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Explore Acadia National Park with convenient departures from Bar Harbor, ranging from narrated bus circuits to self-guided driving and walking audio tours. Choose a quick 2.5-hour sightseeing trip or a premium half-day excursion complete with a classic Maine lobster roll.
Free Cancellation This narrated bus tour stops at Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and Sieur De Monts Spring between May and October.
Free Cancellation This four-hour narrated coach tour visits Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond House for adults only.
Free Cancellation See Acadia’s granite cliffs and Thunder Hole on a 2-hour drive from Bar Harbor, ending with lunch at Jordan Pond.
Free Cancellation Drive through Acadia National Park and walk Bar Harbor's coastline with this offline smartphone audio guide.
Free Cancellation Walk past Gilded Age mansions and the rocky shoreline while hearing about the Rockefellers and Bar Harbor’s lobster trade.
Free Cancellation Walk 2.5 miles through Bar Harbor to see Gilded Age mansions and the Bar Island Trail.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Acadia National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Tours from Bar Harbor into Acadia National Park cover a 47,000-acre coastal landscape of pink granite and spruce-fir forests. Most guided options use buses or vans to navigate the Park Loop Road, stopping at Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole. Self-guided audio apps let you drive your own car or walk the historic Bar Harbor shoreline at your own pace.
The 1,530-foot granite summit marks the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Bus tours drive the winding road to the top for 360-degree views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands.
Incoming ocean swells compress air inside a naturally carved rock inlet. When the tide is right, the water shoots 40 feet into the air with a massive boom.
Glaciers carved this deep, clear lake, leaving the twin granite peaks of The Bubbles at its northern end. The surrounding 3.3-mile flat gravel path offers an easy walk before grabbing a popover at the nearby restaurant.
This shaded area houses a small nature center and the Wild Gardens of Acadia. Many bus tours use this as an initial stop to explain the park's geology and early conservation history.
Walking tours trace the 1.5-mile Shore Path past 19th-century Gilded Age mansions. You will see massive summer cottages like the 41-room La Rochelle built directly on the rocky coast.
A 290-yard stretch of crushed shells sits wedged between steep granite headlands. The Atlantic water here rarely breaks 55°F, making it better for quick dips than long swims.
Booking a tour requires choosing between guided bus trips and self-paced audio apps. The guided options handle the driving and park logistics, while audio tours demand your own vehicle and separate park passes.
Guided bus tours run 2.5 to 4 hours and depart directly from Bar Harbor. Self-guided audio tours cost less but require you to drive your own car and manage your own schedule.
Most guided bus tours include the Acadia National Park entrance fee in the ticket price. If you buy a self-guided audio tour, you must purchase the $35 vehicle pass separately at a park gate or online.
Driving up Cadillac Mountain between mid-May and late October requires a $6 timed vehicle reservation. Guided tours that list the summit on their itinerary secure this reservation for you.
Standard bus tours allow children and infants on laps. The 3.5-hour premium bus tour strictly prohibits anyone under 13 years old, making it the quiet choice for adults.
Audio apps use your phone's GPS to trigger stories as you drive or walk. Download the tour over Wi-Fi before entering the park, as cellular service drops frequently along the loop road.
Large tour buses cannot accommodate motorized scooters. A custom wheelchair-accessible carriage operates at Wildwood Stables, and several stops like Jordan Pond have paved or flat gravel paths.
Tours operate in rain or fog, which frequently blankets the coast in summer. You can cancel most tours for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure if the forecast looks terrible.
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| Standard Bus Tour | Premium Adult Bus Tour | Small Group Van Tour | Self-Guided Audio App | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Guided large group | Guided large group (13+ only) | Guided small group (max 7) | Private (your vehicle) |
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 3.5 to 4 hours | 4 hours | Flexible (2-5 hours) |
| Cadillac Mountain Access | Included | Included | Included | Requires separate $6 reservation |
| Price from | $69 | $99 | $149 | $24.99 per car |
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Acadia National Park remains open 24 hours a day, year-round. Facilities operate on seasonal schedules. The Park Loop Road and most paved routes stay open from mid-April to December 1. Unpaved roads open mid-May to mid-November.
Hulls Cove Visitor Center operates from May 1 through October 31. Campgrounds generally run from May through mid-October. Sand Beach and several picnic areas stay accessible all year.
Most visitors drive to Mount Desert Island via Route 3 from Ellsworth. Boston is a 280-mile drive taking about 4.5 hours. You can fly directly into Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, located 10 miles from the park, or Bangor International Airport, 50 miles away.
The fare-free Island Explorer shuttle bus runs from mid-June to mid-October. It connects Bar Harbor with campgrounds, carriage roads, and trailheads, eliminating the need to find parking at crowded sights.
September and early October offer the best combination of open facilities, crisp weather, and thinner crowds. Mid-October brings peak fall foliage, drawing massive numbers of cars to the Park Loop Road.
Summer months (June through August) provide full access but frequent coastal fog and heavy traffic. Avoid mid-May to mid-June if you dislike bugs, as blackflies and mosquitoes hatch in thick swarms. Winter visits require dealing with ice, snow, and widespread road closures.
The park maintains several accessible paths, including the Jesup Path boardwalk and the paved trails around Jordan Pond. Thunder Hole has two designated accessible parking spaces and a ramp leading down to a granite viewing platform.
Wildwood Stables offers a custom-built wheelchair-accessible horse carriage with a rear ramp. The Island Explorer shuttle buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Restrooms are available at major stops like the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Sand Beach, and Jordan Pond. The Jordan Pond House is the only full-service restaurant inside the park. It serves lunch, dinner, and its famous popovers on the lawn.
Most visitors buy food in Bar Harbor before entering the park. Cell phone service is unreliable or nonexistent along much of the Park Loop Road.
