National Park · ME
Acadia National Park
Acadia is small (49,000 acres) and packs cliffs, pink granite, carriage roads, and the only fjord on the US East Coast onto one island in Maine. It feels less like a wilderness park and more like a coastal village with a park inside it. That's its charm.
Best time to visit
Late June through mid-October. September is ideal — warm days, cold nights, fewer crowds, lobster season. October brings fall color and the famous sunrise crowds at Cadillac.
How long you need
Three days. Acadia rewards slow.
Don't miss
- Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain (reservation required)
- Jordan Pond loop and popovers at the Jordan Pond House
- Ocean Path from Sand Beach to Otter Cliff
- Carriage roads by bike — 45 miles of crushed gravel, no cars
- Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland, the empty third of the park
What people get wrong
Doing only Park Loop Road. The carriage roads are the soul of Acadia — built by Rockefeller, car-free, perfect for bikes — and most visitors never set foot on them. Also: Bar Harbor in August is a cruise-ship destination. Stay in Southwest Harbor or Northeast Harbor if you want quiet.
Entrance fees
Timed Entry Reservation - Location
Vehicle reservations are not required for any other areas of the park, or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bike, or taxi. Vehicle reservations provide a timed entry, but do not require a departure time until 9 pm, when the road closes to vehicles. Reservations do not permit re-entry. Reservations are per vehicle, not per person. Reservations do not assign a specific parking space. Parking is prohibited outside of designated spaces. Cadillac is not served by the Island Explorer bus system.
$6.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Valid for seven days. Admits private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. This includes rental cars, RVs, and vans with fewer than 16 passengers. If the vehicle pass is purchased, no other pass is necessary.
$35.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
$30.00
Entrance - Per Person
Valid for seven days. Admits one individual with no car (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge.
$20.00
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
School groups and other academic institutions may qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. If not qualified, please check fees for large or commercial groups.
$0.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
Groups entering Acadia by bus, van, or other high-capacity vehicles (16 people or more) must pay an organized group entrance fee. Adults (16 years old and over): $20/per person Youth (15 years old and under): Free
$0.00
Commercial Entrance - Per Person
Are you operating a business that provides leisure or recreational services while in the park? If so, it is considered a commercial group and you are required to have a Commercial Use Authorization. A commercial group is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provisions of the service. Learn more on our "Do Business With Us" page.
$20.00
Nonresident
Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Acadia National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless they are admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
$100.00
Operating hours
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is open year-round. Check our website for park facilities operating hours, such as Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
Campgrounds
Blackwoods Campground
Duck Harbor Campground
Schoodic Woods Campground
Seawall Campground
FAQ
- Do I need a Cadillac sunrise reservation?
- Yes, from late May through late October. They go on sale 90 days in advance on recreation.gov and sell out fast.
- How do I get around without a car?
- The free Island Explorer shuttle runs late June through mid-October between Bar Harbor, the campgrounds, and most trailheads.
- Where do I rent a bike?
- Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor both have rental shops; many drop you at a carriage-road trailhead.