Day Trips to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park is a natural area with unparalleled scenic beauty: rocky beaches, mountains, lakes, forests, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic coast. It is considered one of the best things to see and do in Bar Harbor.

The park is located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, just a few minutes from the town of Bar Harbor. During your stay in the city, you will find several means of transportation to get there from the city center. You can join a bus tour, rent a car and drive on your own, use public transportation or a taxi, among other options. Here are all the details.

The best option

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park Bus Tour

Explore Acadia comfortably by bus from Bar Harbor

See the most spectacular scenery in Acadia National Park with no effort. Climb Cadillac Mountain, admire Thunder Hole, and relax with an expert guide on board.

From $72 at Hellotickets

With this bus tour of Acadia National Park, you will visit some of the park's most iconic spots without having to walk long distances. For 2.5 hours, you'll travel in an air-conditioned bus with an expert guide who will explain the history and secrets of this spectacular natural space.

You'll climb to the top of Cadillac Mountain, enjoy views of the Atlantic at Thunder Hole, and visit historic sites such as Sieur de Monts Spring. A perfect option if you are looking for a guided, comfortable, and accessible experience without missing out on the best of Acadia's landscape.

Recommended if... you prefer a scenic and comfortable tour, ideal for the whole family, or if you don't want to walk too much during your visit.

The most flexible option

Bar Harbor Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Explore Acadia at your own pace with this self-guided tour.

Download the audio guide and discover Acadia National Park at your own pace in your own car. Ideal for enjoying the park on your own terms.

From $19 at Hellotickets

With this self-guided tour of Acadia National Park, you can explore the park from the comfort of your car, following an audio guide available for iOS and Android. The explanations are activated automatically thanks to geolocation, allowing you to concentrate on the landscape without worrying about anything else.

The 2-3 hour itinerary includes stops such as Cadillac Mountain, Egg Rock Overlook, and the Ocean Path Trailhead. You can do it at any time of the year and as many times as you like, as the app has no expiration date. A perfect option if you want to go at your own pace and stop wherever you like.

Recommended if... you prefer total freedom of schedule, visiting in your own car, and taking the time you need to enjoy every point of the route.

The bus tour from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park is a very popular transfer option. You will experience a comfortable and safe scenic trip, while enjoying the company of a driver-guide. They will tell you about the history of the city and the destinations along the way. You won't have to worry about anything other than enjoying the ride.

You will board the air-conditioned bus in downtown Bar Harbor and, along with about 20 other people, travel about 10 minutes to Acadia National Park. The best part is that once you're in this important natural haven, you can explore it on the same bus.

With this bus tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, you can visit Cadillac Mountain, which, at less than 1,500 meters, is considered the highest point in the park. You'll also see Thunder Hole, a cove carved out by the powerful Atlantic waves, and Sieur de Monts Spring, with its stunningly beautiful landscape.

Useful information

• Price: around €30 per person.
• Duration of the trip: the transfer from downtown Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park usually takes 7 to 10 minutes. However, the entire tour lasts around two and a half hours.
• Advantages: with this tour, you won't have to worry about driving or wasting time waiting for public transportation. Plus, you'll enjoy a return trip to the city center.
• Disadvantages: once in the park, you will have to adapt to the set route for the tour, meaning it will be more difficult to follow your own itinerary.

If you are someone who likes to travel at your own pace, then a rental car is the most practical option for getting to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor. You will have complete control over your trip, allowing you to make stops along the way to enjoy the views, take pictures, or eat.

In the city, you will find many car rental companies such as Acadia GEM, Enterprise, Hertz, and many others. All you have to do is contact them and select the type of car that best suits your needs, depending on the number of people traveling with you.

Then, all you have to do is drive about 3 kilometers to Acadia National Park. You can drive along Mt Desert St and Eagle Lake Rd, Main St and Cromwell Harbor Rd, or Ledgelawn Ave and Cromwell Harbor Rd.

Once you arrive at your destination, you can take advantage of the self-guided car tour of Bar Harbor Acadia National Park. I recommend downloading an audio app so you can explore this beautiful natural wonder. You can follow the route that runs along the ocean and go to Egg Rock Overlook, etc.

