Acadia National Park Visitors Guide
Welcome to the Acadia National Park Visitors Guide.
Here you will find general visitors information on regulations about bringing dogs to the park, wheelchair access, entrance fees, visitor centers, and reservations.
You will also learn what outdoor activities are available such as hiking, biking, camping, and fishing.
Here you will find general visitors information on regulations about bringing dogs to the park, wheelchair access, entrance fees, visitor centers, and reservations.
You will also learn what outdoor activities are available such as hiking, biking, camping, and fishing.
|
|
Acadia National Park Visitors Guide
|
|
|
|
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located at Sieur de Monts Spring, Fabbri and Bear Brooks Picnic areas, the Thompson Island Information Center, Blackwoods Campground, Seawall Campground and picnic area, and Park Headquarters. Some trails, restrooms, and campsites are accessible. Sign language interpreter provided with two weeks notice of arrival, if funding is available. Script for audio visual presentation at visitor center available upon request.
Biking
Bicycles are not allowed off-road or on hiking trails. Some park carriage roads are open to biking. Wear a helmet, obey all biking regulations, dismount from your bike when approaching horses and signal when approaching other riders or walkers from the rear.
Boat Trips
Boat operators offer rentals, charters, cruises, and ferry service in nearby towns. More information may be obtained at the visitor centers.
Carriage Roads
Park carriage roads are open to walkers, equestrians, and bicyclists. Some routes are closed to horses. Others extend onto private lands, and these are closed to bicyclists. Carriage tours are available at Wildwood Stables.
Rules of the Road
- Stay to the right.
- Pass carefully to the left
- Yield to others. Don't obstruct the entire carriage road when you ride or walk. Move to the side when stopping or taking a break.
- Be prepared to stop. Stay in control.
- Gravel surfaces are loose, quick stops are dangerous.
- Let sight distance, traffic, and conditions govern speed.
- Dressfor the weather and carry water.
- Use a map. Sign posts at carriage road intersections have numbers on them.
- Horses can occasionally be unpredictable. Move to the side and let them pass. Do not startle them.
- Cyclists: wear a helmet, and when approaching others from behind, call out or use your bell.
- Pets must be leashed. Use a short leash>
- Leave no trace. Carry out what you carry in.
Camping
There are two campgrounds in Acadia National Park. You can make reservations for Blackwoods campground only. Seawall Campgrounds operates on a first come first serve basis. Campgrounds normally fill early in July through September, so plan to arrive early. All park campsites are situated in woods, within a 10 minute walk of the ocean. One vehicle, six people and two small tents or one large tent are allowed at a campsite. Designated campsites accommodate trailers up to 35 feet. Neither campground has utility hook-ups. From early spring to late fall, the campgrounds provide restrooms, cold running water, dump station, picnic tables, fire rings and water faucets. Showers and a camping supply store are within .5 mile of both campgrounds. Blackwoods remains open during the off-season. Facilities are limited to picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets and a hand pump for drinking water.
See the Camping Page for more information.
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 20.00 (7 Day Pass) |
| Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) | $ 5.00 (7 Day Pass) |
| Annual Permit (good 1 year from date of purchase) | $ 40.00 |
| Gold Access Pass (Blind or permanently disabled individuals) | Free (Lifetime - good in all natl parks) |
| Golden Age Pass (1 time fee - for those 62+ years) | $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all natl parks) |
| National Park Pass (Good 1 year from date of purchase) | $ 50.00 (Good in all natl parks) |
| Golden Eagle Pass* (Good 1 year from date of purchase) | $ 15.00 (Good in all natl parks) |
National Park Pass Information
National Parks Pass
The National Parks Pass is an annual pass that provides admission to any national park charging an entrance fee. The Pass costs $ 50.00 and is valid for 12 months (ending the last day of the purchase month, one year later). More than 80% of the proceeds from the sales of National Park Passes go directly into supporting priority projects in national parks.
Where a "Per Vehicle" entrance fee is charged, the Pass admits the Pass signee and accompanying passengers in a single, private*, non-commercial vehicle. Where a "Per Person" entrance fee is charged, the Pass admits the Pass signee, spouse, children and parents. The Pass is nontransferable and does not cover or reduce use fees such as charges for camping, parking, tours and concessions.
Golden Eagle Pass
For an additional $ 15.00, a Golden Eagle hologram may be purchased and affixed to a National Parks Pass to cover entrance fees at not only national parks, but also at sites managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U. S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The Golden Eagle holograms are available at National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management fee stations. The Golden Eagle admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private* vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Eagle admits the pass signee, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Eagle is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce use fees such as charges for camping, parking, tours, and concessions. It is valid for entrance fees only. The Golden Eagle hologram is valid until the expiration of the National Parks Pass to which it is affixed.
