Thunder Hole is a unique geological site featuring a narrow cave on the rocky eastern shoreline of Mount Desert Island. When a storm or the force of the turning tides rushes into the cave, air escapes with a thunderous reverberation. This spot is particularly popular with visitors, often attracting large crowds along the viewing deck.
The best times to visit Thunder Hole are 1-2 hours before high tide. At low-tide visitors can get a closer look at the cliff walls by walking down a stairway to a lower viewing deck.
Visitors should stay aware when visiting Thunder Hole. Even in calm weather, rogue waves can suddenly wash over the surrounding granite ledges and outcrops. During storms, sections of the walkway are closed to keep visitors safe. For more information, visit the Acadia Storm Safety webpage.
Getting to Thunder Hole:
The entrance to the parking lot for Thunder Hole and the gift shop is located on the right side of Park Loop Road, just under two miles from Sand Beach. Drivers will find 4 angled accessible parking spaces in the parking lot, two are located in front of the gift shop, and two are located at the bottom of the lot near the bathroom. There are two additional accessible spots located on the road parallel to the parking lot, just ahead of the Island Explorer stop.
Visitors are encouraged to use the fare-free Island Explorer to visit this destination. The bus drops off and picks up at regular intervals throughout the day at the bus stop sign located near the entrance to the parking lot. Riders should wait on the path on the left side of the road for the bus to arrive. Visitors can also walk to Thunder Hole along the Ocean Path.
What to Expect
Visitors can find souvenirs and snacks at the Thunder Hole Gift Shop located on the right side of the parking lot There is a separate wheelchair accessible entrance on the right side of the gift shop marked by a wheelchair accessible sign.
There is a two-stall unisex bathroom facility at the furthermost edge of the parking lot. Both stalls are wheelchair accessible. Across from the bathroom facility on the left-hand side of the lot is the entrance to a ramp which brings visitors from the parking lot to a crosswalk that leads to the Thunder Hole viewing deck. There are also two separate stairways from the parking lot that lead to the viewing deck to the left of the ramp entrance.
Once at the entrance to the viewing deck, there is an additional ramp located to the left that leads to a circular area with two wayside exhibits. On this deck, visitors can get expansive views of the rocky coastline, with views of the large, upright rock formation of Thunder Hole with the inlet to Sand Beach to the East and Otter Point to the West. For a closer view of the ‘hole,’ visitors can walk down a long, 55-step stairway to a lower viewing area. The stairway is made of stone and has metal railing on either side.
Note: The lower viewing deck is not wheelchair accessible.
Wave sprays here can reach over 40 feet (12m) in height, and the stairway and lower viewing deck are often wet and slippery, particularly in winter.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service