“Excellent trip—I loved staying in one location, doing all of the hikes and having days to do different activities. It is a beautiful area with lots to see and enjoy!”
karen C.~2024 Acadia Tour
Acadia National Park in Maine is the fifth most visited national park in the United States, attracting around four million visitors each year. People are drawn to its dramatic scenery, where mountains rise right next to the ocean. The hiking opportunities are exceptional, especially since the treeless mountains offer stunning views that are rare on the East Coast. The park’s Carriage Roads provide great biking opportunities on car-free paths. And, there are also plenty of chances to enjoy activities on the water, which add a unique aspect to visiting a national park.
Unlike many other national parks, Acadia is located near a charming small town called Bar Harbor, which offers excellent hotels, restaurants, pubs, and various activities, and the opportunity to stay in one place for the whole trip. The local seafaring culture contributes interesting history and offers delicious seafood. Acadia National Park is truly a remarkable destination!
The National Park
Acadia National Park is not only the most popular park in the Northeast, but it is also the only national park in the region. This area has a rich history of human habitation spanning 12,000 years, but it was in 1916 that the park began to take shape, following the donation of 5,000 acres by a local philanthropist. This land became the Sieur de Monts National Monument, which eventually evolved into Acadia National Park. While the national park can be quite busy with tourists, they typically flock to specific locations. We make the most of the park’s diverse terrain by venturing away from Bar Harbor and the more crowded eastern side of the park.
Acadia National Park Hiking & Biking
With more than 150 miles of trails, the Acadia National Park hiking opportunities are beyond plentiful, with a lot of variety as well. Trails to the peaks of the island offer outstanding seascape views from a relatively low altitude. Trails along the Atlantic coast shoreline allow for explorations of beaches and tidal pools. For a more moderate hiking experience, we can walk on the 45 miles of scenic carriage roads, a gift of John D. Rockefeller and his family. Winding through the heart of the park, the carriage roads are also perfect for miles of bicycling, weaving through the trees and around the mountains and valleys of Acadia National Park, and under and over 17 historic carriage road bridges. The beauty of Acadia is that we can offer a variety of hikes and bike routes at different levels all in the same general area, making sure everyone is able to do as much or as little as they wish.
Kayaking & Lobster Boating
The outstanding on-the-water adventures available close by are another terrific aspect of this area. The location lends itself to an ideal kayak tour that takes us into the waters of Frenchman Bay off Bar Harbor, winding among the rugged Porcupine Islands. We’ll explore the harbor for about an hour and 45 minutes, keep a sharp eye out for harbor seals, porpoises, and other marine and bird life, including bald eagles! Another favorite highlight of this destination is the chance to spend time with local New Englanders on a two-hour cruise aboard a lobster boat, exploring the local waterways as we look for wildlife and learn about the storied lobster industry and history of the region, which defines life on the Maine coast.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Acadia National Park would not be nearly as popular without nearby Bar Harbor. The town is walking distance to the park and offers all the hotels, restaurants, gift shops, outdoor activity providers, and pubs one can want. It is rare to have such a cute, fun town so close to a national park and spending time in Bar Harbor is one of the positives of this trip.
Culture and Cuisine
The coast of Maine has a very distinct culture, centered on the fishing industry. Tales of sea towns, ancient mariners, and shipwrecks in Maine can be found in movies, TV, and books. We experience this culture on a ride on a lobster boat and visits to the smaller local towns of Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor. There is also loads of seafood for those who love it, including lobster, clams, shrimp, mussels, fish, and more. But for non-seafood eaters, there are plenty of other options.
For a great multisport vacation that features a fantastic seaside town, join us in Acadia National Park!
Your Guide
Stephanie is proud to be from Colorado and fortunate to have grown up in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains. She manages all things marketing for the three distinct tour brands under the Zephyr United umbrella. Stephanie is most proud to be an adventure mama, finding escapades to share with her two daughters. She loves meeting new people and supporting them in exploring actively.
