It's summer again in Maine and the Island Explorer bus system is waiting to take you around Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park and beyond!

Island Explorer is a free shuttle service made possible by generous donations from L.L. Bean, the outdoor gear and apparel retailer based in Freeport.  When it comes to thinking of Maine, Acadia National Park and L.L. Bean are the two most recognizable names associated with our state.

Island Explorer website photo
Island Explorer website photo
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Did you know that you can park at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton, board an Island Explorer bus and make your way to Sand Beach for the day?  Hungry for tea and a popover?  Park at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and take a direct shuttle to the Jordan Pond House!  The Island Explorer evens offers a "Bike Express" between Bar Harbor's Village Green and Eagle Lake, where you can connect to various carriage trails within the Park.  Use their "Route Finder" service to plan your trip!

A couple of things to remember:

  • The bus ride is free, but you still have to buy a pass to get into the Park.  Passes are available next to the Bar Harbor Village Green and elsewhere by various Park entrances.  A group pass is $20 for one week and $40 for the season.
  • Island Explorer does not transport to the summit of Cadillac Mountain.

Here's a pretty cool thing!  Say you're done with the beach for the day and you're standing there with your bag wondering where your bus ride is.  The Island Explorer offers a "Live Service Map" that's updated every three minutes, it'll tell you exactly where your ride is!

Enjoy the summer!

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