Mount Desert Island
4.9(152)google
4.5(681)yelp
IslandCoastScenic Lookout
Overview
Mount Desert Island (MDI; French: Île des Monts Déserts; Malecite-Passamaquoddy: Pesamkuk) is the largest island of Maine, United States. Lying in Hancock County off the north-central coast, it has an area of 108 square miles (280 km2), making it the sixth-largest island in the contiguous United States, and the second-largest island on the Eastern Seaboard, behind Long Island and ahead of Martha's Vineyard. According to the 2020 census, the island has a year-round population of 10,535.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-4 days
Best TimeSummer from June to August brings refreshingly cool weather, perfect for whale watching, sailing, and escaping the mainland heat. However, for visual drama, early October is unmatched as the island is blanketed in fiery red maples and golden birches. A perfect day involves climbing trails in the crisp morning and heading to the harbors by 6:00 PM for a lobster dinner during sunset.
Getting ThereFrom mainland Maine, cross onto the island via the bridge on ME-3 South through Trenton. Between June and October, the island features an exceptional public transport option: the Island Explorer. This free regional shuttle bus network operates multiple intersecting routes originating from the Bar Harbor Village Green, connecting various coastal towns and scenic hubs.
Travel Tips
- The island is bisected into the busy eastern national park and the western 'Quiet Side'; peak July-August crowds cause severe gridlock on the sole mainland bridge conduit along Route 3 from 9 AM to 2 PM, necessitating driver layout optimization to cross before 7:30 AM or after 6:30 PM.
- Recreational and commercial drone operation is 100% prohibited across all park lands on the island under strict federal criminal penalties; the historic crushed-stone Carriage Roads network enforces a rigid 15 mph speed limit for permissible bikes, while Class 2 and 3 high-output e-bikes are entirely banned.
- Coastal hiking demands careful parsing of the North Atlantic's 12-foot tidal swings, as incoming water floods sea caves and low ledges rapidly; dense granite valleys create extensive cellular dead zones, requiring fully pre-downloaded offline maps before entering the backcountry.
Reviews
Positive
- The island blends soaring granite peaks with historic northern seaport charm; its natural geological richness delivers an authentic vacation paradise.
- Island transit and town amenities are highly regulated; the free eco-shuttle links the island seamlessly, and sidewalks have full wheelchair accessibility.
- Staff across resorts, lobster shacks, and boutiques are exceptionally polite and warm; overall safety ranks elite in the US, making evening strolls secure.
- Most public wilderness zones are free, and dining ranges widely; packing mountains, beaches, lighthouses, and fresh seafood in one stop offers great value.
Heads up
- During the mid-summer peak tourist months of July and August, island prices for lobster rolls and boutique hotels face massive inflation and steep premiums.
- Core town commercial districts like Bar Harbor face heavy tourist overload in afternoons, packed with cruise ship tour groups that make it rowdy.
- Failing to book rooms or campsites months in advance leaves visitors completely stranded in peak season, and island highway arterials face frequent clogs.
- Remote wilderness cliffs and natural beaches away from towns lack trash bins and freshwater wash-downs, leaving trails muddy after heavy storms.