Golden Age Pass
If you are age 62 or older, you qualify for a Golden Age Passport. The Golden Age Pass is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older. The Golden Age Pass is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The Golden Age Pass admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private* vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Age Pass admits the pass signee, spouse, and children.
The Golden Age Pass also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass signee will be given the 50% price reduction. The Pass is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. A Golden Age Pass must be obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. There is a one-time $ 10.00 processing charge to obtain the Golden Age Pass. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years of age or older. You must show proof of age, such as a state driver's license, birth certificate, or similar document.
Golden Access Pass
If you have a permanent disability, you may qualify for a Golden Access Passport. The Golden Access Pass is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The Golden Access Pass admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private* vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Access Pass admits the pass signee, spouse, and children.
The Golden Access Pass also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass signee will be given the 50% price reduction. The Pass is nontransferable and does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. A Golden Access Pass must be obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. You may obtain a Golden Access Pass by showing proof of medically determined permanent disability, or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law.
* A private vehicle is defined as any noncommercial vehicle that is being used for private recreational purposes.
The National Parks Pass may be purchased at any National Park office or entry station.
To purchase a pass Online, click on this Link, or to purchase via phone, call: 1-888-467-2757.
| $ 150 - Passenger capacity of 26 or over | |
| $ 60 - Passenger capacity of 16-25 | |
| $ 50 - Passenger capacity of 7-15 | |
| $ 25 - Passenger capacity of 1-6 |
| Fees are based upon the passenger capacity of each tour vehicle, not the number of passengers actually being transported. Only for the 1-6 capacity commercial tour vehicles will an additional entrance fee of $ 5.00 per person be charged. |
| Fees do not apply to situations involving educational groups for whom a waiver of entrance fees has been approved. Waiver must be shown at the entrance station upon arrival. |
| Fees are payable upon arrival in cash, by U.S. check or money order or charged to Visa or Mastercard. Make Check or money order out for the exact amount of the fee to the National Park Service. |
| Bus drivers are asked to turn their engines off at all stops. The noise and pollution are distracting, irritating and lessen the visitors' enjoyment of the area. We are sure that your patrons and other visitors will appreciate your compliance. |
| If you have questions concerning the commercial tour fees, call: 207-288-3338. |
Fishing
During Jul and Aug, trout and salmon are found deep in the cooler waters of lakes and ponds on the Mount Desert Island. Special fishing gear often leads to greater success in catching cold water species in the summer. In cooler seasons, trout and salmon can be readily caught using common methods. Warm water species can be caught in several lakes and ponds throughout the year using common methods.
See the Fishing Guide for more information.
Food and Supplies
Food and supplies are available in nearby towns.
Hiking
Arcadia has many foot trails, from lowland paths to mountain routes. They range from the casual walker to the avid hiker. There are 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads for walking and biking.
See the Hiking Page for more information.
Lodging
Park lodging is limited to two campgrounds. Blackwoods campgrounds takes reservations. Seawall campgrounds is first come first serve. Plan on making your reservations as soon as possible. There is local campgrounds and lodging in the nearby communities.
See the Lodging Page for more information.
Permits
For fresh water fishing, a local Maine fishing permit is required. You can buy a one day or several day license. For salt water fishing, no license is required.
See the Hiking Page for more information on fishing.
Isle au Haut special use permits are available: 15 May to 15 Oct
Call the park service for a mail-in registration form: 207-288-3338
Pets
Pets must always be attended and under physical restraint (max leash length 6 feet). Pets are not allowed on ladder trails, beaches, inside public buildings, or on ranger programs.
Program and Activities
Within the park, there is a 27 mile drive on Park Loop Road, which encompasses shoreline, forest and mountain scenery. A cassette tape tour is available for rent or purchase at the visitor center. There are ranger-led programs, hiking, biking, shore exploration. There is ice fishing, snowmobiling, winter hiking and cross-country skiing in the winter. See the Calendar Page for more information.
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Visitor Centers
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Weather
Summers are generally warm, cooling off at night, sometimes dry, sometimes rainy. Winters are very cold and snowy. Always be prepared for cool weather, dress in layers.
See the Weather Page for current conditions, forecasts and other weather data.
Maine National Parks Page
Back to National Parks
Copyright © 1995 - 2007 Hillclimb Media
To get Information about Advertising on this Page - Click Here
This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
