See the highlights of Acadia National Park from the comfort of a classic red and green trolley on this fully narrated 2.5-hour tour departing from downtown Bar Harbor. Your guide brings the park's history, geology, and wildlife to life as the trolley follows the scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road, with three stops for short walks and photos at the most celebrated viewpoints in the park.

Ride through Acadia National Park along the Park Loop Road with live narration from a knowledgeable guide
Stop at the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the U.S. Atlantic coast at 1,530 feet
Visit Thunder Hole, where ocean waves crash into a narrow rock crevasse with a deep, booming sound
Explore the Jordan Pond area with views of the Bubble Mountains and the surrounding forest
Learn about Bar Harbor's history from its discovery in 1604 through the great fire of 1947

This trolley tour is the easiest way to experience Acadia National Park without driving, parking, or navigating the one-way roads on your own.

What's Included

Fully narrated trolley tour of Acadia National Park (2.5 hours)
Three scheduled 15-minute photo stops inside the park
Live commentary from an experienced local guide

Things to know

Check in at Oli's Trolley Station 30 minutes before departure; boarding begins 15 minutes prior. Seating is first come, first served. Dress in layers, as temperatures at the summit of Cadillac Mountain can be significantly cooler and windier than in Bar Harbor. All stops inside Acadia National Park are subject to parking availability. Routes and stops may change due to weather, construction, or congestion. Tours may be cancelled if minimum passenger numbers are not met.

Itinerary

This is a typical itinerary for this trolley tour. The order of stops may vary based on parking availability, congestion, and weather conditions inside the park.

Oli's Trolley Station (Departure)

Your tour departs from Oli's Trolley Station at the Boardwalk at the Harborside Hotel, 55 West Street in downtown Bar Harbor. Check in 30 minutes before departure; boarding begins 15 minutes prior. The trolley departs promptly, and your guide begins the narration as you leave town.

Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park

As the trolley heads toward Acadia National Park, your guide shares the history of Bar Harbor, from its roots as a fishing village to its transformation into a summer retreat for wealthy families like the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Fords in the late 1800s. You pass the historic mansions that survived the devastating fire of 1947, which destroyed more than 60 of the grand "cottages" and reshaped the island's character. The narration covers the founding of the park, beginning with George B. Dorr's decades-long effort to preserve Mount Desert Island, President Woodrow Wilson's designation of the area as a national monument in 1916, and its eventual establishment as Acadia National Park in 1929.

Cadillac Mountain

The trolley climbs the 3.5-mile summit road to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in Acadia National Park at 1,530 feet. Cadillac Mountain is the tallest peak on the entire U.S. Atlantic coast and, from October through March, the first place in the United States to see the sunrise each morning. At the summit, sweeping 360-degree views stretch across Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, Bar Harbor, and the forested interior of Mount Desert Island. On clear days, you can see well into the distance in every direction. You have approximately 15 minutes to walk the summit path, take photos, and take in the panoramic views of Acadia National Park from above.

Thunder Hole

The trolley continues along Ocean Drive to Thunder Hole, one of the most famous natural features in Acadia National Park. Here, ocean waves funnel into a narrow rock crevasse carved by centuries of erosion, and when conditions are right, the water compresses and explodes upward with a deep, thundering boom. A short path with stone steps leads down to the viewing area above the chasm. Even on calm days, the rugged rocky coastline and open Atlantic views make this a memorable stop. Your guide explains the geology behind the formation and the best tidal conditions for hearing the "thunder." You have approximately 15 minutes at this stop.

Jordan Pond

The final stop brings you to the Jordan Pond area, one of the most photographed landscapes in Acadia National Park. The crystal-clear pond sits at the base of two rounded peaks known as the Bubbles, with dense forest surrounding the shoreline. Jordan Pond is the deepest lake on Mount Desert Island at 150 feet, and its clarity is the result of the glacial forces that carved the basin thousands of years ago. A short walk from the parking area takes you to views of the pond and mountains. The Jordan Pond House, famous for its tradition of serving popovers with jam, is located nearby. You have approximately 15 minutes to walk and photograph this stop.

Return to Bar Harbor

After the third stop, the trolley returns along the Park Loop Road and back through Bar Harbor to Oli's Trolley Station, completing the 2.5-hour loop.

Pass-by highlights include: Paradise Hill, Frenchman Bay, Bubble Mountain, Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs, and the historic mansions of Bar Harbor

Best results for Family Photography

Acadia National Park Trolley Tour from Bar Harbor