Acadia National Park Thunder Hole Photography

This location is on the top side of our top 10 places we have traveled to do photography. This park will blow you away with dynamic photography! You cannot go wrong here. This is your place if you want to make a travel photography trip of a lifetime. You can also go on a tour with Extra Eyes Photo Tours. They will show you all of the secret locations. They already know where to go to do sunrise and sunset photography and all the other things you need to know. If you go at it alone, you cannot go wrong either. You could come out with at least one top-ten photograph from this spot or more.

When you go into the park, they will give you a map where Thunder Hole is marked. There is also a link to it below. Roll your window down if you are unsure if you drive the one-way road. When you get close to Thunder Hole, the thunder will start, and you can hear it plain as day. Acadia National Park, Thunder Hole photography location, is a major tourist stop along the park road. Sunrise is the best time to go here to avoid the big crowds in the warmer months. You won’t miss this spot driving the park route.

We run a photo tour here.

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Acadia National Park – How to Photograph Thunder Hole

Acadia National Park is a unique and breathtaking destination, preserving the natural beauty of rugged headlands and the highest mountains along the Maine coastline. Known as the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia boasts the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard and offers stunning sunrise views over the mainland. Unlike any other place, Acadia showcases miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean.

This treasured National Park captures a small sliver of coastal Maine, with dense forests cascading down to the untamed ocean below. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with rocky cliffs and winding woodland trails. Acadia National Park is a must-visit destination in Maine. Experience picturesque sunrises (it is one of the first places in America to witness them) and explore the rugged pink granite coast.

The Park features numerous photogenic spots and charming towns and villages throughout the Acadia region, from Mount Desert Island’s Bar Harbor to the Schoodic Peninsula’s Winter Harbor.

VISITOR CENTERS

Six visitor information centers are located within or near Acadia National Park, including the main visitor center in Hulls Cove (northwest of Bar Harbor), a nature center at Sieur des Monts (south of Bar Harbor), a visitor center on Thompson Island (along the road leading into Mount Desert Island), another visitor information center in Village Green in Bar Harbor, the historic Museum at Islesford on Little Cranberry Island, and the Rockefeller Welcome Center on Schoodic Peninsula.

Acadia has miles of historic highways, the best-known of which is the 27-mile scenic Park Loop Road, which links the region’s lakes, mountains, and coastlines. There are also over 130 miles of hiking trails to explore on foot and 45 miles of carriage roads to ride your bike.

PRIVATE JET PHOTO TOURS

Acadia National Park, Private Jet Photo Tours. A photography tour of a lifetime! Call today, only six seats on the plane or visit: www.extraeyesphototours.com

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TERAIN

When creating dynamic photographs, one can find various exceptional locations, such as sandy and rocky beaches, thunder holes, and places with minimal light pollution. For spectacular rock formations, Otter Cliff is an ideal spot. The diverse array of breathtaking scenery makes this park one of the top destinations for photography enthusiasts worldwide.

The Precipice Trail is another appropriately named steep hike with many ascents leading up to Champlain Hill, another of Acadia’s highest peaks. Two simple, marked hiking trails along Maine’s southern shores of Mount Desert Island—Ship Harbor and Wonderland—head down into the peninsula, which has its west coast and offers an unobstructed vista to the horizon.

If you are like us, and we prefer less hiking and more photography, there are many great photography opportunities just a step outside your car.

OPTIMAL TIME TO VISIT THUNDER HOLE

We advise against traveling to this location during winter due to possible road closures. Our preferred times of year are Spring and Fall, which tend to have lower attendance rates. We highly recommend visiting mid-week to avoid larger crowds. Plan your trip during the Milky Way season to photograph some of the darkest skies in the lower forty-eight states. Check out our Milky Way Photography page for information on when the Milky Way will be visible and optimal for photography.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH

You can set aside two to three full days to have the opportunity to explore every nook and cranny of this expansive park and its surrounding areas. From the sprawling forests to the winding paths that led to hidden beauty, there was much to discover in this nature haven.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING

We suggest you bring a robust and versatile camera setup to fully capture the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. Essential items include a DSLR or mirrorless camera, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, a sturdy tripod for long exposures, and multiple memory cards.

A wide-angle lens is essential for snapping sweeping vistas of the park’s forests and coastline and is our primary tool in this park. In contrast, a telephoto lens will enable you to capture close-ups of wildlife, but that is a rare occasion. If you go on a boat tour, you are more likely to see wildlife, and your zoom lens is a must. We’ve seen a visitor here and there fascinated by the sight of deer grazing in the early dawn or the flight of eagles soaring majestically overhead, but not very often.

So, the most important things are your tripod, ND filters for long exposure milky water effects, and all of your gear for Milky Way photography, including a red headlamp, flashlight, two-second timer, and zoom lens for your boat tour.

WHAT ESLE TO BRING

Hiking boots, bug spray, hats in summer, and gloves and scarf during colder months are essential for a comfortable experience. Remember, this is Maine. It gets pretty cold at night. A good quality backpack that can handle your gear and personal necessities will help in your long treks.

Remember to bring water and some high-energy snacks to keep yourself fueled while exploring the vast park. There is a restaurant at Jordon Pond that you can plan to shoot around lunch or dinner time.

A field guide or map of the park could also help navigate between the popular spots and hidden gems Acadia offers. Lastly, bring binoculars for bird watching or observing far-off wildlife.

WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH

Acadia National Park is renowned for sunrise and sunset views, making it an idyllic spot for landscape photography. The breathtaking beauty of Cadillac Mountain, being the tallest along the North Atlantic seaboard, is a highlight, especially at dawn when it is the first place in the U.S. to greet the morning sun. Still, it’s just a tourist overlook without the dramatic colors of sunrise and sunset. A slow, gradual climb to the summit rewards an unparalleled view where the sun’s first rays paint vibrant colors across the sky and sea. Later in the day, capture the dappled sunlight as it filters down, bathing the forest floor in an ethereal glow, but plan on going when the sky fills with colors.

