Monument Cove
Bar Harbor, ME, 04609
Monument Cove is part of Acadia National Park's stunning coastline and can be accessed by hikers along the 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) Ocean Path. At sunrise, visitors snap photos as the rocky shore is slowly blanketed in golden light. The granite monolith that anchors this area of Mount Desert Island is the main draw, as are the nearby tidepools.
The basics
It's interesting to see how much this stretch of coastline varies, from the broad swath of sand at Sand Beach to rocky Boulder Beach. The seasonal Park Loop Road connects these natural landmarks, and Monument Cove can be found between Thunder Hole and Boulder Beach. Some guided tours will take you from Bar Harbor to this coastal area, where you can spot sandpipers and plovers dashing into the chilly Atlantic, searching for a meal of crustaceans.
Things to know before you go
The Island Explorer shuttle can get you close to Monument Cove. The shuttle runs from late June through mid-October, and is free of charge.
The closest parking lots are at the Gorham Mountain Trailhead and Thunder Hole, though parking is extremely limited at both spots.
Acadia National Park has year-round entrance fees, and in the summer and fall, visitors need to make timed reservations to visit Cadillac Mountain.
The Ocean Path Trail connects Monument Cove with Otter Point to the south and Sand Beach to the north.
How to get there
From Bar Harbor, follow Schooner Head Road to the Sand Beach Entrance Station. Drive along Park Loop Road past Sand Beach to get to the parking lots near Monument Cove. While portions of the Park Loop Road are closed in the winter months, the section between Sand Beach and Monument Cove is open year-round. In the summer and early fall, the Island Explorer shuttle routes 3 and 4 stop closest to Monument Cove at Thunder Hole, and south of the cove at Otter Point.
When to get there
Aim to arrive before 8am or after 5pm if you’re driving into the park during the summer and fall. To speed up your entrance into the park, purchase your park pass before you arrive and print it out. During the busy season, the Island Explorer shuttle is the best way to reach the Ocean Path Trail and Monument Cove.
Hiking the Ocean Path Trail
You can start your hike along the Ocean Path Trail at Sand Beach or Otter Point. The portion of the trail between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole is a gravel and concrete path, and it continues on to a more narrow and rocky path as you head south past Thunder Hole. The restrooms closest to Monument Cove are found at Thunder Hole, and a small gift shop is also on-site.
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