Biking in Acadia National Park
Acadia is one of the country’s most bikeable national parks. From the mixed terrain of its gravel roads, to the smooth, flowing paved paths that skirt around the island’s perimeter, and a chance to pedal over historic stone bridges into the deep forest’s quietude, there are many ways to choose your own adventure. Much of the park is accessible by bike and can be seen in two days or less, which is in part, what makes it such a popular way to explore Mount Desert Island for both visitors and locals alike. Riding on two wheels is also a great way to reduce overcrowding on trails, try a new outdoor activity, and lower your carbon footprint while logging miles and seeing the sights. The two best ways to do that are by cruising the scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road or selecting a route from the 45 miles of carriage roads that are available to cyclists. Keep in mind that bikes are not allowed on hiking trails or privately-owned carriage roads.
Park Loop Road
Distance: 27 miles Route type: Loop Surface type: Paved Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Take a tour of the park’s star-studded east side via the 27-mile-long Park Loop Road where you can see many of Acadia’s iconic landmarks up close, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. A paved road is ideal for road bikes, and depending on how challenging you want your ride to be, this scenic loop can be done one of two ways. Either take it nice and slow as you cycle past the crashing surf and pine forests or make the 3.5-mile climb up the winding road to summit Cadillac Mountain.
While it can be an easy and enjoyable ride that’s suitable for riders of all abilities, the Park Loop Road is a two-lane road with no bike lane and a narrow shoulder. Note that cyclists will have to pedal with the flow of traffic, and because many cars park on the right lane, will need to navigate stopped and moving car traffic—beware of swinging doors!
Carriage Roads
Beginning in 1913, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. worked in collaboration with the National Park Service to create a 45-mile-long system of one-lane recreational gravel trails and granite bridges that wind through the deep woods, mountains, and glacier-carved valleys of Mount Desert Island—designed to be free of motorized traffic. Today, this treasured resource continues to be a haven for cyclists, hikers, and equestrians who enjoy the serenity that these historic trails provide.
The 45 miles of crushed-rock surface is ideal for biking and well-maintained by the park. Within this large network of trails are loops ranging from one to eleven miles long that traverse varied terrain to take you around pristine lakes and streams, through lush spruce forests, and even up steep climbs for a unique vantage point of the ocean away from the crowds. The carriage roads are multi-use trails, and riding etiquette requires that cyclists yield to both horses and pedestrians. Only Class 1 E-bikes are permitted.
Park Maps
A map of the park’s roads is extremely helpful in selecting a route. You can download one here.
Bike Rentals
Visitors can rent bikes nearby, along with bike racks for their cars, or simply take a free ride on the Island Explorer’s Bicycle Express. The Bicycle Express operates June through September between the Bar Harbor Village Green and Eagle Lake. Cyclists can access the Acadia National Park carriage road system at many locations, including Eagle Lake.
Click here for more information on biking.
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