Island Explorer

 
 
White shuttle bus park on road along Acadia coastline
The Island Explorer

Photo Courtesy of Gregg Tehennepe

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.
 
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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.

 
 
 

Park Destinations Along Island Explorer Routes

  • 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.
  • For details, visit the Island Explorer website.

Bicycle Express

  • Kids Corner, 81 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor
  • Eagle Lake

Route 1, Bar Harbor Road

  • Hulls Cove Visitor Center
  • Village Green

Route 3, Sand Beach

  • Village Green
  • Cadillac North Ridge Trail
  • Sand Beach
  • Thunder Hole

Route 4, Park Loop Road

  • Hulls Cove Visitor Center
  • Cadillac North Ridge Trail
  • Sieur de Monts, Nature Center, Wild Gardens of Acadia
    • Access to Beachcroft Path, Emery Path, Great Meadow Loop, Hemlock Path, Hemlock Trail, Kebo Mountain Trail, Kurt Diederich's Climb, Ladder Trail, Schiff Path, Stratheden Path.
  • Sand Beach
  • Wildwood Stables
  • Jordan Pond

Route 5, Jordan Pond

  • Hulls Cove Visitor Center
  • Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead
  • Bubble Pond Trailhead
  • Jordan Pond

Route 6, Bar Harbor to Northeast Harbor

  • Village Green
  • Brown Mountain Gatehouse
  • Northeast Harbor Pier
    • Ferry access to Islesford Historical Museum
  • Jordan Pond

Route 7, Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor

  • Village Green
  • Echo Lake
  • (Carroll Homestead, upon request)
  • Main Street, Southwest Harbor
  • Seawall Campground

Route 8, Schoodic

Check with ferry operator for fares and to confirm times.

  • Ferry Terminal
  • Winter Harbor
  • Schoodic Woods Campground
  • Schoodic Point

Route 10, Blackwoods

  • Village Green
  • (Compass Harbor Trailhead, upon request)
  • Sieur de Monts, Nature Center, Wild Gardens of Acadia
    • Access to Beachcroft Path, Emery Path, Great Meadow Loop, Hemlock Path, Hemlock Trail, Kebo Mountain Trail, Kurt Diederich's Climb, Ladder Trail, Schiff Path, Stratheden Path.
  • Blackwoods Campground
  • Otter Cliff

Route 11, Southwest Harbor to Tremont

  • Main Street, Southwest Harbor
  • Seawall Campground
  • Bass Harbor
    • Nearest access to Bass Harbor Head Light Station


 
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    Tags: ie list

    Last updated: April 3, 2023

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    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    PO Box 177
    Bar Harbor, ME 04609

    Phone:

    207 288-3338

    Contact Us