Schoodic Scenic Byway
A 29-mile coastal route from the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge down the Schoodic Peninsula, through Acadia's mainland section, to Prospect Harbor.
Also known as Schoodic National Scenic Byway
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source
- Length29 miles[1]MaineDOT's Explore Maine page also gives 29 miles; the Maine Forest Service foliage page says 27.
- Drive timeAbout an hour of driving, or a full day with stops[1]FHWA's "time to allow"; MaineDOT's Explore Maine page says 1.5 hours.
- RoadsUS 1 and Maine Route 186, with the park's Schoodic Loop Road[2]
- Start and endThe Hancock-Sullivan Bridge on US 1 to Prospect Harbor[2]
- Fees and passesNone for the byway[1]
- Best seasonFall foliage; color in this part of Maine typically peaks in the second week of October[4]
- SurfaceNot verified
- Vehicle notesVehicles longer than 21 feet are not allowed on Schoodic Loop Road; RVs may use only the section that reaches Schoodic Woods Campground.[3]
- Seasonal closuresNot verified
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 29, 2026.
About the drive
The Schoodic Scenic Byway starts at the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge on US 1, follows Route 1 east, then turns south on Route 186 at West Gouldsboro. It runs through Winter Harbor, loops around the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park and ends at Prospect Harbor.
Schoodic is the only part of Acadia on the mainland, and the park keeps it quiet on purpose. The loop road is mostly one-way, with turnouts for views of lobster boats, islands and Mount Desert Island across the water. Schoodic Point is the place to watch waves hit the granite.
Long vehicles are not allowed on the loop road, so RV drivers can park at Schoodic Woods Campground and ride the fare-free Island Explorer bus in summer. In fall the blueberry barrens on the hills turn red.
Stops along the way
-
Winter Harbor
Harbor town you pass through on the way into the park.
-
Schoodic Woods Ranger Station
Ranger station by the campground at the start of the park road.
Official information · 44.38043496152829, -68.06571003570963
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Frazer Point Picnic Area
Picnic tables and shore views of islands and coves.
Official information · 44.37498620398664, -68.07493193968219
-
Schoodic Point
Granite ledges where Atlantic waves break, with views of Mount Desert Island.
Official information · 44.332867661047686, -68.0603955343308
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Prospect Harbor
Fishing village where the byway ends.
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
Farmers markets within about 25 miles
- Bar Harbor Eden Farmers MarketBar Harbor, ME · about 6.2 mi from the route
- Ellsworth Farmers' MarketEllsworth, ME · about 20.5 mi from the route
- Blue Hill Farmers' MarketBlue Hill, ME · about 24.8 mi from the route
Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.
In season during the best months to drive
The drive's best months are Sep, Oct. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.
- Acorn squashSep, Oct, Nov
- AlmondsAug, Sep, Oct
- Asian pearsAug, Sep, Oct
- Butternut squashSep, Oct, Nov
Regional desserts
- Whoopie pieMaine's official state treat (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, section 225).
Keep exploring
Scenic drives nearby
- Acadia All-American RoadME · about 8 mi away
- Bold Coast Scenic BywayME · about 40 mi away
- Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic BywayME
- Old Canada Road Scenic BywayME
- Rangeley Lakes Scenic BywayME
- St. John Valley Cultural Byway/Fish River Scenic BywayME
More scenic drives in Maine
Food and farms in the area
Sources
- America's Byways: Schoodic Scenic Byway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Schoodic Scenic Byway (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia National Park (NPS) (checked 2026-10-29)
- When & Where to Visit: Eastern Maine (Maine Forest Service fall foliage) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-29.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).