Maine Was Just Named Home to One of the Best Beaches in the Country

A surprising beach in Maine, alongside California, Florida, and Hawaii, is one of the best beaches in the country.

Seacoast Online reported that the travel company Lonely Planet ranks the best beaches in the country. Not surprisingly, the list is loaded with Hawaiian and Californian beaches. Duh. But Maine showed up as the 16th best beach, with Sand Beach in Acadia National Park!

Wait, a Maine beach is one of the best in the entire country?

Not only did Sand Beach crack a list of the best beaches in the country, but back in March, Lonely Planet also listed Sand Beach as one of the best walking trails, too. How impressive is that? It's the only beach in New England to make the list of 23 beaches across the country.

READ MORE: I Found a Maine Beach That Was Empty, Gorgeous, Close, and Free!

How did Sand Beach in Maine make a list of the best beaches in the country?

Here's what Lonely Planet said about Sand Beach in Acadia National Park,

If you plan to visit during the popular summer season, expect some big crowds here. But even a visit during the colder months offers gorgeous coastal views at one of New England’s most beloved national parks.

It also warned that the water, no matter what time of year you go, is cold. That's obviously a warning for people not from Maine who are used to the waters being frigid year-round. The water will remind you of the blue you thought was only in the Caribbean.

If Maine came in 16th for the best beach, what was number one?

Lonely Planet ranked Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia as the best beach in the country. One reason was the twisted oak that was once a maritime forest. But when I went to see Uncle Nicky, I went to Edisto Island in South Carolina and saw the same twisty trees on the beach. It was like a movie set. The pictures don't do it justice!

I have been to Acadia National Park a handful of times and yet have never been to Sands Beach. I'll have to put it on my Maine bucket list.