The best chance of sighting a black bear on Mount Desert Island as well as in Acadia National Park is by knowing where bear have been sighted in the past.
One place you might never expect to see a bear is along busy Cottage Street in the center of Bar Harbor, yet one day a black bear came into town and climbed high up in one of the tall trees outside of the Town Hall. Perhaps the most black bear sightings have occurred on the quiet side of the Island, with the hot zone being at the Seawall Picnic Area at or just after dusk. Bears are lured there by food left behind by people going on a picnic. Seawall Campground also warns tenter's not to leave food items out as it could attract a bear to your tent site.
I sighted a black bear only once in the nearly thirty years I have lived here, and it was at dusk along the Bass Harbor Lighthouse Road. The bear came out of the woods, crossed the road and went back into the woods where large patches of wild berries are known to grow.
One report of a bear this year was at the Blackwoods Campground when a tenter reported a bear had passed by their tent.
In recent years there have been bear sightings near the Tarn along route 3 just past the turn off for Sieur de Monts Spring, as well there have been bear sightings along the Park Loop Road, where a bear from time to time has been spotted just off the Loop Road eating wild berries.
Of course, if you want to see a live Black Bear, your best chance of doing so would be at the Trenton Zoo along route 3 in Trenton, Maine. The zoo over the years has had Black Bear as well as the Maine Moose along with many other animals.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
WHO HAS THE BEST ICE CREAM IN BAR HARBOR?
There are two ice cream parlor's in downtown Bar Harbor that rank neck and neck for title of best ice cream, Den & Bill's Chocolate Emporium located at the intersection of Main and Cottage Street (look for the large wooden lobster by the front door) where you will always find large crowds of people waiting to get ice cream, and Mount Desert Island (MDI) Ice Cream located across from the Bar Harbor Village green (look for sign with hand holding a spoon), this is where Obama went for ice cream while on vacation here.
I can not recommend C J's Big Dipper, also located across from the Village green, because of a bad experience with a milk shake there one day. The girl operating the machine clearly was new at the job and I ended up with a cup of liquid milk and the owner refused to do anything about it. Bad service equals bad press.
I can not recommend C J's Big Dipper, also located across from the Village green, because of a bad experience with a milk shake there one day. The girl operating the machine clearly was new at the job and I ended up with a cup of liquid milk and the owner refused to do anything about it. Bad service equals bad press.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE IN BAR HARBOR TO GET A BOWL OF CHOWDER?
I will name but one place and say that they serve up the best chowders in all of of Northeast United States, in my opinion. That would be the Fish House Grill located at 1 Harbor Place, the building by the Bar Harbor town pier. They offer inside as well as outside dinning where you can watch Lobster and fishing boats come and go in the harbor while you enjoy your chowder.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO GET A LOBSTER DINNER IN BAR HARBOR?
Geddy's located at 19 Main Street, Bar Harbor is a favorite with the locals. as is Galyn's located next door at 17 Main Street Bar Harbor. Testa's is another excellent choice, located at 53 main Street, than there is the West Street Cage located at 76 West Street. There are countless places scattered throughout Bar Harbor where you can purchase a traditional Maine Lobster dinner, but being a local, these one's listed here would be placed at the top of my list, both for serving size as well as price.
WHERE IS MARTHA STEWARDS HOUSE IN MAINE?
Martha Stewards summer home, Skyland, is located in Seal Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine, just outside of Acadia National Park. The house was built by the fords of the ford Motor Company, and later purchased by Martha Steward.. For a number of years the estate could be seen from down by the roadside in Seal Harbor, but large trees were brought in to block its view, and the narrow drive leading up to the estate is heavily posted.
To get some idea of exactly where her estate is located, once you are at the Seal Harbor Beach along route 3, look out toward the water, the hill to your left near the top is where Skyland is located.
To get some idea of exactly where her estate is located, once you are at the Seal Harbor Beach along route 3, look out toward the water, the hill to your left near the top is where Skyland is located.
