Bar Island Land Bridge

The change as the tide changes is pretty amazing. We crossed 2 hours before low tide, the exposed path was pretty rocky & a little wet. Path back was about 1/2 hour before low tide & much more was exposed, including easier sandy walking.

We came here to view the sunset in the early evening so we didn’t get to see the land bridge at low tide. But I gotta say the sunset was just amazingly beautiful. There weren’t many folks ( seems like everyone else was at Agmont park ) so we got to enjoy the amazing peaceful view to ourselves. If you are looking for some quiet moment to enjoy this nature’s beauty, this is it! We loved it so much!

We LOVED this place!
Things you need to know:
- You need to look up the high/low tide times
- If you start crossing before the bridge is clear, you will have wet shoes. Fix: bring water shoes. Bare feet are not recommended (sharp rocks and shell bits)
- It’s a 30-60 minute free activity. You walk to the island and back. You don’t drive there

Amazing experience. This is about .75 mile land bridge to bar island.

The bridge opens during low tide and can walk to Bar Island and it is very fun to kids to collect sea shells and watch sea life.

We saw may crabs, a star fish and many more living creatures along the path.

Look for thr low tide time and visit. Otherwise you will see the land bridge is covered with water up to 20 ft and cannot walk to bar island.

Unique experience! The bar is completely underwater most of the time, but dry for about an hour and a half on either side of low tide. We showed up about 45 minutes ahead of the morning low tide, and had plenty of time to hike across and up to the crest of the island and back, in no particular hurry. Parking is at the meters on West St; driving out onto the bar is no longer allowed, and enforcement is enthusiastic. No public bathrooms nearby.

Such a unique experience being able to explore the entire area during low tide. There were all sorts of crabs and snails to play with. One of our favorite activities in bar harbor especially with young kids.

This is a great thing to do. It's so cool to see and if you walk across to the island there is a nice trail and a house that was there but burned down years and years ago. If you do go over there make sure you know when low ride and high tide is. You don't know when the tide starts to come in find out. Because if you get stuck over at the island that will be the most expensive 1/2 mile boat ride you will ever have, don't believe me just ask around. But if you stay on the walk way it's always fun to skip rocks and watch the sunset.

A great day hike with amazing views of Bar Harbor from the trail lookouts on Bar Island and from the summit on Bar Island.
Be absolutely sure to start at low tide, so the sand bar is completely exposed, and return at least one or two hours before high tide so that you don’t end up stranded on the island! (It does happen…)
We walked across the sand bar at low tide, and completed our hike to the summit and back across the sand bar in about 1 1/2 hours. It is an easy hike to do with well- developed trails, and great for the entire family.

Fun place! My suggestion is bring water sandals to cross. Lots of people wore regularly sneakers, hiking shoes, or flip flops. We all had close toed sandals easy to walk and hike in. Also, if you want to optimize your time on the island you can cross earlier. People with sneakers on had to wait or take them off. Overall, cool experience.

On another note I noticed people comments on when to cross. The times change as do low and high tide times each day. Low tide is not at the same time each day. Our hotel knew the times and when to cross.

This is a MUST!

We parked in town and walked to the land bridge. We arrived about an hour before low tide and had plenty of time to play around (looking in tide pools) and hike to the top of the mountain.

The walk across was surprisingly flat but got a little rocky if you went off the beaten path. It was worth it to see little crabs, shrimp, and mussels among other things.

We continued across to the island and did the “hike” to the top. It was super easy and took maybe 20 minutes. The top was crowded but it was neat to see the view of Bar Harbor.

There were a few people who drove cars to the island but please don’t do that. Just walk.

Absolute must!

Cool experience that you should leave enough time for and plan your day around to make sure you get there prior to peak low tide. It will take you about an hour maybe a bit more if you want to stay a while.. We saw seagulls eating starfish, a really cool mushrooms and the view of Bar Harbor across the way was also super pretty. I would recommend doing it if you have some time at Acadia!

This is a very cool hike! Crossing the land bridge to Bar Island is so cool! Make sure to watch out for the tides!

Nice experience walking across sandbar at low tide. Bar Island gives elevated views of Bar Harbor and surrounding areas. Hike on island is about one mile to the end.

Walking across the Land Bridge at Bar Harbor is a GREAT experience. When we arrived in Bar Harbor the tide was high and after out trolley tour it was low and we were able to walk across to the island. My wife is still bragging that "she walked on the ocean floor." This is a must do in Bar Harbor and no cost.

Really cool hike. Park up the street for paid parking. Make sure to check the time of low tide!

Nice walk along the land bridge. It can get windy, so bring a jacket. The path was full of rocks so bring good sneakers to support your ankles.

Bar Island has a trail on it that’s part of the Acadia National Park. If you want to check it out make sure you come there 1.5 hours before the low tide, so you don’t run out of time to get back.

Fun place to explore marine life and then hike up the trail for a lovely view of Bar Harbor and part of Acadia. This area is accessible about 1.5 hours before or after low tide, so consult a website prior to visiting. The trail on the island has some places with rocky, uneven terrain that ascends and descends in places. Hiking shoes recommended.

Cool nature Walk across to Bar Harbor Island. Must check low tide times and follow directions or you'll get stuck on the island for nine hours. Very different looking at low tide versus high side.

This was probably the highlight of the trip for my kids. They were in awe seeing so many sea stars, sand dollars, and crabs in the tide pools during low tide. We didn't do the trails on the island since I couldn't get the kids away from the water.

*Warning* you can only cross the land bridge during low tide. Look online for the tidal patterns and plan accordingly, or grab an issue of the local "Acadia Weekly" which will have the tide schedules posted. To sum up the land bridge, it is a great place too see the oceanic creatures that didn't go out with the tide, and to stand in the majesty of Bar Island. You can drive your car there, but again, if you get stranded it is a minimum 9 hour wait for the tide to go out again. A free experience like no other. A couple hours of your day well spent over easy trails and amazing sights.