Overview

Experience Acadia National Park’s scenic Ocean Path with this self-guided walking tour. Look out for the variety of marine wildlife. See the breathtaking foliage and uncover the booming Thunder Hole. Hear stories of shipwrecks and devastating fires. Finally, take in the views from scenic Otter Point Outlook.

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone explores together!

After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.

New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours and event schedules before your visit.

Description

Stop At: Sand Beach, Maine 04609

Directly ahead is Sand Beach. This small spit of sand isn’t even 300 yards long, but it’s still one of the best swimming spots in Acadia. The cliffs on either side shelter the cove and make for some great scenery for beachgoers. If you’re in the mood for some beachy fun, this is the only sandy beach along the trail, so don’t be afraid to check it out! Just be prepared for some awfully cold water!

Note: This 1.2-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Acadia's Ocean Path in 1-2 hours.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Thunder Hole, Maine

Up ahead is one of the most dramatic spots on Acadia’s coastline: Thunder Hole! And if you’re here a couple of hours before high tide, you may have already figured out where it gets that name.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Monument Cove, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609

On our left is Monument Cove. To see it, turn left and follow the short walking path through the trees. In just a hundred feet, it opens out into a breathtaking vista from atop a flat rocky cliff.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Sand Beach Overlook, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Coming up on our left is Sand Beach Overlook, offering great views of the beach we left behind at the beginning of our tour. Keep an eye out for the small trail to the overlook on the left.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Thunder Hole Gift Shop, 1411 Park Loop Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Need a break? How about a souvenir to commemorate your visit to Acadia? The Thunder Hole Gift Shop is coming up on our right. The shop also has restrooms available for customers.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Otter Cliff, On the east side of the Park Loop Road, Maine

The cliff just ahead is known as “Otter Cliff.” It stands 110 feet above the sea and features some of the best views you’ll find on the Ocean Path! You might think the cliff gets its name from sea otters that swim off the shore, but that’s not quite right. In fact, there are no sea otters here at all! So what’s the deal?

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Otter Point Overlook, Ocean Path, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

You’re walking now toward the southernmost tip of this part of Mount Desert Island: Otter Point Overlook. You can stay on the path and take pictures from there, or you can walk down onto the rocks nearer the water. But be careful if you go off the walking path. The rocks can be wet and slippery.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Gorham Mountain Trail, Maine

On our right, just across the Park Loop Road, is the Gorham Mountain Trail. This moderately challenging 3.5-mile hike climbs almost 700 feet and features some truly stunning views along the way. Feel free to check it out if you’ve got about 90 minutes to spare!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Boulder Beach, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

We’re passing Boulder Beach on our left. True to its name, this 400-foot stretch of beach is entirely covered in big boulders! But how does that happen? What leads to a beach being made up of boulders instead of sand?

Duration: 10 minutes

Schedule

What's Included

What To Bring

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Amazing savings: Walking Tours: While each person typically needs their tour, couples or small groups can share one using split headphones.
Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.