Getting to the Festival

Getting to Dawnland Festival

Bar Harbor gets very busy in July, and parking can be limited. Taking the Island Explorer is a stress-free, sustainable way to get to the festival, and it's how many locals and visitors already explore Acadia.

Public Transit - Island Explorer

  • The Island Explorer bus system is a great way to get to the festival and skip the parking hassle entirely.

    The festival is held at the College of the Atlantic (COA) campus in Bar Harbor. Buses run frequently throughout the day, making it easy to come and go on your own schedule.

  • We recommend parking at the Acadia Gateway Center (AGC), located in Trenton just before the causeway onto Mount Desert Island. Parking is available there, and buses depart every 20 minutes in July.

  • Plan for approximately 40 minutes from the Acadia Gateway Center to the Bar Harbor Motel stop, which is a short walk to the College of the Atlantic campus.

  • Take the Island Explorer bus toward Bar Harbor. You can ride to the Bar Harbor Motel stop, which is within walking distance of the COA campus.

  • The return trip is quick! From the festival, it is about 10 minutes back to the Acadia Gateway Center. Flag down a Gateway Center-bound bus at the Bar Harbor Motel stop, a short walk from the COA campus. No reservation needed.

  • No, the Island Explorer operates as a free, hop-on/hop-off service on the Island. No need for tickets or reservations.

  • During July, buses depart the Acadia Gateway Center approximately every 20 minutes. Check the Island Explorer schedule at exploreacadia.com for current times.

  • Yes! The Island Explorer is a free bus service. There's no fare to ride.

  • Yes. All Island Explorer buses are ADA compliant and equipped with wheelchair lifts. Please note that some power lifts and specialized mobility devices may not be able to be accommodated. The goal is to carry everyone regardless of ability, if you have specific accessibility needs, we recommend reaching out in advance to confirm.

On Foot

If you're staying in downtown Bar Harbor, the College of the Atlantic is an easy walk. The campus is just about 10–15 minutes along Eden Street heading north out of town. It's a beautiful July stroll, and a great way to start your festival day. No parking, no buses, no stress! And if you need a ride back to where you started, the closest Island Explorer stop is a short walk away at the Bar Harbor Motel.

By Car

The Dawnland Festival is held on the campus of the College of the Atlantic, located at 105 Eden Street in Bar Harbor. Limited parking is available on site. Because Bar Harbor gets busy in July, we strongly encourage visitors to park at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton and ride the Island Explorer. It's free, easy, and drops you just a short walk from the festival. If you do drive in, plan to arrive early and allow extra time to find parking.