Yes, most guided bus tours cover the entrance fee in the ticket price. If you purchase a self-guided audio tour, you must buy the $35 vehicle pass separately.
Yes, but you need a $6 timed vehicle reservation from recreation.gov between mid-May and late October. This is in addition to the standard park entrance pass.
No, the standard and premium tour buses do not have onboard restrooms. They make stops at park facilities with public bathrooms during the trip.
Standard bus tours and small group van tours allow children. The 3.5-hour premium bus tour strictly prohibits anyone under 13 years old.
You download an app to your phone and drive your own car. The app uses GPS to automatically play stories and directions as you approach specific landmarks.
Yes. You must download the tour over Wi-Fi before entering the park. It relies entirely on your phone's GPS chip, not a cellular connection.
Tours run in the rain and fog. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund if you want to avoid bad weather.
Yes. Bus tours frequently sell out in July, August, and October. Book your tickets several weeks ahead to secure a seat.
Most depart from downtown Bar Harbor. Some require checking in at a kiosk near Testa's Restaurant, while premium small-group tours offer hotel pickup.
Standard buses cannot accommodate motorized scooters. Some small group van tours can accommodate folding wheelchairs, but you must check with the operator.
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This bus tour visits three locations in Acadia National Park. You'll stop at the 1,530-foot summit of Cadillac Mountain, the rocky inlet at Thunder Hole, and the Wild Gardens at Sieur De Monts Spring. Guides explain the island's granite geology and the history of Bar Harbor's early summer residents. It's the most efficient way to see the park's main landmarks without navigating the competitive parking at the summit. Tours run from mid-May through October. Thunder Hole only makes its namesake booming sound when the tide is halfway up — check the tide chart before picking a departure time if that's your priority. It's a solid choice for your first morning to get your bearings on Mount Desert Island. Sit on the right side of the bus for the best views of the Atlantic while climbing Park Loop Road.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This four-hour narrated tour uses an air-conditioned Berkshire Coach with a panoramic front window and wide seating. It’s 90 minutes longer than the standard circuit. The extra time goes to the park’s busiest landmarks. Only passengers aged 13 and up are permitted. It’s the quiet choice. Stops include Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond House, and Sieur De Mont's Spring. You’ll get the most time at the Cadillac summit to walk the paved paths. If heavy fog rolls in, the mountain views disappear—check the local weather. At Thunder Hole, the waves only roar at mid-tide. The 'thunder' depends on the moon. Pick this longer tour if you want to actually step off the bus and explore. Morning departures usually beat the heaviest traffic at the Jordan Pond House.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Pickups start at Bar Harbor hotels before heading into Acadia. The first stop is Sieur de Monts Spring, where a small nature center sits near the original spring house. From there, the route follows the coast to Thunder Hole. If the tide is rising, waves trap air in the cavern and make a loud boom. At low tide, it’s just a wet rock. Don't expect a show every time. Otter Cliff stands 110 feet above the Atlantic and offers the best look at the park’s granite shoreline. The drive continues to Jordan Pond for lunch. You’ll get a lobster roll or a lobster pop-over to eat on the patio. Get the pop-over; it’s the local specialty. The pond water is clear enough to see the rocky bottom from the shore. The tour ends at the Bar Harbor front near the docks. Total driving time is two hours. It’s a fast way to see Park Loop Road without fighting for parking at the busy trailheads. Bring a jacket for the patio, as the wind off the pond is cold even in summer.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Driving loops in Acadia and walking paths in Bar Harbor make up this self-guided audio tour. Wabanaki legends and 47,000 acres of granite peaks fill the Acadia portion. 19th-century summer cottages line Bar Harbor's 1.5-mile Shore Path. Listen for the boom of the surf at Thunder Hole. Skip the crowded tour buses. You'll receive a link via email or text to download the Action Tour Guide app after booking. Use the provided password to download the content over WiFi so it works offline; cell service is spotty once you're deep in the park. GPS triggers the stories automatically as you drive or walk. Access to the tour never expires. Use it this summer or save it for a return trip next year. This isn't a park pass. Check the park's opening hours before you go and remember that Cadillac Mountain requires a separate vehicle reservation during peak season.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This walking tour follows the shoreline and historic streets where Gilded Age families like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts built summer mansions. Bar Harbor held the most expensive real estate in the US by the late 1800s. You'll see the 1887 Balance Rock Inn, a massive mansion built directly on the water's edge. Lobster was once a cheap food for prisoners before it became a luxury export. It's a long walk. Download the Action Audio Tour Guide App over Wi-Fi before heading to the waterfront. You’ll need to enter your password to save the maps for offline use, as cell service can be spotty near the cliffs. Lifetime access is included, so you can stop for lunch and finish the route later. Bring a portable battery because the GPS will drain your phone. This app provides narration only and does not include entry to private mansions. History buffs should stick to the residential streets, while scenery seekers can spend more time on the Shore Path. Walk it at sunrise to see the light hit the granite cliffs without the midday crowds. If it rained recently, watch your step on the wet stone.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 2.5-mile walk through downtown Bar Harbor covers Gilded Age architecture and coastal trails. The path passes the 41-room La Rochelle summer cottage and historic churches near the Village Green. You'll head out on the Bar Island Trail. Stop at the Abbe Museum for Wabanaki history. Check the tide charts before starting the Bar Island leg or you'll get stuck. Eat dinner at Frenchman Bay for the best Atlantic views. The GuideAlong app uses GPS to trigger audio stories automatically as you walk. It works offline, so cell service isn't required after the initial download. The audio files don't expire. Updates are free. It includes itineraries for a quick hour or a full day on Main Street. Buy one download per person, or bring a speaker to share the audio. Pack a portable battery because GPS drains phones fast on longer walks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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