Zephyr Adventures is an authorized permit holder of the US Forest Service and equal opportunity service provider. We will be using a Special Use Permit to conduct this tour. For more national park adventures see our Banff Multisport, Glacier National Park Hiking, and Best of Yellowstone Hiking adventures.
Photo Credit: Dobbs Productions and Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Details
- Dates: August 21 - 25, 2026
- Cost Per Person: $3,800
- Single Supplement: $848
- Private Tour Minimum: 8
- Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Seaside Culture, History, Food
- Guide(s): Stephanie Vidergar
Difficulty
Moderate
As a multisport tour, you have the option to hike, bike, and kayak. Hiking trails are rugged but relatively flat, with more challenging options available. Gradual inclines and well-marked routes make exploring the carriage roads suitable for bicyclists of all skill levels. Kayaking requires being able to paddle in open waters of the bay for approximately 45 minutes.
Talk to Our Team: 888-758-8687
I Have QuestionsTrip Highlights
- Hike the peaks of the Northeast's only national park with exceptional seaside views
- Take a lobster boat ride into Somes Sound, search for wildlife, and learn about the local mariner history
- Venture by bike along the forested and car-free roads of the park.
- Take on a full lobster pot dinner, find the best lobster roll in town, and try ice cream at a dozen local shops
- Walk the streets of cute Bar Harbor, Maine full of shops and pubs
- Relish a kayaking tour in Frenchmen Bay with the chance to spot plenty of local wildlife
DAY 1
After picking you up at the Portland, Maine airport, we'll make the three-hour drive to Bar Harbor and get you settled at our hotel. We'll start the evening with introductions and a quick orientation of the week ahead, followed by an ice cream social and our first group dinner at Project Social in downtown Bar Harbor.
DAY 2
This morning we will enjoy breakfast in the hotel and then depart for our first multisport— a two-and-a-half hour kayaking tour that will take us to the waters of Frenchman Bay off Bar Harbor, and winds among the rugged Porcupine Islands. You will receive basic instruction from the guides to learn the paddling strokes that will keep you moving at a comfortable pace. We'll explore the harbor for about an hour and 45 minutes. Keep a sharp eye out for harbor seals, porpoises, and other marine and bird life, including bald eagles! After our kayak tour, we'll go back to the hotel for a quick change before we head to Jordan Pond for their Signature Teatime. Afterwards, we will make our way to the Jordan Pond trailhead for a hike. You'll have the option to walk on the historic carriage roads, a 45-mile network of gravel roads built by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. to facilitate foot and horse traffic in the park, explore the full loop circuit around Jordan Pond, or circle the pond and take on the challenge of the South Bubbles Summit. This evening, dinner is on your own so that you can explore one of the many options in town.
Kayaking: 2.5 hours: In Frenchman Bay and along 5 miles of coastline
Hiking Distances: 3.3 or 4.25 miles
DAY 3
Today we depart for our first big hike in Acadia National Park, tackling the well-known Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail. At 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard, and the North Ridge Trail winds through open granite slabs with sweeping views of Frenchman Bay and the surrounding coastline that stretch for miles in every direction — making every step worth it.
After descending, you'll have time to explore the charming streets of Bar Harbor with lunch on your own. Then we have a treat — a two-hour boat cruise on the Elizabeth T, a 21-passenger lobster boat that cruises the local waterways as we look for wildlife and learn about the local lobster industry. We'll have dinner at a renowned seafood restaurant, Beal's Lobster Pier, before heading back to Bar Harbor.
