Sand Beach

Top choice in Acadia National Park

LoginSave

One of Acadia's most surprising features is this beautiful stretch of sandy shoreline tucked between mountains on the east side of Mount Desert Island. The beach is around 300m long and attracts sunbathers, strollers and a few intrepid souls willing to brave the 55ºF/12.7ºC (summertime) water temperatures for a dip. A beautiful hiking trail starts from here.

The beach is well signposted and quite popular. Take the free shuttle bus or go early or late for a parking spot. There are bathrooms and changing areas just above the beach.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • View from North Bubble, in Acadia National Park, Maine.

    Acadia National Park

    2.94 MILES

    New England's only national park turned 100 in 2016 – it's a fine-looking centenarian. Within its borders are impressive coastal landmarks and great…

  • top view of fruity jam

    Nervous Nellie's Jams & Jellies

    23.12 MILES

    Nervous Nellie's cooks up delicious jams and chutneys the old-fashioned way from its base on Deer Isle. It's well worth making the trip to load up on jars…

  • A view of the sun rise at Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine

    Cadillac Mountain

    2.61 MILES

    Don't leave the park without driving – or hiking – to the 1530ft summit of Cadillac Mountain. For panoramic views of Frenchman Bay, walk the paved 0.5…

  • Jordan Pond

    Jordan Pond

    3.71 MILES

    On clear days, the glassy waters of this 176-acre pond reflect the image of Penobscot Mountain like a mirror. A stroll around the pond and its surrounding…

  • Blue Hill Mountain

    Blue Hill Mountain

    21.48 MILES

    Just north of town, Blue Hill's eponymous mountain may top out at only 934ft, but it offers a stunning vantage point over the peninsula, namely because it…

  • Thuya Garden

    Thuya Garden

    5.1 MILES

    Some of the most beautiful gardens on the island lie hidden atop a forest-backed bluff overlooking the east side of the harbor. Flowers bursting with…

  • Wendell Gilley Museum

    Wendell Gilley Museum

    7.82 MILES

    For rainy-day amusement, pay a visit to this handsomely designed museum, which displays the exquisite wooden carvings of Wendell Gilley, one of the world…

  • Asticou Azalea Garden

    Asticou Azalea Garden

    5.28 MILES

    Created in 1957, this lovely 2.3-acre garden is laced with paths, little shelters and ornamental Japanese-style bridges. Azaleas and rhododendrons bloom…

View more attractions

Nearby Acadia National Park attractions

1. Thunder Hole

0.67 MILES

Waves rush into a natural opening carved into the rocks to create a thunderous splash, reaching high into the air when conditions are right. Steps from…

2. Abbe Museum at Sieur de Monts Spring

2.59 MILES

This summertime offshoot of the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor is located at the Sieur de Monts Spring area inside Acadia National Park. This was the original…

3. Cadillac Mountain

2.61 MILES

Don't leave the park without driving – or hiking – to the 1530ft summit of Cadillac Mountain. For panoramic views of Frenchman Bay, walk the paved 0.5…

4. Wild Gardens of Acadia

2.62 MILES

Botany buffs will appreciate the detail of these acre-sized botanic gardens, which show 12 of Acadia's biospheres in miniature, from bog and coniferous…

5. Acadia National Park

2.94 MILES

New England's only national park turned 100 in 2016 – it's a fine-looking centenarian. Within its borders are impressive coastal landmarks and great…

6. Jordan Pond

3.71 MILES

On clear days, the glassy waters of this 176-acre pond reflect the image of Penobscot Mountain like a mirror. A stroll around the pond and its surrounding…

7. Abbe Museum

4.15 MILES

This downtown museum contains a fascinating collection of cultural artifacts related to Maine's Native American heritage – particularly the Wabanaki…

8. Thuya Garden

5.1 MILES

Some of the most beautiful gardens on the island lie hidden atop a forest-backed bluff overlooking the east side of the harbor. Flowers bursting with…