Schoodic Point in Acadia: Directions, Parking and What to Know

Schoodic Point is a windswept granite headland on the Schoodic Peninsula, the only part of Acadia National Park on the mainland. It has views across the water to Mount Desert Island, and it is a place where you can walk right down to the rocky shore and watch the Atlantic come in. It is also quieter than the busy Park Loop Road, because the park manages Schoodic as a minimally developed, low-visitation area. This guide covers how to get there, where to park, how to stay safe on the rocks, and what else to see on the peninsula.

The details below come from the National Park Service Schoodic Point page and the park’s Schoodic Peninsula page. Fees, seasons and road conditions can change, so check the park’s current information before you go.

Schoodic Point at a Glance

• Where: the Schoodic Peninsula, on the mainland, about an hour’s drive from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on Mount Desert Island.
• Road: Arey Cove Road leads to the Point, off the one-way Schoodic Loop Road.
• Parking: several levels in a lot at the Point.
• To the shore: 10 uneven stone steps down from the lot, or a short paved road walk to the left of the lot.
• Facilities: restrooms with flush toilets and trash cans.
• Pets: allowed, and the park lists no leash rules for the Point. Check the park’s current pet rules.
• Shuttle: the free Island Explorer stops directly behind the accessible parking area.

Getting to Schoodic Point

The Schoodic Loop Road is a 6-mile, one-way loop with a 35 mph speed limit. A short section near Schoodic Head is two-way. You can’t stop on the road or park outside the marked pull-offs. Vehicles longer than 21 feet are not allowed on the loop, and RVs can use only the section that leads to Schoodic Woods Campground. If you are driving a long vehicle, the park suggests the day-use parking area at the campground.

From Mount Desert Island, plan on about an hour’s drive from Hulls Cove, according to the park. That makes it an easy half-day trip from Bar Harbor, and a natural stop on a longer Downeast Maine road trip.

At the Point

The granite shoreline is natural and uneven, with cracks, slopes and changes in elevation. The park asks visitors to watch their footing, especially when the rocks are wet or the waves are high, and says conditions can change. Many visitors come when the sea is rough, but that is also when the rocks are most hazardous. Stay back from the water’s edge, keep children close, and don’t turn your back on the surf.

The Point is not fully accessible. A flat gravel path to the left of the lot, past the restrooms, gives a fair ocean view for strollers and wheelchairs. The park says many wheelchair and mobility-device users may find the terrain at the shore difficult.

The Island Explorer Shuttle

The Island Explorer is fare-free and runs in the summer season. At Schoodic Point the bus stops directly behind the accessible parking area. The park says all buses have wheelchair lifts, and visitors with disabilities can request pickup up to three-quarters of a mile off a regular route by calling 207-667-5797.

More to See on the Peninsula

• Schoodic Head: rises to 440 feet. A narrow gravel road of about one mile leads to the top, and you can drive or walk it. The park says to use caution when meeting traffic.
• The Anvil: a 180-foot promontory near the Blueberry Hill parking area, with a trail starting across the road from the lot.
• Frazer Point: a picnic area with tables, fire rings, comfort stations and drinking water.
• Schoodic Woods Campground: passed on the way in, after the town of Winter Harbor, with a ranger station.
• Biking: 8.3 miles of bike paths. Cyclists must follow the one-way traffic flow, and the paths are narrow and hilly with blind curves.

Compared With the Rest of Acadia

If Thunder Hole and Sand Beach are too crowded on a summer day, Schoodic is the quieter alternative, though it is farther away. For the rest of your trip, see our Acadia National Park guide, our Beehive Trail guide and our Cadillac Mountain sunrise guide, or explore more of Downeast Maine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Schoodic Point?

On the Schoodic Peninsula, the only part of Acadia National Park on the mainland. It is about an hour’s drive from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on Mount Desert Island.

Is Schoodic Point on Mount Desert Island?

No. It faces Mount Desert Island across the water, but it is on the mainland.

Is there parking at Schoodic Point?

Yes, in a lot with several levels. Accessible spaces are on the lowest level at the far end. Parking on the Schoodic Loop Road is only allowed in the marked pull-offs.

Is Schoodic Point safe?

Be careful on the granite, especially when the rocks are wet or the waves are high. Stay back from the water.

Can you take a dog to Schoodic Point?

The park says pets are allowed and lists no leash rules for the Point. Check the park’s current pet rules before you go.

Is the Schoodic Loop Road one-way?

Yes, it is a 6-mile one-way loop, with a short two-way section near Schoodic Head. Vehicles over 21 feet are not allowed.