Acadia National Park FAQs

Best way to get around Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Island?

Bar Harbor is quite small, with very little public parking – so the best way to get around town is to walk or bike.
Mount Desert Island on the other hand is quite big, so it’s best to take you car to distant places. Unless you are up for riding your bike long distances. Mind the hills!

From June 23rd until October 10th there are Island Explorer shuttles that will take you around Mount Desert Island & Acadia National Park on various scheduled routes. Simply speak to the front desk to pick up a schedule map at the front desk or go to www.exploreacadia.com for viewing on your phone

What range of activities are there in Bar Harbor / Acadia National Park?

Shopping
Drinking & Dining
Movies
Live Music
Hiking
Walking
Running
Rock Climbing
Biking
Fishing
Bird watching
Sailing & Boat tours
Photography / Night Photography

What are the most popular tours in Bar Harbor / Acadia National Park?

Lulu Lobster Boat Rides

Watch local lobster fisherman pull up their lobster traps and talk about the historic fisherman lifestyle. Keep a lookout for seal sightings on this 2 hour tour around Frenchman’s Bay

Acadian Boat Tours

Eden Star Tour covers visits to Puffin Colonies, local Lighthouses and seal hangouts
Sightseeing & Nature Tours covers visits to Egg Rock lighthouse and nearby seals hangouts, Acadia National Park Coastline, Coastal Mansions, local Bald Eagles nest sites
Frenchman Bay Sunset cruise is a wonderful 2 hour evening tour that ends at sundown – sights to behold: Egg Rock Lighthouse, the Porcupines, local eagle nests, seal sightings, coastal mansions and coastal Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company

Whale watching cruise – featuring possible sightings of Humpback, Finback & Minke whales. Also keep a lookout for harbor porpoise, white-sided dolphins, basking sharks, ocean sunfish, grey seals, harbor seals
Nature Cruise – join a professional guide and naturalist who will point out natural and historic landmarks as well as wildlife such as eagles, seals, seabirds
Lobster Fishing – Watch fisherman pull up their lobster traps and talk about the life of a local lobsterman. Look for seals and seabirds and other wildlife.

Oli’s Trolley

Bar Harbor Downtown tour – tour historic Bar Harbor on this 30 minute fully narrated tour
Acadia National Park Tour – 2.5 hours, a narrated tour of the history of Acadia National Park with stops for walks and photos
Acadia National Park Tour – 4 hours, a comprehensive narrated tour complete with several stops for walks and photos in the following areas: Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond & Sieur de Monts springs area

Acadia National Park Tour

Tour Acadia National Park with narrated emphasis on the history of the area, the geology, wildlife, and much more! Tour stops include Cadillac Mountain summit, Thunder Hole, Sieur de Monts Spring in this 2.5 hour. Restrooms available at all stops.

What are some Recommended Hikes?

The Bubbles

1.5 miles roundtrip from Bubbles Parking Lot, Difficulty: Medium

Great Head Path

1.5 miles roundtrip from Great Head parking lot, Difficulty: Easy

Acadia Mountain Path

2.6 miles roundtrip from Acadia Mountain Trail Head side of the road parking, Difficulty: Medium

Kebo Mountain path to Dorr North Ridge to summit

3.2 miles up and back, Difficulty: Medium

The Gorge Path up – Cadillac Northridge back down

3.8 miles up and back from Gorge Path Trail head parking lot, Difficulty: Medium

Cadillac North Ridge to summit

4 miles up and back from trail head parking lot, Difficulty: Medium

Canon Brook Trail to Dorr Southridge to summit

4.4 miles up and back from trail head parking lot, Difficulty: Medium

Cadillac Southridge to summit

6.4 miles up and back from trail head parking lot, Difficulty: Easy but long

Good Places for Running?

Witch Hole Pond loop

3 miles

Eden / Highway 3 walking biking path

4 miles roundtrip (starts at the corner of Eden / Highway 3 and West street)

Eagle Lake Carriage Road loop

6 miles

Witch Hole Pond to Eagle Lake carriage road loop

6.9 mile roundtrip

Villager office to Schooner Head Road Overlook

7.4 miles roundtrip

Villager office to Sand Beach (via Schooner Head Road)

9.4 miles roundtrip

What are some easy walks you can suggest?

Jessup & Hemlock Paths

2 miles roundtrip through boggy, beautiful white birch forest on gravel and boardwalk. Great place for bird watching! Drive to public parking at Gardens of Acadia

Jordan Pond path circumference

3 miles of beautiful lakeside walking path. Drive to public parking at Jordan Pond

Witch Hole Pond, 3.5 mile gravel loop

Drive to public parking found on Duck Brook Road

Great Meadow Loop

Runs around the Bar Harbor Kebo Valley Club golf course 3.8 miles roundtrip from Villager office in downtown Bar Harbor

Ocean View Path to Otter Point

4 mile coastal walk roundtrip with tremendous views. Drive to public parking at Sand Beach

Eagle Lake carriage road circumference

6 miles of gravel road, lakeside views. Drive to public parking at Eagle Lake

Schooner Head Road to the Schooner Head Overlook & Sand Beach

A beautiful, long and easy walk through semi forested private land as well as the boundary of Acadia National Park. 7.4 miles (roundtrip from Villager) to the Overlook, 9.4 miles (roundtrip from the Villager) to Sand Beach.