Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by Igor Karni
Acadia National Park is a national park located on the coast of Maine, USA, close to the town of Bar Harbor. At 198 square kilometers (49,075 acres), the park is comprised of parts of Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut, and the Schoodic Peninsula. With mountains, headlands, glaciers, islands, and high levels of biodiversity, Acadia National Park offers a diverse range of landscapes and habitats.
If you’d like to visit Acadia National Park by electric bike, we’ll answer all the questions you need to know in this article!
Are e-bikes allowed in Acadia National Park?
Yes, e-bikes are allowed in Acadia National Park! According to the National Park Service (NPS), only Class I e-bikes are allowed to ride where traditional bicycles are permitted. However, all three classes of e-bikes (I, II, and III) are allowed to ride where motor vehicles are permitted in the park.
Per federal USA and Maine state laws, Class I e-bikes must have:
- A maximum motor output that does not exceed 750W
- A maximum speed that does not exceed 20 mph (32 km/h)
- A motor that only provides assistance when the rider is pedalling
Click the link here to learn more about the USA’s electric bicycle laws!
Read also: Best specialized electric bicycle insurance companies in the USA. And, Rules & regulations for e-bikes and speed e-bikes in the USA.
How is Acadia National Park organized, is it bicycle-friendly?
Acadia National Park is well organized for cycling, with trails including gravel roads, the Schoodic bike paths, Park Loop Road, and carriage roads.
Gravel road trails include Seal Cove Road, Western Mountain Road, and Lurvey Spring Road. E-cyclists should always check for road closures before biking, and should exercise caution when riding, as some areas can be very steep.
The Park Loop Road is a scenic road that cyclists can use. However, since road traffic also runs along this road, the NPS advises not to ride during the busiest parts of the day (between 10AM – 4PM) due to congestion. This particularly applies during the peak tourist season in the summer.
Carriage roads are made of crushed rock surfaces, and these roads are shared with horses and pedestrians. As such, cyclists must yield to both horses and pedestrians when riding along carriage roads. Refer to this carriage road map to learn more about these trails!
The Schoodic bike paths are comprised of 8.3 miles of wide, packed gravel bike trails, located at Schoodic. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to challenging. A map of these trails can be found here!
Where to stay during the trip?
Whether you’re camping within the park or staying at hotels in surrounding areas of the park, there are plenty of places to stay overnight when visiting Acadia National Park.
There are four campgrounds in the park: Blackwoods Campground, Seawall Campground, Schoodic Woods Campground, and Duck Harbor Campground. Be advised that backcountry camping, “out-of-bounds” camping, and overnight parking are not permitted anywhere in the park. For more information on camping, visit this NPS webpage here!
For hotels, top-rated spots include Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, Bar Harbor Inn and Spa, Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Ivy Manor Inn Village Center, Atlantic Eyrie Lodge, Acadia Inn, Hampton Inn Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor Manor, Acadia Hotel – Downtown, Best Western Acadia Park Inn, Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Event Center, The Inn on Mount Desert, and Moseley Cottage Inn. Visit Booking.com and Trip Advisor for more recommendations!
Where can I eat? Or should I take my food with me?
There are many cafes and restaurants to have your meals at while visiting Acadia National Park (and since the park is located along the Atlantic coast, don’t miss out on the plethora of fresh seafood options)!
For quick bites and cafes, some options include Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen, Coffee Hound Coffee Co., Udder Heaven Ice Cream Retreat, Reel Pizza Cinerama, Downeast Deli, The Happy Clam Shack, Rosalie’s Pizza, Sunrise Café, Adelmann’s Deli, Mount Dessert Bakery, and Choco-Latte Café.
Top-rated restaurants include Helen’s, The Blue Bird Ranch Restaurant, Riverside Take Out, The Stadium, Rose Eden Lobster, The Travelin Lobster, Café This Way, C-Ray Lobster, Jordan’s Restaurant, Atlantic Brewing Company, Reading Room Restaurant, Leary’s Landing Irish Pub, Side Street Café, The Terrace Grille, Mainely Meat Barbecue, Havana, and The Thirsty Whale Tavern.
What gear should I take on the trip?
Be sure to bring all the necessary biking and safety gear with you on your trip to Acadia National Park!
Here is a list of items you should bring: a helmet, e-bike charger, water, backpack, extra battery pack, front and rear lights, bike-appropriate clothing and extra layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, a first aid kit, and a bike repair kit and pump. If you’re planning on camping, be sure to also bring your sleeping bag, tent, food, dishware, and booking information.
