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Island Explorer is a fare-free, propane-powered bus service that connects the park and neighboring towns on Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula.
Service is offered 7 days a week through October 13 with reduced fall service beginning August 18.
Buses will stop along a route by request to pick up or drop off passengers only where the driver deems it is safe.
Visitors who ride the bus to enter the park are required to have an entrance pass.
Buses carry a maximum of 30 seated and 13 standing passengers
Buses can carry up to 6 bikes on exterior racks, but cannot carry e-bikes, fat tire bikes, or tag-alongs.
Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash but must remain on the bus floor.
Buses are wheelchair accessible.
Downeast Transportation Inc., a nonprofit organization, operates Island Explorer in the park under a cooperative agreement with the NPS, which provides 72% of its operating expenses from park entrance pass revenues.
Go Local on the Island Explorer
Relax and enjoy a fare-free ride on the Island Explorer shuttle, which provides service between park destinations, local communities, and Bar Harbor-Hancock County Regional Airport.
Regularly scheduled buses stop at destinations in the park, including campgrounds, carriage road entrances, and many trailheads. You can also flag down buses along their route. Drivers will pick up passengers anywhere it is safe to stop.
Island Explorer shuttles are powered by propane fuel. By leaving your car behind, you help reduce air pollution while avoiding parking and traffic congestion.
Bus schedules are available at visitor contact stations, and the Island Explorer website.
Buses are equipped with bike racks to carry up to six bikes. They cannot accommodate tag-alongs, trailers, tandem bikes, fat-tire bikes, or e-bikes.
Well-behaved and leashed or crated pets are allowed on buses and must remain on the floor.
Small collapsible strollers are allowed on buses. They must be folded and stowed on the floor at the rear of the bus.
Buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift for accessibility. Please see bus driver for assistance.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted at bus stops or on buses.
Go Mobile
Download myStop® Mobile and select Acadia National Park to access real-time interactive location and schedule information for buses on the Island Explorer shuttle system.
Island Explorer buses do not serve the summit of Cadillac Mountain.
Regularly scheduled buses stop at destinations in the park, including campgrounds, carriage road entrances, and many trailheads. You can also flag down buses along their route. Drivers will pick up passengers anywhere it is safe to stop.
