Swimming

The park has two swimming beaches, Sand Beach and Echo Lake Beach. Sand Beach, along Park Loop Road, has changing rooms, restrooms, and a lifeguard on duty Memorial Day–Labor Day.

Echo Lake Beach. A quiet lake surrounded by woods in the shadow of Beech Mountain, Echo Lake draws swimmers to its sandy southern shore. The lake bottom is a bit muckier than the ocean beaches nearby, but the water is considerably warmer. The surrounding trail network skirts the lake and ascends the mountain. The beach is 2 miles north of Southwest Harbor. Amenities: lifeguards; toilets. Best for: swimming. Echo Lake Beach Rd., off Rte. 102, Acadia National Park, Maine, 04679.

Sand Beach. This pocket beach is hugged by two picturesque rocky outcroppings, and the combination of the crashing waves and the chilly water (peaking at around 55°F) keeps most people on the beach. You'll find some swimmers at the height of summer, but the rest of the year this is a place for strolling and snapping photos. In the shoulder season, you'll have the place to yourself. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking. Ocean Dr. section of Park Loop Rd., 3 miles south of Rte. 3, Acadia National Park, Maine, 04665.