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Shaka Guide’s tour of Acadia National Park is a spectacular combination of ocean and lakeside shorelines, mountain summits, and jagged sea cliffs. The park features an unusual thunderous inlet, miles of unique carriage roads, beautifully manicured gardens, and an iconic lighthouse. On this tour, you’ll have opportunities to hike, meander down carriage roads on foot or by horse-pulled carriage, do some tide pooling, or eat a freshly baked popover at a historic lakefront house. And with the town of Bar Harbor right next to Acadia, there’s no shortage of things to do!
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Ascend to the highest point on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard at Cadillac Mountain, where sunrise views are unparalleled and the surrounding landscape offers breathtaking panoramas.
• Relax on the picturesque Sand Beach, a secluded stretch of shoreline nestled between granite mountains and rocky shores.
• Experience the natural spectacle of Thunder Hole, where waves crashing into a narrow cavern create a dramatic sound and impressive spouts of ocean spray.
• Capture the quintessential Maine coastal scene at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, a historic beacon perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
• Explore the serene Carriage Roads and Wildwood Stables, where well-maintained paths and charming horse-drawn carriage rides offer a peaceful journey through Acadia's scenic landscapes.
Acadia National Park & The Hulls Cove Visitor Center, where you purchase park tickets and get maps.
Your first overlook after entering the park, high above the Gulf of Maine and Atlantic Ocean.
An exhibit center for park nature and science, plus Wild Gardens and trails like Jesup Path, on the site of Acadia's origin.
Another view from afar showing you how high up you still are above Bar Harbor and the ocean, before you get closer to sea level.
A larger, still elevated overlook area with a vista of the sea
This is a popular, two mile round-trip, moderate loop hike high above the ocean and Sand Beach.
From the Sand Beach parking lot, head down to the sandy beachfront, or walk up to the Ocean Path and walk parallel to the road and coastline all the way to Otter Point. It's 2.2 miles, or 4.4 miles round trip.
This is a small inlet, naturally carved out of the rocks, where the waves roll in. At the end of the inlet, down low, is a small cavern where, when the rush of the wave arrives, air and water are forced out like a clap of thunder, with splashes as high as 40 feet to accompany the thunderous roar.
These cliffs rise a hundred feet above the coast and are a popular rock-climbing spot over the ocean.
This is the very southern tip of the peninsula, and the other end of the Ocean Path that began back at Sand Beach. The view from here is one of the most spectacular sights along the North Atlatic seaboard.
This is where the road curves around the inlet known as Otter Cove, featuring a one-of-a-kind stone bridge. The inlet leads to a creek on the other side. This cove is a great place for tidepooling!
A giant barn holds stables for enormous, strong horses that pull carriages up and down some of the historic carriage roads of Acadia, just as they've done since the days of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who began building them in 1913.
This pond is more like a lake. It covers 187 acres with an iconic view of the Bubbles mountains. Jordan Pond House is a historic house...and home to an iconic tradition at Acadia...the baking of hot, piping popover rolls that remain one of the most popular reasons that folks flock to Acadia!
Bubble Rock is a gigantic boulder hanging off the side of South Bubble Mountain. To get to it, hike the Bubbles Divide trail. This is a short, easy-to-moderate hike, only about a mile long, with a total elevation gain of 608 feet. Plus some boulder scrambling at the end if you want to get really close to the rock. Hike the Bubbles Divide trail to South Bubble, following signs to Bubble Rock.Just keep left the whole way up the trail.
Cadillac Mountain rises 1,528 feet above sea level. That makes is the highest mountain in Acadia and on Mount Desert Island. It's also the highest point along the entire east coast of the United States. And you can drive up to the summit for breathtaking views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands.
This is one of the most photographed bridges in all of Maine, with a graceful arch reflected by the waters of Somes Creek, framed by nature for a picturesque and charming view. It's nicknamed the Monet Bridge after the French artist, because it's as pretty as one of his paintings. There's also a small museum on site in case you want to peruse the history of Mount Desert Island.
