Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole at Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine is an easy 0.1-mile out-and-back walk that leads to a seaside chasm known as Thunder Hole.

Exploring Thunder Hole

This short walk begins at the main parking area for Thunder Hole and leads down the staircases to reach the seaside chasm of Thunder Hole. The rock formation gets its name from the noise created during high tide when waves crash into the coastline. Over millennia, the ocean has eroded a channel, or chasm, in the rocky coastline and at the very back of the chasm is a tunnel. As the waves at high tide roll in, they crash into the chasm and create a noise similar to thunder. If you show up during low tide or in between tides, you'll likely miss the spectacle of both the noise and the scenery of the crashing waves. When we visited both times during low tide, the noise was essentially an echoed slosh in the chasm's tunnel.

For hikers exploring the Ocean Path, you'll be able to access Thunder Hole along the route.

Universal Access

Please note that Thunder Hole is technically universally-accessible. The route provided does not follow a universally-accessible path, but there's an ADA-compliant ramp that leads from the parking area down to a viewing area above thunder hole. Unfortunately the path that leads to the chasm's edge at sea level is not accessible.

Other Nearby Hikes

If you're planning to explore Thunder Hole, you can also consider hiking Gorham Mountain and the Cadillac Cliffs, The Beehive and The Bowl, or take a short stroll along the Ocean Path at Otter Point.

Parking

Visitors will find a large parking lot at the Thunder Hole parking area, at the coordinates provided. The lot is large enough to fit over 20 vehicles as of May 2025.

Pets

Dogs are allowed only if leashed and cleaned up after.