02 Jul Thunder Hole: Hear the Thunder in Acadia National Park

Thunder Hole is one of the most popular attractions within Acadia National Park, and for good reason. You might be able to guess what the attraction is about simply from the name – you can hear a “thunderous” sound from a cavern within an inlet along the coast. The combination of the air moving in and out of the cavern + the waves crashing into the cavern creates the sound of thunder. Want to hear the loudest thunder possible? Then plan to visit approximately one to two hours before high tide.

Contents: 

1) Location of Thunder Hole

2) Directions and Parking

3) Acadia National Park Entrance Information

4) Best Time to Visit to Hear the “Thunder”

5) Background of Thunder Hole

6) Words of Caution

7) Recommended Items to Bring

8) Nearby Attractions

1) Location of Thunder Hole

Where is Thunder Hole located?

Thunder Hole is located in Acadia National Park, specifically in the southeastern corner of Mt. Desert Island just off of Park Loop Road. Moreover, it is located along the Ocean Path Trail, which is a 4.5 mile (~7.2 kilometer) out and back trail from Sand Beach to Otter Point Overlook.

It is an inlet in the rocks along the coastline that has the perfect shape for the waves to make a thunderous sound when they hit during certain times.

Lodging Near Thunder Hole

If you would like to stay the night in or near Acadia National Park, you have a few options. First, you can choose to book a site at a campground. I would recommend you stay at Blackwoods Campground since it is closer to Thunder Hole than any of the other campgrounds available.

We stayed at Blackwoods Campground during our visit to Acadia and camped inside of our car since we did not have a tent at the time. We had no complaints about the campground, and there was even a building with hot showers available for a small fee just down the road. The showers only accept quarters, though there is an ATM as well as a change machine on site.

Second, you can opt for comfort and book a stay at a hotel in Bar Harbor. For a more luxurious experience, book a room at the Saltair Inn Waterfront B&B or the Hampton Inn Bar Harbor. On the other hand, book a room at the Island Place or the Bell Isle Motel if you need to stick to a budget.

Airport Near Thunder Hole

The closest airport to Acadia National Park is the Bangor International Airport. It is located one and a half hours northwest.

Please keep in mind that there are no public transportation options available from the airport to Acadia. Your best option is thus to rent a car from the airport.

Flowers at the Stairs Leading to Thunder Hole

2) Directions and Parking

You have three main options for accessing Thunder Hole: (1) hiking (2) driving (3) taking the shuttle.

After you arrive at the access area for Thunder Hole, simply walk down the set of stairs on the side of the road along the coast to reach the viewing platform. Additionally, there is a wheelchair accessible ramp to the left of the stairs that leads down to the platform.

Hiking Directions & Parking

Thunder Hole is located on the Ocean Path Trail within Acadia. If you would like to hike along the trail to reach it, then park at the Sand Beach parking lot. After parking and exploring around Sand Beach, then start the Ocean Path Trail as it heads south.

The trail runs parallel to the coastline as well as Park Loop Road, offering stunning coastal views. Moreover, you will pass the Sand Beach Overlook along the way.

The distance from the Ocean Path Trailhead to Thunder Hole is approximately 0.9 miles (~1.4 kilometers). An average hiker can walk there in about 17 minutes.

Driving Directions & Parking

For those driving to Thunder Hole, there is a parking lot on the right side of the road. The lot is just across the street from the stairs leading down to the coast. Please keep in mind that the lot can fill up on weekend afternoons in July and August. However, I would recommend you wait just a couple of minutes for someone to leave and open up a spot. You can spend anywhere from around 15 minutes to an hour here, so people are constantly arriving and leaving.

The most important thing to note is that Park Loop Road (which is the access road for Thunder Hole) only has one-way traffic for the majority of the road. You will therefore need to approach Thunder Hole from the north.

For reference, you will pass by the Precipice Trailhead, Sand Beach Entrance Gate, Beehive Trail, and Sand Beach before reaching Thunder Hole. After you leave Thunder Hole, you will then continue south on Park Loop Road towards Otter Cliffs and Otter Point Overlooks.

Shuttle Information

Another option is to take the Island Explorer Shuttle. The shuttle provides service all around Acadia National Park, including Thunder Hole. While the shuttle has scheduled stops at certain destinations, you can also try to flag a shuttle down to pick you up anywhere. They will stop and pick you up if it is safe to do so in that location. Check their website for detailed route information.

