Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide

Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide

Welcome to Bar Harbor, Maine, home to the unparalleled beauty of Acadia National Park!

Acadia National Park is a stunning national treasure on the coast of Maine in the USA. This audio tour guide covers all of the best places to see. No wonder this is one of the most visited parks in the United States and in all of North America.

After you book the tour, we will email you the link to the APP and the TOUR PASSWORD.

FULLY-AUTOMATIC & OFFLINE: Each point of interest along the tour has a narrated story, narrated directions, and helpful images. As you walk along the path and approach a pin, it’s story will automatically pop up and start playing.

FASCINATING STORIES: Engaging, and entertaining story about each point.

FREEDOM TO TRAVEL: No scheduled tour timings, no crowded groups, and no rush to move along past stops that interest you.

PRE-TRAVEL PREPARATION
We recommend that you download the app & the tour while you have a good internet connection.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Land Bridge to Bar Island, 1 Bridge St, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-1425

As you cross Bridge St, look to the right, all the way down the street. Notice anything unusual? This street appears to lead right INTO the water! From here, you can easily see Bar Island, a part of Acadia National Park.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Bar Harbor Designer Showhouse - La Rochelle, 127 West St, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-1430

La Rochelle, a huge red-brick mansion. Safely pause in front of it. Built-in 1902 for George Bowdoin, it represents the extravagance of the Gilded Age.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Hulls Cove Visitor Center, 25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Hulls Cove is an entrance to Acadia National Park. Take the turn to the Visitor Center.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Acadia National Park, 20 McFarland Hill Dr, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-7387

“Arcadia” refers to an Ancient Greek vision of utopia - a pastoral paradise, an unattainable Eden, existing in perfect harmony with nature. “Acadia” is actually directly derived from “Arcadia”— a mixture of indigenous language misappropriation and accidental spelling mistakes.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Cadillac Mountain Overlook, Paradise Hill Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

One of the first things in Acadia was to the overlook at Cadillac Mountain. It’s a short drive and easy walk to see incredible panoramic views of all of Acadia National Park.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Kebo Valley Golf Club, 136 Eagle Lake Rd, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-1026

The Kebo Golf Course! founded in 1888, Kebo is the eighth oldest golf club in the entire United States. It’s been in continuous operation for 130 years. One of the many golfers who have played here was President William Howard Taft in 1911. On the 17th hole, he scored 27 points over par, immediately establishing a nickname for it: The Taft Hole.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

The 27 mile Park Loop Road is the primary avenue for navigating through Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island by vehicle. It begins near the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on the north side of the island in Bar Harbor and connects the park's lakes, mountains, forests and rocky shores for easy exploration.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Sieur de Monts Spring, Behind the Nature Center, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

The Sieur de Monts Spring plays a significant role in the history of Acadia National Park. George B. Dorr, a private citizen who lived in the late 1800's and early 1900's, was a major contributor to the park's conception and creation through his vision and passion to preserve and protect the natural beauty of Mount Desert Island. In a symbolic sense, it can be said that the birth of Acadia National Park took place in this very spot over a century ago.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park, one mile from downtown Bar Harbor. JAX’s research program in Maine includes more than 200 Ph.D.s, physicians and veterinarians who staff and support the research teams that investigate the genetic basis of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, autoimmunity and many other human diseases and disorders, primarily using the mouse as a model organism. In addition to inbred strains and mouse models engineered to carry human patient mutations, JAX has developed advanced mouse populations to make data more translatable (e.g., modeling human genetic variability). With a staff of more than 1,500 in Bar Harbor, the Laboratory is Downeast Maine's largest employer.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Egg Rock Overlook, Park Loop Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

This spot looks out over Bar Harbor’s Frenchman Bay. You might be able to spot a little island in the bay. This is the home of Egg Rock Lighthouse. The lighthouse and its foghorn will warn ships that they are approaching the coast.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

The Precipice is part of the east face of Champlain Mountain. The Precipice Trail is the most challenging and well-known hiking trail in Acadia National Park with an exposed and almost vertical 1,000-foot climb. It is designated as “strenuous” and is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Schooner Head Overlook, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Schooner Head Overlook is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, just outside Acadia National Park. It can be reached from Bar Harbor without entering the national park via Schooner Head Road or via the Park Loop Road, just prior to the entrance gate to Sand Beach. There is an adequate parking area that overlooks the Schooner Head. The parking lot overlook provides views of Egg Rock and the Egg Rock Lighthouse.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Ocean Path Trailhead, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

There is an unsurpassed scenic Ocean Path walking trail that begins at the far end of the upper parking lot at Sand Beach and then meanders in a southerly direction along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island for approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) until it arrives at Otter Cliff and Otter Point (4 miles or 6.4 km round-trip). This walking trail happens to go right between the ocean (on the left) and the Park Loop Road (on the right). There are numerous excellent spots to stop and take in the fantastic sights around you so take advantage of them. Watch for the short side trails on the left that take you closer to the shoreline but be very careful, especially in wet sections or wherever you see seaweed. Place close attention to the waves as once in a while there can be larger rogue waves.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609

Sand Beach, in Acadia National Park, is nestled in a small inlet between the granite mountains and rocky shores of Mount Desert Island. This gorgeous 290 yard long beach is one of the most popular points of interest on the island.

