Beehive Overlook

Steep cliff and gentle slope—a textbook roche mountonnée shaped by glacial plucking 16,000 years ago.

Natural Attraction

Natural Attraction
Roche Mountonnéemid-April - early December$35 park entryNo permit neededGolden-hour pick

Stand before Beehive's sheer granite cliff and you're looking at the work of glaciers that retreated 16,000 years ago. The mountain has two faces: one side slopes gently upward—smoothed by the glacier's massive weight—while the other drops precipitously. This dramatic asymmetry is called a roche mountonnée, and the steep face bears the scars of glacial plucking, where freeze-thaw cycles repeatedly broke chunks of rock loose. Most of Acadia's glacial features are subtle by comparison.

Getting there & parking

How To Get There
From Hulls Cove Visitor Center, drive south on Park Loop Road approximately 3 miles. Park at pullouts near Sand Beach Area. Access via Great Head Trail trailhead (moderate scramble, ~2 miles round-trip) or view from roadside pullout. Open mid-April through early December for vehicle access.
Distance From Entrance
Approximately 3 miles south of Hulls Cove Visitor Center via Park Loop Road
Road Type
Paved (Park Loop Road)
Parking Availability
Pullout parking only on Park Loop Road; fills by midday during peak season (July–August). Multiple small pullouts available south of Sand Beach.
GPS Coordinates
44.329028, -68.179556

When to go

Best Time To Visit
Early morning (before 10am) for less crowding and alpenglow on cliff face. Avoid midday July–August when afternoon thunderstorms are common. Mid-April through early October best for full Park Loop Road access and comfortable hiking conditions.
Sunrise Sunset Quality
Sunrise backlights eastern cliff face; sunset alpenglow on western slope limited by forest backdrop
Best Season
May–October (peak season); least crowded April–May and September–October when Park Loop Road fully open
Seasonal Access
Park Loop Road typically open mid-April through early December; trail accessible year-round by foot
Weather Patterns
Afternoon winds funnel along cliff; can be strong and gusty. Afternoon thunderstorms common July–August (avoid midday). Spring and early summer: frequent fog reduces visibility.

What you will experience

Attraction Type
Roche Mountonnée
Main Features
Asymmetrical glacier-sculpted slopes, steep granite cliff face with plucking scars, gentle upslope, jagged rock formations, visible glacial striations
What Youll See
Steep granite cliff hundreds of feet tall, glacial striations on rock face, nearby Great Head headland, distant Atlantic Ocean views, coniferous forest backdrop
Unique Characteristics
Textbook roche mountonnée demonstrating asymmetrical glacial sculpting; visible freeze-thaw plucking mechanism; one of Acadia's clearest examples of glacial landform education
Photo Opportunities
Early morning sidelight on cliff face striations; backlit ocean from overlook; detail shots of glacial plucking scars and freeze-thaw damage
Best Viewpoints
From Great Head Trail looking south at Beehive's eastern cliff; from Park Loop Road pullouts south of Sand Beach; midway along Great Head Trail descent
Common Wildlife
Peregrine falcons, common ravens, black-capped chickadees, occasional warblers
Best Wildlife Times
Peregrine falcons during spring and fall migration (May, September–October); ravens year-round; songbirds during migration seasons
Geological Formation Type
Roche Mountonnée
Scientific Interest
Textbook roche mountonnée with visible glacial striations and plucking scars; demonstrates asymmetrical glacial sculpting and freeze-thaw mechanism; part of Acadia's 500-million-year-old bedrock sequence; steep face shows ongoing rockfall from seasonal freeze-thaw cycles