WHERE DID LAURA BUSH EAT AT AFTER TOURING ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
After touring the National Park, Laura Bush stopped at the Chart Room in Hull's cove along route 3 to dine. The Chart Room offers inside as well as outside dining on a large deck over looking the ocean and one can only imagine Mrs. Bush had one of the best seats there during her stop.
WHICH PRESIDENTS GOLFED AT THE KEBO VALLEY GOLF CLUB?
Both President Taff and President Obama played rounds of golf at the Bar Harbor Kebo Golf Club located along the Eagle Lake Road, route 233.
Friday, August 9, 2019
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE JORDAN POND
The best way to explore Jordan Pond is by riding their on one of the free Island Explorer shuttle buses.
I will break down the free Island Explorer bus run along with points of interest along the route. As the name states, to ride any of the Island Explorer buses is free. You can board the free shuttle buses from the Bar Harbor Village Green along Main Street, you want to board the Jordan Pond bus. The first stop along the route is at the Hull's Cove Visitor's Center. Route 3 runs past the Visitors Center, and a short walk along route 3, just down around the corner is The Chart Room with dining on a deck over looking the ocean. This restaurant was placed on the map when than President Bushe's wife, Laura Bush, chose it to have dinner at while here on a tour of the National park.
The next stop along the bus route is the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail, a much quicker route to hike up Cadillac Mountain than the South Ridge Trail. The bus than passes by the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road and stops at the Bubble Pond parking area. As of this writing, the National Park Service is not allowing cars to park at the Bubble Pond parking area any more, so you either hike, bike or take the bus there.
Bubble pond is a beautiful area with one picnic table at the head of the pond, and a smooth carriage road running along one side of Bubble Pond. This carriage road offers many nice places along the shore to relax or have a picnic, as well as a good number of places to take beautiful photos of the pond. You may also see horses passing along the carriage road as well.
Jordan Pond is the next stop with the Tea House and gift shop being major attractions, as well as the stunning view of the pond with the Bubbles in the background. The Jordan Pond Trail circles the pond and makes for a good hike. A path behind the gift shop runs through a short section of woods and comes out at a carriage road with trail heads here for hiking. Horse drawn carriages often pass by along that carriage road. Of special interest is the Jordan Pond Gate House almost across the roadway from the Jordan Pond parking area. The Gate House is a large old stone building with tall chimneys and though the building itself is not open to the public, you are allowed to cross the road and explore the property and take photos of it.
The next stop for the bus is Seal Harbor, where the bus stops at the Seal Harbor Beach parking lot. Directly across the road is the public beach, a favorite spot for locals. A path by the parking lot leads up to Main street with its small shops.
Of special interest, at the beach, look out toward the ocean, now turn to your left, on that hill is the summer estate of Martha Stewart, once visible from the beach, she had large trees brought in to block the view. From time to time she has been sported at a bakery in Seal Harbor.
The final two stops of the bus are both in the village of Northeast Harbor, the first being at the start of Main Street. The second stop is down by the Northeast Harbor pier where many boats of different shapes and sizes fill the harbor.
Main Street has at least one old book shop as well as a nice pizza place. Off on a side street is the stunning Saint Mary's By The Sea Church, an old church whose many stained glass windows are just stunning as is just about everything inside this old building. During the summer months visitors are allowed to walk throughout the building and explore nearly the entire inside of the church and it is always one of my favorite stops on any visit to Northeast Harbor.
I will break down the free Island Explorer bus run along with points of interest along the route. As the name states, to ride any of the Island Explorer buses is free. You can board the free shuttle buses from the Bar Harbor Village Green along Main Street, you want to board the Jordan Pond bus. The first stop along the route is at the Hull's Cove Visitor's Center. Route 3 runs past the Visitors Center, and a short walk along route 3, just down around the corner is The Chart Room with dining on a deck over looking the ocean. This restaurant was placed on the map when than President Bushe's wife, Laura Bush, chose it to have dinner at while here on a tour of the National park.
