Hike Ocean Path Trail with Island Explorer Bus

The Ocean Path stretches 2.2 miles along Acadia’s coastline. With a sand beach, rocky inlets and granite cliffs, this scenic trail is rightfully popular for those looking to get the most out of their trip to Acadia. This trail links together many of the Parks “must see” locations in one hike and has four official bus stops: one at its start and end and two along the way for maximum trail flexibility. Hiking the Ocean Path is a relaxing and engaging way to explore many of Acadia’s iconic locations and vistas. By combining this hike with the bus, it cuts what would otherwise be an out-and-back hike in half while removing the stress of finding parking at any of the numerous popular destinations along this stretch. The trail is mostly flat and the section from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole is a 4-foot-wide path of mixed gravel and concrete with a few shallow steps. Beyond popular destinations and countless scenic vistas, other activities include swimming at Sand Beach, collecting a passport stamp from Thunder Hole and bird watching. Hikers can start at either end of the path, Sand Beach or Otter Point, and there are an additional two bus stops along the trail as well that can also act as the beginning/end of the hike. This flexibility is great for mixed groups or hikers unsure if they can make it 2.2 miles. Swimming: Sand Beach is where the Ocean Path begins and is the easiest place to access the ocean for swimming in the whole park. The water is cold (around 55 degrees Fahrenheit in summer) so use caution and plan for a short swim. Bird Watching: Ocean Path can be a great location to watch for sea birds like cormorants, guillemots and gulls Passport Stamp Collecting: The Thunder Hole passport stamp can be found at the Thunder Hole gift shop at mile 0.7