Horseback Carriage Tours & Campsites in Bar Harbor by Acadia by Carriage

Bar Harbor, Maine, serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park’s unique network of historic carriage roads, a sprawling 57-mile web designed for horses, bikes, and feet alone—motor vehicles are prohibited here. Acadia by Carriage offers a rare entry point to this serene wilderness via comfortable horse-drawn carriage tours and extended horseback stays with access to the park’s iconic trails. This isn’t just a ride; it’s a step back into the early 20th century when John D. Rockefeller Jr. funded these roads to preserve the island’s natural beauty while providing an intimate connection to its landscape.

Guests can choose from a selection of guided tours like the multihour Day Mountain Summit and Rockefeller’s Bridges Tour, each winding through cool forest stands, over granite bridges, and past reflective ponds where the light plays softly on still water. The horses – well-cared for and steady – pull padded, roomy carriages that offer a smooth, easy journey through forests teeming with native pine, spruce, and maple, plus late summer and fall bursts of color. Guides share stories blending Acadia’s natural history, local lore, and the engineering marvels of the carriage roads.

For riders bringing their own horses or those looking to immerse deeper, stays range from single nights up to two weeks at horse stalls and campsites right on the carriage road system, providing direct trail access with the convenience of nearby accommodations. These extended trips attract avid equestrians eager to experience Acadia beyond the crowded park roads.

What makes Acadia by Carriage stand apart is its authentic preservation of a slower, quieter pace of outdoor adventure. It’s an experience to witness the park’s craggy coastlines, mosaic of forest and wetland, and the vast blue sky from horseback, in a way very few visitors do. Whether you’re someone seeking a gentle introduction or a thorough riding immersion, this Bar Harbor staple delivers one of Maine’s most distinctive outdoor adventures.