The next stop along the bus route is the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail, a much quicker route to hike up Cadillac Mountain than the South Ridge Trail. The bus than passes by the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road and stops at the Bubble Pond parking area. As of this writing, the National Park Service is not allowing cars to park at the Bubble Pond parking area any more, so you either hike, bike or take the bus there.
Bubble pond is a beautiful area with one picnic table at the head of the pond, and a smooth carriage road running along one side of Bubble Pond. This carriage road offers many nice places along the shore to relax or have a picnic, as well as a good number of places to take beautiful photos of the pond. You may also see horses passing along the carriage road as well.
Jordan Pond is the next stop with the Tea House and gift shop being major attractions, as well as the stunning view of the pond with the Bubbles in the background. The Jordan Pond Trail circles the pond and makes for a good hike. A path behind the gift shop runs through a short section of woods and comes out at a carriage road with trail heads here for hiking. Horse drawn carriages often pass by along that carriage road. Of special interest is the Jordan Pond Gate House almost across the roadway from the Jordan Pond parking area. The Gate House is a large old stone building with tall chimneys and though the building itself is not open to the public, you are allowed to cross the road and explore the property and take photos of it.
The next stop for the bus is Seal Harbor, where the bus stops at the Seal Harbor Beach parking lot. Directly across the road is the public beach, a favorite spot for locals. A path by the parking lot leads up to Main street with its small shops.
Of special interest, at the beach, look out toward the ocean, now turn to your left, on that hill is the summer estate of Martha Stewart, once visible from the beach, she had large trees brought in to block the view. From time to time she has been sported at a bakery in Seal Harbor.
The final two stops of the bus are both in the village of Northeast Harbor, the first being at the start of Main Street. The second stop is down by the Northeast Harbor pier where many boats of different shapes and sizes fill the harbor.
Main Street has at least one old book shop as well as a nice pizza place. Off on a side street is the stunning Saint Mary's By The Sea Church, an old church whose many stained glass windows are just stunning as is just about everything inside this old building. During the summer months visitors are allowed to walk throughout the building and explore nearly the entire inside of the church and it is always one of my favorite stops on any visit to Northeast Harbor.
DO I NEED A PARK PASS TO GO TO SAND BEACH?
Yes, and no. Officially you do need a park pass to visit Sand Beach, and if your going to Sand Beach in your car, you will need a Park Pass. That said, you can visit Sand Beach as many times as you want, for free, by taking the free Island Explorer Buses into the National Park.
How can that be, you may be wondering, and the answer is a simple one. If the bus drivers were to demand to see if each passenger has a Park Pass on them, the buses would never be able to run on time. As well, if the buses were required to come to a stop at the fee station along the Park Loop Road, the buses would also not be able to run on time, not only that but what would they do with the people on the bus without passes, they can't just leave them along the side of the roadway.
So to solve this problem, a system was worked out where the buses entering the National Park operate on a honor system, where passengers are reminded they need a Park Pass in order to enter the Park, yet no one checks to see if you actually have a pass. Once the buses arrive at the entrance fee station along the One Way Section of the Park Loop Road, the bus stops just long enough for the driver to give the ranger the number of people on the bus, than the bus moves ahead for the Sand Beach Parking lot not far ahead.
So the bus you need to get aboard at the Bar Harbor Village Green along Main Street is the Sand Beach bus. The first stop the bus makes is at Sieur de Monts Spring, to get off at the Precipice you must ask the driver to let you off there, the bus than passes through the fee station and stops at the Sand Beach parking lot, and than it stops at the Thunder Hole parking lot and gist shop.
How can that be, you may be wondering, and the answer is a simple one. If the bus drivers were to demand to see if each passenger has a Park Pass on them, the buses would never be able to run on time. As well, if the buses were required to come to a stop at the fee station along the Park Loop Road, the buses would also not be able to run on time, not only that but what would they do with the people on the bus without passes, they can't just leave them along the side of the roadway.
