is about 0.6 miles away. Great Head Parking is about 0.4 miles away. Ocean Drive Parking is about 0.3 miles away.

Thunder Hole Shop is about 0.6 miles away. Thunder Hole’s shuttle stop, parking and restroom are each about 0.7 miles away.

The Sand Beach restroom and parking area are each about 0.1 miles away. On-site amenities include showers, potable water, restrooms, seating, recycling and trash receptacles.

Before you go

Check current conditions, alerts, facility hours and the summer program calendar on the park’s NPS website. Parking fills early, so consider the Island Explorer or arrive outside the busiest period.

Carry water, pack layers and prepare for cold ocean temperatures. Follow posted swimming guidance and remain attentive to tides and rogue waves. Leave no trace.

Questions