The United States is blessed with a number of national parks that are real gems for motorcycle riders. Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine is certainly on that list. The park covers a good portion of Mount Desert Island, off the northeast coast of the US. If you are a fan of coastal New England, this is a great ride.
A lack of suitable roads in the park makes this journey somewhat short at just 25 miles. However, it is a great single day ride with plenty of opportunities to stop and take some fantastic pictures. You could make the ride a little longer by leaving the park and driving along the entire coastline of the island. There's just so much to see that you could easily fill up an entire day or two if you wanted to.
Driving the Route
Like most of our scenic bike routes, the Arcadia National Park ride is a loop that begins in Bar Harbor. The town is a popular summer tourist destination with plenty of clean hotels and numerous dining options. It is the perfect launching point for any bike ride on the island.
You'll start your journey in town at Rt. 233, also known as Eagle Lake Road. Head west out of town and directly into the park. You'll wind around some beautiful scenery until you pass Eagle Lake. A little further up the road, you'll see the much smaller Aunt Betty Pond. Continue on 233 until you reach Rt. 3. Turn left on 3 and head south along Somers Sound. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the ride with the water to your right and the mountains to your left.
Continuing on Rt. 3 will eventually take you to Seal Harbor, where the road turns northeast as it winds its way up to Bar Harbor. Seal Harbor is the southernmost point of your journey; it offers spectacular views of the harbor as well as Sutton and Great Cranberry islands. As you head north to Bar Harbor, you'll once again pass through the heart of Arcadia.
Scenery and Roads
It's important that you follow the route as laid out if you don't want to be looking for new directions while in the park. Some of the roads in the park are one way, so traveling in a counterclockwise direction will limit the confusion. You'll also find the roads inside the park to be very well maintained. Outside the park, you'll encounter a variety of road conditions, though no real issues to be concerned about.
The ride is ideal for riders of all skill levels. There are plenty of turns and gentle hills, but nothing that should be extremely challenging for new riders. Having said that, this is a ride that is best done between late spring and early fall. The weather in Maine can be very uncomfortable through the late fall and into the winter.
Along the way, you'll enjoy a combination of beautiful mountain scenes and exquisite waterways. The contrast between peaks and shores is breathtaking, especially in the bright sunshine. This is also an excellent ride for fall foliage as well. At any time during the season, an early morning ride will treat you to a beautiful mist that rises from the mountain peaks. If you've never seen Maine, the Arcadia National Park loop is a good reason to visit.