Hiking Distances: 4.4 miles hiking Cadillac Mountain
DAY 4
After breakfast, we head into Acadia National Park for a morning hike along the Ocean Path, a scenic and relatively easy trail that hugs the rocky shoreline. Along the way, we'll stop at Thunder Hole, where waves crash into a narrow granite chasm and — if the timing and surf are right — send a dramatic boom of water shooting into the air. We'll continue on to Otter Cliffs, one of the most spectacular spots in the park, where 110-foot pink granite walls drop straight into the churning Atlantic. It's a stunning stretch of coastline that perfectly captures the wild beauty of Acadia.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure — whether that means exploring Bar Harbor's shops and galleries or simply soaking in your final day in this beautiful corner of Maine. Or, for a more active afternoon, you have the option to join your guide to explore the forested, car-free carriage roads of the Park by bike. This evening we'll come together for our final dinner at the lovely McKay's Public House, set in a historic Victorian building on Main Street and known for its creative local and organic cuisine.
Hiking Distances: 2.2 or 4 miles
Biking Routes: 7, 9, 15 or more miles
DAY 5
We wrap up our week in Bar Harbor with a choice of morning adventures. Early risers and nature lovers can take a leisurely stroll along the Shore Path, a scenic walkway hugging the rocky coastline with beautiful views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, continuing on to Bar Island — a small island connected to Bar Harbor by a natural land bridge that's only accessible at low tide. For those with sea legs, an exhilarating whale watching tour offers the chance to spot humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes in the rich waters of the Gulf of Maine.
After our morning adventures, we check out of the hotel and begin our journey back to Portland. Along the way, we'll stop at Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest lighthouse, perched dramatically on the rocky Cape Elizabeth shoreline with sweeping views of Casco Bay. It's a perfect final memory of Maine's stunning coast before we return you to the Portland airport.
Hiking Distance: 3 miles
Book this TourTrip Accommodations
INN ON MOUNT DESERT / BAR HARBOR
Enjoy your stay at downtown Bar Harbor’s newest accommodations. The Inn on Mount Desert offers modern amenities in a historic setting on tree-lined Mount Desert Street. It is close enough to all there is to see and do in Bar Harbor, but just enough blocks away to be quiet. Try a game of bocce in the garden or walk to the waterfront less than 10 minutes from the hotel. They have a fantastic front porch with rocking chairs and you can bring in your own bottle of wine to enjoy. We think you will love this property as our home for four nights.
Book this TourArrival & Departure
The closest large airport is in Portland, Maine. If you fly into Portland and wish to have a shuttle with us, please arrange to land by 1:30 PM on the first day of the tour, as we will pick you up at the airport and make the three-hour drive to Bar Harbor together. If you are planning to drive to Bar Harbor or fly into the smaller Bar Harbor Airport, we will meet you at 6:00 PM on the first day of the tour at our central Bar Harbor hotel.
On the last day of the tour, we will enjoy a morning hike before departing Bar Harbor. We will arrive at the Portland Airport by approximately 3:00 PM, giving you plenty of time for a flight departing no earlier than 4:00 PM.
What's Included
- One Zephyr guide will accompany each trip, with a second guide added if needed.
- Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are coming on a trip solo, you have two options: 1) Pay the single supplement to receive your own room. 2) Ask us to try to find you a roommate of the same gender to share a room with; if we are not successful you will be charged the single supplement and receive your own room.
- All breakfasts, one lunch, and three dinners are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included. Note we will have one lobster dinner - if you wish to have more lobster you will have plenty of opportunity at lunches.
- All your ground transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
- All group activities. Kayak rental are included.
- NOT INCLUDED: Beverages, desserts, three lunches, one dinner, gratuities to your guides, hotel expenses (such as housekeeping or porter service), personal expenses and travel to and from the destination.
Weather
This area of Maine is beautiful from June through September, when high temperatures average in the 70s. It can rain (or snow) year round, with about 10 days of rain per month and, sometimes, quite heavy rainfalls. The shoulder seasons of May and October can be beautiful as long as you are prepared for slightly colder temperatures but the benefit is few crowds!
Changes to Your Itinerary
While everything under “What is Included” will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed in our itineraries are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common – a restaurant closes or loses its awesome chef, a winery changes its visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, a road or trail undergoes construction. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes (even at the last minute, during the guides’ scout trip) to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience.
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