The thousands of years of pounding surf created a beach that is largely comprised of unique sand of shell fragments. The ocean temperature rarely exceeds 55 degrees in the summer and there is approximately one half cup of salt per gallon of ocean water.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Sand Beach Overlook, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Sand Beach is a gorgeous little beach (290 yards long) nestled between mountains and rocky shores on the east side of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. Access is provided via the Park Loop Road just south of the entrance fee station in Bar Harbor, Maine. The beach is largely comprised of unique sand of shell fragments created by the pounding surf. The waterline can vary quite a bit because of the difference between high and low tide. The photo above shows this range by the wet area on the beach sand. Note: No pets are allowed on the beach from May 15 through September 15.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Old Soaker, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Old Soaker, It’s a rock formation visible through the inlet’s opening. The waves crash against the vertical face of the rock, shooting water up into the air. If you find yourself next to Old Soaker when that happens, you’ll be completely drenched!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

Thunder Hole is the place in Acadia National Park to experience the thunder of the sea against the rocky shores of Maine! On calm days you may wonder what the fuss is all about. But wait until the waves kick up a few notches. Thunder Hole is a small inlet, naturally carved out of the rocks, where the waves roll into. At the end of this 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 distant thunder. Water may spout as high as 40 feet with a thunderous roar! Hence the name: Thunder Hole.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Gorham Mountain Trail, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

Gorham Mountain Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Acadia National Park. With a 525 foot summit, Gorham Mountain is not one of the higher mountains on Mount Desert Island, but its close coastal location provides views that are both intimate and spectacular.

Your ascent begins from the Gorham Mountain Trail parking area located on the Park Loop Road, a short distance on the right side a short distance past Thunder Hole. Rated as moderate, the hiking trail begins as an easy steady climb through a spruce forest, gradually becoming more rugged as it opens to a granite ascent.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Otter Cliff, On the east side of the Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

Otter Cliff, in Acadia National Park, Maine, is one of the most spectacular sights along the North Atlantic Seaboard. On the east side of the Park Loop Road, about .7 miles past Thunder Hole, is the famous 110 foot high Otter Cliff - one of the highest Atlantic coastal headlands north of Rio de Janeiro. Just before Otter Cliff is a beautiful spot called Monument Cove. Right after this, the road begins to curve to the left. To the right is a small parking area with portable rest facilities. On the other side of the street is a path that leads to the cliff.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Hunters Beach Overlook, Park Loop Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA

Hunters Beach Trail is a fun and easy family stroll. The trail meanders east through a beautiful thick forest and joins up with the pleasant and babbling Hunters Brook. (The trailhead is actually outside the park boundary, but you will see the NPS marker soon into the hike.) The trail follows the brook south and in no time you will be standing at Little Hunters Beach, a cobblestone beach with beautiful ocean-tumbled rocks that range in size from large boulders to small egg-sized stones. Also interesting is seeing the brook flow over and in between the rocks to make its way into the ocean. Return the way you came.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

Jordan Pond is a glacier-formed tarn with a maximum water depth of 150 feet (46 m). There are steep inclines on the left and right sides (West and East). The water is exceptionally clear with an average visibility depth of 46 feet (14 m) but this has been measured as high as 60 feet (18 m), the most ever recorded in the State of Maine. Swimming is not allowed. However, non-motor boats such as canoes and kayaks are permitted. The kayak and canoe launch site for this is via the Jordan Pond North parking lot, a short distance from the restaurant. Carriage Roads are adjacent to the restaurant and pond area. Auto access to the restaurant is provided via the Park Loop Road.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Bubble Pond, Park Loop Road Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME

Bubble Pond in Acadia National Park, Maine, is a short distance northeast of Jordan Pond next to the two way section of the Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island. It is a gorgeous little pond, nestled between rounded mountains, with a maximum water depth of 39 feet. A carriage road and a stone bridge are located next to the parking area for an easy walk or bike ride. PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately, the National Park Service has made the decision to close the small 11 vehicle parking lot to private vehicles while the Island Explorer Shuttle Bus is in operations. This means that it will be closed from about June 21 through shortly after October 8. Check out Island Explorer Bus schedules for coordinating schedules and maps.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Eagle Lake Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME

Eagle Lake, at 436 acres, is the largest freshwater lake in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. It has a maximum depth of 110 feet and an average depth of 50 feet. Fishing is allowed but a license is required for Maine residents 16 years or older and for nonresidents 12 years or older. You may gain access to the lake in Bar Harbor on the northern end of Route 233. There are two parking areas on either side of the road.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, at 1,530 feet (466 meters), is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7 through March 6. It is one of over 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island (MDI), Maine that were pushed up by earth's tectonic and volcanic forces millions of years ago. Were it not for the once enormous glaciers that sheared off their tops, they would be even higher than what we see today. You can easily see the results of this on a smaller scale by viewing the slopes on the Porcupine Islands in the distance. The Northside is on the left and the steeper slope, or the downside is on the right east side. The glaciers crept across the land here from the left to the right (in a southerly direction) and stretched out to sea as far as 400 miles (644 kilometers)!

Duration: 10 minutes