Access to Loop Road from Asticou Hotel

Question

We are looking at staying at the Asticou Hotel late September. We were initially attracted to the hotel for its close proximity to the scenic stops/trails in the southern/ southeast part of the Loop Road (such as Sand Beach, Otter Cliff, Jordan Pond..).

This is our first trip to Maine/Acadia. It appears that there is an entrance station nearby at Stanley Brook, Jordan Pond, and another at Sand Beach. Would we be able to enter the Loop Road from one of those and get to the points of interest without having to drive all the way up to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center each time? I have read that it is one way road in parts and I’m unclear about how this all works.

Help is appreciated! Would not want to book a hotel that ends up being inconvenient.

Answer

The Asticou Hotel is a lovely choice for staying on Mount Desert Island, especially for those looking to explore the scenic beauty of Acadia National Park, including the southern and southeastern areas of the Loop Road. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your questions about accessing the Loop Road and navigating the park's entrance points:

First, it's important to know that Acadia's Loop Road is indeed a one-way road in several parts, which can cause some confusion when planning your route. Here's how it works and how you can access the Loop Road from various points:

Accessing the Loop Road from Asticou Hotel:

The Asticou Hotel is located in Northeast Harbor, on the southern side of the island, which is very convenient for accessing the southern portion of the Loop Road. The main Loop Road runs in a loop around the park, and you can indeed access the various scenic stops and trails from different entrance points without having to go all the way back to Hulls Cove Visitor Center each time. Here’s a more detailed look:

Stanley Brook Entrance: This is a great entrance located close to Jordan Pond and the southern part of the Loop Road. It provides direct access to the park's scenic spots like the Jordan Pond House, which is an excellent place to stop for lunch or tea. You can easily access the Loop Road from this point, heading south toward Sand Beach, Otter Cliff, and other nearby stops.
Sand Beach Entrance: This entrance is right by Sand Beach and is another excellent access point for the Loop Road. From here, you can drive to some of the park's most iconic spots, including Otter Cliff and Cadillac Mountain (though you’ll need to pay attention to seasonal closures on Cadillac Mountain Road, depending on the time of year).
Jordan Pond Entrance: Jordan Pond is located near the heart of Acadia, and you’ll have access to the Jordan Pond Path, which is one of the most famous hikes in the park, as well as the Jordan Pond House. From this entrance, you can access the Loop Road that takes you south toward Sand Beach, Otter Cliff, and beyond.

How the One-Way System Works on the Loop Road:

Parts of the Loop Road are indeed one-way, which is primarily designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly during the busy season. The main sections of the road that are one-way include the stretch from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center south to the Sand Beach area, and then down along the eastern side of the park. Here's how it affects your travel:

From the Stanley Brook Entrance or Jordan Pond area, you can drive south to Sand Beach and continue to other scenic points like Otter Cliff.
Once you reach the southernmost part of the park, you’ll need to loop back to return to the area you started from, but you don’t necessarily need to go all the way back to Hulls Cove. As long as you’re careful about which sections of the Loop Road are one-way, you can explore the park efficiently without retracing your steps too much.
If you plan to visit Cadillac Mountain, be aware that the road to the summit has specific seasonal hours and closures, but there are also scenic views from the surrounding areas.

Suggestions for a Convenient Stay at Asticou Hotel:

Given its location, the Asticou Hotel offers a great balance between easy access to the southern Loop Road and a more peaceful area away from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor. With the nearby entrances at Stanley Brook and Jordan Pond, you can explore a significant portion of the park without needing to drive all the way up to Hulls Cove each time. The hotel is also within walking distance of several scenic spots, and its location provides a quiet retreat after a busy day of sightseeing.

In summary, you’ll be able to access the Loop Road easily from multiple points near the Asticou Hotel without having to drive up to Hulls Cove every time. The one-way sections of the Loop Road do require some attention, but they don’t pose a major obstacle. It seems like a great base for your visit to Acadia National Park!

Access to Loop Road from Asticou Hotel

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