Driving Tours of Acadia National Park
Welcome to the great State of Maine, the historic village of Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Island, the 2nd largest island on the eastern seaboard of the contiguous United States! With well over a decade of experience, Bar Harbor Coastal Tours LLC, can simplify your private trip through Acadia National Park by taking care of all the fine details. You will have a much more enjoyable expedition with a genuine local Guide! Spend more quality time with family, friends and loved ones making memories that will last a life time!
Acadia National Park's Loop Road
The 27 mile Park Loop road is the major sight seeing drive inside Acadia National Park. At the average speed limit, it is possible to drive its entirety in just about one hour. Most groups like to stop multiple times. When we visit places along the way, you will have a bit of time to get out and take pictures and walk about to explore. Those who prefer less walking are able to see most of Acadia National Park's highlights right from the comfort of their seat.
The 27 mile Park Loop road is the major sight seeing drive inside Acadia National Park. At the average speed limit, it is possible to drive its entirety in just about one hour. Most groups like to stop multiple times. When we visit places along the way, you will have a bit of time to get out and take pictures and walk about to explore. Those who prefer less walking are able to see most of Acadia National Park's highlights right from the comfort of their seat.
Sieur de Monts Spring
Sieur de Monts Spring is a natural spring in Acadia. George Dorr, Acadia National Park's first superintendent and founding father, deemed the spring, "The Sweet Waters of Acadia." The Wild Gardens of Acadia and Acadia National Park's Nature center are located here and usually has a Ranger to speak with for questions. The Abbe Museum has a small facility on the grounds open during the summer season featuring artifacts and history of the indigenous tribes of the area.
Sieur de Monts Spring is a natural spring in Acadia. George Dorr, Acadia National Park's first superintendent and founding father, deemed the spring, "The Sweet Waters of Acadia." The Wild Gardens of Acadia and Acadia National Park's Nature center are located here and usually has a Ranger to speak with for questions. The Abbe Museum has a small facility on the grounds open during the summer season featuring artifacts and history of the indigenous tribes of the area.
Sand Beach
Sand Beach is Acadia National Park's largest recreational beach for tourists. Many daring souls can't resist a dip in its very cold waters, usually in the hot months of July and August. Putting your feet in the icy Atlantic Ocean waters is a great activity any time of year. Maybe Sand Beach is better for enjoying a book, or perhaps working on your next landscape. The sound of the ocean waves will serenade you and become your muse!
Sand Beach is comprised mostly of pulverized sea shells in addition to other debris washed up on the beach by the mighty Atlantic Ocean. "Sand" is a bit of a misnomer. Although you will see sand, it is not the beach's major component. Sand Beach has a large formation of granite located out between the open ocean and the beach, called "Old Soaker," which helps to shield it from larger Gulf of Maine storms from the south. Sand beach is also very well protected by considerable granite shorelines on either side to both the East and the West for systems coming in from those directions.
Sand Beach is Acadia National Park's largest recreational beach for tourists. Many daring souls can't resist a dip in its very cold waters, usually in the hot months of July and August. Putting your feet in the icy Atlantic Ocean waters is a great activity any time of year. Maybe Sand Beach is better for enjoying a book, or perhaps working on your next landscape. The sound of the ocean waves will serenade you and become your muse!
Sand Beach is comprised mostly of pulverized sea shells in addition to other debris washed up on the beach by the mighty Atlantic Ocean. "Sand" is a bit of a misnomer. Although you will see sand, it is not the beach's major component. Sand Beach has a large formation of granite located out between the open ocean and the beach, called "Old Soaker," which helps to shield it from larger Gulf of Maine storms from the south. Sand beach is also very well protected by considerable granite shorelines on either side to both the East and the West for systems coming in from those directions.
Thunder Hole
Thunder Hole is one of the most popular ocean-side attractions inside Acadia National Park. It is a significant formation of granite shoreline sculpted by the Atlantic Ocean's pounding waves and Mother Nature since the last Ice Age. At a few hours before the high tide, you have the best chance of hearing the thunderous sound of the ocean pounding into Thunder Hole's cave. It is named "Thunder Cave" on some old maps. If you get too close you can get drenched. You will feel the granite shake underneath your feet if the wave is big enough. The granite has a beautiful salmon-pink color all along the shoreline nearby, and at Thunder Hole in particular. During stormier days, Acadia National Park's rangers will restrict or shut down access to this attraction.
Thunder Hole is one of the most popular ocean-side attractions inside Acadia National Park. It is a significant formation of granite shoreline sculpted by the Atlantic Ocean's pounding waves and Mother Nature since the last Ice Age. At a few hours before the high tide, you have the best chance of hearing the thunderous sound of the ocean pounding into Thunder Hole's cave. It is named "Thunder Cave" on some old maps. If you get too close you can get drenched. You will feel the granite shake underneath your feet if the wave is big enough. The granite has a beautiful salmon-pink color all along the shoreline nearby, and at Thunder Hole in particular. During stormier days, Acadia National Park's rangers will restrict or shut down access to this attraction.
Otter Point
Otter Point is the highest cliff face on the entire seaboard of the contiguous United States. Acadia National Park's loop road takes us over and around Otter Point. Everything is visible from the vehicle. If you would like a stop, it is possible. The ringing buoy nearby is charming to most.