Where can I charge my e-bike?
Currently, there are no e-bike specific maps for Acadia National Park. However, you can visit Chargehub for more information on electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the area.
Cyclists may also be able to charge their e-bikes at some hotels, cafes, restaurants, and campgrounds.
What kind of e-bike do I need to ride in Acadia National Park?
Acadia National Park is comprised of multiple trail types and landscapes, including both road cycling and mountain biking. As such, we recommend planning your routes ahead of time and choosing your e-bike accordingly.
For cyclists planning to take road cycling routes, city cruiser and commuter e-bikes are suitable options. For those planning to take more challenging routes and mountain biking trails, either a hybrid or electric mountain bike (eMTB) are ideal!
Read also: Why fat tires are good news for electric bikes? And, How to select the best hybrid e-bike?
Where can I rent an e-bike in Acadia National Park, or should I take one with me?
Yes, there are multiple places for you to rent your e-bike while visiting Acadia National Park! We’ll feature these options later in the article.
You can also bring your e-bike with you; however, if you’re planning on using the bicycling routes in the park, be sure that it’s a Class I e-bike that abides by the federal USA and Maine state laws!
Read also: How much can an e-bike carry? And, Can an e-bike pull a trailer?
What else can I do while on an e-bike trip in Acadia National Park?
There’s plenty to see and do when you visit Acadia National Park!
Some of the top natural sights to see include Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Schoodic Point, Precipice Trail, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, The Beehive Trail, Wild Gardens of Acadia, and Ocean Path.
There are also several beaches and islands to visit, including but not limited to Sand Beach, Little Hunters Beach, Echo Lake Beach, Boulder Beach, Seal Harbor Beach, Bar Island, Little Cranberry Island, and Lamoine State Park.
Lastly, for historical sites, museums, and entertainment, spots include Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Abbe Museum, Seal Cove Auto Museum, Wendell Giley Museum, Bar Harbor Historical Society, Mount Desert Oceanarium, Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, Schoodic Institute, Jesup Memorial Library, Winter Harbor Light, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Village Green, and Kisma Preserve.
Read also: Check out USA best travel destinations by electric bike.
What is the best time of year to visit Acadia National Park on an e-bike?
According to experts, the best time to visit Acadia National Park is between September and early October. Since summer tends to be the busiest for tourism, early fall is ideal for avoiding crowds while still enjoying pleasant temperatures.
Between March and May, the climate is often foggy, and landscapes are muddy, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-50s Fahrenheit (approximately -5 to 15 degrees Celsius). As such, this may not be the best time for cyclists to visit.
Between June and August, temperatures are warm and range from the 50s to the high 70s (10 to 25 degrees Celsius). Though this is certainly the warmest time to come, major areas like Park Loop Road become very congested and accommodations book up quickly. If planning to visit in the summertime, be sure to plan in advance.
In September through October, temperatures range from the 40s to 50s (4 to 15 degrees Celsius), but accommodations are much more freed up and there is less tourist congestion, making it an ideal time for easy exploration and enjoyable cycling conditions.
November through February sees below-freezing temperatures and frigid winter weather. Most hotels and restaurants in Bar Harbor are closed, and the park switches to winter hours, which means major hiking trails and parts of Park Loop Road are also closed. As such, we recommend cyclists avoid visiting in the winter.
Resources to help plan your trip
Visit the NPS’ Acadia National Park webpage here for more information that will help you plan your trip!
If you’re interested in renting an e-bike while visiting the park, there are a few options! Pedego Electric Bikes – Bay Harbor offers rentals in hourly and daily increments. Island Time E-bike Rentals offers rentals for 4-hour, 7-hour, and full-day increments. Southwest Cycle has e-bikes that can be rented for daily or weekly rates. Check out Acadia E-bike Adventures, they rent Electric Bike Company e-bikes. And lastly, Acadia Bike has rental options for half days and full days.
Read also: Best known electric bicycle brands in the USA. And, Best e-bike financing options in the USA.
For further trail information and planning, visit the NPS’s “Bicycling” webpage for Acadian National Park!
If you’re looking for more restaurant recommendations, view Trip Advisor’s list here!
Lastly, for more suggestions on things to do while visiting Acadia National Park, check out Google Travel’s list here!
Do not miss this quick video tour to Acadia National Park with this video:
Igor is a sustainable mobility and green energy advocate. His mission for Easy E-biking is to help make electric cycling simple, practical, and fun. Follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn.