Facilities, fees & access

Entry Fees
$35 private vehicle (7-day pass); $20 per person on foot; $30 motorcycle; nonresident fee: $100 (ages 16+, in addition to entrance fee)
Permits Required
0
Restrooms Available
0
Picnic Areas
0
Water Available
0
Cell Service
Variable; generally available on Park Loop Road but weak on trail
Interpretive Signs
1
Accessibility
Pullout parking on paved Park Loop Road (wheelchair-accessible from car). Great Head Trail is unpaved with steep sections (15–20° slopes), exposed cliff edges, no handrails, uneven granite steps.
Accessibility Level
Drive-up overlook view possible; moderate scramble required for full Great Head Trail approach
Nearby Services
Hulls Cove Visitor Center (3 miles north); Sand Beach Area facilities; Jordan Pond House picnic area (5 miles)
Family Friendly Notes
Steep, exposed cliff—hold children's hands at overlook edge. Scramble trail approach requires sure footing and steady boots; best for ages 8+. Loose rock common on trail. Park Loop Road pullout viewing is safer for toddlers. No facilities at site—bring water and snacks.

Safety

Safety Considerations
500+ foot cliff drop on steep eastern face. No handrails. Exposed, jagged granite edges with loose rock common. Falling rocks hazard from steep side. Hold children's hands at overlook. Stay on marked trail. Wet granite is slippery.

Nearby

Nearby Attractions
Great Head Trail, Ocean Path Trail, Sand Beach, Gorham Mountain Loop, Champlain Mountain
Connecting Trails
Great Head Trail, Ocean Path Trail
Trailheads Here
Hike Beehive Loop, Hike Great Head Trail

Planning advice

Insider Tips
  • Glacial striations (parallel scratches) visible on the cliff show ice-flow direction northwest.
  • The plucked cliff (southeast face) shows repeated freeze-thaw damage—still active today as rocks fall seasonally.
  • Best light for photography: early morning sidelighting reveals striations and fracture patterns.
  • Most visitors stop at pullout; the Great Head Trail approach gives full geological context and ocean backdrop.
Tips Advice
  • Glacial striations on cliff face point northwest—the direction ice moved.
  • The gentle slope faces the up-glacier direction; the steep cliff faces down-glacier.
  • Touch the granite—it's 500 million years old, shaped only in the last 16,000 years.
  • Granite is slippery when wet; wear sturdy, grippy hiking boots.
  • Visit before 10am to avoid crowds and midday heat.

More details

Park Area
Mount Desert Island main loop, Ocean Path area
Visitor Center Present
0
Guided Tours Available
0
Fishing Nearby
0
Swimming Allowed
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0
Review Summary
Visitors consistently recognize Beehive's steep cliff and appreciate its clear demonstration of glacial sculpting. The asymmetrical slopes make the roche mountonnée concept visceral and memorable. Most mention the exposure hazard and recommend the Great Head Trail approach for deeper geological understanding. Crowded midday July–August; best visited early morning or shoulder seasons.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth the hike?

Yes. The Great Head Trail approach takes 1.5–2 hours and rewards you with a textbook glacial landform and Atlantic views. The steep cliff clearly demonstrates how glaciers sculpted Acadia.

Can I just drive and look?

Yes. Park Loop Road pullouts offer drive-up views. However, the trail approach provides deeper geological understanding and better perspectives of the cliff face.

Will young children manage the trail?

Ages 8+ can handle Great Head Trail with supervision and sturdy boots. Toddlers are safer at pullout viewing from Park Loop Road. Exposure hazard: hold hands near cliff edges.

Is it crowded?

Midday July–August is very crowded. Visit before 10am or after 4pm for significantly fewer people. April–May and September–October are least crowded.

What if Park Loop Road is closed?

Trail is foot-accessible year-round, but November–April has limited daylight and cold conditions. Vehicle access requires Park Loop Road open (mid-April–early December).

Why does one side look so different from the other?

Glaciers smoothed one side (upslope) and plucked the other (downslope), creating an asymmetrical shape called a roche mountonnée. The steep face still shows active freeze-thaw damage.

Echo Lake

Dark waters in a granite basin. Swim the lifeguarded beach, paddle, or hike Beech Mountain from one lot.

Little Hunters Beach

Fist-sized cobblestones frame a secluded Atlantic beach. Glacier-rounded stones, slippery rocks, cold water.

Shatter Zone

Chocolate chip cookie rocks reveal an ancient volcano's caldera edge in granite.

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.