Useful information

• Price: The cost of renting a car in Bar Harbor starts at around $40 per day. This price will depend on the type of car you choose.
• Journey time: the journey from the center of Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park takes around 7 minutes. However, bear in mind that traffic conditions could increase significantly during this time.
• Advantages: you will have complete control over your trip, allowing you to go directly to the park or make stops when you deem necessary.
• Disadvantages: Driving yourself could be a bit tiring, especially if you have just arrived in the city and want to reduce stress during your vacation.

Another way to get to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor is by bike. If you enjoy cycling, you'll love exploring the city at your own pace on this environmentally friendly mode of transportation . You'll have fun, get some exercise, and see the area from a different perspective.

You can ride toward Mt Desert St and Eagle Lake Rd, as well as along Mt Desert St and Eagle Lake Rd. It all depends on where you are in the city center. Whichever route you take, you'll head straight to Acadia National Park.

Renting a bike and the necessary equipment is very easy: simply choose how many hours you want to hire the service for when you book, select the start time, and off you go!

The best thing about this destination is that there are many trails to explore by bike. In fact, these routes are so popular that there are usually several bike rental locations in Acadia National Park. This means you can travel to the park by other means of transport and rent a bike when you arrive.

Useful information

• Price: the approximate cost of renting a bike in Bar Harbor is €30 per day.
• Journey time: the average cycling time between Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is around 20 minutes. This will depend on your speed.
• Advantages: you'll get around the city and the park in a fun way without polluting the environment.
• Disadvantages: The bike ride to the park can be a bit strenuous, especially if you are not in good physical condition.

If you plan to visit Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor during peak season, i.e. between June and September, you can take advantage of the public bus service operated by Island Explorer. This is a free transfer option, but it takes longer than other means of transport.

You will need to head to the city center, specifically to Cottage Street. This is where the bus departs from. It runs from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and has other stops along the Bar Harbor - Acadia National Park route.

Once you arrive at the park, you don't have to get off right away, as the bus offers several routes within this large natural area. For example, from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to the Jordan Pond House Restaurant. There are also stops at places such as Parkman Mountain, Bubble Rock, Cadillac North Ridge Trail, etc.

This is a good alternative if you have time and want to enjoy one of the most beautiful natural areas in the United States. It is undoubtedly an experience that you can easily incorporate into your itinerary along with the best tours and excursions in Bar Harbor, such as a Bar Harbor food tour.

Useful information

• Price: The Island Explorer public bus service is free.
• Journey time: the route from the stop in downtown Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park takes approximately 15 minutes.
• Advantages: this type of free transfer not only allows you to reach the park from the city, but also to access some of the destinations of interest within this important natural area.
• Disadvantages: The bus makes several stops and only runs during high season, when traffic conditions are at their worst. Therefore, the transfer could take time away from your visit.

A taxi is the best option if you don't have much time in your itinerary to visit Acadia National Park and therefore need to go directly from downtown Bar Harbor. It's also a good choice if you want to avoid the stress of buses or driving yourself. You'll get around the city quickly and comfortably.

Taxis are a very flexible option, as they are available at any time of day. Just contact one of the taxi companies in Bar Harbor, such as Y&P Taxi Services or Sunrise2sunset Taxi, among others. They will pick you up at your hotel or you can go to the taxi stands on the streets in the city center for immediate service.

You can use taxis not only to go to Acadia National Park, but also to get to the airport or the port to embark on a sailing trip with Bar Harbor Windjammer, among other things.

Useful information

• Price: a taxi ride from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park can cost around €10.
• Journey time: the transfer usually takes 5 to 7 minutes. However, please be aware that traffic conditions are unpredictable, so there may be some delays.
• Advantages: you will travel on a direct route with no stops from the city center to Acadia National Park.
• Disadvantages: if you are bringing a bicycle with you to explore the park, you will have to pay an extra fee in the taxi.

Getting from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park is not difficult. There are several means of transportation in the city to travel along this approximately 3-kilometer route and discover the history of this natural wonder. However, it is important to keep in mind some basic tips to avoid any inconveniences.

• If you plan to rent a car, you must have a valid driver's license.
• You must reserve a spot on the Island Explorer public bus, as although it is free, you will not be able to board without having done so. Also, keep in mind that it only runs between June and September (high season).
• When renting a bicycle, you must be over 18 years old.
• If you are carrying excess luggage when using the taxi service, you will have to pay an additional fee.
• Be sure to book the bus tour in advance, as this service is often very busy.