Otter Point is the highest cliff face on the entire seaboard of the contiguous United States. Acadia National Park's loop road takes us over and around Otter Point. Everything is visible from the vehicle. If you would like a stop, it is possible. The ringing buoy nearby is charming to most.
Little Hunter's Beach
Little Hunter's Beach is a classic example of a cobblestone beach. Cobblestone beaches are more common in this area and are not so well protected like most sandy beaches. You can listen for the unique sound of cobblestones clicking together as the waves go in and out. Being so close to the Bay of Fundy, home to the most extreme tide shifts in the world, gives the Maine coast big tide changes (13ft difference from low to high on a full or new moon), twice a day. Most coves are not protected from the open ocean and the loose sand gets dragged out with every tide, smoothing and leaving behind the bigger rocks too heavy to dislodge. On a cobblestone beach, the loose sand and other smaller objects are washed out to sea, smoothing bigger rocks, or cobblestones, which remain behind on the beach during a never-ending "sanding" process.
Little Hunter's Beach is a classic example of a cobblestone beach. Cobblestone beaches are more common in this area and are not so well protected like most sandy beaches. You can listen for the unique sound of cobblestones clicking together as the waves go in and out. Being so close to the Bay of Fundy, home to the most extreme tide shifts in the world, gives the Maine coast big tide changes (13ft difference from low to high on a full or new moon), twice a day. Most coves are not protected from the open ocean and the loose sand gets dragged out with every tide, smoothing and leaving behind the bigger rocks too heavy to dislodge. On a cobblestone beach, the loose sand and other smaller objects are washed out to sea, smoothing bigger rocks, or cobblestones, which remain behind on the beach during a never-ending "sanding" process.
Cadillac Mountain
The Park Loop road circles Cadillac Mountain and also provides access to the mountain via the Cadillac Summit mountain road. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point of land inside Acadia National Park measuring a quarter of a mile, 1530 ft., at peak elevation. The highest point of land on the eastern seaboard, Cadillac Mountain also marks the spot as the first place to see the sunrise in the contiguous United States for a few months each year.
We are able to drive to Cadillac summit, which has spectacular views of the tiny village of Bar Harbor, the Porcupine islands, cruise ships out in Frenchman's bay and the Atlantic Ocean for miles in most directions. The summit has a great granite & cement path that takes about 15 or 20 minutes to circle for those who would like a little stretch or walk.
Reservations are required for Cadillac mountain for all Acadia National Park visitors from mid May until mid November. As a tour company we are able to access reservations even at the last minute. A reservation for Cadillac Mountain is included with our tour price.
The Park Loop road circles Cadillac Mountain and also provides access to the mountain via the Cadillac Summit mountain road. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point of land inside Acadia National Park measuring a quarter of a mile, 1530 ft., at peak elevation. The highest point of land on the eastern seaboard, Cadillac Mountain also marks the spot as the first place to see the sunrise in the contiguous United States for a few months each year.
We are able to drive to Cadillac summit, which has spectacular views of the tiny village of Bar Harbor, the Porcupine islands, cruise ships out in Frenchman's bay and the Atlantic Ocean for miles in most directions. The summit has a great granite & cement path that takes about 15 or 20 minutes to circle for those who would like a little stretch or walk.
Reservations are required for Cadillac mountain for all Acadia National Park visitors from mid May until mid November. As a tour company we are able to access reservations even at the last minute. A reservation for Cadillac Mountain is included with our tour price.
Carriage Roads
During your tour you will see examples of the Carriage Road system inside Acadia National Park. Constructed and designed for horse and carriages by John Rockefeller Jr. during the development of Acadia, the Carriage Road system runs for about 50 miles around the lakes, ponds and mountains of Acadia National Park. Today, visitors still enjoy access for horseback or horse and carriage riding, however, the majority of the users of this system in the modern era are hikers, bicyclists and e-bikers. Acadia national Park offers their own guided Carriage Road Tours for a fee at Wildwood Stables.
During your tour you will see examples of the Carriage Road system inside Acadia National Park. Constructed and designed for horse and carriages by John Rockefeller Jr. during the development of Acadia, the Carriage Road system runs for about 50 miles around the lakes, ponds and mountains of Acadia National Park. Today, visitors still enjoy access for horseback or horse and carriage riding, however, the majority of the users of this system in the modern era are hikers, bicyclists and e-bikers. Acadia national Park offers their own guided Carriage Road Tours for a fee at Wildwood Stables.
Bar Harbor Village
Acadia National Park surrounds the village of Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is a quaint New England fishing port and a sea food lover's paradise. Lobster doesn't get any fresher or more succulent than from these very icy Atlantic Ocean waters. Bar Harbor is visible from many different points as you move along during your excursion. The best view is from the summit of Cadillac Mountain one quarter of a mile above Bar Harbor. We drive through most of the village pointing out historical interests.
Acadia National Park surrounds the village of Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is a quaint New England fishing port and a sea food lover's paradise. Lobster doesn't get any fresher or more succulent than from these very icy Atlantic Ocean waters. Bar Harbor is visible from many different points as you move along during your excursion. The best view is from the summit of Cadillac Mountain one quarter of a mile above Bar Harbor. We drive through most of the village pointing out historical interests.
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