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Explore the history, geology, and major landmarks of Mount Desert Island on a guided bus tour. Enjoy scenic stops at Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole with comfortable, narrated transportation.
Free Cancellation This three-stop bus tour visits Cadillac Mountain's summit and the Wild Gardens of Acadia between May and October.
Free Cancellation This four-hour luxury coach tour visits Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond with extended stops for adults only.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Acadia National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Bus tours of Acadia National Park handle the driving along the congested Park Loop Road. You spend 2.5 to 4 hours covering Mount Desert Island's geology and history. Both standard and premium options include stops at the 1,530-foot summit of Cadillac Mountain.
The buses drive up the winding road to the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. You get 360-degree views of the ocean and surrounding islands.
Incoming waves compress air inside a small granite cavern here. The resulting boom and 40-foot spray peak about two hours before high tide.
Glaciers carved this deep, clear lake. The premium tour stops here, letting you see the twin granite peaks known as The Bubbles reflecting in the water.
The premium route includes this historic area. George B. Dorr began his conservation efforts here in 1901, eventually leading to the park's creation.
This 290-yard stretch consists mostly of crushed shells. It sits between two granite headlands and provides access to the chilly 55-degree Atlantic water.
Booking a commercial bus tour means you skip the required $6 vehicle reservation for Cadillac Mountain. You still need to arrive early in Bar Harbor to pick up physical tickets.
Standard tours last two hours and thirty minutes. Premium tours run for four hours and allow more time off the bus at major stops like Thunder Hole.
The standard tour accommodates families, requiring infants to sit on an adult's lap. The premium 4-hour tour strictly bans children under 13.
You must pick up physical tickets at least 30 minutes before departure. The kiosk sits outside Testa's Restaurant in Bar Harbor.
Both standard ($69) and premium ($99) tour prices include all Acadia National Park fees and taxes. You do not need to buy a separate $35 vehicle pass.
Neither the standard nor the premium bus tours can accommodate motorized scooters. Service animals are permitted on board.
The 4-hour premium tour uses a luxury Berkshire Coach with air conditioning and provides bottled water. The 2.5-hour standard bus does not have an onboard restroom.
Operators require 24 hours of notice for a full refund. Weather in Maine changes rapidly, but tours generally run in the rain.
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| Standard Narrated Bus Tour | Premium Narrated Bus Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Best for | Families with younger children | Adults wanting longer stops |
| Includes | English guide, park fees, taxes | AC coach, bottled water, park fees |
| Price from | $69 | $99 |
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Acadia National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Facilities and roads have strict seasonal schedules.
Sand Beach, Fabbri, Seawall, and Frazer Point picnic areas remain open through the winter.
Most visitors arrive by car. The drive from Boston takes about 4.5 to 5 hours via I-95 North and Route 3, covering roughly 280 miles.
For flights, Bangor International Airport is a one-hour drive (50 miles) from the park. Boston Logan International Airport has direct 45-minute flights to the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, located 10 miles from Acadia.
Once on Mount Desert Island, you can use the Island Explorer. This fare-free, propane-powered shuttle bus runs from mid-June to mid-October. It connects Bar Harbor with campgrounds, carriage road entrances, and trailheads.
Peak season runs from June through October. Early June and September have fewer crowds while keeping all park facilities open. Summer brings frequent fog to the coast.
Mid-October is the most popular time for scenic drives. The fall foliage hits its peak color across the park during these weeks.
Avoid mid-May to mid-June if you dislike bugs. Blackflies and mosquitoes hatch in massive numbers during this window, particularly after a rainy spring. December through March brings ice storms and widespread road closures.
The Park Loop Road allows visitors to see Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Cadillac Mountain without extensive walking. The Thunder Hole parking lot has two designated accessible spaces and a ramp leading to a granite viewing platform.
The Jesup Path boardwalk and the paved paths around Jordan Pond are wheelchair accessible. Wildwood Stables operates a custom-built, wheelchair-accessible horse carriage with a rear ramp.
The commercial bus tours departing from Bar Harbor do not accommodate motorized scooters.
The park has 45 miles of crushed-rock carriage roads closed to motor vehicles. Hikers have access to 158 miles of trails ranging from flat coastal walks to steep iron-rung climbs.
Jordan Pond House is the only full-service restaurant inside the park. It serves popovers and tea on a lawn facing The Bubbles. Expect long waits during summer lunch hours.
Many fee stations and park facilities do not accept cash. You must pay with a credit or debit card.
A standard vehicle pass costs $35 and lasts for seven days. Driving up Cadillac Summit Road between mid-May and late October requires an additional $6 timed reservation booked through recreation.gov.
No. Both the standard and premium bus tours include all Acadia National Park entrance fees and taxes in the ticket price.
Yes. Both the 2.5-hour and 4-hour tours drive up the summit road and stop at the 1,530-foot peak of Cadillac Mountain.
The standard 2.5-hour tour allows children, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. The 4-hour premium tour strictly prohibits children under 13.
The standard 2.5-hour bus tour does not have an onboard restroom. You will need to use facilities at the designated park stops.
You must check in at the ticket kiosk located outside Testa's Restaurant in Bar Harbor. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to redeem your physical tickets.
These specific bus tours cannot accommodate motorized scooters. You should contact the operator directly to discuss manual wheelchair storage.
The standard tour includes 45 to 60 minutes of off-bus sightseeing split across three stops. The premium tour runs for 4 hours and allocates more time at locations like Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond.
You can get a full refund if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
The 4-hour premium tour uses a luxury Berkshire Coach equipped with air conditioning. The standard tour description does not guarantee AC.
No. Taking a commercial bus tour bypasses the need for the $6 personal vehicle reservation required to drive up the mountain from May to October.
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This narrated bus tour covers the history and geology of Mount Desert Island with three stops inside Acadia National Park. You'll spend time at the summit of Cadillac Mountain. At 1,530 feet, it's the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. On clear days, you can see the ocean and surrounding islands. It's often ten degrees cooler at the top than in Bar Harbor. Bring a windbreaker. The route includes Thunder Hole and Sieur De Monts Spring. Thunder Hole is a granite inlet where waves compress air inside a small cave. To hear the actual "thunder," you need to arrive roughly two hours before high tide; at low tide, the rocks are just a quiet viewpoint. At Sieur De Monts, you can walk through the Wild Gardens of Acadia to see labeled plant species native to the island. It's a fast way to see the park's varied habitats without a long hike. Book this for your first morning to get your bearings. The bus handles the park's narrow roads and the steep climb up Cadillac Mountain, which can be a chore in a rental car. Sit on the right side of the bus for the best views of the water.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This four-hour tour covers Acadia's major landmarks by luxury Berkshire Coach. Expect to spend more time at the summit of Cadillac Mountain and the waves at Thunder Hole than on the shorter standard route. Other stops include Jordan Pond House and Sieur De Mont's Spring. Inside, there's air conditioning and a panoramic front window—useful for the drive up the mountain. It's the one to book if you hate being rushed. The tour is restricted to adults and teenagers aged 13 and older. Because the schedule is flexible, the driver can adjust timing based on the tides. Check the morning forecast before heading out, as fog often obscures the summit view (the driver might swap stops to wait for it to clear). Bring a light jacket for the wind at the top.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English