The Best Two Ways to Experience Acadia National Park

Waves crashing against rocky shores, quaint seaside villages with colorful buoys adorning weathered clapboard cottages, and miles of winding, car-free carriage roads—Acadia National Park has everything you need for an epic cycling adventure. Travelers who enjoy exploring with a group can choose our guided tour option and cycle with a like-minded crew helmed by two experienced trip leaders. Our trip leaders are Maine locals who know the hidden beaches and the best places to stop for lobster rolls. Those who prefer a more independent experience will love our self-guided tour, which offers flexibility as well as 24/7 support. On a self-guided adventure, you’re armed with detailed route notes and insider tips for all the best things to do and see in and around Acadia, so you can choose how to spend your time.

Comfortable Riding on Historic Carriage Roads

Courtesy of John. D Rockefeller Jr., the National Park is home to a unique system of purpose-built carriage roads. The Rockefeller family wanted a scenic route to explore Mount Desert Island by horse and carriage, so they commissioned 45 miles of trails that take in some of the most beautiful parts of Acadia National Park. Well-manicured, car-free gravel trails that offer gradual, even-paced climbs aren’t just great for horse-drawn carriages—they’re perfect for cycling.

The summer of 2024 will be a summer of cycling choice for VBT in Maine. Gravel cycling enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that VBT is offering gravel bikes for the second summer in Acadia. The wider tires and relaxed frames of these bikes offer added stability and comfort on gravel surfaces and are ideal on the park’s packed gravel surfaces. Additionally, VBT is pleased to announce we have also gotten the thumbs-up from the National Park Service to offer E-bikes in Acadia for the very first time. With their sturdy tires and four levels of pedal assistance, E-bikes are perfect for exploring the well-graded gravel carriage roads of Mount Desert Island.

Relax in Style at Bar Harbor Inn

After a day spent spinning along the carriage roads, exploring charming harbor towns, and taking in the stunning coastal views, you’ll want somewhere comfortable to rest. Both VBT’s guided and self-guided tour options stay exclusively at the historic Bar Harbor Inn, a luxurious inn that dates back to the 1800s, offering timeless charm and classic Maine hospitality. Wander the expansive grounds and take in the beautiful gardens, enjoy the ocean views, and indulge in the catch of the day in the elegant Reading Room restaurant—the Bar Harbor Inn will be your home away from home on this tour. Staying in one place means there’s no need to unpack and repack, you can settle in and relax knowing you’re here for the duration of your tour.

Guests get to experience this local historic gem thanks to the long-standing relationship between VBT and the innkeepers—giving us access even during the busiest seasons. “We’ve partnered with these innkeepers for over 20 years,” explains VBT Trip Designer Cammy Richelli. “It’s a lovely property with an old-world feel. The staff is very attentive, and they make sure everything is seamless for our guests. The inn is beautiful in all kinds of weather—the world-class spa is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon if you don’t feel like biking!” When you stay at the Bar Harbor Inn with VBT, you’re not just a guest, you’re family.

Travel with Local Experts on a Guided Tour

On VBT’s Maine: Acadia National Park Guided Tour, you benefit from our local trip leaders’ insider knowledge as they guide you off the beaten path for unique cultural experiences. They’re your source for the inside scoop on the best spot to stop for a swim in a secluded cove, where to find the tastiest blueberry soft serve cone in town, or which vantage points are best for spotting an osprey or seal. Interested in the history of the area? Your trip leaders can point you to the best local museums (and, with their in-depth knowledge, are practically museums unto themselves). Want to try your hand at saltwater fishing? They know where you can rent some gear in town. Love art? Your leader knows a great gallery and might even introduce you to a local artist.

Enjoy Ultimate Freedom on a Self-Guided Tour

Staying at the classic New England Bar Harbor Inn for three nights on our Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park Self-Guided Tour gives you total freedom to choose what you want to do each day. “You can choose which rides you want to do based on the weather and how you’re feeling that day. You can mix and match however you’d like, there’s no luggage transportation to consider and no need to hurry on to your next hotel. You get all the flexibility with none of the planning,” Cammy explains. Feeling adventurous? Choose a long ride and maximize your exploration time. Tired and want to take it easy? Go for a short morning ride and spend the afternoon in the spa. Stop along the way for lobster rolls and linger over your blueberry pie for as long as you’d like. In the afternoon, you might choose to enjoy an outing on a sea kayak or spend some time wandering the shops for local jam or handmade pottery to bring home as a souvenir. This self-guided tour is a true choose-your-own adventure with no wrong options.

Whether you choose a self-guided or guided tour, you’re sure to get your fill of coastal charm (and scrumptious lobster) on your VBT Acadia National Park adventure.