So to solve this problem, a system was worked out where the buses entering the National Park operate on a honor system, where passengers are reminded they need a Park Pass in order to enter the Park, yet no one checks to see if you actually have a pass. Once the buses arrive at the entrance fee station along the One Way Section of the Park Loop Road, the bus stops just long enough for the driver to give the ranger the number of people on the bus, than the bus moves ahead for the Sand Beach Parking lot not far ahead.
So the bus you need to get aboard at the Bar Harbor Village Green along Main Street is the Sand Beach bus. The first stop the bus makes is at Sieur de Monts Spring, to get off at the Precipice you must ask the driver to let you off there, the bus than passes through the fee station and stops at the Sand Beach parking lot, and than it stops at the Thunder Hole parking lot and gist shop.
Friday, August 2, 2019
DOES BAR HARBOR HAVE TRAFFIC LIGHTS?
Yes, one set of traffic lights, which is located at the intersection of Mount Desert, Eden, Eagle Lake Road and Kebo Streets.
IS THERE A GIFT SHOP ON CADILLAC MOUNTAIN?
Yes, at the summit there is a gift shop with flush toilets. You can find ice cream bars, drinks, and gifts there.
IS THERE A GIFT SHOP NEAR SAND BEACH?
Yes, just up the road a short ways in one corner of the Thunder Hole Parking Area. In another corner is a non-flush toilet. It is very small but does offer ice cream bars and drinks along with some gifts.
HOW DO I GET TO THE BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE?
First locate the Bass Harbor Campground along route 102 A, look for the sign LIGHTHOUSE ROAD by the sharp corner near the campground, the lighthouse is located at the end of that road.
To reach the Bass Harbor Lighthouse bu way of the free Island Explorer buses, at the Village Green in Bar Harbor, hop on the Southwest Harbor bus and let the driver know you want to get off at the Bass Harbor Campground. Once there, walk to the sharp corner and go left and walk until you reach the Lighthouse, its about a twenty minute walk.
There are restrooms with flush toilets at the parking area, with a path by the restrooms which turn the corner and leads to a long narrow stairway leading to an area along the shore below the lighthouse. If you follow the path below far enough you will be able to get a fantastic photo of the lighthouse up on the cliff.
Back at the parking area, there is a paved path to the far right of the parking lot with information signs. Follow the path down and around the corner and you have a view from beside the lighthouse of the ocean from the top of the cliff. You can also stand right up next to the lighthouse for photos.
The house next to the lighthouse is rented out to a family so you are not allowed to get too close to the house.
The area is also listed as a day use only area and you need to be out of there before duck. That said, you can catch stunning sunsets from below the lighthouse.
To reach the Bass Harbor Lighthouse bu way of the free Island Explorer buses, at the Village Green in Bar Harbor, hop on the Southwest Harbor bus and let the driver know you want to get off at the Bass Harbor Campground. Once there, walk to the sharp corner and go left and walk until you reach the Lighthouse, its about a twenty minute walk.
There are restrooms with flush toilets at the parking area, with a path by the restrooms which turn the corner and leads to a long narrow stairway leading to an area along the shore below the lighthouse. If you follow the path below far enough you will be able to get a fantastic photo of the lighthouse up on the cliff.
Back at the parking area, there is a paved path to the far right of the parking lot with information signs. Follow the path down and around the corner and you have a view from beside the lighthouse of the ocean from the top of the cliff. You can also stand right up next to the lighthouse for photos.
The house next to the lighthouse is rented out to a family so you are not allowed to get too close to the house.
The area is also listed as a day use only area and you need to be out of there before duck. That said, you can catch stunning sunsets from below the lighthouse.
