BAR HARBOR, MAINE - Acadia National Park is excited to welcome visitors throughout Memorial Day weekend, and the National Park Service has plenty of tools available to help visitors navigate the park amidst crowds, traffic congestion, and limited parking. Consider downloading the NPS App to help guide your visit and select “Save this park for offline use" since connectivity in the park is not reliable.
Rangers encourage visitors to arrive with a plan and a back-up plan. Go to nps.gov/Acadia to learn about places to go and things to do in the park before you arrive. Have a back-up plan in case parking is unavailable. Park responsibly and only in designated parking spaces-parking illegally is unsafe and adds to the traffic congestion. Consider leaving your car at your place of lodging for the day and use village connector trails or the carriage roads to reach your destination. Island Explorer bus service begins on May 24 only on the Schoodic Penninsula. Bus service on Mount Desert Island begins June 23.
Visitors over the age of 15 are required to have a park entrance pass, which can be purchased online at Recreation.gov or at locations in and around the park. Vehicles must display a park entrance pass through the windshield. Your fees help enhance the visitor experience and protect resources at Acadia National Park.
Vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road from May 24 through Oct. 22, which must be purchased online at Recreation.gov before arriving. Print or download the ticket with the QR code for validation. Reservations are not available to purchase in person. Vehicle reservations are not required for other locations in the park or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bicycle, or taxi.
Campsite reservations must be made on Recreation.gov, but most of the park’s campsites are already reserved for the Memorial Day weekend. There are no same day reservations, and no campsites are available for request upon arrival. Backcountry camping, campfires and overnight parking are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds. Hikers should know the difficulty of the park’s trails and select those that match their abilities. Many of Acadia’s hikes are more challenging than they seem. Carry a detailed trail map with topography and don't rely on cell connectivity for trail navigation. Seventy percent of injuries to hikers in Acadia are due to slips, trips and falls. Wear sturdy footwear and beware of loose gravel, slippery rock, steep climbs and uneven surfaces.
Want more tips on visiting Acadia National Park? Check out the Top 5 things to know before visiting Acadia.
Did you know that there are four National Parks in Maine? If you’re looking for a new place to explore this holiday weekend, consider checking out Saint Croix International Historic Site, Kahtahdin Woods and Waters National Monumen t, or Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service