Coastal View from Thunder Hole

3) Acadia National Park Entrance Information 

Acadia National Park is the only national park located in the northeastern United States. Moreover, it holds the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the US thanks to Cadillac Mountain.

The park is broken down into three main sections: (1) Mt. Desert Island (2) Schoodic Peninsula (3) Isle Au Haut. However, the majority of the park, including Thunder Hole, is located on Mt. Desert Island.

When driving around the park on Mt. Desert Island, you might be a bit shocked to see that it is essentially intertwined with residential areas. You can be driving on park roads one minute and then driving down a neighborhood street the next. I will say that this makes it a bit more convenient to find somewhere to grab a bite to eat.

You can plan an entire weekend itinerary or even just a one-day itinerary in Acadia National Park.

When is Acadia Open?

The park is open to visitors all day, every day. You thus do not have to worry about getting to the park late at night if you have a campground reservation. We worried a bit about this because we did not research it in advance. Nevertheless, while the entrance stations are closed, you can simply drive right through.

However, I would not recommend visiting Thunder Hole late at night simply because you will not be able to see much. Additionally, the area can become dangerous when it is dark outside if there is a combination of large waves and low visibility.

How Much is the Entrance Fee for Acadia? 

The entrance fee for Acadia is $35 per private vehicle. On the other hand, the entrance fee is only $30 per motorcycle or $20 per person (with no car). Please see the Acadia nps.gov page for more information on daily as well as annual pass types. Additionally, keep in mind that you will need a separate vehicle reservation if you want to drive up Cadillac Mountain from May to October.

When driving around the park, you will notice that you can access some attractions without passing through an entrance station and showing your park pass. Due to the fact Acadia is spread out around the island and somewhat intertwined with residential areas, there are only a few specific entrance stations. For example, you will need to pass through an entrance station to access Cadillac Mountain Road as well as Sand Beach.

During our weekend visit to Acadia, we only had to show our entrance pass one time at the entrance station for Cadillac Mountain Road.

Thunder Hole Inlet and Cavern

4) Best Time to Visit to Hear the “Thunder”

When is the best time to visit Thunder Hole?

If you are visiting the attraction known as Thunder Hole, then you have most likely come to hear the thunder. A lot of people expect that they will hear this famous thunder during high tide, but that is not the case. The best time to visit and hear the thunder of the waves is approximately one to two hours before high tide. 

Why is that? Well, the water is actually slightly too high during high tide. When water levels rise to high tide, the waves are no longer crashing into the inlet but rather completely fill it. There is thus no “thunder” to hear.

If you visit one to two hours before high tide, you have the chance to see waves crash into the inlet, hear a thunderous roar, and watch the waves spray over 40 feet (~12 meters) into the air.

Be sure to check the tide charts for Thunder Hole for the day you plan to visit. Find the time for high tide and then plan a visit one to two hours before that.

Our Experience at Thunder Hole Outside of the Peak Time

Unfortunately we did not plan our visit to Thunder Hole at the peak time. Instead, we arrived approximately four to five hours before high tide. We thus did not hear the deafening thunder created by the crashing waves.

However, we still did hear a quiet thunder. We stayed for about 15 minutes and watched the waves crash into the inlet. Every now and then there was a larger wave that produced a thunder sound, which we could hear if we listened closely. I can only imagine what it sounds like at high tide.

You might wonder why we visited at the time we did. Well, we woke up for sunrise around 3:30am and then were making our way along the one-way Park Loop Road. It was just convenient for us to visit outside of the peak time. That being said, I would still recommend you plan to visit Thunder Hole even if it is outside of the peak time to hear the “thunder”.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Thunder Hole?

I recommend you plan for anywhere between 15 minutes to one hour at this attraction. It is just a short walk from the parking lot and then down the stairs to the viewpoint area. However, you will want to stay for at least a couple of minutes to watch the waves crash. You might not hear the thunderous sound in the first couple of minutes, but have some patience. It is likely you will hear it if you wait around a bit longer.

View of Thunder Hole from Lower Platform

5) Background of Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is a small, naturally-formed inlet with a cavern along the coastline in Acadia National Park.

