Schoodic Point — Attraction in Winter Harbor

Jutting out into the north Atlantic ocean, southern part of Arcadia National Park.

Schoodic Point is a must see. I’m from the east coast of Canada, but live in Ontario. This is the shortest/quickest path for me to ‘get to the ocean’ and enjoy a down home feeling. I’ve visited this area many times over the past two decades, and it never fails to impress.

The unique feature of this area is that the waves ‘boom’ against the rocks. You can feel some of these in your chest and belly. The waves often shoot straight up in a water spout fashion in a few areas.

The sun can be Intense (if it’s not totally foggy) as you’re facing south, so a sun screen is recommended if you plan on spending some quality time here. There are many areas on both sides of the 'loop' road to witness fog threading through many of the distant islands you can see from the many ‘pull over’ spots along the loop road.

On the west side of the loop road heading down to the point, watch Winter Harbour lighthouse subtly change colour as the layers of fog ascend and descend bringing it and the surrounding land features in and out of view, in just a matter of several minutes, while Cadillac mountain remains high and viable above the layered fog strands.

This area is one of the greatest features of Arcadia National Park.

Winter Harbor is a great place to stop and grab a bite before heading down the loop road to the point.

Bring good walking/hiking shoes, and enjoy walking over million year old rocks to find a perfect niche to sit and let nature entertain you.

If you’re near Bar Harbor, plan a side trip here. Free parking, no admissions and a ‘bit’ less touristy than B.H.

The CAT often passes by here on its voyage from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth Nova...

Go early!

Not only is it cooler on summer days compared to afternoon heat, but it is far less busy with cars and foot traffic.

Be prepared to pull over at the few pullout parking spots available along the way. Or, wait until the large parking lot at the point. The point parking lot is just off the southern-most part of the one-way Schoodic loop.

The coast line, when it isn't low tide, is a contrast in dark and light colors of boulders. Keep ahold of little ones.

You can see a privately-owned lighthouse along the western loop near the beginning. It's one of the lighthouses featured on the Puffin and Lighthouse boat tour that leaves from Bar Harbor. We did that on a semi-foggy day. So, seeing the lighthouse from the distant shore vs. low-visibility up close may have been a toss-up.

There are restrooms just off the main parking lot. We spent about 3-4 hours in total stopping and photographing all around the loop. The area was under a heat warning for the 2nd day. So, we saved walking adventures around the shore and inland for morning time only.

It's a beautiful area. Don't...

Schoodic Point, part of Acadia National Park in Maine, is one of the most breathtaking and less-crowded coastal destinations in the region. Known for its dramatic rocky shoreline and sweeping ocean views, it offers a more peaceful and rugged experience compared to the busier Mount Desert Island section of the park.

The first thing you’ll notice at Schoodic Point is the sheer beauty of its natural landscape. The pink granite slabs and jagged rock formations stretch out into the Atlantic, where waves crash with incredible power. On a windy day, the sound of the surf and the salty sea spray create an invigorating, almost meditative atmosphere. The panoramic views of the ocean and nearby islands are stunning, especially during sunrise or sunset.

One of the highlights of visiting Schoodic Point is the opportunity to watch nature in action. You might spot seabirds gliding over the waves, or even catch sight of harbor seals resting on offshore rocks. The area is also a photographer’s dream, with endless possibilities for capturing the contrast of rugged stone, deep blue water, and...