Acadia National Park Tour: 27 Miles Sea to Summit

The whole park in one morning: Sand Beach to the eastern seaboard's highest peak

A 3.5-hour guided tour of Acadia National Park covers the entire 27-mile Park Loop Road from Sand Beach to Cadillac Mountain Summit, with stops at Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond and other named landmarks. The tour includes park entry, a guide fluent in English or Italian, bottled water and snacks. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle and have built-in time to photograph or explore on foot at each stop without watching the clock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain

• Visit Sieur de Monts Spring and Wild Gardens
• Stop at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole
• Explore Otter Cliffs and Hunters Beach
• Visit Jordan Pond and Rockefeller's Gate House
• See Bubble Pond and Eagle Lake
• Drive to Cadillac Mountain Summit

The experience

The tour follows the Park Loop Road for its full 27 miles, moving from the rocky shore at Sand Beach up through coves, cliffs and historic stone bridges into the woods and finally to the peak of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Your guide introduces the local history, geology, flora and fauna as you go, but the pace is yours: you stop for photos and get out to walk whenever something catches your eye. Named stops include the Wild Gardens of Acadia, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Hunters Beach, Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond and Eagle Lake before the final climb to Cadillac Mountain Summit.

The operator builds an extra 30 minutes into every tour so you're not rushed through the day. Your guide is dependable and adaptable, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Bottled water and snacks are provided, and the Cadillac Mountain reservation fee is included in the price, so there's no separate charge when you reach the summit.

What’s included

• Acadia National Park entrance fee.
• Cadillac Mountain reservation fee.
• bottled water.
• snacks.
• air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide in English or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day24 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 16:30Last departure this season: 20 Nov

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Island Wonders Tour Company

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to cover the full 27-mile loop in one morning with your guide handling the route while you decide when and where to stop for photos and exploration.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What is Thunder Hole and why is it a stop on the tour?

Thunder Hole is a sea cave on the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island where waves crash into a narrow inlet and create a booming sound. It's one of the named stops along the Park Loop Road where the tour pauses so you can see the phenomenon and photograph it.

Can I get out and walk at the stops, or do I stay in the vehicle?

You have the opportunity to stop for photos and get out to explore as you wish at each named site. The tour is built around your pace, not a fixed schedule.

Does the tour go all the way to the top of Cadillac Mountain?

Yes, Cadillac Mountain Summit is the final stop on the tour. You reach the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States, and the Cadillac Mountain reservation fee is included.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes Acadia National Park entrance, the Cadillac Mountain reservation fee, bottled water, snacks, and the air-conditioned vehicle with your guide. You don't pay separately for park entry or the mountain fee.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The extra 30 minutes built into the schedule means you're not rushed if you need to move at a slower pace.