How the Thunder Sound is Made

Waves crash into the cavern of the inlet and create a sound similar to “thunder”. The thunder sound occurs due to the fact that air enters the cavern as the waves recede, and then all of that air is expelled outwards when the waves come back and crash into the cavern. This occurs over and over and over again. You might stand there mesmerized for a couple of minutes without realizing any time has passed.

Moreover, the sound is most pronounced approximately one to two hours before high tide.

Exploring Along the Rocks

You can spend even more time at Thunder Hole by exploring along the rocky coastline. When you arrive, you will most likely see a few people scrambling along the rocks by the water. Some might be searching for a nice place to sit down and eat lunch while others might be searching for the best spot to snap a photo.

Feel free to explore the rocky coastline as well, as long as you obey all posted signs in the area and use caution during periods of hazardous weather.

Additional Amenities at Thunder Hole

Furthermore, there is a small gift shop in the corner of the parking lot. Grab a souvenir for a friend or family member who has not had the pleasure of visiting Thunder Hole themselves. On the other hand, grab a memento for yourself.

There are also restrooms located in the opposite corner of the parking lot from the gift shop.

6) Words of Caution

Let me start off by saying that the ocean is incredibly powerful and no one can completely predict what it will do. That being said, be careful when visiting Thunder Hole, no matter whether it is inside or outside of the peak time.

Even at low tide, it is possible that there will be an incredibly large wave that sprays up over the railing and onto the viewing platform. You need to watch the water and remain aware at all times.

Slippery When Wet

As mentioned above, waves can crash over the railing and onto the pathway at any point in time. The path, therefore, will most likely be wet when you visit. We all know that surfaces become more slippery when wet, and this area is no exception.

Be sure to proceed with caution and wear appropriate footwear. Take your time walking down the steps and onto the platform; the waves will still be there whenever you arrive.

Hazardous Weather 

Moreover, the lower portion of the walkway and the lower viewpoint are closed during periods of hazardous weather. Do not attempt to continue if there are signs saying the area is closed. It can become dangerous to visit when a storm is approaching, so also keep an eye on the weather and use your best judgment.

View of Thunder Hole from Upper Platform

7) Recommended Items to Bring

1. Water bottle: I always recommend you bring water with you, no matter what you are doing. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

2. Waterproof phone case: If you visit Thunder Hole during the peak time and choose to get up close, then you will want to protect your phone from the water that will inevitably splash you.

Hygiene for Thunder Hole

3. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Being outside for even 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin.

Apparel for Thunder Hole

4. Rain boots or hiking shoes: As mentioned above, you will most likely get wet if you want to get a close view of Thunder Hole during its peak time. That being said, you might want to opt for rain boots so as not to ruin any other pair of shoes. If you do not plan on getting wet, then you can opt for a pair of hiking shoes instead.  

5. Waterproof jacket: Again, prepare to get wet if you want the best view. Protect yourself with a waterproof rain jacket.  

6. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow and/or ice along the trail or steps. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

8) Nearby Attractions

Thunder Hole is located on the Ocean Path Trail, just off of Park Loop Road. Due to its location, there are a number of nearby attractions. Many of them are on the Ocean Path Trail as well.

First, stop at Sand Beach before visiting Thunder Hole. It is a four minute drive or a 17 minute walk north. I recommend you visit it beforehand due to the fact that Park Loop Road is a one-way road. Sand Beach is a beach area with coastal views and also is the location of the Ocean Path Trailhead.

Second, hike the Beehive Trail, which is one of the park’s most daring trails. The trailhead is located just across the street from the Sand Beach parking lot. Therefore, I recommend you also complete the Beehive Trail before visiting Thunder Hole. It is a 1.5 mile (~2.4 kilometer) loop trail with approximately 500 feet (~152 meters) in elevation gain. Moreover, it is not for those with a fear of heights due to the fact you have to climb iron rungs as ladders on the edge of the cliff.

Third, stop at Otter Cliff Overlook and/or Otter Point Overlook after visiting Thunder Hole. Otter Cliff Overlook is a three minute drive or a 17 minute walk south. Otter Point Overlook is slightly further away at a four minute drive or a 24 minute walk southwest. Both overlooks offer beautiful views of the coastline along the Ocean Path Trail.

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