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| BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE ACADIA NATIONAL PARK |
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| BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE ACADIA NATIONAL PARK |
DO I HAVE TO PASS THROUGH THE FEE STATION IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
No, you can travel a good section of the One Way section of the Park Loop Road without passing through the fee station. You will have access to Sieur de Monts Spring area with its Nature Center and Wild Gardens, as well as a number of hiking trails that begin there. You will also have access to scenic pull overs as well as the famous Precipice Trail.
To avoid the fee station, as you approach it along the One Way section of Park Loop Road, get into the left hand lane and look for a road on the left just before the fee station and turn onto it. A four way intersection is just ahead, go left to head toward route 3 and Bar Harbor, turn right to head for the Great Head parking area and trail head, or go straight ahead to enter the Schooner Head Overlook parking area. In the parking area is a narrow paved path which leads to high cliffs over looking the ocean, as soon as you reach the cliff, you are standing on the roof of Anemone Cave, also known as The Devil's Oven. The cave was abandoned by the Park Service and can only be entered at low tide, and the floor of the cave is very slippery.
To avoid the fee station, as you approach it along the One Way section of Park Loop Road, get into the left hand lane and look for a road on the left just before the fee station and turn onto it. A four way intersection is just ahead, go left to head toward route 3 and Bar Harbor, turn right to head for the Great Head parking area and trail head, or go straight ahead to enter the Schooner Head Overlook parking area. In the parking area is a narrow paved path which leads to high cliffs over looking the ocean, as soon as you reach the cliff, you are standing on the roof of Anemone Cave, also known as The Devil's Oven. The cave was abandoned by the Park Service and can only be entered at low tide, and the floor of the cave is very slippery.
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| ACADIA NATIONAL PARK FEE STATION One Way Section Park Loop Road |
WHERE IS THE BEAVER POND IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
Once you turn onto the One Way section of the Park Loop Road, the Beaver Pond will be the first large body of water you come to on your right, not long after passing under a stone bridge. Located just beyond the Bear Brook Picnic Area, the Beaver Pond runs along a stretch of the roadway.
WHY IS THE AREA AROUND BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK POSTED AS DAY USE ONLY
The National Park Service rents the house beside the lighthouse out to a family and to allow the family some privacy, you must be out of the area before duck.
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| Private Garden Along Bass Harbor Lighthouse Road Bass Harbor, Maine |
IS IT LEGAL TO FLY A DRONE IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
It is illegal to fly a drone anywhere in Acadia National Park, or to fly a drown from outside the park into airspace over Acadia National Park. This includes Bar Island.
DOES BAR HARBOR HAVE A MOVIE THEATER?
REEL PIZZA CINERAMA
33 Kennebec Place, Bar Harbor * 207-288-3811 * info@reelpizza.com
Located at far end of Village Green across from Bar Harbor Fire Department.
1932 CRITERION THEATRE
35 COTTAGE ST BAR HARBOR, ME, 04609 UNITED STATES
(207) 288-0829
INFO@CRITERIONTHEATRE.ORG
WHAT IS THE PHONE NUMBER FOR ACADIA NATIONAL PARK HEADQUARTERS?
Phone number to Park Headquarters;
207-288-3338
WHAT TIME OF DAY ARE BAR HARBOR PARKING METERS IN EFFECT?
Monday through Saturday 9 am to 8 pm,
Sunday's 12 noon to 8 pm
Sunday's 12 noon to 8 pm
Thursday, August 1, 2019
WHAT ARE THE CAMP SITES LIKE AT SEAWALL CAMPGROUND?
Seawall Campground has evolved over the years, and started out as a first come first served campground that took no reservations. Some years ago that all changed and they switched over to a by reservation only campground. Each camp site comes with a fire ring and a picnic table. Rangers discourage the use of rope tied between trees for a clothesline, but it is permitted. Water faucets are spaced throughout the campground. The campground maintains a large pile of free split firewood, as available. Restrooms with flush toilets and sinks are spaced so that one is always within an easy walk to any tent site. Some claim that the Black flies and mosquitoes are worse at Seawall than at Blackwoods campground, I have stayed at both a number of times and can tell you they are no more worse at either campground. Both campgrounds are about a fifteen minute walk to the ocean, with Seawall Campground having the Seawall Picnic Area directly across the street with picnic sites over looking the ocean.