With a sandy beach on its south shore, Echo Lake is a gorgeous little lake on the western side of Mount desert Island just south of Somesville, and part of Acadia. It makes for a nice swimming hole in summer, and voices tend to echo off the surrounding mountainous granite rocks.
Built of brick in 1858 on a stone foundation, this lighthouse stands 56 feet above the high water mark. It's the most famous lighthouse in Acadia. It's the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island, and one of the most recognized and photographed in the United States.
This is an easy 1.3 mile figure-eight loop along the forest floor off Seawall Road near the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, with stunning coastline views.
This is an easy 1.4 mile round trip hike to the ocean along Seawall Road near Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
This is a picnic area with a parking lot where you can stop and take in an up-close view of the ocean.
This butterfly garden at Charlotte Rhoades Park gives visitors a chance to learn more about butterfly habitats and spot some up close.
This is historic homestead is an example of a typical Maine mountain farm. It was first settled by John Carroll and his family in 1825, and has been preserved after being donated to Acadia.
On the optional Northeast Harbor leg. There's also a beautiful village green here, along with a small sandy beach.
An optional stop on the Northeast Harbor leg to explore some beautiful landscaped gardens.
An optional stop on the Northeast Harbor leg to explore a beautiful azalea garden.
A small village along the optional Northeast Harbor leg.
An optional drive along Somes Sound on the Northeast Harbor leg.
A small park along the Northeast Harbor leg, along Sergeant Drive and the Somes Sound
Along the westernmost option leg of the southwest peninsula, this is a museum featuring some of the very first automobiles.
Along the westernmost option leg of the southwest peninsula, this is a small park area near the water.
This is the largest freshwater lake in Acadia and on Mount Desert Island. It's 452 pristine acres, with an average depth of 50 feet.
This app provided a clear audible guide through Acadia National Park. The info/stories provided by the narrator were excellent and enhanced the experience. Great find in the App Store!
We totally enjoyed this tour with Shaka Guide. The park is so big with so much to see Shaka Guide helps you to see the most for your time commitment. Great information and stories. Are we biased? Maybe a little. Andrew and Rita , the founders of Shaka Guide are our son and daughter in law
We did our first trip through Mt. Rainier National Park today with Shaka Guide and it was unbelievable. The directions, facts, music selection, and fun tidbits made the trip one of the best we have ever done. Even though we are handicapped and couldn't do the hikes, having Shaka Guide made us feel just as much a part of the park as everyone else. We tried another company when in Acadia and Shaka Guide was 10000% better. Already bought the PNW package and ready for next adventure
Acadia National Park in Maine offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy its stunning coastal landscapes and natural beauty. Hiking is a popular option, with over 150 miles of trails, including the famous Cadillac Mountain, which provide...
It depends on your personal preference, but the best times to visit Acadia National Park are during late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October). These periods offer mild and comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful natu...
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island along the rugged coastline of Maine in the northeastern United States. The park is near the town of Bar Harbor, which serves as a primary gateway for visitors. Spanning over 47,000 acres, Acad...
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
This tour has 34 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!
What you spend depends on the activities you do, but here’s a list of entry fees on the tour:
Although the park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the hours of operation vary based on the season. Many roads in the park are closed during the winter months and certain visitor centers operate seasonally. We highly recommend you visit the park’s website for seasonal road closures.
The park has two visitor centers: Hulls Cove Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the summer (closed in winter) and Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in winter (closed in summer).
Yes! The tour has two starting points: Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot, and on Rt. 3 near Trenton Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting.
If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience. the summer (closed in winter) and Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in winter (closed in summer)
This tour route is designed to be flexible. You can start with the more popular spots like Cadillac Mountain or Sand Beach, or you can start by making your way to the quieter, western side of the island and check Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse or Somes Sound.
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
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At Shaka Guide our goal is to connect people, with places, through stories. Our team creates immersive, self-guided audio tours that connect travelers with the history and culture of over 85 destinations across the country.
© Shaka Guide LLC 2025
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