What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How long does this tour take?

Please check the tour page for the exact duration.

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: From Bar Harbor, drive south on Main Street as it becomes Route 3 to begin the Mount Desert Island Loop. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app..

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Overview

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Acadia National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically, all based on your location.

You'll be guided to all of the area's famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including the highest point on the eastern seaboard, historic carriage roads that are considered the best example in the country of broken stone roads, and one of the most photographed lighthouses along the Maine Coast

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you.

✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location
✅ Travel at your own pace
✅ Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use
✅ Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
✅ Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Gallery

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park — photo 1

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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park — photo 7

What's Included

✓ Included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 115+ Points
Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

✗ Not Included

Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Itinerary

Stop 1

As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.

Stop 2

Who doesn't love a lighthouse! Established in 1858, this is the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island and one of the most photographed along the Maine Coast. If we can snag a parking space, let's take a walk around this handsome light and take some pics. Unfortunately, neither the tower or keeper's house are open to the public, but we can still enjoy it from the outside.

Stop 3

One of the high points, literally and figuratively, of our journey is Cadillac Mountain. Its 1,530-foot summit is the highest along the North Atlantic Seaboard. In the 1880s we could have ridden a cog railway to Cadillac's summit. These days, we can drive, hike, or bike - but we do need a reservation to drive our car on the Cadillac Mountain Road.

Stop 4

Now what is a carriage road? As the name suggests they are designed for horse-drawn carriage rides, and Acadia's 16-foot wide carriage roads are considered the best example in the country of broken stone roads. We can thank summer resident John D. Rockefeller Jr for the 45 miles of these roads within the park, and to this day we can tour Acadia's carriage roads aboard a horse-drawn carriage ride. Hiking the Carriage Road is very enjoyable and bicycles are welcome on many of them too.

Stop 5

Feasting on tea and popovers with jam on the lawn of the Jordan Pond House has been a tradition for more than a century. The original, rustic teahouse was built in 1947 was a treasure and built to capture the views down the length of Jordan Pond to the 'Bubbles'. If there is a wait for a table on the lawn, the nearby nature trails are highly recommended.

Stop 6

The 27-mile Park Loop Road around is the must-do activity for any visit to Acadia. The drive itself is picturesque, and equally importantly it connects all of the best places to see and things to do on the eastern side of the island. If you have 2 days, it's best to dedicate one full day to the Park Loop Road. A National Park pass is required and can be purchased and the Sand Beach Entrance Station or any visitor center. Just keep in mind that while there are many parking lots, parking is also permitted the right-hand lane unless posted otherwise.

Stop 7

Is Acadia's only "sandy" beach really sand? You'll find out - and this beach is an absolute visual gem. If you head to the beach to check out the sand, go ahead, dip your toes in the frigid water, if you dare; it rarely gets warmer than 55 degrees. And even if you're not up for a dip, this is a perfect start location to hike the Great Head for superb views, or set out on the easy Ocean Path to amazing coastline coves and cliffs.

Stop 8

Many of Maine's beaches are covered with cobblestones, but this coastline is unique. We can thank powerful ocean storms for creating the massive natural seawall that gives this area of the park its name. The wall comprises stone cobbles kicked up during storms, carried by waves and tides and piled on the shore. It feels far more raw and remote on this side of the island and it's a favorite area for birdwatchers, who sometimes find themselves enjoying a bonanza of interesting sightings.

Stop 9

Often referred to as the "Heart of Acadia", this is a great place to learn about the park's natural and cultural history. Pop into the Nature Center to learn more about the animals and plant life, or see more than 400 indigenous wildflower species at the Wild Gardens of Acadia. There's also some lovely nature strolls, a spring house, and even a small museum with an archeological artifacts dating back as far as 11,000 years.

Stop 10

Formed during the last glacial event, this large, deep body of water almost - almost, cuts Mount Desert Island right in half. Our drive will follow all the way around the sound and as we go we'll have many peaceful water views, hiking opportunities and visit what is claimed to be Maine's most photographed bridge.

Stop 11

Created by erosion and weathering, when waves enter the crevice and then the chamber, the water is sprayed up as high as 40 feet with a thunderous roar: "I am Thunder Hole!!!!" The effect is strongest within a couple of hours of high tide, and when the waves are larger.

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

From Bar Harbor, drive south on Main Street as it becomes Route 3 to begin the Mount Desert Island Loop. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.

🏁

End Point

Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.

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Good to Know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
Important note: A section of Acadia’s Park Loop Road, between Kebo Street and Sieur de Monts, is closed to all traffic and use from April 13 to June 12, 2026, except during Memorial Day Weekend. During this closure, drivers should follow the posted detour via Mount Desert Street, Main Street, and Route 3 to rejoin the Park Loop Road at Sieur de Monts.

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Special Instructions

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam.
- Text: Search for “GuideAlong”.
- This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step
- Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages.
- Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

Important note: A section of Acadia’s Park Loop Road, between Kebo Street and Sieur de Monts, is closed to all traffic and use from April 13 to June 12, 2026, except during Memorial Day Weekend. During this closure, drivers should follow the posted detour via Mount Desert Street, Main Street, and Route 3 to rejoin the Park Loop Road at Sieur de Monts.