Acadia asks two separate questions at the planning stage. The first is the park entrance pass. The second only applies if you want to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain: that road has its own vehicle reservation on top of the entrance pass, and it is sold online in advance rather than at the gate. It is a timed entry for one trip up, with no re-entry once you have come back down, and the summit road closes to vehicles at 9 pm.
If you would rather not drive at all, the fare-free Island Explorer bus serves most of the park and the surrounding communities, with the exception of Cadillac Mountain itself. A car-free day therefore works for most of Acadia, just not for the summit.
Winter changes the map. The Park Loop Road, Cadillac included, closes to vehicles for the coldest months, and only Jordan Pond Road in Seal Harbor stays open to reach the Jordan Pond parking lot. A handful of public restrooms around the park are kept open through the winter season.
Family FAQ
How much does Acadia National Park cost?
A standard entrance pass is USD 20.00-35.00, and non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra USD 100 per person unless they hold an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.
Is there parking at Acadia National Park?
Hulls Cove Visitor Center has four accessible spaces behind the building, one van-sized, and there is parking at two points on the Cadillac summit with restrooms, a gift shop and paved walks between the overlooks.