Some simply rules the Park Service is pretty strict with - no parking on grass at your tent site, no burning or smoldering fires when no one is around to watch over them, no food left out at night, and no breaking branches off of living trees. Campsites are pretty sheltered from one another and well spaced out.
Some simply rules the Park Service is pretty strict with - no parking on grass at your tent site, no burning or smoldering fires when no one is around to watch over them, no food left out at night, and no breaking branches off of living trees. Campsites are pretty sheltered from one another and well spaced out.
WHAT ARE THE CAMP SITES LIKE AT BLACKWOODS CAMPGROUND?
Over the past several years the National Park Service has been planting more brush to better screen one camp site from the next. Water faucets spaced throughout the campground, and each camp site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The Park Service is pretty strict when it comes to leaving a fire burning or smoldering when no one is around the site, as well as campers leaving food out where bear or other animals can be attracted to it - bear sightings are rare but they do happen. The main animal that could come by your site after dark poking around for food are raccoons.
Rangers will also monitor from a distance, any camp site where it is believed the people staying there might be cutting branches off of living trees, in fact, picking up dead branches from the ground is also forbidden. Blackwoods Campground usually maintains a large pile of split firewood free for the taking, a quick search of the campground will usually reveal where this large pile of firewood is kept, but you can also ask another camper if you see one carrying an armful of split firewood. No matter what campsite you end up in, you will never be very far away from a restroom with flush toilets and sinks, and these restrooms all have wall outlets where you can charge your electronic devices. The last I knew there are still pay phones located by the free Island Explorer bus stop there.
Rangers will also monitor from a distance, any camp site where it is believed the people staying there might be cutting branches off of living trees, in fact, picking up dead branches from the ground is also forbidden. Blackwoods Campground usually maintains a large pile of split firewood free for the taking, a quick search of the campground will usually reveal where this large pile of firewood is kept, but you can also ask another camper if you see one carrying an armful of split firewood. No matter what campsite you end up in, you will never be very far away from a restroom with flush toilets and sinks, and these restrooms all have wall outlets where you can charge your electronic devices. The last I knew there are still pay phones located by the free Island Explorer bus stop there.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THUNDER HOLE?
For most tourists, a visit to Thunder Hole, one of the star attractions in Acadia National Park, the experience is either great or very disappointing. The best time to visit Thunder Hole is a few hours before high tide, as the tide is coming in, as this is when the sea is at its roughest and the waves most active. The worst possible time to visit Thunder Hole is at the high tide mark, there will be no sounds of thunder, nor will there be any high crashing waves.
If your in the area as a storm is moving in with heavy winds, that is by far the best time tot catch a show you will not soon forget, the rougher the conditions of the water the more active Thunder Hole is. A good storm moving up the coast will produce waves so large the Park Service will most likely shut down the observation deck due to the fact that huge waves will most likely be sweeping over the deck, at the point the safest spot to watch the action is from the roadside above.
Thunder Hole is along the One Way section of the Park Loop Road, beyond the Fee Station and Sand Beach. On a hot summer day Thunder Hole can become over crowded with people and traffic. To reach Thunder Hole on the free Island Explorer buses, from Main Street at the Bar Harbor Village Green, hop on the Sand Beach bus - Thunder Hole is a regular bus stop.
If your in the area as a storm is moving in with heavy winds, that is by far the best time tot catch a show you will not soon forget, the rougher the conditions of the water the more active Thunder Hole is. A good storm moving up the coast will produce waves so large the Park Service will most likely shut down the observation deck due to the fact that huge waves will most likely be sweeping over the deck, at the point the safest spot to watch the action is from the roadside above.
