Acadia Woody's Cadillac Loop 3 Hour Driving Tour

Cadillac Mountain is the highest point of land inside Acadia National Park measuring a quarter of a mile, 1530 ft., at peak elevation. The highest point of land on the eastern seaboard, Cadillac Mountain also marks the spot as the first place to see the sunrise in the contiguous United States. We are able to drive to Cadillac summit which has spectacular views of the tiny village of Bar Harbor, the Porcupine islands, cruise ships out in Frenchman's bay and the Atlantic Ocean for miles in most directions. The summit has a great granite & cement path that takes about 15 or 20 minutes to circle for those who want a little stretch or walk.

Sand beach is a stop where you can go down to the beach for pictures. One of the best places during the excursion to get right up next to the Atlantic Ocean. I would suggest about 10 or 15 minutes to enjoy this stop, take a short walk and have some pictures.

Thunder Hole is one of the most popular ocean-side attractions inside Acadia National Park. It is a significant formation of granite shoreline sculpted by the Atlantic Ocean's pounding waves and Mother Nature since the last Ice Age. At a few hours before the high tide, you have the best chance of hearing the thunderous sound of the ocean pounding into Thunder Hole's cave. It is named "Thunder Cave" on some old maps. If you get too close you can get drenched. You will feel the granite shake underneath your feet if the wave is big enough. The granite has a beautiful salmon-pink color all along the shoreline nearby, and at Thunder Hole in particular. During stormier days, Acadia National Park's rangers will restrict or shut down access to this attraction.

The 27 mile Park Loop road is the major sight seeing drive inside Acadia National Park. At the average speed limit, it is possible to drive its entirety in just about one hour. Most groups like to stop multiple times. When we visit places along the way, you will have a bit of time to get out and take pictures and walk about to explore. Those who prefer less walking are able to see most of Acadia National Park's highlights right from the comfort of their seat.

Acadia National Park's loop road takes us over and around Otter Point. Otter Point is the highest cliff face on the entire seaboard of the contiguous United States. A beautiful granite sided two level road was constructed for the best vistas right from the vehicle. The ringing buoy nearby is a charming sound to most visitors.

Little Hunter's Beach is a classic example of a cobblestone beach. Cobblestone beaches are more common in this area and are not so well protected like most sandy beaches. On a cobblestone beach, the loose sand and other smaller objects are washed out to sea, smoothing bigger rocks, or cobblestones, which remain on the beach during a never-ending "sanding" process. You can listen for the unique sound of cobblestones clicking together as the waves go in and out. Being so close to the Bay of Fundy, home to the most extreme tide shifts in the world, gives the Maine coast big tide changes from low to high, twice a day. Most coves are not protected from the open ocean and the loose sand gets dragged out with every tide, smoothing and leaving behind the bigger rocks too heavy to dislodge.

Sieur de Monts Spring is a natural spring in Acadia. George Dorr, Acadia National Park's first superintendent and founding father, deemed the spring, "The Sweet Waters of Acadia." The Wildwood gardens are popular for a walk if you have enough time. Acadia National Park's Nature center is located here and usually has a Ranger to speak with for questions. The Abbe Museum has a small facility on the grounds open during the summer season. It has artifacts and history of the indigenous tribes of the area.

During your tour you will see examples of the Carriage Road system inside Acadia National Park. Constructed and designed by John Rockefeller Jr. during the development of the park, it runs for about 50 miles around the lakes, ponds and mountains of Acadia. A drive by the Wildwood Stables lets us admire some of the horses going on, or coming back from a pleasurable trot on the Carriage Road system.

Jordan Pond is a fresh water pond along Acadia National Park's loop road. Simply driving along the road affords beautiful views of Jordan Pond as we pass through the valley of several interior mountains here. Jordan Pond is home to the only restaurant inside Acadia National Park. The Jordan Pond House restaurant is famous for serving Tea & Popovers pond-side to its diners. The biggest gift shop of Acadia National Park is located here. Carriage roads and hiking trails exist along Jordan Pond's banks.

Eagle Lake is a fresh water lake situated at the base of Cadillac mountain and several others and is easily visible from Acadia National Park's loop road. You also have the opportunity for great views at a pull over spot about a third of the way up Cadillac Mountain summit road. John Rockefeller Jr. made sure his famous Carriage Roads made its way around Eagle Lake below. A six mile Carriage Road loop goes around the lake and connects to the rest of Acadia National Park's Carriage Road system.

Acadia National Park surrounds the village of Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is a quaint New England fishing port and a sea food lover's paradise. Lobster doesn't get any fresher or more succulent than from these very icy Atlantic Ocean waters. Bar Harbor is visible from many different points as you move along during your excursion. The best view is from the summit of Cadillac Mountain one quarter of a mile above Bar Harbor. We drive through most of the village pointing out historical interests.