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Acadia National ParkA park ranger presents a program to a group of visitors on Sand Beach.
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Acadia National Park
Accessible Ranger-Led Programs and More

The park offers a number of accessible activities that help you learn more about the park's natural and cultural history.

ORIENTATION VIDEO
Enjoy a 15-minute captioned narrative of the park at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Audio description and French and German translations are available. Check out audio receivers at the information desk.

AUTO TOUR
Cassettes and CDs of the 56-mile audio tour of the Park Loop Road, Cadillac Summit, and Somes Sound may purchased at the visitor center.

RANGER-LED PROGRAMS
Ranger-led activities are offered mid-May to mid-October. Check with park staff regarding the details of specific programs. Accessible programs are listed in the park newspaper, the Beaver Log.

Contact the park at (207) 288-8800 (TTY) or (207) 288-3338 (voice) for more information about two options that may be available for persons with limited hearing:

  • A certified sign language interpreter may be available for a ranger-led program with a two-week advanced notice. Service is dependent on availability of funds and interpreters.
  • To improve hearing and understanding during park programs, a limited number of personal assistive listening devices are available by advanced reservation for ranger-led programs.
 

BOAT CRUISES
Park rangers narrate four privately owned boat cruises. Accessibility and prices vary. Boarding is easiest at high tide when the slopes of the boat ramps are less steep. Participants can remain in their wheelchairs. For reservations and information about accessibility, contact the boat operators in advance.

Baker Island Cruise (4 1/2 hours)
Cruise with a ranger for an intimate look at this ocean-sculpted island. The cruise is accessible, but disembarking on the island requires transfer to a smaller boat and is not possible for wheelchair users. 1 West Street, Bar Harbor. Reservations: (207) 288-2386.

Dive-In Theater Boat Cruise
Cruise with a ranger among the islands of Frenchman Bay looking for wildlife. Watch real-time video as a diver scours the ocean floor for marine life to bring aboard for exploration. College of the Atlantic Dock, Bar Harbor. Reservations: (207) 288-3483.

Frenchman Bay Cruise
Climb aboard a majestic four-masted schooner in search of wildlife and history. Inquire about accessibility. Bar Harbor Inn Pier. Reservations: (207) 288-4585.

Islesford Historical Cruise
Search for wildlife as you cruise to Little Cranberry Island for a stop at the Islesford Historical Museum. The boat cruise is accessible with assistance, but disembarking on the island would be difficult for wheelchair users. There are seven steps up to the museum. Northeast Harbor Town Dock. Reservations: (207) 276-5352.

A man boards the Island Explorer bus.  

Did You Know?
Since 1999, propane-powered Island Explorer buses have carried more than two million passengers in Acadia National Park, eliminating more than 685,000 automobile trips and preventing 6,444 tons of greenhouse gases. The fare-free buses are supported by your entrance fees.
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Last Updated: July 27, 2006 at 11:22 EST