Thunder Hole is along the One Way section of the Park Loop Road, beyond the Fee Station and Sand Beach. On a hot summer day Thunder Hole can become over crowded with people and traffic. To reach Thunder Hole on the free Island Explorer buses, from Main Street at the Bar Harbor Village Green, hop on the Sand Beach bus - Thunder Hole is a regular bus stop.
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| THUNDER HOLE Acadia National Park |
DOES BAR HARBOR HAVE A SKATE PARK?
Yes, it is located by the town Ball Fields directly across from the YMCA along Main Street.
DOES BAR HARBOR HAVE A YMCA?
Yes, it is located along Main Street directly across from the town Ball Fields.
DOES BAR HARBOR HAVE FREE WI-FI?
Yes, the town parks are free wi-fi zones. The College of the Atlantic along Eden Street also offers free wi-fi as well as a computer room with computers the public can access for free. The Jesup Library located along Mount Desert Street also has a downstairs computer room with free computer access to the public as well as free wi-fi.
WHERE CAN I FIND A NATURAL FOOD STORE IN BAR HARBOR?
There is a natural food store located on Cottage Street next door to the Mainway store.
ARE THERE GAS STATIONS IN BAR HARBOR?
Yes, there is a Mainway as well as a Big Apple, both are located along Cottage
street.
street.
DOES BAR HARBOR HAVE A LARGE SUPER MARKET?
Yes, Hannafords, which is located along Cottage Street directly across from the Town Hall and Mainway.
DO I NEED TO PAY TO PARK IN BAR HARBOR?
Most places in Bar Harbor now require you to pay to park your car, this includes all of Main Street, Cottage Street and West Street as well as in all parking lots owned by the town as well as on the town pier. How much it will cost you depends on how close to the stores you park, park further away it costs less, park closer it costs more. On average it will cost you fifty cents per hour with a $30 fine should you not get back to your car before time runs out. The parking meters take quarters only for cash or credit cards. The Kiosks located in different areas of town do not accept quarters, you must pay by credit card and I believe the lowest amount of time you can purchase on the kiosks is $2 for four hour parking. One must drive up and down the narrow side streets in town to find the streets without meters, or park by the town ball field. Other options are banks, once they close for the day their parking lots are free spaces. Kennebec street has free parking, directly across from the town Post Office, as well as West Street Extension has free parking.
WHERE CAN I RENT AN ELECTRIC BIKE NEAR ACADIA NATIONAL PARK?
A shop along West Street in Bar Harbor rents electric bikes by the half day and by the day.
ARE ELECTRIC BIKES ALLOWED ON THE CARRIAGE ROADS?
Yes and no. If you are disabled you are allowed to ride an electric bike along the carriage roads, if you are not disabled, you are not allowed to ride them along the carriage roads. The park in recent years has found this rule to be a thorn in their sides because a business in town along West Street now rents electric bikes and tourists, unaware of the rules, take to the carriage roads on them. Despite the Park Service trying to edcate the public, the use of electric bikes on the carriage roads has continued to rise and the park seems unable to monitor the situation or check for proper paper work to see if in fact all the riders of electric bikes on the carriage roads are in fact disabled, which clearly 99.9% of them are not.
WHY IS HALF OF DUCK BROOK ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC?
About one half of Duck Brook Bridge Road is closed to automobiles due to the side of the road in one key location has eroded to the point it has been permanently closed to automobiles. The end closed to cars is just after you enter the park along West Street Extension, that end of the road is blocked by concrete blocks, but open to biking, hiking, walking and jogging. To reach Duck Brook Bridge and the carriage roads there, like Witch Hole Pond carriage road, you need to drive along the Eagle lake Road, route 233, heading toward Eagle lake, after passing under the large arched stone bridge, begin looking for a sign for the Duck Brook Road on your right, there are places to park by the bridge.
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