As dawn breaks into daylight, focus on the pristine lakes that dot the park. The reflections of the sky and surrounding wilderness in their calm surfaces create an enchanting mirror image begging to be photographed. Remember Jordan Pond; its sparkling waters often ripple with the movement of beavers and otters that call it home.

Rock Beach is a favorite spot for Milky Way photography, and remember the Bass Harbor Lighthouse for sunset photography and Milky Way.

SEE ALL OF OUR MAINE PHOTOGRAPHY HOT SPOTS TO VIEW INDIVIDUAL LOCATIONS.

DIFFICULTY

A lot of Acadian National Park is easily accessible. Rock Beach has a set of stairs that make it difficult to get down to the beach. The Bass Harbor Lighthouse is challenging to shoot. There are slipper rocks and off-trail rocks to climb down to get to a spot to create a good shot. You can view it from standing near it without climbing down, but you will not get a good shot or be able to see the icon view.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Acadia National Park may bring encounters with creatures such as foxes, white-tailed deer, and an occasional eagle. Don’t look for moose here. They are on the other side of the state. There are massive opportunities for dynamic photography here, especially long exposure and Milky Way photography. It can get very crowded, so book your hotel/motel/cabin in advance.

HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?

As one of the top ten most visited national parks, Acadia sees its fair share of visitors, particularly during the summer when the weather is at its finest. We like Spring and Fall to avoid the crowds, and there are more ways to avoid the crush of people. Opt for early mornings or late afternoons, when most visitors are tucking into their breakfasts or dinners. That’s when the park is quiet. Also, consider exploring some of the less-trodden paths. Even though they might not lead you to the most popular attractions, they can offer you a peaceful sojourn away from the hustle and bustle, letting you bask in the serene beauty of Acadia’s less frequented corners.

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY

This is one of the best places for photographing the Milky Way. The sky here is incredibly dark, and the Milky Way shines brilliantly overhead at certain times during certain months. Be sure to see our Milky Way Photography Page to go over when the Milky Way is visible.

NEARBY PHOTOGRAPHY

If this wasn’t enough photography, you can take advantage of the nearby rare opportunity to photograph puffins up close near Cutler, Maine. The largest puffin colony on the east coast is not far north of Acadia National Park. Book your tour as early as March for the summer tours. They fill up fast!

HOW TO GET TO ACADIA

BY CAR: To reach Mount Desert Island from the south, follow I-95 north to Augusta, Maine and then take Route 3 east to Ellsworth. Another option is to continue on I-95 north towards Bangor, then take Route 1A east to Ellsworth. From there, continue on Route 3 until reaching Mount Desert Island.

BY AIR: Travelers can take direct flights to Mount Desert Island from Boston’s Logan Airport, which is only 10 miles away from the Hancock County Airport. National airlines are available for those flying into Bangor International Airport, just an hour from the island. Car rental services are offered at both airports for convenience.

WHERE TO STAY

There are numerous options throughout the park. We will be featuring Hotels, Motels and Cabins here. Please email us to advertise for only $129.00 for the entire year!! You can scroll down for information on where to stay.

OTHER PLACES TO STAY

If you are still looking for somewhere to stay directly next to Acadia, try looking for cabins beyond Acadia, near Ellsworth, Northeast Harbor, or Winter Harbor. Acadia is open year-round, though many facilities inside and near the park are closed from October to the end of May.

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PRIVATE JET PHOTO TOURS

Don’t miss the plane! We run a tour here.

THUNDER HOLE PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS

SHUTTER PRIORITY:

You have moving subjects here, so you will want to shoot with shutter priority to ensure your shutter speed is high enough to have your subject in sharp focus. Approximately 1/250th of a second is appropriate for people walking by, and adjust your ISO accordingly. If they are moving fast, increase your shutter speed to about 1/500th of a second. A fast bird flying by would be shot at about 1/1000th of a second. If it’s a bright sunny day, go as high as 1/1200th of a second. Remember, the higher your shutter speed, the less light comes into the camera. For More Details, see our Shutter Priority Page.

MANUAL MODE:

You can do your long-exposure running and milky water shots at Thunder Hole. You will have to use a tripod for this effect. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and your neutral density filter. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters. ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f22 or the highest f-stop your camera will allow. Your shutter speed will be the only variable depending on the light. Roll your shutter speed until your meter reads zero. (In the center) Use your shutter release or 2-second timer to prevent camera movement when exposed. You will want at least a 2-second exposure for milky water. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun.

You can buy an ND filter here. We highly suggest you do not go anywhere without one. Long exposure to moving waters makes all the difference between lifeless images and outstanding, dynamic images.

APERTURE PRIORITY:

Aperture Priority is often used to blur the background of your images and control your depth of field (how much from the subject to the background is in focus). For more information on this – see our Aperture page

ISO:

The higher you set it, the more light is when exposing an image. The higher the number, the more digital noise, so stay below 800. If you need to go higher to get the shot, you can use Topaz Denoise to filter out the digital noise later. See the ISO page here.

WHITE BALANCE:

Be sure to set your white balance each time the lighting changes. Auto mode is not always accurate on many cameras, and we prefer to set it manually. It’s one of the more straightforward basics of photography to master. If you need more help, you can get some more details here. See the white balance page here.

WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPHY:

If you’re going to do the milky water photography shots here along the water, you must have a tripod and a neutral-density filter. Preparing before embarking on a waterfall photography excursion is always best. You can also explore long-exposure waterfall techniques by visiting our waterfall photography page for tips.