Acadia All American Road
Low Carbon Tour
| Departure: | Acadia National Park, Maine |
|---|---|
| Destination: | Acadia Park Loop Road, Maine |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
One of the great aspects of the Acadia All American Road is that you can travel most of it on the free, propane-powered Island Explorer buses. Your trip begins in Trenton at the Trenton Airport or at the Acadia Gateway Center (Phase 1 opens in 2010). Leave your car behind and travel through Trenton, taking in the views of the mountains and Mount Desert Island Narrows. The bus will take you to Bar Harbor’s Village Green and the hub for bus operations. Ride the bus around the scenic and historic Park Loop Road, or get off, hike across the mountains, and catch a bus on the other side. You'll have a great day, and only make a size 5, narrow carbon footprint.
-
Start: Acadia National Park
The Acadia Gateway Center, opening in 2010, will be your jumping-off point for eco-travel. After an optional nature walk through the park, climb aboard a no-fare, propane-powered Island Explorer bus to explore more of the Acadia Byway.
-
Stop 1: Thompson Island
Directions from previous place: Ride the bus about 3 miles south to Thompson Island.
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 7 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Thompson Island comes up very quickly. Hop off the bus here if you want to snack on a pre-tour picnic. Buses come by every thirty minutes, so you'll have just enough time to enjoy great views of Mount Desert Island Narrows while the kids play on the rocky shore.
-
Stop 2: Bar Harbor Village Green
Directions from previous place: Ride the Island Explorer bus or drive approximately 11 miles south on State Route 3, the Acadia Byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour At your next stop, discover the Bar Harbor Village Green, a a delightful center of activity with small shops, restaurants, and a short walk to the port facility. The Village Green is the hub for Island Explorer buses, so at this point, choose to travel around the Park Loop Road or rent a bicycle and pedal the Carriage Roads.
-
End: Acadia Park Loop Road
Directions from previous place: Ride the Island Explorer Park Loop Road bus or drive west from the Village Green on Mount Desert Street (State Route 233) to the Jordan Pond Road. Turn left and continue until this road merges with the Park Loop Road. Be sure to buy a park pass while you are at the Village Green.
Distance from Previous Site: 20 miles / 32.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour Continue your Island Explorer bus ride on the Acadia Park Loop Road, a great destination for sightseeing. Circling the loop takes about an hour, so you can peek out your windows to enjoy, or you can get off to explore at any point along the way, and simply catch another bus to continue your journey. If you'd rather walk than ride, become a true adventurer and hike over the mountain trail to catch a bus on the other side and to end your tour.
